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Acuity Brands Inc (AYI)
NYSE:AYI

Acuity Brands (AYI) AI Stock Analysis

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AY

Acuity Brands

(NYSE:AYI)

Rating:76Outperform
Price Target:
$344.00
▲(15.30%Upside)
Acuity Brands demonstrates robust financial performance and growth prospects, supported by strong earnings results and strategic initiatives. The technical indicators suggest bullish momentum, but caution is warranted due to overbought signals. Valuation metrics present a mixed picture with a moderate P/E ratio but low dividend yield. Overall, the company's strategic growth initiatives and solid financial health lead to a favorable stock evaluation.
Positive Factors
Competitive Advantage
AYI is seen as competitively advantaged compared to low-cost Chinese competitors due to its USMCA-compliant Mexican production.
Earnings Potential
The price target for Acuity Brands Inc. has been raised to $285, indicating confidence in its potential growth.
Market Positioning
Acuity Brands is positioned for growth due to a strong opportunity for gaining market share.
Negative Factors
Fiscal Guidance
Fiscal 2025 guidance was maintained despite the third-quarter beat, as the fourth quarter will see pull-forward giveback and lower gross margins as tariffs are passed on dollar for dollar.
Revenue Seasonality
There is a risk for Acuity of below-average revenue seasonality during the second half if project pull-forward was meaningful.

Acuity Brands (AYI) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Acuity Brands Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionAcuity Brands, Inc. provides lighting and building management solutions in North America and internationally. The company operates through two segments, Acuity Brands Lighting and Lighting Controls (ABL); and the Intelligent Spaces Group (ISG). The ABL segment provides commercial, architectural, and specialty lighting solutions, as well as lighting controls and components for various indoor and outdoor applications under the Lithonia Lighting, Holophane, Peerless, Gotham, Mark Architectural Lighting, Winona Lighting, Juno, Indy, Aculux, Healthcare Lighting, Hydrel, American Electric Lighting, Sunoptics, eldoLED, nLight, Sensor Switch, IOTA, A-Light, Cyclone, Eureka, Lumniaire LED, Luminis, Dark to Light, and RELOC Wiring Solutions brands. This segment serves electrical distributors, retail home improvement centers, electric utilities, national accounts, digital retailers, lighting showrooms, and energy service companies. The ISG segment offers building management systems and location-aware applications under the Distech Controls, Atrius, and Rockpile Ventures brands. This segment serves system integrators, as well as retail stores, airports, and enterprise campuses. Acuity Brands, Inc. was incorporated in 2001 and is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia.
How the Company Makes MoneyAcuity Brands makes money primarily through the sale of its lighting and building management products and solutions. The company's revenue streams are driven by the manufacturing and distribution of lighting fixtures, lighting controls, and building management systems. Acuity Brands serves a diverse customer base which includes electrical distributors, retail home improvement centers, lighting showrooms, and various other commercial and industrial customers. The company also benefits from strategic partnerships and collaborations with technology partners to enhance its product offerings with advanced digital solutions. Additionally, Acuity Brands focuses on expanding its market presence through acquisitions and investments in new technologies to drive growth and increase its market share.

Acuity Brands Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Jun 26, 2025
(Q2-2025)
|
% Change Since: 3.77%|
Next Earnings Date:Oct 01, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
The earnings call reflects a positive sentiment with strong financial performance, successful integration of QSC, and impressive growth in the Intelligent Spaces segment. Despite a slight decline in the ABL segment sales and challenges posed by tariffs, the company demonstrated resilience and strategic planning.
Q2-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Steady Financial Performance
Net sales grew by 11% year-over-year to $1 billion, driven by growth in Intelligent Spaces and the inclusion of two months of QSC sales. Adjusted operating profit increased by 16% to $163 million, with a margin expansion of 70 basis points to 16.2%.
Successful Integration of QSC
The acquisition of QSC has been successfully integrated, contributing to the improved gross margin and overall company performance. QSC's adjusted operating profit margin is similar to Atrius and Distech, which are part of the AIS segment.
Strong Performance in Intelligent Spaces
Sales in Acuity Intelligence Spaces increased by $103 million, with a growth of 12.2% in Atrius and Distech combined, and strong contribution from QSC.
Product Innovation and Recognition
The company won 14 product innovation awards from Architectural Products Magazine and seven Lighting Design Awards, showcasing achievements in product vitality and technology.
Negative Updates
Decline in ABL Segment Sales
ABL delivered sales of $841 million, which was $3 million less than the prior year, primarily due to declines in retail and corporate accounts amidst market uncertainty.
Tariff Challenges
The company faces uncertainty due to tariffs, affecting supply chains and requiring strategic pricing actions. The impact includes a lag in passing on price increases and potential cash flow challenges.
Company Guidance
During the Acuity Fiscal 2025 Second Quarter Earnings Call, the company reported steady performance with significant growth metrics. Net sales increased by 11% to $1 billion, driven by the integration of QSC and growth in the Intelligent Spaces segment. Adjusted operating profit rose by 16% to $163 million, with an adjusted operating profit margin expanding by 70 basis points to 16.2%. Adjusted diluted earnings per share increased by 10% to $3.73. The Acuity Brands Lighting (ABL) segment recorded $841 million in sales, slightly below the previous year, while the Acuity Intelligent Spaces (AIS) segment saw a substantial increase to $172 million in sales, bolstered by QSC's performance. The company also highlighted strategic investments in its electronics portfolio, showcasing innovations in its GOTHAM IVO products and receiving multiple industry awards for product excellence. Despite market uncertainties, including tariff impacts, Acuity remains confident in its strategic pricing and productivity efforts to maintain growth and shareholder value.

Acuity Brands Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Acuity Brands shows strong profitability with robust EBIT and EBITDA margins, supported by stable revenue and a solid equity base. Although there is a slight decline in net profit margin and free cash flow growth, overall financial health remains strong with efficient operations and sound capital structure.
Income Statement
85
Very Positive
Acuity Brands shows a strong gross profit margin of 46.7% TTM, supported by stable revenue growth. However, the net profit margin has seen a slight decline from the previous year. The EBIT and EBITDA margins remain robust at 13.8% and 15.7% respectively, indicating efficient operations. The company is maintaining solid profitability despite slight fluctuations in net income.
Balance Sheet
80
Positive
The balance sheet reflects a solid equity base with an equity ratio of 55.0% TTM, indicating financial stability. The debt-to-equity ratio at 0.47 shows moderate leverage. Return on equity stands at 16.5% TTM, showcasing effective utilization of shareholders' funds. The overall balance sheet is healthy with a strong equity position, but there is a slight increase in debt levels.
Cash Flow
78
Positive
Operating cash flow remains strong, with a healthy ratio of 1.24 when compared to net income, indicating strong cash generation. Free cash flow has decreased slightly but remains positive, with a free cash flow to net income ratio of 1.09. The company demonstrates robust cash flow management, although there is a slight decline in free cash flow growth.
BreakdownTTMSep 2024Sep 2023Sep 2022Sep 2021Sep 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue3.96B3.84B3.95B4.01B3.46B3.33B
Gross Profit1.85B1.78B1.71B1.67B1.48B1.40B
EBITDA620.90M665.00M588.50M603.20M520.50M479.30M
Net Income417.00M422.60M346.00M384.00M306.30M248.30M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets4.58B3.81B3.41B3.48B3.58B3.49B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments397.90M845.80M397.90M223.20M491.30M560.70M
Total Debt1.19B573.50M495.60M513.00M494.30M401.10M
Total Liabilities2.06B1.44B1.39B1.57B1.53B1.36B
Stockholders Equity2.52B2.38B2.02B1.91B2.04B2.13B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow454.60M555.20M511.40M259.80M364.90M449.90M
Operating Cash Flow518.20M619.20M578.10M316.30M408.70M504.80M
Investing Cash Flow-1.22B-90.70M-62.20M-117.90M-359.80M
Financing Cash Flow534.20M-104.50M-312.90M-512.40M-362.60M-50.30M

Acuity Brands Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price298.34
Price Trends
50DMA
263.13
Positive
100DMA
271.09
Positive
200DMA
289.25
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
9.32
Negative
RSI
68.89
Neutral
STOCH
81.63
Negative
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For AYI, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 298.34 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 276.14, above the 50-day MA of 263.13, and above the 200-day MA of 289.25, indicating a bullish trend. The MACD of 9.32 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 68.89 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 81.63 is Negative, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for AYI.

Acuity Brands Risk Analysis

Acuity Brands disclosed 23 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Acuity Brands reported the most risks in the "Legal & Regulatory" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

Acuity Brands Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (71)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
NVNVT
82
Outperform
$12.08B20.957.63%1.09%-5.12%1.69%
78
Outperform
$2.57B14.9737.08%0.50%27.43%67.93%
AYAYI
76
Outperform
$9.30B23.9016.60%0.22%9.16%4.09%
76
Outperform
$4.98B68.376.36%0.30%0.06%-28.32%
74
Outperform
$2.39B13.7012.73%1.85%-12.02%-67.69%
ENENS
73
Outperform
$3.35B9.6519.82%1.11%1.00%38.51%
71
Outperform
¥255.65B12.958.49%3.09%6.31%12.94%
* Industrials Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
AYI
Acuity Brands
298.34
55.17
22.69%
AEIS
Advanced Energy
132.50
26.22
24.67%
ENS
EnerSys
85.77
-14.95
-14.84%
POWL
Powell Industries
210.45
66.47
46.17%
ATKR
Atkore International Group
70.55
-58.36
-45.27%
NVT
nVent Electric
73.25
-1.50
-2.01%

Acuity Brands Corporate Events

Business Operations and Strategy
Acuity Brands Announces Corporate Name Change to Acuity Inc.
Positive
Mar 12, 2025

On March 11, 2025, Acuity Brands, Inc. announced a corporate name change to Acuity Inc., effective March 26, 2025, as part of a rebranding strategy to align its business segments and promote a cohesive brand experience. This change reflects the company’s evolution and its strategy for growth, positioning Acuity as an innovator and disruptor in the industry, with a focus on creating stakeholder value and compounding shareholder wealth.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Jun 27, 2025