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Acuity Brands Inc (AYI)
NYSE:AYI
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Acuity Brands (AYI) AI Stock Analysis

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AYI

Acuity Brands

(NYSE:AYI)

Rating:75Outperform
Price Target:
$382.00
â–²(13.20% Upside)
Acuity Brands' strong earnings performance and positive technical indicators are the primary drivers of its stock score. Despite a high valuation and some operational challenges, the company's strategic growth initiatives and robust financial health support a favorable outlook.
Positive Factors
Financial Performance
There was a significant improvement in gross margin due to structural drivers, such as improved volume leverage on productivity and a positive product mix.
Market Position
The company's strategic positioning and tariff de-escalation are expected to be tailwinds for financial performance.
Strategic Positioning
Acuity Brands is seen as competitively advantaged compared to low-cost Chinese competitors due to its USMCA-compliant Mexican production.
Negative Factors
Guidance and Margins
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. is a leading provider of innovative lighting and building management solutions headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. The company operates primarily in the North American market and focuses on the design and manufacturing of indoor and outdoor lighting fixtures, controls, and related products for commercial, industrial, and residential applications. Acuity Brands' product portfolio includes LED lighting systems, smart lighting controls, and energy management systems, catering to the evolving demands for energy efficiency and sustainability in the built environment.
How the Company Makes MoneyAcuity Brands generates revenue primarily through the sale of lighting products, controls, and system solutions. The company's revenue model is built on both direct sales to end customers and distribution through a network of electrical wholesalers and retailers. Key revenue streams include the sale of LED lighting fixtures, smart lighting controls, and building management systems, which are increasingly in demand due to the global shift towards energy-efficient technologies. Additionally, Acuity Brands benefits from partnerships with technology firms and other stakeholders in the construction and real estate sectors, which enhance its reach and capabilities. The company's ongoing investment in research and development allows it to stay at the forefront of innovation, thus driving sales through new product introductions and enhancements that meet changing customer needs.

Acuity Brands Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Jun 26, 2025
(Q3-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Oct 01, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
Acuity delivered a strong third quarter with significant growth in sales, profit, and EPS, driven by strategic acquisitions and product innovations. However, challenges related to tariffs and specific market segments like Pro Audio and horticulture present ongoing issues.
Q3-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Strong Third Quarter Performance
Acuity reported net sales of $1.2 billion for the third quarter, a 22% increase from the prior year, driven by growth in both business segments. Adjusted operating profit rose by 33% to $222 million, with an adjusted operating profit margin of 18.8%, up 150 basis points from the prior year.
Acuity Intelligence Spaces Growth
Acuity Intelligence Spaces (AIS) delivered strong sales growth with a 21% increase in Atrius and Distech, while QSC grew over 20% year-over-year on a pro forma basis. AIS achieved an adjusted operating profit margin of 23.6%.
Record Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share
Adjusted diluted earnings per share increased by 23% to $5.12 over the prior year.
Product and Technology Innovations
Acuity launched new products, including the wireless SensorSwitch Air and the animate controller by nLight, enhancing their product portfolio in multiple verticals such as healthcare, sports lighting, and infrastructure.
Strategic Acquisition and Product Expansion
Acuity accelerated product vitality through the acquisition of M3 Innovation, launching new products in sports lighting and other industrial applications.
Negative Updates
Tariff Policy Impact and Challenges
Acuity faced challenges due to evolving tariff policies, resulting in strategic pricing actions to cover the dollar impact. There was some order acceleration ahead of price increases, affecting backlog and margins.
Pro Audio Challenges
The Pro Audio segment within QSC, which sources mainly from China, has been more heavily impacted by tariff policies, affecting its financial performance.
Horticulture Market Slowdown
Acuity's horticulture segment has been slower than expected in terms of growth and performance.
Company Guidance
During the Acuity Fiscal 2025 Third Quarter Earnings Call, strong performance metrics were highlighted, including net sales growth of 22% year-over-year to $1.2 billion, an increase in adjusted operating profit by 33% to $222 million, and an expansion of the adjusted operating profit margin to 18.8%, up 150 basis points from the prior year. Adjusted diluted earnings per share rose by 23% to $5.12. The ABL segment saw sales of $923 million, a 3% year-over-year increase, while Acuity Intelligence Spaces (AIS) reported sales of $264 million, marking significant growth driven by Atrius, Distech, and QSC. The company effectively managed its supply chain amidst evolving tariff policies, strategically implementing pricing actions and productivity efforts to mitigate cost impacts. The call also noted investments in product vitality and strategic acquisitions, such as M3 Innovation, to enhance their portfolio across various verticals. The company expects the combination of third and fourth quarter performance to meet its second-half fiscal 2025 expectations, despite geopolitical uncertainties.

Acuity Brands Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Acuity Brands displays robust financial performance with consistent revenue growth and strong profitability, evidenced by a net profit margin of 9.63%. The balance sheet is solid with moderate leverage, but increased debt levels and slight declines in free cash flow growth require monitoring.
Income Statement
75
Positive
Acuity Brands has shown consistent revenue growth over the years with a 8.53% increase in the most recent TTM period. The company maintains strong profitability with a TTM gross profit margin of 47.40% and a net profit margin of 9.63%. The EBIT margin stands at 12.96%, and the EBITDA margin is 15.08%, indicating efficient operations. However, the slight decrease in EBIT from the previous year reflects some operational challenges.
Balance Sheet
70
Positive
The balance sheet shows a solid equity position with a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.42, highlighting moderate leverage. The return on equity (ROE) of 15.53% is healthy, indicating effective use of equity. The equity ratio is at 55.63%, suggesting a strong financial structure. However, the increase in total debt over the most recent period could present future risk if not managed carefully.
Cash Flow
68
Positive
Acuity Brands has strong cash flow generation with a TTM operating cash flow to net income ratio of 1.43, demonstrating effective cash conversion. The free cash flow to net income ratio is 1.26, underscoring robust cash flow management. However, there has been a slight decline in free cash flow growth compared to the previous year, which could indicate pressure on cash reserves.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue4.17B3.84B3.95B4.01B3.46B3.33B
Gross Profit1.98B1.78B1.71B1.67B1.48B1.40B
EBITDA628.50M665.00M588.50M603.20M520.50M479.30M
Net Income401.50M422.60M346.00M384.00M306.30M248.30M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets4.65B3.81B3.41B3.48B3.58B3.49B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments371.80M845.80M397.90M223.20M491.30M560.70M
Total Debt1.09B573.50M495.60M513.00M494.30M401.10M
Total Liabilities2.06B1.44B1.39B1.57B1.53B1.36B
Stockholders Equity2.58B2.38B2.02B1.91B2.04B2.13B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow506.40M555.20M511.40M259.80M364.90M449.90M
Operating Cash Flow573.00M619.20M578.10M316.30M408.70M504.80M
Investing Cash Flow-1.27B-65.10M-90.70M-62.20M-117.90M-359.80M
Financing Cash Flow373.60M-104.50M-312.90M-512.40M-362.60M-50.30M

Acuity Brands Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price337.47
Price Trends
50DMA
311.86
Positive
100DMA
286.04
Positive
200DMA
292.92
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
8.04
Negative
RSI
64.24
Neutral
STOCH
75.32
Neutral
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 337.47 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 326.07, above the 50-day MA of 311.86, and above the 200-day MA of 292.92, indicating a bullish trend. The MACD of 8.04 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 64.24 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 75.32 is Neutral, 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 (64)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
80
Outperform
$3.89B11.8519.13%0.92%3.73%32.29%
80
Outperform
$3.24B18.6334.00%0.39%14.32%33.76%
80
Outperform
$14.94B26.417.53%0.85%-4.84%2.33%
75
Outperform
$10.37B26.6616.60%0.20%9.16%4.09%
75
Outperform
$5.79B69.757.04%0.26%8.49%-7.65%
65
Neutral
$1.99B19.037.29%2.22%-12.09%-78.18%
64
Neutral
$10.75B15.577.24%2.01%2.80%-14.32%
* Industrials Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
AYI
Acuity Brands
337.47
86.63
34.54%
AEIS
Advanced Energy
154.43
60.94
65.18%
ENS
EnerSys
104.63
9.86
10.40%
POWL
Powell Industries
272.40
117.04
75.33%
ATKR
Atkore International Group
58.52
-23.08
-28.28%
NVT
nVent Electric
92.58
31.11
50.61%

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: Sep 05, 2025