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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)

71Outperform
Acuity Brands presents a solid financial foundation with strong profitability and strategic growth initiatives, particularly in the Intelligent Spaces segment. However, technical indicators suggest potential downside risks, and the stock's valuation indicates moderate pricing. Positive earnings call highlights and strategic rebranding efforts support future growth prospects, though tariff challenges and ABL segment declines pose risks.
Positive Factors
Competitive Positioning
Acuity is better positioned relative to competitors to weather tariff disruption due to its global supply chain.
Gross Margin Performance
The sizeable gross margin beat in FQ2 signals potential upside in the second half of the fiscal year.
Tariff Exemption
Acuity Brands is expected to benefit from the exemption of USMCA-compliant goods from tariffs, unlike its Asia-based competitors.
Negative Factors
Demand Uncertainty
Uncertainty on demand impact related to tariffs.
Project Activity Risk
The biggest near-term risk is tariffs impacting project timing and gross margins.
Tariff Impact
There could be a negative gross margin percent impact by passing along tariffs dollar for dollar, and a lag between AYI raising prices and paying tariffs.

Acuity Brands (AYI) vs. S&P 500 (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 generates revenue primarily through the sale of its comprehensive lighting and building management solutions. The company's key revenue streams include the sale of lighting fixtures, lighting controls, and related components. Acuity Brands leverages advanced technologies, such as LED and IoT-enabled smart lighting solutions, to offer energy-efficient and cost-effective products. Additionally, the company benefits from strategic partnerships and a robust distribution network that includes electrical distributors, retail outlets, and online platforms. Acuity's earnings are further supported by demand for energy-efficient solutions driven by regulatory requirements and sustainability initiatives across various industries.

Acuity Brands Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Acuity Brands demonstrates strong profitability with stable margins and consistent revenue growth, though there is room for improvement in ROE and free cash flow stability.
Income Statement
75
Positive
Acuity Brands demonstrates strong profitability with a stable Gross Profit Margin and an improved EBIT Margin over the years. The company shows consistent revenue growth from 2020 to 2024 despite a slight decline in 2023. The Net Profit Margin has also remained healthy, indicating efficient cost management.
Balance Sheet
70
Positive
The balance sheet shows a solid Equity Ratio, reflecting a strong equity base relative to assets. Additionally, the Debt-to-Equity Ratio remains low, indicating prudent leverage management. However, the Return on Equity (ROE) shows moderate performance, suggesting room for improvement in generating returns on shareholders' equity.
Cash Flow
65
Positive
The cash flow statement indicates a positive Free Cash Flow trend, although the growth rate has fluctuated. The Operating Cash Flow to Net Income ratio is robust, suggesting strong cash generation relative to earnings. However, the Free Cash Flow to Net Income ratio indicates some variability in free cash flow conversion.
Breakdown
TTMSep 2024Sep 2023Sep 2022Sep 2021Sep 2020
Income StatementTotal Revenue
3.96B3.84B3.95B4.01B3.46B3.33B
Gross Profit
1.85B1.78B1.71B1.67B1.48B1.40B
EBIT
545.80M553.30M473.40M509.70M427.60M353.90M
EBITDA
620.90M665.00M588.50M603.20M520.50M479.30M
Net Income Common Stockholders
417.00M422.60M346.00M384.00M306.30M248.30M
Balance SheetCash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments
397.90M845.80M397.90M223.20M491.30M560.70M
Total Assets
4.58B3.81B3.41B3.48B3.58B3.49B
Total Debt
1.19B573.50M495.60M513.00M494.30M401.10M
Net Debt
794.20M-272.30M97.70M289.80M3.00M-159.60M
Total Liabilities
2.06B1.44B1.39B1.57B1.53B1.36B
Stockholders Equity
2.52B2.38B2.02B1.91B2.04B2.13B
Cash FlowFree Cash Flow
454.60M555.20M511.40M259.80M364.90M449.90M
Operating Cash Flow
518.20M619.20M578.10M316.30M408.70M504.80M
Investing Cash Flow
-1.22B-90.70M-62.20M-117.90M-359.80M
Financing Cash Flow
534.20M-104.50M-312.90M-512.40M-362.60M-50.30M

Acuity Brands Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Negative
Last Price239.76
Price Trends
50DMA
284.52
Negative
100DMA
301.08
Negative
200DMA
284.55
Negative
Market Momentum
MACD
-8.90
Negative
RSI
36.62
Neutral
STOCH
24.37
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For AYI, the sentiment is Negative. The current price of 239.76 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 256.80, below the 50-day MA of 284.52, and below the 200-day MA of 284.55, indicating a bearish trend. The MACD of -8.90 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 36.62 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 24.37 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Negative 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 (62)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
ENENS
72
Outperform
$3.39B10.6418.36%1.10%-2.94%22.32%
AYAYI
71
Outperform
$7.23B17.7217.86%0.27%2.78%11.53%
70
Outperform
$2.09B13.1437.22%0.61%38.27%105.52%
66
Neutral
$3.61B66.734.80%0.46%-10.49%-57.78%
NVNVT
66
Neutral
$8.54B26.308.73%1.48%0.78%-41.54%
62
Neutral
$2.05B5.7625.00%2.26%-12.01%-38.33%
62
Neutral
$7.50B12.893.19%3.38%3.64%-14.27%
* Industrials Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
AYI
Acuity Brands
239.76
-12.16
-4.83%
AEIS
Advanced Energy
86.77
-7.75
-8.20%
ENS
EnerSys
81.03
-8.49
-9.48%
POWL
Powell Industries
173.22
47.39
37.66%
ATKR
Atkore International Group
58.01
-115.51
-66.57%
NVT
nVent Electric
49.86
-23.60
-32.13%

Acuity Brands Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date: Apr 3, 2025 | % Change Since: -10.00% | Next Earnings Date: Jun 26, 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.
Highlights
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.
Lowlights
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 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.

Executive/Board ChangesBusiness Operations and Strategy
Acuity Brands Announces Retirement of HR Chief
Neutral
Feb 13, 2025

On February 10, 2025, Dianne S. Mills, Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer of Acuity Brands, notified the company of her intent to retire from her role effective December 31, 2025. Post-retirement, Mills is expected to serve as a strategic advisor, although no compensation arrangements have been finalized. This transition could impact the company’s human resources operations and strategic planning.

Glossary
OutperformA stock rated as "Outperform" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests that the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to the average returns of other stocks in the same sector or market index. Investors might consider this stock a good buying opportunity.
NeutralA stock rated as "Neutral" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly attractive nor unattractive for investment. Investors may consider holding onto the stock, as it is not expected to either significantly outperform or underperform the market.
UnderperformA stock rated as "Underperform" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests that the stock may deliver lower returns compared to the average returns of other stocks in the same sector or market index. Investors might consider selling the stock or avoiding it as an investment.

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.