The earnings call reflected a strong financial performance and strategic growth initiatives, particularly in the Lighting and Spaces businesses. The company demonstrated robust cash flow generation and effective capital allocation. However, challenges such as slower project releases and foreign currency impacts were noted. Despite these challenges, the outlook for 2025 remains positive, with anticipated growth in new verticals and continued margin improvements.

Company Guidance

During the Acuity Brands Fiscal 2024 Fourth Quarter Earnings Call, guidance highlighted a positive outlook for fiscal 2025, with expectations of net sales ranging between $3.9 billion and $4.1 billion. The company anticipates low to mid-single-digit sales growth for its Lighting business, which contributed $955 million in net sales this quarter, and low to mid-teens growth for its Intelligent Spaces Group. With an adjusted operating profit margin improvement of 120 basis points in Q4, reaching 17.3%, and adjusted diluted earnings per share expected to be between $16 and $17.50 for fiscal 2025, the company is focused on maintaining momentum. Acuity Brands plans to leverage its strong cash flow, which amounted to $619 million for the fiscal year, to invest in growth through existing businesses and potential acquisitions, while continuing to improve margins by 50 to 100 basis points annually.

Strong Fourth Quarter Performance

Net sales grew by $22 million or 2% year-over-year, reaching $1 billion. Adjusted operating profit increased by $16 million, with a margin expansion to 17.3%, up 120 basis points.

Lighting and Spaces Business Growth

Lighting business net sales increased by $11 million, and Intelligent Spaces Group saw a 17% increase in net sales, driven by large data center projects.

Record Cash Flow Generation

Generated $619 million of operating cash flow, up $41 million from the previous year. Ended the year with $846 million in cash.

Dividend and Share Repurchases

Increased dividend per share by 15% and repurchased 454,000 shares, totaling $89 million.

Expansion in New Verticals

Developed a new product line for the refueling market and built a product portfolio for the horticulture vertical.

Intelligent Spaces Group Success

Continued impressive growth and increased margins, with a focus on connecting the edge to the cloud.

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Acuity Brands (AYI) Earnings, Revenues Date & History

The upcoming earnings date is based on a company’s previous reporting, and may be updated when the actual date is announced

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AYI Earnings History

Report Date	Fiscal Quarter	Forecast / EPS	Last Year's EPS	EPS YoY Change	Slides	Play Transcript
Jan 09, 2025	2025 (Q1)	3.88 / -	3.72	―	―	―
Oct 01, 2024	2024 (Q4)	4.27 / 4.30	3.97	8.31% (+0.33)
Jun 27, 2024	2024 (Q3)	4.08 / 4.15	3.75	10.67% (+0.40)
Apr 03, 2024	2024 (Q2)	3.17 / 3.38	3.06	10.46% (+0.32)
Jan 09, 2024	2024 (Q1)	3.23 / 3.72	3.29	13.07% (+0.43)
Oct 04, 2023	2023 (Q4)	3.73 / 3.97	3.95	0.51% (+0.02)
Jun 29, 2023	2023 (Q3)	3.72 / 3.75	3.52	6.53% (+0.23)
Apr 04, 2023	2023 (Q2)	2.73 / 3.06	2.57	19.07% (+0.49)
Jan 09, 2023	2023 (Q1)	3.02 / 3.29	2.85	15.44% (+0.44)
Oct 04, 2022	2022 (Q4)	3.62 / 3.95	3.27	20.80% (+0.68)	―	―

The table shows recent earnings report dates and whether the forecast was beat or missed. See the change in forecast and EPS from the previous year.

Beat

Missed

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AYI Earnings-Related Price Changes

Report Date	Price 1 Day Before	Price 1 Day After	Percentage Change
Oct 01, 2024	$275.26	$299.20	+8.70%
Jun 27, 2024	$239.51	$242.25	+1.14%
Apr 03, 2024	$261.39	$264.25	+1.09%
Jan 09, 2024	$204.05	$227.48	+11.48%

Earnings announcements can affect a stock’s price. This table shows the stock's price the day before and the day after recent earnings reports, including the percentage change.

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