Atlanta, Jan. 22, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Acuity Inc. (NYSE: AYI) Board of Directors (the “Board”) increases the quarterly dividend by 17% percent to 20 cents per share from 17 cents per share. The dividend is payable on February 13, 2026, to shareholders of record on February 2, 2026. About Acuity Acuity Inc. (NYSE: AYI) is a market-leading industrial technology company. We use technology to solve problems in spaces, light and more things to come. Through our two business segments, Acuity Brands Lighting ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The fiscal year 2025 is viewed as a turning point for the company, marking a transformation from a lighting and lighting controls company to an industrial control company [12] - The lighting business continued to perform well despite market challenges, maintaining its position as the best-performing lighting company globally [12] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The acquisition of QSC has contributed to the growth of the AIS business, establishing it as a thriving second business that is positively impacting outcomes in various spaces [12] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company faced significant market challenges and policy upheaval but managed to sustain strong performance in its lighting segment [12] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on long-term growth, positioning itself as an innovator and disruptor in the industry, aiming to create stakeholder value and compound shareholder wealth [3] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed satisfaction with the operational performance during the year and is optimistic about the foundation being built for fiscal 2026 and beyond [12] Other Important Information - The company successfully elected its board of directors and ratified the appointment of Ernst & Young as its independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending August 31, 2026 [10] Q&A Session Summary Question: What was the most important thing that happened this year? - Management highlighted the transformation of the company and the successful integration of QSC, along with the continued strong performance of the lighting business despite challenges [12]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The fiscal year 2025 is viewed as a turning point in the company's transformation from a lighting and lighting controls company to an industrial control company, indicating a strategic shift in focus [12] - The company reported that its lighting business continued to be the best-performing lighting company globally despite significant market challenges and policy upheaval [12] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The acquisition of QSC and the growth of the AIS business have resulted in a thriving second business that is changing outcomes in various spaces, showcasing diversification in revenue streams [12] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company faced significant market challenges and policy upheaval but managed to maintain strong performance in its lighting segment, indicating resilience in a volatile market [12] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is positioned for long-term growth, emphasizing innovation, disruption, and stakeholder value creation as core components of its strategy [3] - The integration of QSC is highlighted as a successful move that enhances the company's operational capabilities [3] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed satisfaction with the operational performance during the year and optimism about the foundation being built for fiscal 2026 and beyond [12] Other Important Information - The company successfully elected its board of directors and ratified the appointment of Ernst & Young as its independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending August 31, 2026 [10] Q&A Session Summary Question: What was the most important thing that happened this year? - The acquisition of QSC and the growth of the AIS business were identified as pivotal developments, marking a significant transformation for the company [12]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported significant growth in fiscal year 2025, marking a turning point in its transformation from a lighting and lighting controls company to an industrial control company [13] - The acquisition of QSC and the growth of the AIS business contributed to a thriving second business, enhancing overall performance [13] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The lighting business continued to perform exceptionally well, maintaining its position as the best-performing lighting company globally despite market challenges [13] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company faced significant market challenges and policy upheaval but managed to navigate these effectively, showcasing resilience in its operations [13] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on long-term growth, positioning itself as an innovator and disruptor in the industry, aiming to create stakeholder value and compound shareholder wealth [3] - The integration of QSC is a key part of the company's strategy to enhance its industrial control capabilities [13] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed satisfaction with the company's operations in fiscal year 2025 and is optimistic about the foundation being built for fiscal 2026 and beyond [13] Other Important Information - The company successfully ratified the appointment of Ernst & Young as its independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal year 2026 [11] Q&A Session Summary Question: What was the most important thing that happened this year? - Management highlighted the transformation into an industrial control company as a significant milestone, driven by the acquisition of QSC and the growth of the AIS business, while also noting the strong performance of the lighting business amidst challenges [13]

My previous investment thought on Acuity Inc. ( AYI ) was a buy rating, as there was no sign of growth weakness. Management had also rolled out initiatives that de-risked the investment case. While the share price post-earnings wasn’t great, I believeI focus on long-term investments while incorporating short-term shorts to uncover alpha opportunities. My investment approach revolves around bottom-up analysis, delving into the fundamental strengths and weaknesses of individual companies. My investment durati ...

Core Viewpoint - Acuity Brands reported strong first-quarter fiscal 2026 adjusted earnings, surpassing analyst expectations, but experienced a significant drop in share price despite solid revenue growth and margin improvement [1]. Group 1: Financial Performance - Adjusted earnings for the quarter ended November 30, 2025, were $4.69 per share, exceeding the consensus estimate of $4.58 [1]. - Revenue increased by 20.2% year over year to $1.14 billion, aligning with analyst expectations [1]. - Adjusted operating profit rose by 23.7% to $196.3 million, with adjusted operating margin expanding by 50 basis points to 17.2% [2]. Group 2: Segment Performance - The Acuity Intelligent Spaces segment led revenue growth, with sales surging by 250.2% to $257.4 million [2]. - The Acuity Brands Lighting segment saw a modest sales increase of 1% to $895.1 million [2]. - Adjusted operating margin in the AIS business improved by 100 basis points to 22.0%, while the lighting segment's margin increased by 60 basis points to 17.9% [3]. Group 3: Cash Flow and Share Repurchase - The company generated $140.8 million in operating cash flow during the quarter [2]. - Approximately 77,000 shares were repurchased for about $28 million [2]. Group 4: Debt Management - Acuity Brands reduced debt by repaying $100 million of term-loan borrowings during the quarter [3].

Core Insights - Acuity Brands, Inc. reported strong financial performance in its first-quarter fiscal 2026, with earnings per share (EPS) of $4.69, surpassing expectations of $4.45 [1][6] Financial Performance - The company generated revenue of approximately $1.1 billion, slightly below the estimated $1.144 billion, but achieved a 20% increase in net sales compared to the previous year [2][6] - Operating profit rose to $160 million, a 20% increase, while adjusted operating profit grew by 24% to reach $196 million, reflecting effective cost controls and productivity improvements [3][6] Market Valuation - Acuity's price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio is approximately 28.61, with a price-to-sales ratio of about 2.61, indicating market confidence in its earnings and revenue potential [4] - The enterprise value to sales ratio is around 2.71, and the enterprise value to operating cash flow ratio is approximately 19.61 [4] Financial Health - The company's debt-to-equity ratio is approximately 0.33, suggesting a moderate level of debt relative to equity [5] - A current ratio of about 1.95 indicates Acuity's ability to cover its short-term liabilities with its short-term assets, highlighting a solid financial position [5]

Core Insights - Acuity (AYI) reported $1.14 billion in revenue for the quarter ended November 2025, marking a year-over-year increase of 20.2% and a surprise of +0.53% over the Zacks Consensus Estimate [1] - The company's EPS for the same period was $4.69, compared to $3.97 a year ago, but did not meet the consensus EPS estimate of $4.52 [1] Financial Performance - Acuity's net sales by channel for Acuity Intelligent Spaces reached $257.4 million, exceeding the four-analyst average estimate of $243.9 million, with a year-over-year change of +250.2% [4] - Net sales for Acuity Brands Lighting totaled $895.1 million, slightly below the estimated $902.29 million, representing a +1% change compared to the year-ago quarter [4] - Adjusted operating profit for Acuity Intelligent Spaces was $56.6 million, surpassing the average estimate of $46.51 million [4] - Adjusted operating profit for Acuity Brands Lighting was $159.8 million, compared to the average estimate of $165.89 million [4] Stock Performance - Acuity's shares have returned -0.7% over the past month, while the Zacks S&P 500 composite has seen a +0.9% change [3] - The stock currently holds a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy), indicating potential for outperformance in the near term [3]

Market Overview - U.S. stocks traded lower, with the Nasdaq Composite falling more than 100 points on Thursday. The Dow decreased by 0.05% to 48,972.29, the NASDAQ declined by 0.57% to 23,448.86, and the S&P 500 fell by 0.14% to 6,911.57 [1] - Information technology stocks dipped by 1.4% on Thursday [2] - European shares were mostly lower, with the eurozone's STOXX 600 slipping 0.3% and various national indices showing slight declines [7] - Asian markets closed lower, with Japan's Nikkei 225 falling 1.63% and Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index declining 1.17% [9] Company Performance - Acuity Inc. reported fiscal first-quarter 2026 results with a 20.2% year-over-year net sales growth to $1.14 billion, aligning with analyst expectations. The adjusted EPS was $4.69, surpassing the consensus estimate of $4.59 [3] - Flyexclusive Inc. shares surged 126% to $7.44 after being named an authorized Starlink Aviation dealer [8] - Enliven Therapeutics Inc. shares increased by 59% to $24.55 following positive initial data from a clinical trial for chronic myeloid leukemia [8] - Nuvve Holding Corp. shares rose by 46% to $5.11 after regaining Nasdaq compliance [8] - Immuneering Corp. shares dropped 35% to $5.45 after announcing updated survival and safety data from a clinical trial [8] - Acrivon Therapeutics Inc. shares fell 29% to $2.10 after announcing clinical data and plans for EU expansion [8] - CorMedix Inc. shares decreased by 25% to $8.33 following preliminary revenue results [8] Commodities - Oil prices increased by 1.9% to $57.03, while gold prices decreased by 0.6% to $4,436.20. Silver fell by 4.7% to $73.925, and copper dropped by 2.5% to $5.7120 [6]

Core Insights - Acuity reported a strong start to fiscal 2026 with significant sales growth, expanding profitability, and higher adjusted earnings per share despite a tepid lighting market environment [2][6] Quarterly Results and Margin Expansion - Total net sales reached $1.1 billion, an increase of $192 million, or 20%, year-over-year, driven by growth in both business segments and including three months of QSC sales [3] - Adjusted operating profit rose to $196 million, up $38 million, or 24%, compared to the previous year, with an adjusted operating profit margin expanding to 17.2%, an increase of 50 basis points [3][6] - Adjusted diluted earnings per share increased to $4.69, up $0.72, or 18%, year-over-year [3][6] Segment Performance - In the Acuity Brands Lighting (ABL) segment, sales were $895 million, up $9 million, or 1%, primarily due to growth in the independent sales network and influenced by elevated backlog from accelerated orders ahead of price increases [4] - ABL adjusted operating profit increased by $6 million to $160 million, attributed to efforts to lower operating expenses, with an adjusted operating profit margin of 17.9%, up 60 basis points from the prior year [5] Overall Performance and Outlook - Acuity's total net sales rose approximately 20% to $1.1 billion, with adjusted operating profit increasing to $196 million and adjusted diluted EPS climbing to $4.69, alongside overall margin expansion of 50 basis points [6] - The lighting segment remained nearly flat at $895 million (+1%), while Acuity Intelligence Spaces surged to $257 million, up $184 million, driven by three months of QSC contribution and higher AIS margins of 22% [6] - Operating cash flow was $141 million, with the company repurchasing approximately $28 million of stock and repaying $100 million on the QSC term loan, totaling $300 million of $600 million repaid, while management described the lighting market as tepid and noted that backlog is normalizing [6]