Core Viewpoint - Acuity Brands (AYI) is positioned well to potentially beat earnings estimates in its upcoming quarterly report, supported by a solid history of exceeding expectations and positive analyst sentiment [1][6]. Earnings Performance - In the last reported quarter, Acuity Brands achieved earnings of $4.30 per share, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $4.19 per share, resulting in a surprise of 2.63% [2]. - For the previous quarter, the company was expected to report earnings of $4.10 per share but delivered $4.15 per share, yielding a surprise of 1.22% [2]. Analyst Sentiment - Recent earnings estimates for Acuity Brands have been revised upward, indicating a positive outlook among analysts [3]. - The Zacks Earnings ESP for Acuity Brands is currently +1.16%, suggesting bullish sentiment regarding the company's earnings prospects [6]. Predictive Metrics - Stocks with a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold) or better have a historical success rate of nearly 70% in beating consensus estimates [4]. - The Most Accurate Estimate, which is part of the Earnings ESP calculation, reflects the latest analyst revisions and is considered more accurate than earlier consensus predictions [5]. Upcoming Earnings Report - Acuity Brands is expected to release its next earnings report on January 8, 2025, and the combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank 3 indicates a strong possibility of another earnings beat [6].

Acuity Brands, Inc. (AYI) is scheduled to announce first-quarter fiscal 2025 results on Jan. 8, before the opening bell.In the last reported quarter, the company’s adjusted earnings topped the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 2.6% and increased 8.3% year over year. The top line beat the consensus mark by 2.3% and increased 2.2% from the prior year.Stay up-to-date with all quarterly releases: See Zacks Earnings Calendar.Acuity Brands beat earnings expectations in the trailing 18 quarters.How Are Estimates Placed ...

Analysts on Wall Street project that Acuity Brands (AYI) will announce quarterly earnings of $3.88 per share in its forthcoming report, representing an increase of 4.3% year over year. Revenues are projected to reach $951.85 million, increasing 1.8% from the same quarter last year.Over the last 30 days, there has been no revision in the consensus EPS estimate for the quarter. This signifies the covering analysts' collective reconsideration of their initial forecasts over the course of this timeframe.Before ...

ATLANTA, Jan. 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Acuity Brands, Inc. (NYSE: AYI) (the “Company”) today announced that it will now release its fiscal 2025 first-quarter results on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at 6:00 a.m. (EST), followed by a conference call at 8:00 a.m. (EST). Neil Ashe, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Acuity Brands will lead the call. The Company originally scheduled the release of its fiscal 2025 first-quarter results on January 9, 2025. The change reflects the observance of th ...

Core Viewpoint - Acuity Brands, Inc. is set to announce its fiscal 2025 first-quarter results on January 9, 2025, with a conference call led by CEO Neil Ashe [1]. Group 1: Financial Announcement - The fiscal 2025 first-quarter results will be released on January 9, 2025, at 6:00 a.m. (EST) [1]. - A conference call will follow at 8:00 a.m. (EST) to discuss the results [1]. - The earnings release and supplemental presentation will be available on the Company's Investor Relations website [2]. Group 2: Company Overview - Acuity Brands, Inc. is a market-leading industrial technology company focused on solving problems in spaces and lighting [4]. - The company operates through two segments: Acuity Brands Lighting and Lighting Controls (ABL) and the Intelligent Spaces Group (ISG) [4]. - Acuity Brands aims for growth through innovative products and services, including lighting and building management solutions [5]. Group 3: Operational Footprint - The company is based in Atlanta, Georgia, with operations across North America, Europe, and Asia [6]. - Acuity Brands employs over 12,000 associates dedicated to its mission [6].

Core Insights - Construction activity in the U.S. has been gaining momentum since July 2024, with October data showing increased residential construction spending both month over month and year over year [1][2] - Residential construction rose by 1.5% from September 2024 and 6.4% year over year, driven by homebuilder confidence and easing inflation [2][5] - Non-residential construction spending decreased by 0.4% month over month but increased by 3.9% year over year, supported by growth in sectors like public safety and healthcare [2][9] Construction Sector Overview - Private construction spending increased by 0.7% month over month and 5.1% year over year, with residential construction specifically up by 1.5% and 6.4% respectively [5][6] - Public construction spending saw a slight decline of 0.5% month over month but increased by 4.5% year over year, with both residential and non-residential activities showing growth [6][7] Growth Drivers - The Federal Reserve's recent interest rate cuts, from a benchmark of 5.25% to 5.50%, have positively impacted construction activity, with expectations of further cuts through 2025 [7][8] - The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage rate of 6.08% at the end of September 2024 has contributed to the increase in residential construction despite high inflation [8] Investment Opportunities - The Zacks Construction sector has risen by 29.8% year to date, outperforming the S&P 500 Index's 26.7% increase [11] - Recommended construction stocks include: - EMCOR Group, Inc. (EME): Up 134.4% year to date, with a Zacks Rank of 1 and projected 2025 sales and EPS growth of 6.6% and 7.2% respectively [12][13] - MasTec, Inc. (MTZ): Up 87.6% year to date, with a Zacks Rank of 1 and projected 2025 sales and EPS growth of 8.6% and 45.5% respectively [13][14] - Comfort Systems USA, Inc. (FIX): Up 138% year to date, with a Zacks Rank of 1 and projected 2025 sales and EPS growth of 7.9% and 20.8% respectively [14][15] - Sterling Infrastructure, Inc. (STRL): Up 121% year to date, with a Zacks Rank of 1 and projected 2025 sales and EPS growth of 7.3% and 8.1% respectively [15][16] - Acuity Brands, Inc. (AYI): Up 57.2% year to date, with a Zacks Rank of 2 and projected fiscal 2025 sales and EPS growth of 4.7% and 7.1% respectively [16][17]

Core Viewpoint - Acuity Brands reported strong Q4 fiscal 2024 earnings, surpassing estimates for the 18th consecutive quarter, despite facing challenges in its ABL segment [2][5][11]. Financial Performance - Adjusted EPS for Q4 was $4.30, exceeding the consensus estimate of $4.19 by 2.6%, and increased 8.3% from $3.97 in the prior year [5]. - Net sales reached $1.03 billion, beating the consensus mark of $1.01 billion by 2.3%, and improved 2.2% year-over-year [5]. - For the full fiscal year, net sales declined 2.8% to $3.84 billion, while adjusted operating profit rose 7.1% to $639.6 million [10]. Segment Performance - The ABL segment saw a modest sales increase of 1.1% to $955 million, while the ISG segment reported a robust 16.7% growth in net sales to $83.9 million [6][8]. - Adjusted operating profit for the ABL segment grew 8.3% to $171.9 million, with an adjusted operating margin of 18%, up 120 bps year-over-year [7]. - ISG's adjusted operating profit increased 51.4% to $21.5 million, with an adjusted operating margin of 22.9%, up 590 bps year-over-year [8]. Operational Efficiency - The company improved its operating margins significantly, with adjusted operating profit increasing 10% year-over-year to $178.5 million and an adjusted operating margin of 17.3%, up 120 bps [9]. - Cost-saving initiatives contributed to the expansion of gross and operating profit margins across segments [4]. Cash Flow and Financial Health - At the end of fiscal 2024, cash and cash equivalents stood at $845.8 million, up from $397.9 million at the end of fiscal 2023 [14]. - Cash provided by operating activities totaled $619.2 million, up 7.1% from the previous year, with free cash flow increasing 8.6% to $555.2 million [15]. Market Outlook - Despite strong profit growth, Acuity Brands faced a decline in net sales due to lower demand in the ABL segment, reflecting challenging market conditions [11]. - Estimates for the stock have been trending downward, but the company maintains a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy), indicating expectations for above-average returns in the coming months [16][18].

Market and Competitive Risks - Market and competitive pricing pressures may limit the company's ability to pass on cost increases to customers, potentially impacting revenue growth and profitability[37] - The company faces competition from global technology and building solution providers, as well as startups offering localized product sales and support services[52] Product and Innovation Risks - New product innovations may face risks such as inventory obsolescence, quality defects, and lower-than-expected profit margins, potentially leading to write-downs[38] - The company may face increased warranty costs and product liability claims if products are improperly designed, manufactured, packaged, or labeled[89] - The company does not maintain insurance for product recall events, and widespread product recalls could result in significant losses due to costs, destruction of inventory, penalties, and lost sales[90] Acquisitions and Alliances Risks - Acquisitions and alliances may not yield anticipated benefits due to integration challenges, unanticipated events, and potential impairment charges[39] - The company acquired KE2 Therm Solutions, Inc. in fiscal 2023, with goodwill of $15.0 million and gross intangible assets of $18.0 million[288][290] Supply Chain and Manufacturing Risks - Approximately 53% of the company's finished products are manufactured in Mexico, exposing it to risks from civil unrest or trade disputes with the U.S.[54] - Supply chain disruptions, particularly for microchips and electronics, have led to higher commodity prices and increased warehousing and freight costs[47] - The company sources 17% of its finished goods from Asia, which are subject to import tariffs that could increase costs[71] - The company operates seven manufacturing facilities in Mexico, some of which have Maquiladora status allowing duty-free import of raw materials[72] Customer and Sales Risks - No single customer accounted for more than 10% of net sales in fiscal 2024, but the loss of a major customer or channel partner could significantly impact the business[53] - Accounts receivable showed no single customer accounted for more than 10% of receivables at August 31, 2024, compared to one customer accounting for 10% in 2023[241] Cybersecurity and IT Risks - The company is highly dependent on software and automated systems, with potential risks from system failures, security breaches, and data privacy violations[57][59] - Cybersecurity threats, including ransomware and phishing attacks, are becoming more sophisticated and frequent, posing ongoing risks to the company's operations[59] - The company may incur significant costs or penalties due to disruptions or security breaches, potentially damaging its reputation and customer relationships[61] Workforce and Labor Risks - The company employs approximately 13,200 people as of August 31, 2024, with 9,600 employees in international locations[65] - Approximately 65% of the workforce is covered by union recognition and collective bargaining agreements, with 60% of these agreements expiring within one year[65] Legal and Regulatory Risks - The company is subject to various legal claims, including employment claims, product recall, personal injury, network security, data privacy, or property damage claims, and the actual costs of resolving these claims may exceed insurance coverage[88] - The company may be subject to intellectual property claims and could incur significant legal expenses to enforce its intellectual property rights[91] - The company is subject to various foreign and domestic laws and regulations, including the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and GDPR[82] - The company faces risks related to climate change legislation and regulatory responses, including potential GHG emissions limits[83] - The company may be affected by evolving ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) laws and regulations, which could increase operational costs[86] Financial and Tax Risks - The company is exposed to foreign exchange rate fluctuations, with a hypothetical 10% depreciation of the Canadian dollar negatively impacting operating profit by approximately $8.6 million, while a 10% appreciation would favorably impact operating profit by approximately $10.5 million[196] - A hypothetical 10% decrease in the value of the Mexican peso in relation to the U.S. dollar would favorably impact operating profit by approximately $22.0 million, while a 10% increase would negatively impact operating profit by approximately $26.9 million[196] - The company's long-term debt consists primarily of fixed-rate senior unsecured notes, and a 10% increase in market interest rates would decrease the estimated fair value of these notes by approximately $11.7 million[195] - The company may face increased tax liabilities due to aggressive interpretations of tax laws and regulations in various jurisdictions, which could adversely impact financial position and results of operations[96] Pension and Retirement Risks - The company's defined benefit retirement plans are subject to risks, including changes in investment returns, discount rates, and regulatory changes, which could adversely affect results of operations and cash flows[102] Financial Performance and Metrics - Net sales for 2024 decreased to $3,841.0 million from $3,952.2 million in 2023, a decline of 2.8%[223] - Net income for 2024 increased to $422.6 million, up 22.1% from $346.0 million in 2023[223] - Cash and cash equivalents at the end of 2024 stood at $845.8 million, a significant increase from $397.9 million in 2023[221] - Total assets grew to $3,814.6 million in 2024, up from $3,408.5 million in 2023, an increase of 11.9%[221] - Gross profit for 2024 rose to $1,781.7 million, a 4.0% increase from $1,713.2 million in 2023[223] - Operating profit for 2024 increased to $553.3 million, up 16.9% from $473.4 million in 2023[223] - Net cash provided by operating activities in 2024 was $619.2 million, up 7.1% from $578.1 million in 2023[226] - Total current assets for 2024 were $1,871.5 million, a 34.2% increase from $1,395.2 million in 2023[221] - Diluted earnings per share for 2024 increased to $13.44, up 24.9% from $10.76 in 2023[223] - Repurchases of common stock in 2024 amounted to $88.7 million, a significant decrease from $266.6 million in 2023[226] - Net income for the year ended August 31, 2024, was $422.6 million, compared to $346.0 million in 2023 and $384.0 million in 2022[228] - Total inventories as of August 31, 2024, were $387.6 million, up from $368.5 million in 2023[244] - The company repurchased $87.8 million worth of common stock in 2024, compared to $269.3 million in 2023 and $511.7 million in 2022[228] - Cash dividends paid on common stock increased to $0.58 per share in 2024, up from $0.52 per share in 2023 and 2022[228] - Inventory reserves decreased to $25.6 million in 2024 from $25.8 million in 2023 and $30.9 million in 2022[245] - Total stockholders' equity increased to $2,378.8 million in 2024, up from $2,015.4 million in 2023 and $1,911.8 million in 2022[228] - Goodwill balance increased from $1,084.3 million in 2022 to $1,098.7 million in 2024, with additions from acquired businesses totaling $15.2 million[249] - Amortization expense for acquired intangible assets was $39.7 million in fiscal 2024, $42.1 million in 2023, and $41.0 million in 2022[250] - Expected amortization expense for the next five fiscal years: $32.1 million (2025), $29.8 million (2026), $28.3 million (2027), $24.2 million (2028), and $22.8 million (2029)[251] - The company recorded an impairment charge of $3.0 million for one indefinite-lived trade name asset in fiscal 2024[257] - In fiscal 2023, the company recorded an impairment charge of $14.0 million for six trade names[258] - Other long-term assets decreased from $49.5 million in 2023 to $32.1 million in 2024, primarily due to a reduction in deferred costs and other assets[260] - Other current liabilities increased from $186.7 million in 2023 to $206.3 million in 2024, driven by higher customer incentive programs and product warranty costs[261] - Other long-term liabilities remained relatively stable, increasing slightly from $129.2 million in 2023 to $130.1 million in 2024[263] - Shipping and handling costs decreased from $151.2 million in 2022 to $134.2 million in 2024[265] - Share-based payment expense increased from $37.4 million in 2022 to $46.6 million in 2024[268] - Share-based payment costs were $1.5 million, $1.5 million, and $4.8 million for the years ended August 31, 2024, 2023, and 2022, respectively[270] - Depreciation expense amounted to $51.4 million, $51.1 million, and $53.8 million during fiscal 2024, 2023, and 2022, respectively[271] - Total property, plant, and equipment, net, was $303.9 million as of August 31, 2024, compared to $297.6 million as of August 31, 2023[272] - R&D expense amounted to $102.3 million, $97.1 million, and $95.1 million during fiscal 2024, 2023, and 2022, respectively[273] - Advertising costs totaled $20.1 million, $21.9 million, and $19.3 million during fiscal 2024, 2023, and 2022, respectively[274] - Net interest (income) expense was $(4.5) million, $18.9 million, and $24.9 million for fiscal 2024, 2023, and 2022, respectively[276] - The company recorded a loss on the sale of its Sunoptics prismatic skylights business in fiscal 2023, amounting to $11.2 million[276] - Accumulated other comprehensive loss items were $(114.9) million as of August 31, 2024, compared to $(112.6) million as of August 31, 2023[281] - The company is assessing the impact of new accounting standards, including ASU 2023-09 and ASU 2023-07, on its financial statements[284][285] - The company sold its Sunoptics prismatic skylights business in November 2022, transferring assets with a total carrying value of $15.1 million and recognizing a pre-tax loss of $11.2 million[294] - The company recorded impairment charges of $3.0 million in fiscal 2024 for rebranding certain products in the ABL segment[298] - The company's cash and cash equivalents were $845.8 million as of August 31, 2024, compared to $397.9 million in 2023[297] - The estimated fair value of the company's senior unsecured public notes was $429.7 million as of August 31, 2024, up from $401.4 million in 2023[302] - The company's total lease cost for 2024 was $31.1 million, with operating lease cost accounting for $23.5 million[310] - The company's total debt as of August 31, 2024, was $496.2 million, consisting of senior unsecured public notes due December 2030[313] - The company entered into a $600.0 million five-year unsecured revolving credit facility on June 30, 2022, with the ability to request an additional $400.0 million of borrowing capacity[316] - The company recorded an impairment charge of $4.3 million in fiscal 2023 for retained assets related to the Sunoptics sale[312] - The company's weighted average discount rate for operating leases was 3.7% as of August 31, 2024, up from 3.5% in 2023[308] - The company's future undiscounted lease payments total $86.0 million, with a present value of lease liabilities at $77.3 million[309] - The company's Credit Agreement allows for a Maximum Leverage Ratio of 3.75, with a temporary increase to 4.25 in the event of a significant acquisition[318] - The company had no short-term borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility as of August 31, 2024 and 2023[319] - The company was in compliance with all financial covenants under the Credit Agreement as of August 31, 2024, with additional borrowing capacity of $596.2 million[320] - The company's self-insurance program includes limits for workers' compensation, general liability, and auto liability, with annual revisions to liability estimates based on actuarial assessments[322] - The company is self-insured for the majority of its medical benefit plans, with annual evaluations of the lag factor used to estimate aggregate liability for claims[323] - The company leases certain buildings and equipment under noncancellable lease agreements[324] Business Segments and Strategy - The company's ABL segment focuses on increasing product vitality and driving productivity through innovative lighting solutions[232] - The ISG segment aims to make spaces smarter, safer, and greener by offering building management solutions and software[233] - The company's strategy includes growth through the development of innovative new products and services, including lighting, lighting controls, and building management systems[231] Environmental and Sustainability Risks - The company is exposed to regulatory, financial, and other risks related to climate change and sustainability matters, which could increase operational costs and affect financial condition[93] Internal Controls and Audits - The company's internal control over financial reporting was assessed as effective as of August 31, 2024, based on COSO criteria[201] - The company's consolidated financial statements for the years ended August 31, 2024, 2023, and 2022 were audited and found to be in conformity with U.S. GAAP[205] - Ernst & Young LLP issued an unqualified opinion on the company's internal control over financial reporting as of August 31, 2024[217] - The company's management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting[218] Product Warranty and Liability - Product warranty costs liabilities amounted to $37.5 million as of August 31, 2024[211]

Core Viewpoint - Acuity Brands, Inc. has announced a definitive agreement to acquire QSC, LLC for a total purchase price of $1.215 billion, which is expected to enhance Acuity's earnings per share in fiscal 2025 [1][2] Company Overview - Acuity Brands, Inc. is a market-leading industrial technology company focused on solving problems in spaces, light, and more through innovative products and services [4] - The company operates through two main segments: Acuity Brands Lighting and Lighting Controls (ABL) and the Intelligent Spaces Group (ISG) [4] - Acuity Brands aims to grow by developing new products and services, achieving customer-focused efficiencies, and entering attractive new verticals [4] Acquisition Details - The acquisition of QSC is valued at $1.215 billion, or $1.1 billion net of expected tax benefits, representing approximately 14 times QSC's estimated EBITDA for the twelve months ending August 31, 2024 [1][2] - QSC generated sales of approximately $535 million for the twelve months ending August 31, 2024 [2] - The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of fiscal 2025, pending customary closing conditions [3] Strategic Importance - QSC is recognized as a leader in the audio, video, and control (AV&C) industry, providing a cloud-manageable platform with applications across various sectors including education, commercial, hospitality, government, healthcare, and transportation [2][6] - The acquisition aligns with Acuity's vision of data interoperability and aims to enhance the intelligence and efficiency of built spaces [2][3] Financing Structure - The acquisition will be financed through $600 million of term loan financing, with the remainder covered by cash on the balance sheet [3]

Core Viewpoint - Acuity Brands has shown significant stock performance, with a 14.9% increase over the past month and a 48.7% rise since the beginning of the year, outperforming both the Zacks Construction sector and the Zacks Building Products - Lighting industry [1] Group 1: Stock Performance - The stock reached a new 52-week high of $312.2 in the previous session [1] - Year-to-date, Acuity Brands has outperformed the Zacks Construction sector, which increased by 15.5%, and the Zacks Building Products - Lighting industry, which rose by 45.2% [1] Group 2: Earnings Performance - Acuity Brands has consistently exceeded earnings expectations, not missing the consensus estimate in the last four quarters [2] - In the latest earnings report on October 1, 2024, the company reported an EPS of $4.3, surpassing the consensus estimate of $4.19, and beat the revenue estimate by 2.32% [2] - For the current fiscal year, the expected earnings are $16.66 per share on revenues of $4 billion, reflecting a 7.07% change in EPS and a 4.18% change in revenues [2] - For the next fiscal year, projected earnings are $17.95 per share on $4.21 billion in revenues, indicating year-over-year changes of 7.73% and 5.15%, respectively [2] Group 3: Valuation Metrics - Acuity Brands trades at 18.3X current fiscal year EPS estimates, slightly below the peer industry average of 18.5X [4] - On a trailing cash flow basis, the stock trades at 17.2X compared to the peer group's average of 15.5X [4] - The stock has a PEG ratio of 1.83, which does not place it among the top echelon of stocks from a value perspective [4] Group 4: Zacks Rank - Acuity Brands holds a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy), attributed to rising earnings estimates [5] - The company meets the criteria for selection, as it has a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy) and Style Scores of A or B, indicating potential for future growth [5]