Solid Execution Delivers Operating Margin Expansion, EPS Growth and Strong Operating Cash Flow

• Delivered Net Sales of $968M, a 3% Decline Compared to the Prior Year
• Grew Operating Profit to $145M, up 1% Over the Prior Year; Adjusted Operating Profit of $167M, up 3% Over the Prior Year
• Reported Diluted EPS of $3.62, up 10% Over the Prior Year; Adjusted Diluted EPS of $4.15, up 11% Over the Prior Year
• Generated $445M in Year-to-Date Cash Flow from Operations

ATLANTA, June 27, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Acuity Brands, Inc. (NYSE: AYI) (the “Company”), a market-leading industrial technology company, announced net sales of $968.1 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2024 ended May 31, 2024, a decrease of $32.2 million, or 3.2 percent, compared to the prior year.

“In our fiscal 2024 third quarter we delivered solid results as we continued to execute on our strategy,” stated Neil Ashe, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Acuity Brands, Inc. “We increased our adjusted operating profit, adjusted operating profit margin and adjusted diluted earnings per share. We generated strong free cash flow, and we allocated capital effectively to drive value.”

Operating profit was $145.3 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2024, an increase of $2.0 million, or 1.4 percent, compared to the prior year. Operating profit as a percent of net sales was 15.0 percent in the third quarter of fiscal 2024, an increase of 70 basis points compared to the prior year. Adjusted operating profit was $167.1 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2024, an increase of $4.2 million, or 2.6 percent, compared to the prior year. Adjusted operating profit as a percent of net sales was 17.3 percent in the third quarter of fiscal 2024, an increase of 100 basis points compared to the prior year.

Diluted earnings per share was $3.62 in the third quarter of fiscal 2024, an increase of $0.34, or 10.4 percent, compared to the prior year. Adjusted diluted earnings per share was $4.15 in the third quarter of fiscal 2024, an increase of $0.40, or 10.7 percent, from $3.75 in the prior year.


Segment Performance
Acuity Brands Lighting and Lighting Controls (“ABL”)

ABL generated net sales of $898.5 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2024, a decrease of $42.2 million, or 4.5 percent, compared to the prior year.

ABL operating profit was $151.5 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2024, an increase of $1.5 million, or 1.0 percent, compared to the prior year. ABL operating profit as a percent of ABL net sales was 16.9 percent in the third quarter of fiscal 2024, an increase of 100 basis points compared to the prior year. ABL adjusted operating profit was $162.1 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2024, an increase of $2.4 million, or 1.5 percent, compared to the prior year. ABL adjusted operating profit as a percent of ABL net sales was 18.0 percent in the third quarter of fiscal 2024, an increase of 100 basis points compared to the prior year.

Intelligent Spaces Group (“ISG”)

ISG generated net sales of $75.7 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2024, an increase of $9.9 million, or 15.0 percent, compared to the prior year.

ISG operating profit was $12.5 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2024, an increase of $3.9 million compared to the prior year. ISG operating profit as a percent of ISG net sales was 16.5 percent in the third quarter of fiscal 2024, an increase of 340 basis points compared to the prior year. ISG adjusted operating profit was $17.3 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2024, an increase of $4.5 million compared to the prior year. ISG adjusted operating profit as a percent of ISG net sales was 22.9 percent in the third quarter of fiscal 2024, an increase of 340 basis points compared to the prior year.


Cash Flow and Capital Allocation
Net cash from operating activities was $445.1 million for the first nine months of fiscal 2024, a decrease of $26.4 million compared to the prior year.

Year-to-Date, the Company repurchased approximately 454,000 shares of common stock for a total of approximately $89 million.


Today's Call Details
The Company will host a conference call at 8:00 a.m. (ET) today, Thursday, June 27, 2024. Neil Ashe, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Acuity Brands, Inc. will lead the call. The conference call and earnings release can be accessed via the Investor Relations section of the Company's website at www.investors.acuitybrands.com. A replay of the call will also be posted to the Investor Relations website within two hours of the completion of the conference call and will be available on the website for a limited time.


About Acuity Brands
Acuity Brands, 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 and Lighting Controls (ABL) and the Intelligent Spaces Group (ISG), we design, manufacture, and bring to market products and services that make a valuable difference in people’s lives.

We achieve growth through the development of innovative new products and services, including lighting, lighting controls, building management solutions, and location-aware applications. We achieve customer-focused efficiencies that allow us to increase market share and deliver superior returns. We look to aggressively deploy capital to grow the business and to enter attractive new verticals.

Acuity Brands, Inc. is based in Atlanta, Georgia, with operations across North America, Europe, and Asia. The Company is powered by more than 12,000 dedicated and talented associates. Visit us at www.acuitybrands.com

 

TrendForce 2024 Global LED Lighting Market Analysis
Release Date: 01 February 2024 / 31 July 2024
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