Acuity (AYI)


Market Price (10/23/2026): $316.52 | Market Cap: $9.6 BilSector: Industrials | Industry: Electrical Components & Equipment

Acuity (AYI)


Market Price (10/23/2026): $316.52
Market Cap: $9.6 Bil
Sector: Industrials
Industry: Electrical Components & Equipment

Investment Highlights Why It Matters Detailed financial logic regarding cash flow yields vs trend-riding momentum.

0

Attractive yield
Total YieldTotal Yield = Earnings Yield + Dividend Yield, Earnings Yield = Net Income / Market Cap Dividend Yield = Total Dividends / Market Cap is 5.2%, FCF Yield is 6.7%

Attractive cash flow generation
CFO/Rev LTMCash Flow from Operations / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is 16%, FCF/Rev LTMFree Cash Flow / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is 14%

Low stock price volatility
Vol 12M is 38%

Megatrend and thematic drivers
Megatrends include Smart Buildings & Proptech, and Sustainable & Green Buildings. Themes include IoT for Buildings, Building Management Systems, Show more.

Weak multi-year price returns
2Y Excs Rtn is -27%

Key risks
AYI key risks include [1] its struggle to achieve consistent long-term revenue growth, Show more.

0 Attractive yield
Total YieldTotal Yield = Earnings Yield + Dividend Yield, Earnings Yield = Net Income / Market Cap Dividend Yield = Total Dividends / Market Cap is 5.2%, FCF Yield is 6.7%
1 Attractive cash flow generation
CFO/Rev LTMCash Flow from Operations / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is 16%, FCF/Rev LTMFree Cash Flow / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is 14%
2 Low stock price volatility
Vol 12M is 38%
3 Megatrend and thematic drivers
Megatrends include Smart Buildings & Proptech, and Sustainable & Green Buildings. Themes include IoT for Buildings, Building Management Systems, Show more.
4 Weak multi-year price returns
2Y Excs Rtn is -27%
5 Key risks
AYI key risks include [1] its struggle to achieve consistent long-term revenue growth, Show more.

AYI in ETFs

Weight = AYI's share of each fund

VTI0.01%
ITOT0.01%
IWB0.01%
IJH0.27%
VB0.12%
NUSC0.71%
MDYG0.36%
IJK0.30%
+20 more covered ETFs

Valuation & Metrics

Price Chart

Why The Stock Moved

Qualitative Assessment

AI Analysis | Feedback

Updated on 10/1/2026

Acuity (AYI) stock has lost about 15% since 6/30/2026 because of the following key factors:

1. Acuity Brands reported mixed fiscal Q4 2026 results on October 1, 2026, with a revenue miss overshadowing an EPS beat, leading to a share price decline. The company's fiscal year ends on August 31st. For fiscal Q4 2026, Acuity reported net sales of $1.2 billion, falling short of analyst forecasts of $1.25 billion by 4.0%. Despite this, adjusted diluted earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter were $5.77, surpassing Wall Street's estimate of $5.66. The mixed results, particularly the top-line shortfall, contributed to a premarket share decline of 4.13% to $297.00.

2. The Acuity Brands Lighting (ABL) segment experienced continued weakness, with declining sales contributing to overall revenue challenges. ABL, the company's larger segment, reported sales of $959 million in fiscal Q4 2026, a year-over-year decrease of less than 1%. For the full fiscal year 2026, ABL sales fell 1.0% to $3.6 billion. This weakness in the core lighting business has been a concern, with analysts noting softening demand, significant requoting, project delays, and competitive pricing pressures in the broader lighting market.

Show more
Updated on 10/1/2026

Acuity (AYI) stock has lost about 15% since 6/30/2026 because of the following key factors:

1. Acuity Brands reported mixed fiscal Q4 2026 results on October 1, 2026, with a revenue miss overshadowing an EPS beat, leading to a share price decline. The company's fiscal year ends on August 31st. For fiscal Q4 2026, Acuity reported net sales of $1.2 billion, falling short of analyst forecasts of $1.25 billion by 4.0%. Despite this, adjusted diluted earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter were $5.77, surpassing Wall Street's estimate of $5.66. The mixed results, particularly the top-line shortfall, contributed to a premarket share decline of 4.13% to $297.00.

2. The Acuity Brands Lighting (ABL) segment experienced continued weakness, with declining sales contributing to overall revenue challenges. ABL, the company's larger segment, reported sales of $959 million in fiscal Q4 2026, a year-over-year decrease of less than 1%. For the full fiscal year 2026, ABL sales fell 1.0% to $3.6 billion. This weakness in the core lighting business has been a concern, with analysts noting softening demand, significant requoting, project delays, and competitive pricing pressures in the broader lighting market.

3. Analyst downgrades and a cautious fiscal 2027 outlook, including projected margin pressure for Acuity Intelligent Spaces (AIS), further impacted investor sentiment. On September 28, 2026, William Blair downgraded Acuity Brands from "Outperform" to "Market Perform," citing a muted lighting market and pressure from higher interest rates. The firm also highlighted potential downside risk to Street estimates for fiscal 2027. Management's fiscal 2027 guidance for adjusted diluted EPS is set between $20.50 and $22.00, which was below the consensus Street estimate of $21.77. Additionally, Acuity expects memory cost increases to result in a roughly 200 basis points gross margin headwind for its high-growth Acuity Intelligent Spaces (AIS) segment in fiscal Q1 and Q2 2027.

4. Broader macroeconomic factors, specifically elevated interest rates and cost inflation, have created headwinds for the company. Analyst reports frequently cited "pressure from higher interest rates" and "cost inflation" as factors warranting a cautious outlook on Acuity Brands. These macroeconomic conditions have contributed to softening demand and project delays in the lighting and building technology markets, negatively affecting Acuity's business environment.

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Stock Movement Drivers

Fundamental Drivers

The -15.7% change in AYI stock from 6/30/2026 to 10/22/2026 was primarily driven by a -15.7% change in the company's P/E Multiple.
(LTM values as of)630202610222026Change
Stock Price ($)376.19317.23-15.7%
Change Contribution By: 
Total Revenues ($ Mil)4,6064,6060.0%
Net Income Margin (%)10.3%10.3%0.0%
P/E Multiple24.120.3-15.7%
Shares Outstanding (Mil)30300.0%
Cumulative Contribution-15.7%

LTM = Last Twelve Months as of date shown

Market Drivers

6/30/2026 to 10/22/2026
ReturnCorrelation
AYI-15.7% 
Market (SPY)2.3%49.9%
Sector (XLI)-10.0%50.7%

Fundamental Drivers

The 13.4% change in AYI stock from 3/31/2026 to 10/22/2026 was primarily driven by a 13.4% change in the company's Net Income Margin (%).
(LTM values as of)331202610222026Change
Stock Price ($)279.67317.2313.4%
Change Contribution By: 
Total Revenues ($ Mil)4,5384,6061.5%
Net Income Margin (%)9.0%10.3%13.4%
P/E Multiple20.920.3-2.8%
Shares Outstanding (Mil)31301.4%
Cumulative Contribution13.4%

LTM = Last Twelve Months as of date shown

Market Drivers

3/31/2026 to 10/22/2026
ReturnCorrelation
AYI13.4% 
Market (SPY)17.8%44.9%
Sector (XLI)3.3%57.9%

Fundamental Drivers

The -7.6% change in AYI stock from 9/30/2025 to 10/22/2026 was primarily driven by a -22.9% change in the company's P/E Multiple.
(LTM values as of)930202510222026Change
Stock Price ($)343.33317.23-7.6%
Change Contribution By: 
Total Revenues ($ Mil)4,1694,60610.5%
Net Income Margin (%)9.6%10.3%6.5%
P/E Multiple26.420.3-22.9%
Shares Outstanding (Mil)31301.9%
Cumulative Contribution-7.6%

LTM = Last Twelve Months as of date shown

Market Drivers

9/30/2025 to 10/22/2026
ReturnCorrelation
AYI-7.6% 
Market (SPY)15.6%48.7%
Sector (XLI)9.0%53.5%

Fundamental Drivers

The 87.7% change in AYI stock from 9/30/2023 to 10/22/2026 was primarily driven by a 43.7% change in the company's P/E Multiple.
(LTM values as of)930202310222026Change
Stock Price ($)168.97317.2387.7%
Change Contribution By: 
Total Revenues ($ Mil)4,0524,60613.7%
Net Income Margin (%)9.3%10.3%9.8%
P/E Multiple14.120.343.7%
Shares Outstanding (Mil)32304.7%
Cumulative Contribution87.7%

LTM = Last Twelve Months as of date shown

Market Drivers

9/30/2023 to 10/22/2026
ReturnCorrelation
AYI87.7% 
Market (SPY)84.8%55.1%
Sector (XLI)71.0%61.9%

Return vs. Risk

Price Returns Compared

 202120222023202420252026Total [1]
Returns
AYI Return75%-22%24%43%24%-12%166%
Peers Return37%-16%106%89%33%30%677%
S&P 500 Return27%-19%24%23%16%12%104%

Monthly Win Rates [3]
AYI Win Rate67%42%58%75%67%50% 
Peers Win Rate58%38%60%71%56%55% 
S&P 500 Win Rate75%42%67%75%67%50% 

Max Drawdowns [4]
AYI Max Drawdown-16%-32%-25%-18%-34%-32% 
Peers Max Drawdown-26%-44%-30%-30%-46%-45% 
S&P 500 Max Drawdown-5%-25%-10%-8%-19%-9% 


[1] Cumulative total returns since the beginning of 2021
[2] Peers: POWL, FPS, RFIL, ETN, VRT. See AYI Returns vs. Peers.
[3] Win Rate = % of calendar months in which monthly returns were positive
[4] Max drawdown represents maximum peak-to-trough decline within a year
[5] 2026 data is for the year up to 10/22/2026 (YTD)

How Low Can It Go

EventAYIS&P 500
2025 US Tariff Shock
  % Loss-31.6%-18.8%
  % Gain to Breakeven46.2%23.1%
  Time to Breakeven127 days79 days
2023 SVB Regional Banking Crisis
  % Loss-21.3%-6.7%
  % Gain to Breakeven27.0%7.1%
  Time to Breakeven196 days31 days
2022 Inflation Shock & Fed Tightening
  % Loss-31.2%-24.5%
  % Gain to Breakeven45.4%32.4%
  Time to Breakeven565 days427 days
2020 COVID-19 Crash
  % Loss-38.8%-33.7%
  % Gain to Breakeven63.4%50.9%
  Time to Breakeven246 days140 days
Q4 2018 Fed Policy Error / Growth Scare
  % Loss-21.6%-19.2%
  % Gain to Breakeven27.5%23.8%
  Time to Breakeven100 days105 days
2016-2017 Trump Reflation Bond Selloff
  % Loss-38.0%-3.7%
  % Gain to Breakeven61.2%3.9%
  Time to Breakeven2470 days6 days

Compare to POWL, FPS, RFIL, ETN, VRT

In The Past

Acuity's stock fell -31.6% during the 2025 US Tariff Shock. Such a loss loss requires a 46.2% gain to breakeven.

Preserve Wealth

Limiting losses and compounding gains is essential to preserving wealth.

Asset Allocation

Actively managed asset allocation strategies protect wealth. Learn more.

EventAYIS&P 500
2025 US Tariff Shock
  % Loss-31.6%-18.8%
  % Gain to Breakeven46.2%23.1%
  Time to Breakeven127 days79 days
2023 SVB Regional Banking Crisis
  % Loss-21.3%-6.7%
  % Gain to Breakeven27.0%7.1%
  Time to Breakeven196 days31 days
2022 Inflation Shock & Fed Tightening
  % Loss-31.2%-24.5%
  % Gain to Breakeven45.4%32.4%
  Time to Breakeven565 days427 days
2020 COVID-19 Crash
  % Loss-38.8%-33.7%
  % Gain to Breakeven63.4%50.9%
  Time to Breakeven246 days140 days
Q4 2018 Fed Policy Error / Growth Scare
  % Loss-21.6%-19.2%
  % Gain to Breakeven27.5%23.8%
  Time to Breakeven100 days105 days
2016-2017 Trump Reflation Bond Selloff
  % Loss-38.0%-3.7%
  % Gain to Breakeven61.2%3.9%
  Time to Breakeven2470 days6 days
2011 US Debt Ceiling Crisis & European Contagion
  % Loss-34.3%-17.9%
  % Gain to Breakeven52.3%21.8%
  Time to Breakeven80 days123 days
2010 Eurozone Sovereign Debt Crisis / Flash Crash
  % Loss-25.5%-15.4%
  % Gain to Breakeven34.2%18.2%
  Time to Breakeven97 days125 days
2008-2009 Global Financial Crisis
  % Loss-54.5%-53.4%
  % Gain to Breakeven120.0%114.4%
  Time to Breakeven388 days1085 days
Summer 2007 Credit Crunch
  % Loss-23.8%-8.6%
  % Gain to Breakeven31.3%9.5%
  Time to Breakeven1210 days47 days

Compare to POWL, FPS, RFIL, ETN, VRT

In The Past

Acuity's stock fell -31.6% during the 2025 US Tariff Shock. Such a loss loss requires a 46.2% gain to breakeven.

Preserve Wealth

Limiting losses and compounding gains is essential to preserving wealth.

Asset Allocation

Actively managed asset allocation strategies protect wealth. Learn more.

About Acuity (AYI)

Acuity Brands, Inc. (AYI) is a leading technology company that provides comprehensive lighting and building management solutions. Operating through two primary segments, the company serves a wide array of customers across North America and internationally, focusing on creating intelligent and efficient spaces.

Its largest segment, Acuity Brands Lighting and Lighting Controls (ABL), specializes in delivering commercial, architectural, and specialty lighting products, along with advanced lighting controls and components. Under well-known brands like Lithonia Lighting, Holophane, and nLight, ABL offers solutions for diverse indoor and outdoor applications. This segment primarily caters to electrical distributors, retail home improvement centers, electric utilities, national accounts, and digital retailers.

The Intelligent Spaces Group (ISG) segment focuses on cutting-edge building management systems and location-aware applications. Utilizing brands such as Distech Controls and Atrius, ISG helps optimize building operations and enhance user experiences within various environments. Its main customers include system integrators, as well as large-scale facilities like retail stores, airports, and enterprise campuses.

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The **Honeywell** of commercial lighting and smart building systems.

Like **Johnson Controls** for intelligent building lighting and automation.

AI Analysis | Feedback

  • Lighting Solutions: Provides commercial, architectural, and specialty lighting products for diverse indoor and outdoor applications.
  • Lighting Controls: Offers advanced systems and components for managing and optimizing lighting usage and energy efficiency.
  • Building Management Systems: Delivers integrated platforms for controlling and monitoring various building operations and environments.
  • Location-Aware Applications: Develops software and systems that utilize location data to enhance space management and user experiences within facilities.

AI Analysis | Feedback

Acuity Brands, Inc. (AYI) primarily sells its products and solutions to other companies (B2B). Based on the company description, its major customers include:

  • Retail Home Improvement Centers: Acuity's lighting solutions are sold through major home improvement retailers.
    • The Home Depot, Inc. (HD)
    • Lowe's Companies, Inc. (LOW)
  • Digital Retailers: The company's products are available through online retail channels.
    • Amazon.com, Inc. (AMZN)
  • Electrical Distributors: Acuity sells to major electrical distributors who then supply contractors and various businesses with lighting and control products. A prominent example of such a distributor is Wesco International, Inc. (WCC).
  • General Retail Stores: Beyond home improvement, Acuity's building management systems and lighting solutions are utilized by large retail chains.
    • Walmart Inc. (WMT)
    • Target Corporation (TGT)

Additionally, Acuity serves various other categories of companies and organizations, including:

  • System Integrators: Companies that design and implement complex building management and lighting systems.
  • Electric Utilities: Providers of electricity services, often for outdoor lighting and smart city applications.
  • National Accounts: Large corporations with multiple facilities requiring standardized lighting and building management solutions.
  • Airports and Enterprise Campuses: Large institutional and corporate environments that require comprehensive lighting and building management solutions.
  • Energy Service Companies (ESCOs): Firms that develop, install, and finance projects designed to improve energy efficiency for their clients.
  • Lighting Showrooms: Specialty retailers focused on lighting products.

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Neil M. Ashe, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

Neil M. Ashe became President and CEO of Acuity Brands in January 2020 and Chairman in January 2021. He has been instrumental in transforming Acuity from a traditional lighting company into an industrial technology company. Before joining Acuity, he served as CEO of Faster Horses LLC, an investment firm advising on digital transformation (2017-2019). He was also President and CEO of Global eCommerce & Technology at Walmart, Inc. (2012-2017), where he rebuilt the e-commerce business, and President of CBS Interactive (2008-2011) and CEO of CNET Networks, Inc. (2006-2008). He led CNET Networks through its $1.8 billion acquisition by CBS Corporation.

Karen J. Holcom, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Karen J. Holcom has more than 30 years of financial experience and has been with Acuity Brands since its inception in 2001. She leads the company's financial strategy, investor relations, and oversees the global financial organization. Prior to becoming CFO, she held various positions at Acuity, including controller and interim CFO, and previously served as Senior VP-Finance & Associate Engagement at Antique Street Lamps, Inc.

Sach Sankpal, President, Acuity Brands Lighting

Sach Sankpal has over 30 years of experience in leading turnarounds, accelerating digital transformation and innovation, and positioning global industrial technology organizations for growth.

Peter Han, President, Acuity Intelligent Spaces

Peter Han joined Acuity Brands in 2021 as President of the Intelligent Spaces Group, which includes the Atrius and Distech Controls brands. He has a track record of driving revenue growth and organizational change over 25 years in the technology industry. Prior to Acuity, he co-founded and was a Partner of Rockpile Ventures, an Edge AI accelerator (2019-2021), and served as Chief Marketing Officer at Supermicro (2018-2019). He also spent 15 years at Microsoft as Vice President, Partner Devices and Solutions.

Barry R. Goldman, Senior Vice President and General Counsel

Barry R. Goldman is a trusted legal strategist who supports all legal and transactional matters for Acuity's operations globally, including acquisitions, strategic alliances, government relations, and risk reduction. He joined Acuity in 2001 and has approximately 30 years of legal experience in the real estate, lighting, and building management industries. He also led the creation of Acuity's sustainability program, EarthLIGHT.

AI Analysis | Feedback

The key risks to Acuity Brands, Inc.'s business include a challenging market for its traditional lighting segment, the complexities associated with its growth strategy through acquisitions, and emerging risks related to artificial intelligence.

  1. Navigating a 'Flat-to-Down' Lighting Market for its Core Business: Acuity Brands' largest segment, Acuity Brands Lighting (ABL), is operating in a 'flat-to-down' lighting market. This external pressure forces the company to intensely compete for growth against rivals such as Signify and Hubbell. The need to aggressively fight for every dollar of growth in its foundational business represents a significant ongoing challenge for the company.

  2. Complexity and Integration Risk of Growth Strategy through Acquisitions: While Acuity Brands is strategically pivoting and growing its Intelligent Spaces Group (ISG) segment, largely through acquisitions like QSC, this strategy carries inherent risks. Integrating large acquisitions can lead to operational complexities, potential "hiccups," and one-time financial charges, such as non-cash pension-settlement charges. Successfully executing this growth strategy while managing integration challenges is critical for the company's future performance.

  3. Emerging Artificial Intelligence (AI) Related Risks: Acuity Brands has explicitly identified AI-related risks in its annual filings. These concerns include potential issues with bias in AI applications, cybersecurity vulnerabilities related to AI systems, and the need to comply with evolving U.S. and EU regulations governing AI. As AI becomes more integral to its Intelligent Spaces offerings, managing these nascent risks becomes increasingly important for Acuity Brands.

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The increasing consolidation and dominance of large technology and industrial platform companies (e.g., Google, Amazon, Microsoft, Siemens, Honeywell) in the smart building and enterprise Internet of Things (IoT) space. These companies are investing heavily in comprehensive building management systems, cloud-based analytics, and integrated IoT platforms that could marginalize specialized providers of building management systems and location-aware applications, directly impacting Acuity's Intelligent Spaces Group (ISG) segment (Distech Controls, Atrius, Rockpile Ventures).

AI Analysis | Feedback

Acuity Brands, Inc. (AYI) operates in the lighting and building management solutions sectors, serving markets primarily in North America.

Addressable Markets for Main Products and Services:

Acuity Brands Lighting and Lighting Controls (ABL) Segment:

  • Commercial Lighting Control Market (North America): This market was estimated at USD 8 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 13 billion by 2029, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.23%.
  • Lighting Control System Market (North America): The market generated USD 9,017.3 million (approximately USD 9.02 billion) in 2023 and is expected to reach US$ 19,040.1 million (approximately USD 19.04 billion) by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 11.3% from 2024 to 2030.
  • Commercial Lighting Market (North America): North America held a 36.8% market share in 2023. The U.S. Commercial Lighting Market was estimated at USD 4.25 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 21.18%.
  • Industrial and Commercial LED Lighting Market (North America): The North America commercial LED lighting market is projected to expand from USD 8.58 billion in 2025 to USD 19.72 billion by 2031.
  • Architectural Lighting Market (North America): This market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 8.44%. The U.S. architectural lighting market is projected to grow from USD 3.01 billion in 2025 to USD 5.56 billion by 2033. Another estimate indicates the U.S. architectural lighting market generated USD 1,581.1 million in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 2,099.4 million by 2030.
  • Specialty Lighting Market (North America): North America held the largest regional market share at approximately 40% in 2024. The global specialty lighting market was valued at USD 6.5 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach USD 11.73 billion by 2032.

Intelligent Spaces Group (ISG) Segment:

  • Building Management Systems (North America): The North America Building Automation System Market was valued at USD 27.02 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 59.52 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 12.93% from 2025 to 2032. Another source projects the North American Building Automation System Market to grow from USD 34.69 billion in 2025 to USD 65.10 billion by 2030. The U.S. building management system market size reached USD 5.58 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 20.41 billion in 2032.
  • Smart Space Market (North America): The smart space market in North America is expected to reach a projected revenue of US$ 10,484.2 million (approximately USD 10.48 billion) by 2030, with a CAGR of 10.2% from 2024 to 2030. North America dominated the global smart space market with a 47.90% share in 2025. The Smart spaces market in North America commanded 36.40% of 2025 revenue and is expected to grow from USD 16.70 billion in 2025 to USD 32.86 billion by 2031.
  • Smart Building Solutions Market (North America): This market in North America is projected to grow at a CAGR of 10.5% during the forecast period, reaching a valuation of USD 35.2 billion by 2033. North America accounted for over 35% of the global smart building market revenue share in 2025. The U.S. smart building market dominated with a share of over 74% in 2025.
  • Smart Lighting Market (North America): The North America smart lighting market size was valued at USD 7.96 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 26.52 billion by 2034.

AI Analysis | Feedback

Acuity (AYI) is expected to drive future revenue growth over the next 2-3 years through several key strategies:

  1. Expansion of the Acuity Intelligent Spaces (AIS) Segment and Integration of QSC: The transformative acquisition of QSC in early fiscal 2025 significantly accelerated Acuity's shift from a lighting manufacturer to an integrated industrial technology leader, combining AV&C cloud platforms with building management to create higher-margin, software-driven ecosystems. This segment is consistently highlighted as the company's high-growth engine, with expectations for organic sales growth in the low to mid-teens. The QSC integration is particularly noted for granting immediate access to corporate, cinema, and large-venue customers worldwide.
  2. Product Innovation and Vitality in Smart Building Solutions: Acuity focuses heavily on "product vitality," which measures revenue from products launched within the last three years. The company consistently allocates 3-4% of net sales to research and development to sustain innovation in IoT and automation platforms. This includes developing software-enabled hardware where luminaires act as data nodes for real-time building optimization, and deploying AI through brands like Distech Controls and Atrius for adaptive HVAC and lighting systems. Recent launches, such as the EAX Area Luminaire product family, further enhance its portfolio.
  3. Strategic Expansion into New Markets and Verticals: Acuity is actively diversifying its market reach by targeting the professional AV and building automation markets, combining lighting, controls, and AV to increase market share per project. The company is also pursuing geographic expansion with Distech Controls in Europe and Asia to capitalize on energy-efficiency regulations and retrofit demand. Furthermore, Acuity is focusing on specialized verticals, including data center infrastructure, healthcare-tailored lighting, and the convenience store and gas station market, which offer specific compliance and uptime requirements. The retrofit segment already contributes roughly 60% of sales.
  4. Strategic Pricing Actions and Productivity Improvements: Acuity employs strategic pricing to manage and offset inflationary pressures and tariff-related costs, which is crucial for maintaining and improving gross margins. Alongside pricing, the company emphasizes ongoing productivity efforts and disciplined cost management across its operations, particularly in the Acuity Brands Lighting (ABL) segment, to enhance profitability and operating profit margins. These profitability improvements provide capital for further growth investments.

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Share Repurchases

  • Acuity Brands made significant share repurchases, with annual amounts of $266.6 million in 2023, $88.7 million in 2024, and $118.5 million in 2025.
  • Over the last five years, the company's share count has shrunk by 16.5% due to these repurchases.
  • The Board of Directors authorized an additional repurchase of up to 3 million shares in January 2024, bringing the total outstanding authorization to approximately 3.9 million shares.

Share Issuance

  • Shares outstanding for Acuity Brands generally declined over the last few years, reflecting the impact of share repurchase programs.
  • Specifically, shares outstanding declined by 7.16% from 2022 to 2023, and by 2.24% from 2023 to 2024.
  • A slight increase of 0.62% in shares outstanding was noted from 2024 to 2025, reaching 0.032 billion shares in 2025.

Outbound Investments

  • Acuity Brands completed the strategic acquisition of QSC for $1.115 billion in fiscal year 2025 (October 2024), significantly bolstering its Intelligent Spaces Group (ISG) segment with cloud-first audio, video, and control technologies.
  • The company acquired Arize Grow in November 2023 and KE2 Therm Solutions in April 2023, with undisclosed transaction amounts.
  • In May 2021, Acuity Brands acquired Rockpile Ventures, further expanding its strategic investments.

Capital Expenditures

  • Capital expenditures in the last 12 months totaled -$75.50 million.
  • The company incurred capital expenditures of $9 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2022.
  • Acuity Brands is described as becoming a less capital-intensive business over the last five years, with a rising free cash flow profitability.

Better Bets vs. Acuity (AYI)

Peer Outperformance in Electrical Components & Equipment

AYI has outperformed 64% of its 36 Electrical Components & Equipment peers over 5Y. Among the peers that beat it are ENS, AME and EMR. Electrical Components & Equipment ranks 11th of 23 industries in Industrials by median 5Y return.
Share of Electrical Components & Equipment constituents that AYI has outperformed, by holding period. Peers without a full price history over a given window are excluded from that window.
1Y
55%
of 44 industry peers · -11.0% return
3Y
59%
of 41 industry peers · 93.8% return
5Y
64%
of 36 industry peers · 57.1% return
Electrical Components & Equipment peers with revenue growth within 4pp of AYI's that beat it on at least 2 of 3 windows, and by at least 20pp over 5Y. Growth is matched by construction, so the gap is largely a re-rating gap. The multiple column is the context for it.
Ticker Name Rev Growth 3Y Avg P/E 1Y3Y5Y 5Y Gap
AYI Acuity 4.6% 20.3x -11.0%93.8%57.1% —
ENS EnerSys 0.8% 17.4x 42.5%96.7%129.7% +73pp
AME AMETEK 7.1% 34.7x 29.9%72.8%88.1% +31pp
EMR Emerson Electric 7.7% 34.8x 25.1%87.4%84.2% +27pp
Price returns, excluding dividends. P/E shown for context only and not used for matching.
Median price return by industry across the Industrials sector, ranked by 5Y. Electrical Components & Equipment is AYI's own industry. Use this to see which corners of the sector have carried the returns.
Industry Names 1Y med3Y med5Y med Top 3 by 5Y
Construction & Engineering 30 -2.5%102.3%139.8% STRL 1538% · FIX 1451% · AGX 712%
Marine Transportation 5 53.7%50.1%131.4% MATX 188% · KEX 131%
Construction Machinery & Heavy Transportation Equipment 13 2.1%58.8%94.9% CAT 280% · ALSN 241% · WAB 208%
Aerospace & Defense 52 -12.6%59.4%57.0% ATI 913% · FTAI 721% · HWM 544%
Trading Companies & Distributors 19 12.5%32.3%51.1% DXPE 382% · AIT 233% · URI 213%
Industrial Machinery & Supplies & Components 72 5.8%55.2%38.4% CRS 867% · MLI 375% · SYM 308%
Diversified Support Services 34 11.3%38.9%36.6% CXW 226% · OPLN 155% · CTAS 120%
Rail Transportation 7 32.2%62.3%31.1% CSX 56% · UNP 40% · NSC 31%
Building Products 33 -7.3%12.9%24.5% GFF 344% · TT 164% · JCI 114%
Cargo Ground Transportation 16 33.6%6.9%19.4% XPO 262% · R 237% · ARCB 51%
Electrical Components & Equipment ← 37 -11.3%70.5%3.7% POWL 1786% · BE 979% · VRT 717%
Industrial Conglomerates 17 7.7%8.7%-5.9% CSW 121% · DD 72% · CSL 64%
Agricultural & Farm Machinery 16 1.5%-1.6%-10.6% DE 102% · TTC 15% · AGCO -6%
Data Processing & Outsourced Services 6 -21.6%0.4%-15.0% EXLS 73% · BR 11% · G -12%
Research & Consulting Services 13 4.1%-12.2%-15.9% HURN 290% · FCN 11% · BAH 5%
Security & Alarm Services 9 -52.1%12.7%-21.3% BCO 99%
Office Services & Supplies 9 19.4%18.4%-24.4% PBI 201% · TILE 148% · HNI 43%
Environmental & Facilities Services 29 -26.4%32.4%-32.4% GEO 231% · CLH 180% · RSG 93%
Passenger Airlines 11 5.1%20.4%-34.2% LTM 3130% · UAL 118% · DAL 107%
Passenger Ground Transportation 3 -25.1%60.5%-36.4% UBER 52% · CAR -36% · LYFT -64%
Air Freight & Logistics 12 -25.4%-18.7%-39.6% FDX 80% · EXPD 69% · CHRW 61%
Human Resource & Employment Services 22 17.2%-9.0%-42.0% ADP 58% · PAYX 12% · FA 10%
Airport Services 4 -69.6%-68.3%-83.5% JOBY -48%
Median of constituents with a full price history over each window. Top names are limited to companies above $2B market cap.

Recent Active Movers

Peer Comparisons

Peers to compare with:

Financials

AYIPOWLFPSRFILETNVRTMedian
NameAcuity Powell I.Forgent .RF Indus.Eaton Vertiv  
Mkt Price316.52150.3525.086.85371.35196.40173.38
Mkt Cap9.65.56.5-144.375.59.6
Rev LTM4,6061,1581,420-30,02511,4804,606
Op Inc LTM673228179-5,3172,227673
FCF LTM639244-7-3,9342,924639
FCF 3Y Avg546170--3,4091,7091,127
CFO LTM723256109-4,9503,354723
CFO 3Y Avg616183--4,2911,9681,292

Growth & Margins

AYIPOWLFPSRFILETNVRTMedian
NameAcuity Powell I.Forgent .RF Indus.Eaton Vertiv  
Rev Chg LTM10.5%7.0%88.5%-15.5%26.2%15.5%
Rev Chg 3Y Avg4.6%22.0%--10.9%21.7%16.3%
Rev Chg Q1.6%8.9%94.3%-21.4%24.1%21.4%
QoQ Delta Rev Chg LTM0.4%2.2%18.7%-5.3%5.9%5.3%
Op Inc Chg LTM18.1%8.0%147.1%-8.7%40.6%18.1%
Op Inc Chg 3Y Avg9.2%100.1%--16.2%54.6%35.4%
Op Mgn LTM14.6%19.7%12.6%-17.7%19.4%17.7%
Op Mgn 3Y Avg14.0%18.4%--18.2%17.3%17.7%
QoQ Delta Op Mgn LTM0.5%-0.1%4.6%--0.5%0.6%0.5%
CFO/Rev LTM15.7%22.1%7.7%-16.5%29.2%16.5%
CFO/Rev 3Y Avg14.6%17.2%--16.0%20.2%16.6%
FCF/Rev LTM13.9%21.1%-0.5%-13.1%25.5%13.9%
FCF/Rev 3Y Avg13.0%16.0%--12.7%17.5%14.5%

Valuation

AYIPOWLFPSRFILETNVRTMedian
NameAcuity Powell I.Forgent .RF Indus.Eaton Vertiv  
Mkt Cap9.65.56.5-144.375.59.6
P/S2.14.74.6-4.86.64.7
P/Op Inc14.224.136.5-27.133.927.1
P/EBIT15.124.136.1-27.434.927.4
P/E20.328.779.3-37.743.637.7
P/CFO13.321.459.8-29.122.522.5
Total Yield5.2%3.7%1.3%-3.8%2.4%3.7%
Dividend Yield0.2%0.2%0.0%-1.2%0.1%0.2%
FCF Yield 3Y Avg5.8%5.4%--2.3%2.6%4.0%
D/E0.10.00.1-0.10.00.1
Net D/E0.0-0.10.1-0.10.00.0

Returns

AYIPOWLFPSRFILETNVRTMedian
NameAcuity Powell I.Forgent .RF Indus.Eaton Vertiv  
1M Rtn1.9%-21.7%-34.9%-18.8%-16.1%-22.5%-20.2%
3M Rtn-3.1%-38.0%-35.6%-47.4%-10.3%-35.4%-35.5%
6M Rtn9.5%-40.3%-27.6%-52.4%-12.1%-38.9%-33.2%
12M Rtn-11.2%35.8%-13.5%-9.6%4.1%14.6%-2.8%
3Y Rtn93.3%528.3%-13.5%138.7%97.2%428.7%117.9%
1M Excs Rtn4.1%-21.3%-36.5%-17.5%-14.8%-20.4%-19.0%
3M Excs Rtn-7.4%-38.6%-33.5%-48.4%-11.2%-35.7%-34.6%
6M Excs Rtn1.8%-48.1%-35.4%-60.3%-19.9%-46.7%-41.0%
12M Excs Rtn-26.7%16.1%-27.3%-28.4%-13.3%-1.3%-20.0%
3Y Excs Rtn1.9%381.6%-89.1%61.4%6.4%303.2%33.9%

Comparison Analyses

Financials

Segment Financials

Revenue by Segment
$ Mil20252024202320222021
Acuity Brands Lighting (ABL)3,6123,5733,7233,8103,287
Acuity Intelligent Spaces (AIS)764292253216190
Corporate000  
Eliminations-31-24-23-20-16
Total4,3463,8413,9524,0063,461


Operating Income by Segment
$ Mil20252024202320222021
Acuity Brands Lighting (ABL)591583510546476
Acuity Intelligent Spaces (AIS)7644322310
Eliminations000  
Corporate-103-73-68-59-58
Total564553473510428


Assets by Segment
$ Mil20252024202320222021
Corporate3,6352,8632,4842,3292,605
Acuity Brands Lighting (ABL)9068848701,098925
Acuity Intelligent Spaces (AIS)21468545445
Cash and cash equivalents000  
Total4,7553,8153,4083,4803,575


Price Behavior

Price Behavior
Market Price$317.23 
Market Cap ($ Bil)9.6 
First Trading Date12/03/2001 
Distance from 52W High-15.7% 
   50 Days200 Days
DMA Price$318.57$309.37
DMA Trenddowndown
Distance from DMA-0.4%2.5%
 3M1YR
Volatility29.4%38.1%
Downside Capture189.79137.86
Upside Capture107.5794.68
Correlation (S&P 500)51.7%47.1%
AYI Betas & Captures as of 9/30/2026

 1M2M3M6M1Y3Y
Beta1.671.801.551.581.481.22
Up Beta-1.390.960.390.781.061.11
Down Beta6.204.882.362.171.411.28
Up Capture123%147%127%173%183%192%
Bmk +ve Days6162766132424
Stock +ve Days11233271137398
Down Capture219%218%230%173%145%106%
Bmk -ve Days16263760120328
Stock -ve Days11193255115352

[1] Upside and downside betas calculated using positive and negative benchmark daily returns respectively
Based On 1-Year Data
Annualized
Return
Annualized
Volatility
Sharpe
Ratio
Correlation
with AYI
AYI-12.9%38.1%-0.29-
Sector ETF (XLI)8.6%17.2%0.3153.7%
Equity (SPY)14.8%12.7%0.8047.6%
Gold (GLD)-2.2%28.4%-0.0922.4%
Commodities (DBC)52.1%20.7%1.91-25.7%
Real Estate (VNQ)4.7%13.9%0.0813.0%
Bitcoin (BTCUSD)-22.4%43.4%-0.4716.1%

Smart multi-asset allocation framework can stack odds in your favor. Learn How
Based On 5-Year Data
Annualized
Return
Annualized
Volatility
Sharpe
Ratio
Correlation
with AYI
AYI9.0%32.7%0.31-
Sector ETF (XLI)12.0%17.6%0.5166.0%
Equity (SPY)13.0%17.1%0.5757.9%
Gold (GLD)17.1%18.9%0.7212.1%
Commodities (DBC)9.3%19.5%0.366.0%
Real Estate (VNQ)1.1%18.9%-0.0543.0%
Bitcoin (BTCUSD)8.0%51.7%0.3322.7%

Smart multi-asset allocation framework can stack odds in your favor. Learn How
Based On 10-Year Data
Annualized
Return
Annualized
Volatility
Sharpe
Ratio
Correlation
with AYI
AYI3.0%37.5%0.19-
Sector ETF (XLI)13.2%20.0%0.5762.9%
Equity (SPY)15.4%17.9%0.7355.5%
Gold (GLD)11.9%16.4%0.595.8%
Commodities (DBC)8.3%18.1%0.3716.2%
Real Estate (VNQ)5.2%20.7%0.2145.3%
Bitcoin (BTCUSD)63.0%66.2%1.0313.7%

Smart multi-asset allocation framework can stack odds in your favor. Learn How

Short Interest

Short Interest: As Of Date9302026
Short Interest: Shares Quantity0.9 Mil
Short Interest: % Change Since 9152026-14.1%
Average Daily Volume0.4 Mil
Days-to-Cover Short Interest2.2 days
Basic Shares Quantity30.3 Mil
Short % of Basic Shares3.1%

Earnings Returns History

Updated 10/12/2026
Expand for More
 Forward Returns
Earnings Date1D Returns5D Returns21D Returns
10/1/2026-3.4%-3.0% 
6/25/202617.6%20.3%8.1%
4/2/2026-7.5%-3.6%0.9%
1/8/2026-12.9%-13.7%-11.1%
10/1/20255.4%0.7%5.0%
6/26/20255.8%6.4%8.8%
4/3/2025-3.4%-7.7%-5.1%
1/8/20253.2%7.3%6.6%
...
SUMMARY STATS   
# Positive151414
# Negative101110
Median Positive5.4%6.6%9.5%
Median Negative-6.6%-8.9%-6.1%
Max Positive17.6%20.3%31.8%
Max Negative-12.9%-14.5%-15.9%
Collapse to Preview
 Forward Returns
Earnings Date1D Returns5D Returns21D Returns
10/1/2026-3.4%-3.0% 
6/25/202617.6%20.3%8.1%
4/2/2026-7.5%-3.6%0.9%
1/8/2026-12.9%-13.7%-11.1%
10/1/20255.4%0.7%5.0%
6/26/20255.8%6.4%8.8%
4/3/2025-3.4%-7.7%-5.1%
1/8/20253.2%7.3%6.6%
10/1/20248.7%11.8%10.3%
6/27/20241.1%1.5%3.6%
4/3/20241.1%1.7%-6.0%
1/9/202411.5%9.6%15.6%
10/4/20236.9%6.8%-3.0%
6/29/20231.1%-2.3%3.5%
4/4/2023-11.0%-13.3%-12.3%
1/9/20232.9%2.4%14.9%
10/4/20224.9%1.0%16.2%
6/30/2022-1.1%1.3%17.2%
4/5/2022-8.1%-9.0%-3.9%
1/7/20221.9%-1.8%-11.4%
10/6/202110.9%17.5%20.4%
7/1/2021-5.8%-9.4%-6.2%
3/31/202113.3%14.7%31.8%
1/7/2021-5.5%-8.9%-5.5%
10/8/2020-10.3%-14.5%-15.9%
SUMMARY STATS   
# Positive151414
# Negative101110
Median Positive5.4%6.6%9.5%
Median Negative-6.6%-8.9%-6.1%
Max Positive17.6%20.3%31.8%
Max Negative-12.9%-14.5%-15.9%

SEC Filings

Expand for More
Report DateFiling DateFiling
05/31/202606/25/202610-Q
02/28/202604/02/202610-Q
11/30/202501/08/202610-Q
08/31/202510/27/202510-K
05/31/202506/26/202510-Q
02/28/202504/03/202510-Q
11/30/202401/08/202510-Q
08/31/202410/28/202410-K
05/31/202406/27/202410-Q
02/29/202404/03/202410-Q
11/30/202301/09/202410-Q
08/31/202310/26/202310-K
05/31/202306/29/202310-Q
02/28/202304/04/202310-Q
11/30/202201/09/202310-Q
08/31/202210/26/202210-K
Collapse to Preview
Report DateFiling DateFiling
05/31/202606/25/202610-Q
02/28/202604/02/202610-Q
11/30/202501/08/202610-Q
08/31/202510/27/202510-K
05/31/202506/26/202510-Q
02/28/202504/03/202510-Q
11/30/202401/08/202510-Q
08/31/202410/28/202410-K
05/31/202406/27/202410-Q
02/29/202404/03/202410-Q
11/30/202301/09/202410-Q
08/31/202310/26/202310-K
05/31/202306/29/202310-Q
02/28/202304/04/202310-Q
11/30/202201/09/202310-Q
08/31/202210/26/202210-K
05/31/202206/30/202210-Q
02/28/202204/05/202210-Q
11/30/202101/07/202210-Q
08/31/202110/27/202110-K
05/31/202107/01/202110-Q
02/28/202103/31/202110-Q
11/30/202001/07/202110-Q
08/31/202010/23/202010-K
05/31/202006/30/202010-Q
02/29/202004/02/202010-Q
11/30/201901/09/202010-Q
08/31/201910/29/201910-K

Insider Activity

Updated 10/20/2026
Expand for More
#OwnerTitleHoldingActionFiling DatePriceSharesTransacted
Value
Value of
Held Shares
Form
1O'Shaughnessy, Laura DirectBuy10202026302.327322,069962,587Form
2Holcom, Karen JSVP & Chief Financial OfficerDirectSell9032026329.622,000659,2405,750,880Form
3Goldman, Barry RSVP & General CounselDirectSell7062026365.651,200438,7801,775,596Form
4Holcom, Karen JSVP & Chief Financial OfficerDirectSell6032026303.142,076629,3195,895,164Form
5Leibman, Maya by TrustBuy5042026288.8320057,766115,532Form
Collapse to Preview
#OwnerTitleHoldingActionFiling DatePriceSharesTransacted
Value
Value of
Held Shares
Form
1O'Shaughnessy, Laura DirectBuy10202026302.327322,069962,587Form
2Holcom, Karen JSVP & Chief Financial OfficerDirectSell9032026329.622,000659,2405,750,880Form
3Goldman, Barry RSVP & General CounselDirectSell7062026365.651,200438,7801,775,596Form
4Holcom, Karen JSVP & Chief Financial OfficerDirectSell6032026303.142,076629,3195,895,164Form
5Leibman, Maya by TrustBuy5042026288.8320057,766115,532Form
6O'Shaughnessy, Laura DirectBuy4102026282.981,000282,980880,351Form
7Holcom, Karen JSVP & Chief Financial OfficerDirectSell1302026309.234,9741,538,1106,655,557Form
8Goldman, Barry RSVP & General CounselDirectSell10302025365.114,4891,638,9892,211,120Form
9Goldman, Barry RSVP & General CounselDirectSell10272025368.014,6871,724,8813,880,707Form

Investor Activity (13F)

Updated Oct 23, 2026
13F holdings as of Mar 31, 2026 (Q1 2026)

Active managers (13F portfolio over $250M, at least 3 holdings) with a position over $5M that is either over 10% of their portfolio or held in a concentrated book of 50 or fewer total positions. Index/ETF, sovereign, bank, community-bank and charitable/donor-advised filers are excluded.

Active ManagerValue% of PortfolioTotal PositionsQoQFiling
Allen Operations LLC$96.4 Mil14.4%36Hold13F
Greenstone Partners & Co., LLC$50.4 Mil12.7%9TRIM -6.8%13F
Alua Capital Management LP$63.4 Mil6.9%14New13F
Lightrock Netherlands B.V.$12.6 Mil2.7%39ADD +176.5%13F
Schwerin Boyle Capital Management Inc$20.8 Mil2.6%47TRIM -7.3%13F
Triodos Investment Management BV$26.1 Mil2.0%49ADD +27.4%13F
Durable Capital Partners LP$99.7 Mil1.0%37TRIM -56.4%13F
Active ManagerValue% of PortfolioTotal PositionsQoQFiling
Alua Capital Management LP$63.4 Mil6.9%14New13F
Lightrock Netherlands B.V.$12.6 Mil2.7%39ADD +176.5%13F
Triodos Investment Management BV$26.1 Mil2.0%49ADD +27.4%13F
Active ManagerValue% of PortfolioTotal PositionsQoQAs OfFiling
Palestra Capital Management LLC$133.4 Mil4.7%28ExitedDec 31, 202513F
140 Summer Partners LP$81.3 Mil6.3%19ExitedDec 31, 202513F
Bayberry Capital Partners LP$9.8 Mil3.2%24ExitedDec 31, 202513F
Durable Capital Partners LP$99.7 Mil1.0%37TRIM -56.4%Mar 31, 202613F
Schwerin Boyle Capital Management Inc$20.8 Mil2.6%47TRIM -7.3%Mar 31, 202613F
Greenstone Partners & Co., LLC$50.4 Mil12.7%9TRIM -6.8%Mar 31, 202613F
Active ManagerValue% of PortfolioTotal PositionsQoQFiling
Durable Capital Partners LP$99.7 Mil1.0%37TRIM -56.4%13F
Allen Operations LLC$96.4 Mil14.4%36Hold13F
Alua Capital Management LP$63.4 Mil6.9%14New13F
Greenstone Partners & Co., LLC$50.4 Mil12.7%9TRIM -6.8%13F
Triodos Investment Management BV$26.1 Mil2.0%49ADD +27.4%13F
Schwerin Boyle Capital Management Inc$20.8 Mil2.6%47TRIM -7.3%13F
Lightrock Netherlands B.V.$12.6 Mil2.7%39ADD +176.5%13F
Core Cache Last Updated: 10/22/2026