Acuity (AYI)
Market Price (12/4/2025): $368.05 | Market Cap: $11.3 BilSector: Industrials | Industry: Electrical Components & Equipment
Acuity (AYI)
Market Price (12/4/2025): $368.05Market Cap: $11.3 BilSector: IndustrialsIndustry: Electrical Components & Equipment
Investment Highlights
Why It Matters
Which of these 2 stories sounds closer for this stock?
1. Generates cash flow
The stock generated 4% or more of the share price (called cash flow yield), and shows moderate 10-15% or more growth.
2. Riding a trend
Think Tesla during the pandemic of 2020 when EVs were riding a cultural high, or Nvidia in the current AI boom, or even Figma. These companies don’t have enough yield, or, enough growth, or both - however - they are riding a trend. They have momentum. These can be more volatile - they don’t have the floor of strong cash flow
| Strong revenue growthRev Chg LTMRevenue Change % Last Twelve Months (LTM) is 13% | Trading close to highsDist 52W High is -0.3%, Dist 3Y High is -0.3% | |
| Attractive cash flow generationCFO/Rev LTMCash Flow from Operations / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is 14%, FCF/Rev LTMFree Cash Flow / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is 12% | ||
| Attractive yieldFCF Yield is 5.0% | ||
| Low stock price volatilityVol 12M is 32% | ||
| Megatrend and thematic driversMegatrends include Smart Buildings & Proptech, and Sustainable & Green Buildings. Themes include IoT for Buildings, Building Management Systems, Show more. |
| Strong revenue growthRev Chg LTMRevenue Change % Last Twelve Months (LTM) is 13% |
| Attractive cash flow generationCFO/Rev LTMCash Flow from Operations / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is 14%, FCF/Rev LTMFree Cash Flow / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is 12% |
| Attractive yieldFCF Yield is 5.0% |
| Low stock price volatilityVol 12M is 32% |
| Megatrend and thematic driversMegatrends include Smart Buildings & Proptech, and Sustainable & Green Buildings. Themes include IoT for Buildings, Building Management Systems, Show more. |
| Trading close to highsDist 52W High is -0.3%, Dist 3Y High is -0.3% |
Valuation, Metrics & Events
AYI Stock
Why The Stock Moved
Qualitative Assessment
AI Generated Analysis | Feedback
Acuity (AYI) experienced significant positive stock movement between August 31, 2025, and December 4, 2025, driven by several key factors:
1. Strong Fiscal Fourth-Quarter 2025 Earnings: Acuity Brands reported robust fiscal fourth-quarter 2025 results on October 1, 2025. The company announced an adjusted diluted earnings per share (EPS) of $5.20, surpassing analysts' forecasts of $4.77 by 9.01%. Despite revenue of $1.2 billion slightly missing the anticipated $1.23 billion, it still represented a substantial 17% increase year-over-year, leading to a pre-market stock rise of 4.54% following the announcement.
2. Positive Analyst Sentiment and Upgraded Price Targets: Multiple financial analysts reiterated favorable ratings and increased their price targets for Acuity's stock during this period. For example, William Blair reiterated an "Outperform" rating on October 1, 2025, contributing to a 9% jump in the stock price. Oppenheimer maintained an "Outperform" rating, raising its price target to $435.00, while TD Cowen increased its target to $390 from $330. Morgan Stanley also lifted its price objective from $365.00 to $425.00, assigning an "overweight" rating.
Stock Movement Drivers
Return vs. Risk
Price Returns Compared
| 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | Total [1] | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Returns | |||||||
| AYI Return | -12% | 75% | -22% | 24% | 43% | 25% | 169% |
| Peers Return | 9% | 27% | -6% | 17% | -5% | 7% | 54% |
| S&P 500 Return | 16% | 27% | -19% | 24% | 23% | 16% | 112% |
Monthly Win Rates [3] | |||||||
| AYI Win Rate | 50% | 67% | 42% | 58% | 75% | 70% | |
| Peers Win Rate | 55% | 68% | 42% | 60% | 40% | 60% | |
| S&P 500 Win Rate | 58% | 75% | 42% | 67% | 75% | 70% | |
Max Drawdowns [4] | |||||||
| AYI Max Drawdown | -48% | -4% | -31% | -9% | -2% | -24% | |
| Peers Max Drawdown | -51% | -6% | -27% | -9% | -22% | -32% | |
| S&P 500 Max Drawdown | -31% | -1% | -25% | -1% | -2% | -15% | |
[1] Cumulative total returns since the beginning of 2020
[2] Peers: LFUS, ENS, BDC, HI, AIN. 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] 2025 data is for the year up to 12/3/2025 (YTD)
How Low Can It Go
| Event | AYI | S&P 500 |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 Inflation Shock | ||
| % Loss | -34.7% | -25.4% |
| % Gain to Breakeven | 53.2% | 34.1% |
| Time to Breakeven | 565 days | 464 days |
| 2020 Covid Pandemic | ||
| % Loss | -50.3% | -33.9% |
| % Gain to Breakeven | 101.4% | 51.3% |
| Time to Breakeven | 357 days | 148 days |
| 2018 Correction | ||
| % Loss | -55.9% | -19.8% |
| % Gain to Breakeven | 126.8% | 24.7% |
| Time to Breakeven | 1862 days | 120 days |
| 2008 Global Financial Crisis | ||
| % Loss | -68.9% | -56.8% |
| % Gain to Breakeven | 221.5% | 131.3% |
| Time to Breakeven | 1275 days | 1480 days |
Compare to LFUS, ENS, BDC, HI, AIN
In The Past
Acuity's stock fell -34.7% during the 2022 Inflation Shock from a high on 11/9/2021. A -34.7% loss requires a 53.2% gain to breakeven.
Preserve Wealth
Limiting losses and compounding gains is essential to preserving wealth over time.
Asset Allocation
Actively managed asset allocation strategies protect wealth. Learn more.
Latest Trefis Analyses
Trade Ideas
Select past ideas related to AYI. For more, see Trefis Trade Ideas.
| Date | Ticker | Company | Category | Trade Strategy | 6M Fwd Rtn | 12M Fwd Rtn | 12M Max DD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11212025 | CNM | Core & Main | Dip Buy | DB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High MarginBuying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin | 7.3% | 7.3% | -1.6% |
| 11212025 | VRRM | Verra Mobility | Dip Buy | DB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High MarginBuying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin | 2.3% | 2.3% | -1.2% |
| 11212025 | LII | Lennox International | Dip Buy | DB | P/E OPMDip Buy with Low PE and High MarginBuying dips for companies with tame PE and meaningfully high operating margin | 4.8% | 4.8% | 0.0% |
| 11212025 | ADP | Automatic Data Processing | Monopoly | MY | Getting CheaperMonopoly-Like with P/S DeclineLarge cap with monopoly-like margins or cash flow generation and getting cheaper based on P/S multiple | 1.6% | 1.6% | -1.2% |
| 11212025 | CW | Curtiss-Wright | Quality | Q | Momentum | UpsideQuality Stocks with Momentum and UpsideBuying quality stocks with strong momentum but still having room to run | 2.2% | 2.2% | 0.0% |
| 11302021 | AYI | Acuity | Quality | Q | Momentum | UpsideQuality Stocks with Momentum and UpsideBuying quality stocks with strong momentum but still having room to run | -13.0% | -6.2% | -27.2% |
| 10312020 | AYI | Acuity | Dip Buy | DB | P/E OPMDip Buy with Low PE and High MarginBuying dips for companies with tame PE and meaningfully high operating margin | 108.5% | 131.2% | 0.0% |
| 02292020 | AYI | Acuity | Dip Buy | DB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High MarginBuying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin | 8.2% | 20.5% | -30.9% |
| 05312019 | AYI | Acuity | Dip Buy | DB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High MarginBuying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin | 6.0% | -30.0% | -42.3% |
| Date | Ticker | Company | Category | Trade Strategy | 6M Fwd Rtn | 12M Fwd Rtn | 12M Max DD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11212025 | CNM | Core & Main | Dip Buy | DB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High MarginBuying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin | 7.3% | 7.3% | -1.6% |
| 11212025 | VRRM | Verra Mobility | Dip Buy | DB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High MarginBuying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin | 2.3% | 2.3% | -1.2% |
| 11212025 | LII | Lennox International | Dip Buy | DB | P/E OPMDip Buy with Low PE and High MarginBuying dips for companies with tame PE and meaningfully high operating margin | 4.8% | 4.8% | 0.0% |
| 11212025 | ADP | Automatic Data Processing | Monopoly | MY | Getting CheaperMonopoly-Like with P/S DeclineLarge cap with monopoly-like margins or cash flow generation and getting cheaper based on P/S multiple | 1.6% | 1.6% | -1.2% |
| 11212025 | CW | Curtiss-Wright | Quality | Q | Momentum | UpsideQuality Stocks with Momentum and UpsideBuying quality stocks with strong momentum but still having room to run | 2.2% | 2.2% | 0.0% |
| 11302021 | AYI | Acuity | Quality | Q | Momentum | UpsideQuality Stocks with Momentum and UpsideBuying quality stocks with strong momentum but still having room to run | -13.0% | -6.2% | -27.2% |
| 10312020 | AYI | Acuity | Dip Buy | DB | P/E OPMDip Buy with Low PE and High MarginBuying dips for companies with tame PE and meaningfully high operating margin | 108.5% | 131.2% | 0.0% |
| 02292020 | AYI | Acuity | Dip Buy | DB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High MarginBuying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin | 8.2% | 20.5% | -30.9% |
| 05312019 | AYI | Acuity | Dip Buy | DB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High MarginBuying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin | 6.0% | -30.0% | -42.3% |
Research & Analysis
Invest in Strategies
Wealth Management
Peer Comparisons for Acuity
| Peers to compare with: |
Financials
| Median | |
|---|---|
| Name | |
| Mkt Price | 133.02 |
| Mkt Cap | 5.1 |
| Rev LTM | 2,760 |
| Op Inc LTM | 310 |
| FCF LTM | 270 |
| FCF 3Y Avg | 275 |
| CFO LTM | 402 |
| CFO 3Y Avg | 383 |
Growth & Margins
| Median | |
|---|---|
| Name | |
| Rev Chg LTM | 6.0% |
| Rev Chg 3Y Avg | 2.4% |
| Rev Chg Q | 7.1% |
| QoQ Delta Rev Chg LTM | 1.8% |
| Op Mgn LTM | 12.2% |
| Op Mgn 3Y Avg | 11.5% |
| QoQ Delta Op Mgn LTM | -0.1% |
| CFO/Rev LTM | 13.8% |
| CFO/Rev 3Y Avg | 14.2% |
| FCF/Rev LTM | 8.4% |
| FCF/Rev 3Y Avg | 8.8% |
Valuation
| Median | |
|---|---|
| Name | |
| Mkt Cap | 5.1 |
| P/S | 1.6 |
| P/EBIT | 12.9 |
| P/E | 16.7 |
| P/CFO | 11.4 |
| Total Yield | 3.6% |
| Dividend Yield | 1.0% |
| FCF Yield 3Y Avg | 5.1% |
| D/E | 0.3 |
| Net D/E | 0.2 |
Returns
| Median | |
|---|---|
| Name | |
| 1M Rtn | 1.6% |
| 3M Rtn | 6.3% |
| 6M Rtn | 30.3% |
| 12M Rtn | 1.9% |
| 3Y Rtn | 28.6% |
| 1M Excs Rtn | 1.7% |
| 3M Excs Rtn | -1.2% |
| 6M Excs Rtn | 15.5% |
| 12M Excs Rtn | -11.6% |
| 3Y Excs Rtn | -38.7% |
Comparison Analyses
Segment Financials
Assets by Segment
| $ Mil | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goodwill | 1,099 | ||||
| Accounts receivable and Inventories | 883 | ||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | 846 | ||||
| Intangible assets, net | 440 | ||||
| Property, plant, and equipment, net | 304 | ||||
| Prepayments and other current assets | 75 | ||||
| Acuity Intelligent Spaces | 68 | 54 | 54 | ||
| Operating lease right-of-use assets | 66 | ||||
| Other long-term assets | 32 | ||||
| Deferred income taxes | 2 | ||||
| Acuity Brands Lighting | 870 | 1,098 | |||
| Unallocated corporate amounts | 2,485 | 2,329 | |||
| Total | 3,815 | 3,408 | 3,480 |
Returns Analyses
SEC Filings
Expand for More| Report Date | Filing Date | Filing |
|---|---|---|
| 8312025 | 10272025 | 10-K 8/31/2025 |
| 5312025 | 6262025 | 10-Q 5/31/2025 |
| 2282025 | 4032025 | 10-Q 2/28/2025 |
| 11302024 | 1082025 | 10-Q 11/30/2024 |
| 8312024 | 10282024 | 10-K 8/31/2024 |
| 5312024 | 6272024 | 10-Q 5/31/2024 |
| 2292024 | 4032024 | 10-Q 2/29/2024 |
| 11302023 | 1092024 | 10-Q 11/30/2023 |
| 8312023 | 10262023 | 10-K 8/31/2023 |
| 5312023 | 6292023 | 10-Q 5/31/2023 |
| 2282023 | 4042023 | 10-Q 2/28/2023 |
| 11302022 | 1092023 | 10-Q 11/30/2022 |
| 8312022 | 10262022 | 10-K 8/31/2022 |
| 5312022 | 6302022 | 10-Q 5/31/2022 |
| 2282022 | 4052022 | 10-Q 2/28/2022 |
| 11302021 | 1072022 | 10-Q 11/30/2021 |
Insider Activity
Expand for More| Owner | Title | Filing Date | Action | Price | Shares | TransactedValue | Value ofHeld Shares | Form | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | GOLDMAN BARRY R | SVP & General Counsel | 10302025 | Sell | 362.80 | 1,007 | 365,340 | 3,460,386 | Form |
External Quote Links
| Y Finance | Barrons |
| TradingView | Morningstar |
| SeekingAlpha | ValueLine |
| Motley Fool | Robinhood |
| CNBC | Etrade |
| MarketWatch | Unusual Whales |
| YCharts | Perplexity Finance |
| FinViz |