Acuity (NYSE:AYI) Stock

ACUITY BRANDS INC

Acuity Brands

Acuity is a leading industrial technology company that offers lighting, lighting controls, and intelligent building solutions. Acuity, Inc. designs, manufactures, and brings to market products and services relating to these and other offerings. Acuity, Inc. has two reportable segments: Acuity Brands Lighting and Acuity Intelligent Spaces. ABL sells commercial, architectural, and specialty lighting, including components and control systems. AIS offers building management and audio/visual solutions to help make buildings intelligent.

Acuity

Acuity Inc

WIIM

ACVA

AEHL

ALIT

ALLE

ALSN

ARRY

BLNK

CHRW

CISS

CLVT

CRGO

CSLR

CTOS

EXPD

FBIN

FERG

FTAI

GNRC

HAYW

HUBG

IPDN

JOBY

MATX

MGRC

MLKN

NVRI

PAYC

PAYX

PCTY

PSIX

REZI

SCWO

SHLS

TREX

VCIG

VICR

VLTO

VSEC

VSTS

Shares of companies within the broader industrial sector are trading lower as stocks pull back after surging Wednesday following President Trump's tariff pause announcement.

Embraer-Empresa Brasileira De Aeronautica

GEHC

NDSN

PCAR

RKLB

Shares of industrial stocks are trading lower amid macroeconomic concerns due to rising global trade tensions.

Baird analyst Timothy Wojs maintains Acuity (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AYI#NYSE">AYI</a>) with a Neutral and lowers the price target from $310 to $295.

News

Price Target

Analyst Ratings

Baird Maintains Neutral on Acuity, Lowers Price Target to $295

ACHR

AMPX

AMSC

AMTM

APWC

AVAV

AXON

AZEK

BYRN

EFOI

ELPW

ENVX

EOSE

FWRD

HUBB

INOD

LICN

LNZA

LUNR

MNTS

NIXX

NOTE

SIDU

SKIL

SNCY

SPCE

SRFM

STEM

SUNE

ULCC

Shares of companies within the broader industrial sector are trading lower as markets react to President Trump's announcement of sweeping tariffs.

On Thursday, Acuity Brands, Inc&nbsp;(NYSE:&nbsp;AYI)&nbsp;reported fiscal second-quarter 2025 net sales growth of 11.1% year over year to $1.01 billion, missing the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/25/04/g44623467/acuity-reports-fiscal-2025-second-quarter-results" rel="noreferrer noopener">analyst consensus estimate of $1.03 billion</a>.&nbsp;
It clocked an adjusted EPS of $3.73, beating the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/calendars/earnings'" rel="noreferrer noopener">analyst consensus estimate of $3.70</a>.
Sales by segments:&nbsp;Acuity Brands Lighting (ABL) revenue hit $840.6 million (-0.3% Y/Y), and Acuity Intelligent Spaces (AIS) clocked $171.5 million (+151.8% Y/Y).
Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/market-summary/25/04/44623604/us-stock-likely-to-open-lower-following-trumps-tariffs-worse-than-the-worst-case-scenario-says-analyst" rel="noreferrer noopener">US Stocks Likely To Open Lower Following Trump&#8217;s Tariffs: &#8216;Worse Than The Worst Case Scenario,&#8217; Says Analyst</a>
The consolidated adjusted operating margin grew by 70 bps to 16.2%. ABL's adjusted operating margin improved by 60 bps to 16.8%. AIS' margin decreased by 230 bps to 18.7%.
The company generated $191.6 million in operating cash flow for the first six months of fiscal year 2025, compared to $292.6 million a year ago. Free cash flow was $163 million.
Acuity held cash and equivalents of $397.9 million, compared to $578.9 million last year.
Adjusted EBITDA was $176.6 million, up from $153.0 million a year ago.&nbsp;The margin expanded by 60 bps to 17.5%.
Price Action:&nbsp;AYI stock closed higher by 1.04% at $266.40 at Wednesday.
Read Next:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44613775/tradeweb-nasdaq-virtu-ice-bgc-group-cboe-set-to-benefit-from-ipo-comeback-and-market-volatility-analyst-says" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tradeweb, Nasdaq, Virtu, ICE, BGC Group, Cboe Set To Benefit From IPO Comeback: Analyst</a></li>
</ul>
Photo: Shutterstock

Earnings

Acuity Brands Q2 Earnings: Tops EPS Estimates, Intelligent Spaces Sales Surge Over 150%, Grows Margins, EBITDA Despite Cash Flow Decline And Sales Miss

U.S. stock futures plummeted on Thursday after advancing on Wednesday. Futures of major benchmark indices were down over 2-3% in premarket trading.
Invoking a 1977 law, President Donald Trump declared a trade emergency Wednesday, arguing it was necessary to address the U.S.&#8217;s "large and persistent trade deficit." The White House <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/25/04/44621408/market-access-has-a-price-trump-unveils-list-of-tariffs-countries-targeted">released a fact sheet</a> outlining the new reciprocal tariffs, which Trump justified with the principle, "Treat us like we treat you." 
While Canada and Mexico were notably excluded from the tariff program, China, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Sri Lanka face the steepest increases under the new system. Gold prices soared to a fresh record of $3,167.71 per ounce, and investors fled toward safe-haven assets.
The 10-year Treasury bond yielded 4.06% and the two-year bond was at 3.78%. The CME Group's FedWatch <a href="https://www.cmegroup.com/markets/interest-rates/cme-fedwatch-tool.html">tool </a>shows markets pricing in a 76.7% likelihood of the Federal Reserve maintaining current interest rates through its May meeting. 
<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Futures</td>
<td>Change (+/-)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Dow Jones</td>
<td>-2.54%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>S&amp;P 500</td>
<td>-3.04%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Nasdaq 100</td>
<td>-3.29%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Russell 2000</td>
<td>-4.29%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
The SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>) and Invesco QQQ Trust ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>), which track the S&amp;P 500 index and Nasdaq 100 index, respectively, slumped in premarket on Thursday. The SPY was down 3.08% to $547.11, while the QQQ declined 3.36% to $460.17, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga Pro</a> data.
Cues From Last Session:
Consumer discretionary, industrials, and financials led a broad S&amp;P 500 rally Wednesday, pushing the Dow Jones over 200 points, despite President Trump&#8217;s later announcement of trade tariffs.
Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) surged 5%, even after reporting weak delivery numbers. Contrary to the market&#8217;s upward trend, consumer staples closed lower.
Positive economic data, showing stronger-than-expected job growth and rising manufacturing orders, contributed to the day&#8217;s gains, though Trump&#8217;s trade actions sparked fears of a potential economic downturn.
<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Index</td>
<td>Performance (+/-)</td>
<td>Value</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Nasdaq Composite</td>
<td>0.87%</td>
<td>17,601.05</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>S&amp;P 500</td>
<td>0.67%</td>
<td>5,670.97</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Dow Jones</td>
<td>0.56%</td>
<td>42,225.32</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Russell 2000</td>
<td>1.65%</td>
<td>2,045.36</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
Insights From Analysts:
Senior economist Jeremy Siegel, in his weekly commentary, explained that the public is more willing to endure the near-term friction and economic headwinds from the cuts to inefficient government spending rather than "facing higher prices via tariffs, which bring near-term pain with very uncertain long-term benefit."
He said, "Dividend-paying value stocks look increasingly attractive, and I expect the market rotation from growth to dividend stocks to continue."
"Equity weakness has been widespread. The rotation out of growth continues, and the AI-led rally that defined the market over the last three years has decisively broken trend. Growth stocks have taken a larger hit than value stocks," he added.
Meanwhile, other analysts opined with their views on the tariffs. Wedbush&#8217;s Daniel Ives said, &#8220;We would characterize this slate of tariffs as ‘worse than the worst case scenario&#8217; the Street was fearing.&#8221;
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">We would characterize this slate of tariffs as &quot;worse than the worst case scenario&quot; the Street was fearing. The biggest focus will be the China 34% tariff and Taiwan 32% and how this impacts supply chain and demand. Negotiations the only option at this point for White House.
&mdash; Dan Ives (@DivesTech) <a href="https://twitter.com/DivesTech/status/1907611902047338791?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 3, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
Economist Mohamed El-Erian said that the tariffs imposed by Trump point to &#8220;major worries about global economic growth.&#8221;
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">The price action in global financial markets in the immediate aftermath of the US tariff announcement points to major worries about global economic growth.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/economy?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#economy</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/markets?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#markets</a>
&mdash; Mohamed A. El-Erian (@elerianm) <a href="https://twitter.com/elerianm/status/1907687511448572001?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 3, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
Justin Wolfers, senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, said that the "announcement was so much worse than expected that it caused the chance of a 2025 recession to rise from 42% to 52%.&#8221;
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Prediction markets had already priced in their best guess of the Trump tariffs. Today&#39;s announcement was so much worse than expected that it caused the chance of a 2025 recession to rise from 42% to 52%. <a href="https://t.co/brDWjfNykx">pic.twitter.com/brDWjfNykx</a>
&mdash; Justin Wolfers (@JustinWolfers) <a href="https://twitter.com/JustinWolfers/status/1907619681248108764?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 3, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</figure>
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-trade-futures">How to Trade Futures</a> 
Upcoming Economic Data
Here&#8217;s what investors will keep an eye on Thursday:
<ul>
<li>The initial jobless claims data for the week ending March 29 and February&#8217;s U.S. trade deficit data will be released by 8:30 a.m. ET.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>March&#8217;s S&amp;P final U.S. services PMI and ISM services will be announced between 9:45 and 10:00 a.m. ET.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Fed Vice Chairman Philip Jefferson will speak at 12:30 p.m., and Fed Governor Lisa Cook will speak at 2:30 p.m. ET.</li>
</ul>
Stocks In Focus:
<ul>
<li>Acuity Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AYI#NYSE">AYI</a>) was down 0.57% in premarket on Thursday ahead of its earnings before the opening bell. Analysts expect a quarterly earnings of $3.70 per share on revenue of $1.03 billion.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Conagra Brands Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CAG#NYSE">CAG</a>) dropped 2.39% as Wall Street expects it to report a quarterly earnings of 53 cents per share on revenue of $2.90 billion before the opening bell.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Exxon Mobil Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XOM#NYSE">XOM</a>) declined 2.38% ahead of its earnings after the closing bell. Analysts expect a quarterly earnings of $1.70 per share on revenue of $86.09 billion.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>RH (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RH#NYSE">RH</a>) slumped 26.31% after reporting weaker-than-expected fourth-quarter financial results after the market closed on Wednesday. Its fourth-quarter revenue of $812.41 million, missing the consensus estimate of $829.56 million</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Penguin Solutions Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PENG#NASDAQ">PENG</a>) rose 4.60% as it posted better-than-expected results for its second quarter on Wednesday. The company said it sees FY25 net sales growth of 17% year-over-year and adjusted EPS of $1.60.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Genasys Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GNSS#NASDAQ">GNSS</a>) surged 41.55% after receiving $2.5 million worth of LRAD orders from the U.S. Military for Army, Navy, and Air Force units. LRAD systems provide long-range communication and escalation of force capabilities up to 5,000 meters, and are used globally.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) dropped after Elon Musk clarified his exit from the government&#8217;s DOGE as "fake news."</li>
</ul>
Commodities, Gold, And Global Equity Markets:
Crude oil futures were trading lower in the early New York session by 3.75% to hover around $69.02 per barrel.
Gold Spot US Dollar declined 0.15% to hover around $3,122.96 per ounce. Its fresh record high stood at $3,167.71 per ounce. The U.S. Dollar Index spot was lower by 1.68% at the 102.060 level.
Asian markets closed on a lower note on Thursday. India's S&amp;P BSE Sensex, Japan's Nikkei 225, Australia's ASX 200, China&#8217;s CSI 300, Hong Kong's Hang Seng, and South Korea's Kospi index fell. European markets were also lower in early trade.
Read Next:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44622754/tariffs-are-most-expensive-and-masochistic-could-cost-30-trillion-to-the-economy-erasing-300k-per-family-explains">Trump Tariffs Could Cost $30 Trillion Or About $300,000 Per Family, Says Former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers: &#8216;Most Expensive And Masochistic&#8217;</a></li>
</ul>
Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

Equities

Government

Market Summary

Futures

Commodities

Forex

Treasuries

Economics

Federal Reserve

Pre-Market Outlook

Markets

ETFs

GNSS

Penguin Solutions, Inc. - Ordinary Shares

PENG

TSLA

US Stocks Likely To Open Lower Following Trump's Tariffs: 'Worse Than The Worst Case Scenario,' Says Analyst

Acuity Brands (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AYI#NYSE">AYI</a>) reported quarterly earnings of $3.73 per share which beat the analyst consensus estimate of $3.70 by 0.81 percent. This is a 10.36 percent increase over earnings of $3.38 per share from the same period last year. The company reported quarterly sales of $1.01 billion which missed the analyst consensus estimate of $1.03 billion by 2.18 percent. This is a 11.05 percent increase over sales of $905.90 million the same period last year.

Earnings Beats

Earnings Misses

Acuity Brands Q2 2025 Adj EPS $3.73 Beats $3.70 Estimate, Sales $1.01B Miss $1.03B Estimate

<h3>Companies Reporting Before The Bell</h3>
• Lindsay (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LNN#NYSE">LNN</a>) is estimated to report quarterly earnings at $1.58 per share on revenue of $167.04 million. 
• MSC Industrial Direct Co (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSM#NYSE">MSM</a>) is projected to report quarterly earnings at $0.68 per share on revenue of $899.59 million. 
• Lamb Weston Hldgs (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LW#NYSE">LW</a>) is likely to report quarterly earnings at $0.89 per share on revenue of $1.50 billion. 
• Conagra Brands (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CAG#NYSE">CAG</a>) is projected to report quarterly earnings at $0.73 per share on revenue of $3.03 billion. 
• Acuity (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AYI#NYSE">AYI</a>) is projected to report quarterly earnings at $3.61 per share on revenue of $950.32 million. 
• WisdomTree International LargeCap Dividend Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DOL#NYSE">DOL</a>) is likely to report quarterly earnings at $1.31 per share on revenue of $1.84 billion. 
<h3>Companies Reporting After The Bell</h3>
• CXApp (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CXAI#NASDAQ">CXAI</a>) is projected to report quarterly earnings at $0.00 per share on revenue of $2.00 million. 
• Lifecore Biomedical (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LFCR#NASDAQ">LFCR</a>) is projected to report earnings for its third quarter. 
• Exxon Mobil (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XOM#NYSE">XOM</a>) is estimated to report quarterly earnings at $1.86 per share on revenue of $84.63 billion. 
• Simulations Plus (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SLP#NASDAQ">SLP</a>) is likely to report earnings for its second quarter. 
• Guess (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GES#NYSE">GES</a>) is expected to report quarterly earnings at $1.43 per share on revenue of $920.92 million. 
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

CXAI

WisdomTree Trust International LargeCap Dividend

LFCR

Earnings Scheduled For April 3, 2025

The CNN Money Fear and Greed index showed some improvement in the overall market sentiment, while the index remained in the &#8220;Extreme Fear&#8221; zone on Wednesday.
U.S. stocks settled higher on Wednesday, with the Dow Jones index gaining more than 200 points during the session ahead of the announcement of trade tariffs by President Donald Trump.
Trump later unveiled broad new tariffs on key trading partners, sparking fears of a global trade war that could further weaken the U.S. economy.
Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) rallied over 5% on Wednesday despite reporting the worst quarterly deliveries in over two years and missing analyst estimates.
On the economic data front, private businesses in the U.S. added 155,000 jobs in March compared to a revised 84,000 gain in February and higher than market estimates of 105,000. New orders for U.S. manufactured goods rose by 0.6% month-over-month for February compared to a revised 1.8% gain in January.
Most sectors on the S&amp;P 500 closed on a positive note, with consumer discretionary, industrials, and financials stocks recording the biggest gains on Wednesday. However, consumer staples and consumer discretionary stocks bucked the overall market trend, closing the session lower.
The Dow Jones closed higher by around 235 points to 42,225.32 on Wednesday. The S&amp;P 500 rose 0.67% to 5,670.97, while the Nasdaq Composite climbed 0.87% to 17,601.05 during Wednesday's session.
Investors are awaiting earnings results from Acuity Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AYI#NYSE">AYI</a>), Conagra Brands, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CAG#NYSE">CAG</a>), and Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XOM#NYSE">XOM</a>) today.
At a current reading of 17.1, the index remained in the &#8220;Extreme Fear&#8221; zone on Wednesday, versus a prior reading of 15.6.
What is CNN Business Fear &amp; Greed Index?
The Fear &amp; Greed Index is a measure of the current market sentiment. It is based on the premise that higher fear exerts pressure on stock prices, while higher greed has the opposite effect. The index is calculated based on seven equal-weighted indicators. The index ranges from 0 to 100, where 0 represents maximum fear and 100 signals maximum greediness.
Read Next: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44604078/wall-streets-most-accurate-analysts-give-their-take-on-3-defensive-stocks-with-over-6-dividend-yields">Wall Street&#8217;s Most Accurate Analysts Give Their Take On 3 Defensive Stocks With Over 6% Dividend Yields</a> </li>
</ul>
Photo via Shutterstock

Trading Ideas

Dow Jumps Over 200 Points As Tesla Surges Over 5%: Investor Sentiment Improves, But Greed Index Remains In 'Extreme Fear' Zone

With U.S. stock futures trading lower this morning on Thursday, some of the stocks that may grab investor focus today are as follows:
<ul>
<li>Wall Street expects Acuity Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AYI#NYSE">AYI</a>) to report quarterly earnings at $3.70 per share on revenue of $1.03 billion before the opening bell, according to data from <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga Pro</a>. Acuity shares fell 2% to $261.05 in after-hours trading.</li>
<li>RH (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RH#NYSE">RH</a>) reported weaker-than-expected fourth-quarter financial results after the market closed on Wednesday. RH reported fourth-quarter revenue of $812.41 million, missing the consensus estimate of $829.56 million, according to Benzinga Pro. The luxury retailer reported fourth-quarter adjusted earnings of $1.58 per share, missing analyst estimates of $1.92 per share. RH shares dipped 26.1% to $184.40 in the after-hours trading session.</li>
<li>Analysts are expecting Conagra Brands Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CAG#NYSE">CAG</a>) to post quarterly earnings at 53 cents per share on revenue of $2.90 billion. The company will release earnings before the markets open. Conagra shares fell 0.9% to $26.14 in after-hours trading.</li>
</ul>
Check out our <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premarket/">premarket coverage here</a>
<ul>
<li>Penguin Solutions Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PENG#NASDAQ">PENG</a>) posted better-than-expected results for its second quarter on Wednesday. The company said it sees FY25 net sales growth of 17% year-over-year +/-3% and adjusted EPS of $1.60 +/- $0.10. Penguin Solutions shares gained 4.6% to $18.88 in the after-hours trading session.</li>
<li>Analysts expect Exxon Mobil Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XOM#NYSE">XOM</a>) to post quarterly earnings at $1.70 per share on revenue of $86.09 billion after the closing bell. Exxon Mobil shares fell 2.3% to $115.91 in the after-hours trading session.</li>
</ul>
Check This Out:
<ul>
<li> <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44604078/wall-streets-most-accurate-analysts-give-their-take-on-3-defensive-stocks-with-over-6-dividend-yields">Wall Street&#8217;s Most Accurate Analysts Give Their Take On 3 Defensive Stocks With Over 6% Dividend Yields</a></li>
</ul>
Photo via Shutterstock

Acuity, RH And 3 Stocks To Watch Heading Into Thursday

Acuity Brands (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AYI#NYSE">AYI</a>) is preparing to release its quarterly earnings on Thursday, 2025-04-03. Here's a brief overview of what investors should keep in mind before the announcement.
Analysts expect Acuity Brands to report an earnings per share (EPS) of $3.61.
Acuity Brands bulls will hope to hear the company announce they've not only beaten that estimate, but also to provide positive guidance, or forecasted growth, for the next quarter.
New investors should note that it is sometimes not an earnings beat or miss that most affects the price of a stock, but the guidance (or forecast).
<h3>Earnings Track Record</h3>
During the last quarter, the company reported an EPS beat by $0.08, leading to a 0.0% drop in the share price on the subsequent day.
Here's a look at Acuity Brands's past performance and the resulting price change:

<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Quarter</th>
<th>Q1 2025</th>
<th>Q4 2024</th>
<th>Q3 2024</th>
<th>Q2 2024</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>EPS Estimate</td>
<td>3.89</td>
<td>4.28</td>
<td>4.14</td>
<td>3.25</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>EPS Actual</td>
<td>3.97</td>
<td>4.30</td>
<td>4.15</td>
<td>3.38</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Price Change %</td>
<td>3.0%</td>
<td>0.0%</td>
<td>-0.0%</td>
<td>-0.0%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1743602434_0.png" alt="eps graph" />
<h3>Market Performance of Acuity Brands's Stock</h3>
Shares of Acuity Brands were trading at $263.67 as of April 01. Over the last 52-week period, shares are down 0.14%. Given that these returns are generally negative, long-term shareholders are likely a little upset going into this earnings release. 
<h3>Analyst Views on Acuity Brands</h3>
For investors, grasping market sentiments and expectations in the industry is vital. This analysis explores the latest insights regarding Acuity Brands.
With 5 analyst ratings, Acuity Brands has a consensus rating of Neutral. The average one-year price target is $327.2, indicating a potential 24.09% upside.
<h3>Comparing Ratings with Peers</h3>
This comparison focuses on the analyst ratings and average 1-year price targets of Regal Rexnord, Generac Hldgs and nVent Electric, three major players in the industry, shedding light on their relative performance expectations and market positioning.
<ul>
<li>Regal Rexnord is maintaining an Outperform status according to analysts, with an average 1-year price target of $176.83, indicating a potential 32.94% downside.</li>
<li>The consensus outlook from analysts is an Buy trajectory for Generac Hldgs, with an average 1-year price target of $181.3, indicating a potential 31.24% downside.</li>
<li>For nVent Electric, analysts project an Outperform trajectory, with an average 1-year price target of $79.75, indicating a potential 69.75% downside.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Overview of Peer Analysis</h3>
Within the peer analysis summary, vital metrics for Regal Rexnord, Generac Hldgs and nVent Electric are presented, shedding light on their respective standings within the industry and offering valuable insights into their market positions and comparative performance.

<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Company</th>
<th>Consensus</th>
<th>Revenue Growth</th>
<th>Gross Profit</th>
<th>Return on Equity</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Acuity</td>
<td>Neutral</td>
<td>1.81%</td>
<td>$449.30M</td>
<td>4.41%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Regal Rexnord</td>
<td>Outperform</td>
<td>-9.15%</td>
<td>$510.60M</td>
<td>0.65%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Generac Hldgs</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>16.09%</td>
<td>$501.42M</td>
<td>5.26%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>nVent Electric</td>
<td>Outperform</td>
<td>8.94%</td>
<td>$299.50M</td>
<td>0.33%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

Key Takeaway:
Acuity Brands ranks in the middle for revenue growth among its peers. It has the highest gross profit margin. Acuity Brands has the highest return on equity compared to its peers.
<h3>All You Need to Know About Acuity Brands</h3>
Acuity is a leading industrial technology company that offers lighting, lighting controls, and intelligent building solutions. Acuity Brands designs, manufactures, and brings to market products and services relating to these and other offerings. Acuity Brands has two reportable segments: Acuity Brands Lighting and the Intelligent Spaces Group. ABL sells commercial, architectural, and specialty lighting, including components and control systems. ISG offers building management and audio/visual solutions to help make buildings intelligent.
<h3>Understanding the Numbers: Acuity Brands's Finances</h3>
Market Capitalization Analysis: Falling below industry benchmarks, the company's market capitalization reflects a reduced size compared to peers. This positioning may be influenced by factors such as growth expectations or operational capacity.
Revenue Growth: Acuity Brands's revenue growth over a period of 3 months has been noteworthy. As of 30 November, 2024, the company achieved a revenue growth rate of approximately 1.81%. This indicates a substantial increase in the company's top-line earnings. In comparison to its industry peers, the company trails behind with a growth rate lower than the average among peers in the Industrials sector.
Net Margin: Acuity Brands's net margin surpasses industry standards, highlighting the company's exceptional financial performance. With an impressive 11.21% net margin, the company effectively manages costs and achieves strong profitability.
Return on Equity (ROE): Acuity Brands's financial strength is reflected in its exceptional ROE, which exceeds industry averages. With a remarkable ROE of 4.41%, the company showcases efficient use of equity capital and strong financial health.
Return on Assets (ROA): Acuity Brands's ROA stands out, surpassing industry averages. With an impressive ROA of 2.78%, the company demonstrates effective utilization of assets and strong financial performance.
Debt Management: Acuity Brands's debt-to-equity ratio is below the industry average at 0.23, reflecting a lower dependency on debt financing and a more conservative financial approach.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/AYI/earnings">To track all earnings releases for Acuity Brands visit their earnings calendar on our site.</a>
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

A Glimpse of Acuity Brands's Earnings Potential

Wells Fargo analyst Joseph O'Dea maintains Acuity (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AYI#NYSE">AYI</a>) with a Equal-Weight and lowers the price target from $336 to $290.

Wells Fargo Maintains Equal-Weight on Acuity, Lowers Price Target to $290

In the last three months, 4 analysts have published ratings on Acuity (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AYI#NYSE">AYI</a>), offering a diverse range of perspectives from bullish to bearish.
Summarizing their recent assessments, the table below illustrates the evolving sentiments in the past 30 days and compares them to the preceding months.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th></th>
<th align="right">Bullish</th>
<th align="right">Somewhat Bullish</th>
<th align="right">Indifferent</th>
<th align="right">Somewhat Bearish</th>
<th align="right">Bearish</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Total Ratings</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">3</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Last 30D</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1M Ago</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2M Ago</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3M Ago</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">2</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Analysts have recently evaluated Acuity and provided 12-month price targets. The average target is $336.5, accompanied by a high estimate of $380.00 and a low estimate of $310.00. This current average represents a 1.03% decrease from the previous average price target of $340.00. 
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1743084020_0.png" alt="price target chart" />
<h2>Breaking Down Analyst Ratings: A Detailed Examination</h2>
An in-depth analysis of recent analyst actions unveils how financial experts perceive Acuity. The following summary outlines key analysts, their recent evaluations, and adjustments to ratings and price targets.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Analyst</th>
<th>Analyst Firm</th>
<th>Action Taken</th>
<th>Rating</th>
<th>Current Price Target</th>
<th>Prior Price Target</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Timothy Wojs</td>
<td>Baird</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Neutral</td>
<td>$310.00</td>
<td>$340.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Christopher Glynn</td>
<td>Oppenheimer</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Outperform</td>
<td>$380.00</td>
<td>$370.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Joseph O'Dea</td>
<td>Wells Fargo</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Equal-Weight</td>
<td>$336.00</td>
<td>$320.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Joseph O'Dea</td>
<td>Wells Fargo</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Equal-Weight</td>
<td>$320.00</td>
<td>$330.00</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h3>Key Insights:</h3>
<ul>
<li>Action Taken: Analysts respond to changes in market conditions and company performance, frequently updating their recommendations. Whether they 'Maintain', 'Raise' or 'Lower' their stance, it reflects their reaction to recent developments related to Acuity. This information offers a snapshot of how analysts perceive the current state of the company.</li>
<li>Rating: Delving into assessments, analysts assign qualitative values, from 'Outperform' to 'Underperform'. These ratings communicate expectations for the relative performance of Acuity compared to the broader market.</li>
<li>Price Targets: Analysts set price targets as an estimate of a stock's future value. Comparing the current and prior price targets provides insight into how analysts' expectations have changed over time. This information can be valuable for investors seeking to understand consensus views on the stock's potential future performance.</li>
</ul>
Assessing these analyst evaluations alongside crucial financial indicators can provide a comprehensive overview of Acuity's market position. Stay informed and make well-judged decisions with the assistance of our Ratings Table.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/AYI/analyst-ratings?adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=analyst-ratings&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">Stay up to date on Acuity analyst ratings.</a>
<h2>Get to Know Acuity Better</h2>
Acuity is a leading industrial technology company that offers lighting, lighting controls, and intelligent building solutions. Acuity Brands designs, manufactures, and brings to market products and services relating to these and other offerings. Acuity Brands has two reportable segments: Acuity Brands Lighting and the Intelligent Spaces Group. ABL sells commercial, architectural, and specialty lighting, including components and control systems. ISG offers building management and audio/visual solutions to help make buildings intelligent.
<h3>Financial Milestones: Acuity's Journey</h3>
Market Capitalization Analysis: The company's market capitalization is below the industry average, suggesting that it is relatively smaller compared to peers. This could be due to various factors, including perceived growth potential or operational scale.
Revenue Growth: Acuity's remarkable performance in 3 months is evident. As of 30 November, 2024, the company achieved an impressive revenue growth rate of 1.81%. This signifies a substantial increase in the company's top-line earnings. As compared to competitors, the company encountered difficulties, with a growth rate lower than the average among peers in the Industrials sector.
Net Margin: The company's net margin is a standout performer, exceeding industry averages. With an impressive net margin of 11.21%, the company showcases strong profitability and effective cost control.
Return on Equity (ROE): Acuity's financial strength is reflected in its exceptional ROE, which exceeds industry averages. With a remarkable ROE of 4.41%, the company showcases efficient use of equity capital and strong financial health.
Return on Assets (ROA): The company's ROA is a standout performer, exceeding industry averages. With an impressive ROA of 2.78%, the company showcases effective utilization of assets.
Debt Management: With a below-average debt-to-equity ratio of 0.23, Acuity adopts a prudent financial strategy, indicating a balanced approach to debt management.
<h2>Analyst Ratings: Simplified</h2>
Analysts are specialists within banking and financial systems that typically report for specific stocks or within defined sectors. These people research company financial statements, sit in conference calls and meetings, and speak with relevant insiders to determine what are known as analyst ratings for stocks. Typically, analysts will rate each stock once a quarter. 
Beyond their standard evaluations, some analysts contribute predictions for metrics like growth estimates, earnings, and revenue, furnishing investors with additional guidance. Users of analyst ratings should be mindful that this specialized advice is shaped by human perspectives and may be subject to variability.
Breaking: Wall Street's Next Big Mover
Benzinga's #1 analyst just identified a stock poised for explosive growth. This under-the-radar company could surge 200%+ as major market shifts unfold. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/turning-point-trader-checkout-2/?t=Tu1tu3arja3be22tu36&amp;adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=analyst-ratings&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantag">Click here for urgent details</a>.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Acuity Stock: A Deep Dive Into Analyst Perspectives (4 Ratings)

Baird analyst Timothy Wojs maintains Acuity (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AYI#NYSE">AYI</a>) with a Neutral and lowers the price target from $340 to $310.

Baird Maintains Neutral on Acuity, Lowers Price Target to $310

Acuity Brands (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AYI#NYSE">AYI</a>) has outperformed the market over the past 20 years by 3.91% on an annualized basis producing an average annual return of 12.07%. Currently, Acuity Brands has a market capitalization of $8.27 billion. 
Buying $100 In AYI: If an investor had bought $100 of AYI stock 20 years ago, it would be worth $965.27 today based on a price of $267.25 for AYI at the time of writing.
<h3>Acuity Brands's Performance Over Last 20 Years</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1742565613_0.png" alt="comp_fig" />
Finally -- what's the point of all this? The key insight to take from this article is to note how much of a difference compounded returns can make in your cash growth over a period of time.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Here's How Much You Would Have Made Owning Acuity Brands Stock In The Last 20 Years

ATXG

CEA INDUSTRIES INC by CEA Industries Inc.

CEAD

ESLT

LGCL

LVRO

Shares of companies within the broader industrial sector are trading lower amid economic worries driven by tariffs and trade policies. Investors may be expecting a decline in investment, which may also be weighing on the industry.

Acuity Brands (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AYI#NYSE">AYI</a>) has outperformed the market over the past 20 years by 3.94% on an annualized basis producing an average annual return of 12.06%. Currently, Acuity Brands has a market capitalization of $8.68 billion. 
Buying $100 In AYI: If an investor had bought $100 of AYI stock 20 years ago, it would be worth $970.78 today based on a price of $280.36 for AYI at the time of writing.
<h3>Acuity Brands's Performance Over Last 20 Years</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1741304711_0.png" alt="comp_fig" />
Finally -- what's the point of all this? The key insight to take from this article is to note how much of a difference compounded returns can make in your cash growth over a period of time.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

$100 Invested In Acuity Brands 20 Years Ago Would Be Worth This Much Today

Acuity Brands's (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AYI#NYSE">AYI</a>) short percent of float has fallen 11.68% since its last report. The company recently reported that it has 755 thousand shares sold short, which is 3.1% of all regular shares that are available for trading. Based on its trading volume, it would take traders 3.13 days to cover their short positions on average.
<h3>Why Short Interest Matters</h3>
Short interest is the number of shares that have been sold short but have not yet been covered or closed out. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-short-a-stock?adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=short-interest&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">Short selling</a> is when a trader sells shares of a company they do not own, with the hope that the price will fall. Traders make money from short selling if the price of the stock falls and they lose if it rises.
Short interest is important to track because it can act as an indicator of market sentiment towards a particular stock. An increase in short interest can signal that investors have become more bearish, while a decrease in short interest can signal they have become more bullish.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/short-interest?adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=short-interest&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">List of the most shorted stocks</a>
<h3>Acuity Brands Short Interest Graph (3 Months)</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1741007723_0.png" alt="short_fig" />
As you can see from the chart above the percentage of shares that are sold short for Acuity Brands has declined since its last report. This does not mean that the stock is going to rise in the near-term but traders should be aware that less shares are being shorted.
<h3>Comparing Acuity Brands's Short Interest Against Its Peers</h3>
Peer comparison is a popular technique amongst analysts and investors for gauging how well a company is performing. A company's peer is another company that has similar characteristics to it, such as industry, size, age, and financial structure. You can find a company's peer group by reading its 10-K, proxy filing, or by doing your own similarity analysis.
According to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/">Benzinga Pro</a>, Acuity Brands's peer group average for short interest as a percentage of float is 10.69%, which means the company has less short interest than most of its peers.
Did you know that increasing short interest can actually be bullish for a stock? <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-make-money-on-a-short-squeeze?adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=short-interest&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">This post by Benzinga Money explains how you can profit from it.</a>
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and was reviewed by an editor.

Short Sellers

Short Ideas

Is the Market Bullish or Bearish on Acuity Brands?

Acuity Brands (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AYI#NYSE">AYI</a>) has outperformed the market over the past 5 years by 10.7% on an annualized basis producing an average annual return of 24.72%. Currently, Acuity Brands has a market capitalization of $9.66 billion. 
Buying $1000 In AYI: If an investor had bought $1000 of AYI stock 5 years ago, it would be worth $3,009.82 today based on a price of $312.00 for AYI at the time of writing.
<h3>Acuity Brands's Performance Over Last 5 Years</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1740496515_0.png" alt="comp_fig" />
Finally -- what's the point of all this? The key insight to take from this article is to note how much of a difference compounded returns can make in your cash growth over a period of time.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Here's How Much $1000 Invested In Acuity Brands 5 Years Ago Would Be Worth Today

Acuity Brands's (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AYI#NYSE">AYI</a>) short percent of float has risen 16.13% since its last report. The company recently reported that it has 790 thousand shares sold short, which is 3.24% of all regular shares that are available for trading. Based on its trading volume, it would take traders 1.63 days to cover their short positions on average.
<h3>Why Short Interest Matters</h3>
Short interest is the number of shares that have been sold short but have not yet been covered or closed out. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-short-a-stock/">Short selling</a> is when a trader sells shares of a company they do not own, with the hope that the price will fall. Traders make money from short selling if the price of the stock falls and they lose if it rises.
Short interest is important to track because it can act as an indicator of market sentiment towards a particular stock. An increase in short interest can signal that investors have become more bearish, while a decrease in short interest can signal they have become more bullish.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/short-interest">List of the most shorted stocks</a>
<h3>Acuity Brands Short Interest Graph (3 Months)</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1738269919_0.png" alt="short_fig" />
As you can see from the chart above the percentage of shares that are sold short for Acuity Brands has grown since its last report. This does not mean that the stock is going to fall in the near-term but traders should be aware that more shares are being shorted.
<h3>Comparing Acuity Brands's Short Interest Against Its Peers</h3>
Peer comparison is a popular technique amongst analysts and investors for gauging how well a company is performing. A company's peer is another company that has similar characteristics to it, such as industry, size, age, and financial structure. You can find a company's peer group by reading its 10-K, proxy filing, or by doing your own similarity analysis.
According to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/">Benzinga Pro</a>, Acuity Brands's peer group average for short interest as a percentage of float is 10.66%, which means the company has less short interest than most of its peers.
Did you know that increasing short interest can actually be bullish for a stock? <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-make-money-on-a-short-squeeze/">This post by Benzinga Money explains how you can profit from it.</a>
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and was reviewed by an editor.

Comments

Acuity

Notizie

PARTENAIRE / CONTRIBUTEUR

BENZINGA MONDIAL