Acuity Brands
The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended Aug. 31 (Q4), Acuity Brands missed slightly on revenues and missed estimates on earnings per share.
Compared to the prior-year quarter, revenue grew and GAAP earnings per share grew.
Gross margins increased, operating margins grew, net margins dropped.
Revenue details
Acuity Brands booked revenue of $514.3 million. The 15 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ predicted revenue of $523.2 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 3.6% higher than the prior-year quarter's $496.2 million.
Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Dollar amounts in millions. Non-GAAP figures may vary to maintain comparability with estimates.
EPS details
EPS came in at $0.88. The 14 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted $0.92 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.78 for Q4 were 1.3% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.77 per share.
Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Non-GAAP figures may vary to maintain comparability with estimates.
Margin details
For the quarter, gross margin was 40.9%, 50 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 12.3%, 110 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 6.5%, 40 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.
Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $502.2 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.83.
Next year's average estimate for revenue is $2.07 billion. The average EPS estimate is $3.52.
Investor sentiment
The stock has a four-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 193 members out of 210 rating the stock outperform, and 17 members rating it underperform. Among 65 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 62 give Acuity Brands a green thumbs-up, and three give it a red thumbs-down.
Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Acuity Brands is hold, with an average price target of $62.15.
- Add Acuity Brands to My Watchlist.
