Continued Strong Revenue and Operating Performance; Repurchase of an Additional 5 Percent of Shares Outstanding
- Increased Net Sales 18% Over the Prior Year
- Increased Diluted EPS 30% Over the Prior Year
- Deployed $296 million to Share Repurchases
ATLANTA, June 30, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Acuity Brands, Inc. (NYSE: AYI) (the “Company”), a market-leading industrial technology company, announced net sales of $1.1 billion in the third quarter of fiscal 2022 ended May 31, 2022, an increase of 17.9 percent or $160.9 million, compared to the same period in fiscal 2021. Diluted earnings per share (“EPS”) was $3.07 in the third quarter of fiscal 2022, an increase of 29.5 percent, or $0.70, compared to the same period in fiscal 2021.
“I am proud of our teams’ continued strong performance through the third quarter of fiscal 2022,” stated Neil Ashe, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Acuity Brands, Inc. “We are executing consistently as a result of significant and ongoing improvements in our business, and we continue to generate value for shareholders through share repurchases.”
Gross profit was $445.1 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2022, an increase of $58.5 million, or 15.1 percent, compared to the same period in fiscal 2021. The increase in gross profit was driven by higher sales and cost controls. Gross profit as a percent of net sales was 42.0 percent in the third quarter of fiscal 2022.
Operating profit was $142.7 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2022, an increase of $24.6 million, or 20.8 percent, compared to the same period in fiscal 2021. The increase in operating profit was a direct result of the improvement in gross profit, partially offset by higher operating expenses. Operating profit as a percent of net sales was 13.5 percent in the third quarter of fiscal 2022, an increase of 40 basis points from 13.1 percent in the same period of fiscal 2021.
Adjusted operating profit was $162.8 in the third quarter of fiscal 2022, an increase of $26.0 million, or 19.0 percent, compared to the same period in fiscal 2021. Adjusted operating profit as a percent of net sales was 15.3 percent in the third quarter of fiscal 2022, an increase of 10 basis points from 15.2 percent in the same period of fiscal 2021.
Net income was $105.7 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2022, an increase of $20.0 million, or 23.3 percent, compared to the same period in fiscal 2021. Diluted earnings per share was $3.07 in the third quarter of fiscal 2022, an increase of $0.70, or 29.5 percent, from $2.37 in the same period of fiscal 2021.
Adjusted net income was $121.3 in the third quarter of fiscal 2022, an increase of $20.9 million, or 20.8 percent, compared to the same period in fiscal 2021. Adjusted diluted earnings per share was $3.52 in the third quarter of fiscal 2022, an increase of $0.75, or 27.1 percent, from $2.77 in the same period of fiscal 2021.
Segment Performance
Acuity Brands Lighting and Lighting Controls (“ABL”)
ABL generated net sales of $1.0 billion in the third quarter of fiscal 2022, an increase of $158.4 million, or 18.6 percent, compared to the same period in fiscal 2021. The acquisition of the Osram DS business contributed approximately 3 percent to ABL net sales in the third fiscal quarter of 2022.
- The Independent Sales Network generated sales of $725.9 million, an increase of $97.9 million, or 15.6 percent, compared to the same period in fiscal 2021.
- The Direct Sales Network generated sales of $96.1 million, approximately flat compared to the same period in fiscal 2021.
- The Corporate Accounts channel generated sales of $59.1 million, an increase of $15.1 million, or 34.3 percent, compared to the same period in fiscal 2021.
- The Retail channel generated sales of $44.7 million, an increase of $8.6 million, or 23.8 percent, compared to the same period in fiscal 2021.
ABL operating profit was $149.6 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2022, an increase of $23.1 million, or 18.3 percent, compared to the same period in fiscal 2021. ABL Operating profit as a percent of ABL net sales was 14.8 percent in the third quarter of fiscal 2022, a decrease of 10 basis points from 14.9 percent in the same quarter of fiscal 2021.
ABL adjusted operating profit was $159.8 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2022, an increase of $24.0 million, or 17.7 percent, compared to the same period in fiscal 2021. ABL Adjusted operating profit as a percent of ABL net sales was 15.8 percent in the third quarter of fiscal 2022, a decrease of 20 basis points from 16.0 percent, in the same quarter of fiscal 2021.
Intelligent Spaces Group (“ISG”)
ISG generated net sales of $58.3 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2022, an increase of $2.9 million, or 5.2 percent, compared to the same period in fiscal 2021.
ISG operating profit was $9.2 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2022, an increase of $2.0 million, or 27.8 percent, compared to the same quarter of fiscal 2021. ISG Operating profit as a percent of ISG net sales was 15.8 percent in the third quarter of fiscal 2022, an increase of 280 basis points from 13.0 percent in the third quarter of fiscal 2021.
ISG adjusted operating profit was $13.6 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2022, an increase of $2.5 million, or 22.5 percent, over the prior year. ISG Adjusted operating profit as a percent of ISG net sales was 23.3 percent for the third quarter of fiscal 2022, an increase of 330 basis points from 20.0 percent, in the third quarter of fiscal 2021.
Cash Flow and Capital Allocation
Net cash from operating activities was $165.7 million, a decrease of $150.5 million, or 47.6 percent, in the first nine months of fiscal 2022, compared to the same period in fiscal 2021, as we allocated capital to inventory in order support our growth.
During the first nine months of fiscal 2022, the Company repurchased 2.3 million shares of common stock for a total of $405 million.
Post Quarter Events
The Company today announced the completion of a new $600 million revolving credit facility. The new five-year facility incorporates $200 million of additional borrowing capacity and improved pricing as compared to the prior revolving credit facility. Additional information will be available in our third quarter 10-Q filing.
Today’s Call Details
The Company is planning to host a conference call at 8:00 a.m. (ET) today, Thursday, June 30, 2022. Neil Ashe, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Acuity Brands, Inc. will lead the call.
The conference call and earnings release can be accessed via the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website at www.investors.acuitybrands.com. A replay of the call will also be posted to the Investor Relations site within two hours of the completion of the conference call and will be available on the site for a limited time.
About Acuity Brands
Acuity Brands, Inc. (NYSE: AYI) is a market-leading industrial technology company. We use technology to solve problems in spaces and light. Through our two business segments, Acuity Brands Lighting and Lighting Controls (“ABL”) and the Intelligent Spaces Group (“ISG”), we design, manufacture, and bring to market products and services that make a valuable difference in people’s lives. We achieve growth through the development of innovative new products and services, including lighting, lighting controls, building management systems, and location-aware applications.
Acuity Brands, Inc. achieves customer-focused efficiencies that allow the Company to increase market share and deliver superior returns. The Company looks to aggressively deploy capital to grow the business and to enter attractive new verticals.
Acuity Brands, Inc. is based in Atlanta, Georgia, with operations across North America, Europe, and Asia. The Company is powered by approximately 13,500 dedicated and talented associates. Visit us at www.acuitybrands.com.