ayi-20211006
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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

_____________________________________________
FORM 8-K
_____________________________________________

CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): October 6, 2021
 
Commission file number 001-16583.
_____________________________________________
ACUITY BRANDS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
_____________________________________________
Delaware 58-2632672
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 (I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)

1170 Peachtree Street, N.E., Suite 2300, Atlanta, Georgia 30309-7676
(Address of principal executive offices)
(404853-1400
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
None
(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each classTrading symbolName of each exchange on which registered
Common stock, $0.01 par value per shareAYINew York Stock Exchange
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
    Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
    Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
    Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
    Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).
Emerging growth company 
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the Registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. 
 



Item 2.02. Results of Operations and Financial Condition.
On October 6, 2021, Acuity Brands, Inc. (“we,” “our,” “us,” “the Company,” or similar references) issued a press release containing information about our results of operations for our fiscal fourth quarter and year ended August 31, 2021. A copy of the press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K, which is incorporated herein by reference. An investor presentation, which includes supplemental information relating to the Company's fourth quarter and fiscal year earnings, is furnished as Exhibit 99.2 to this Current Report on Form 8-K. The information contained in this paragraph, as well as Exhibits 99.1 and 99.2 referenced herein, shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, nor shall they be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
 
(d)Exhibits

99.1
99.2
104Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the inline XBRL document).
2


Signatures
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
Date: October 6, 2021
ACUITY BRANDS, INC.
By: /s/ Karen J. Holcom
 Karen J. Holcom
 Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer


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Document
Press Release
Exhibit 99.1


Investor Contact:
Charlotte McLaughlin
Vice President, Investor Relations
(404) 853-1456
investorrelations@acuitybrands.com

Media Contact:
Chrystal Neely
Director, Corporate Communications
chrystal.neely@acuitybrands.com


Acuity Brands Reports Fiscal 2021 Fourth-Quarter and Full-Year Results
Sales Growth and Margin Expansion

Net Sales Increased 11.4% in Fourth Quarter versus the Prior Year
Gross Profit Margin Expansion of 10 Basis Points in Fourth Quarter versus the Prior Year
Operating Profit Margin Expansion of 150 Basis Points and Adjusted Operating Profit Margin Expansion of 110 Basis Points in Fourth Quarter versus the Prior Year
Approximately 3.8 Million Shares Repurchased during Fiscal 2021

ATLANTA, October 6, 2021 - Acuity Brands, Inc. (NYSE: AYI) (the "Company") a market-leading industrial technology company announced net sales of $992.7 million for the fiscal fourth quarter ended August 31, 2021, an increase of $101.5 million, or 11.4 percent as compared to the same period in 2020. Diluted earnings per share was $2.72, an increase of 45.5 percent over the prior year, and adjusted diluted earnings per share was $3.27 per share, an increase of 39.1 percent over the prior year.

“I am proud of the progress our team made to transform our Company during fiscal 2021. We improved our operations and delivered solid performance in a challenging environment,” said Neil Ashe, Chief Executive Officer of Acuity Brands. “We are entering fiscal 2022 from a position of strength with a diverse and capable team, who are driven by our values to deliver results for our customers, our investors and our environment.”

Fourth-Quarter Results
Gross profit of $419.3 million increased $44.2 million, or 11.8 percent, as compared to the prior year. Gross profit was 42.2 percent of net sales for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021, an increase of 10 basis points from 42.1 percent in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020. Gross profit margin was impacted this quarter by higher material, labor, and freight costs. This impact was mostly offset by our ongoing product and productivity improvements, increased sales volume and benefits from recent price increases.
Operating profit of $132.8 million increased $26.9 million, or 25.4 percent, as compared to the prior year. Operating profit was 13.4 percent of net sales for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021, an increase of 150 basis points from 11.9 percent for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020 driven by gross profit improvement and leverage of our operating expenses.

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Press Release
Exhibit 99.1
Adjusted operating profit of $156.4 million increased $25.7 million, or 19.7 percent, for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021 as compared to the prior year. Adjusted operating profit was 15.8 percent of net sales for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021, an increase of 110 basis points from 14.7 percent in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020.
Net income of $98.1 million increased $24.4 million, or 33.1 percent, as compared to the prior year. Diluted earnings per share of $2.72 increased $0.85, or 45.5 percent, for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021, as compared to $1.87 for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020.
Adjusted net income of $117.7 million increased $24.9 million, or 26.8 percent, as compared to the prior year. Adjusted diluted earnings per share of $3.27 increased $0.92, or 39.1 percent, as compared to $2.35 for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020.

Full-Year 2021 Summary
Net sales were $3.5 billion for the full year of fiscal 2021, an increase of $134.7 million or 4.0 percent, as compared to fiscal 2020.
Gross profit of $1.5 billion increased $72.6 million, or 5.2 percent, in fiscal 2021, as compared to the prior year. Gross profit margin was 42.6 percent for fiscal 2021, an increase of 40 basis points from 42.2 percent in fiscal 2020.
Operating profit of $427.6 million increased $73.7 million, or 20.8 percent, in fiscal 2021, as compared to the prior year. Operating profit was 12.4 percent of net sales for fiscal 2021, an increase of 180 basis points versus the prior year. Adjusted operating profit of $506.3 million increased $50.0 million, or 11.0 percent, for fiscal 2021 as compared to the prior year. Adjusted operating profit was 14.6 percent of net sales for fiscal 2021, an increase of 90 basis points versus the prior year.
Net income of $306.3 million increased $58.0 million in fiscal 2021, or 23.4 percent, as compared to the prior year. Diluted earnings per share of $8.38 increased $2.11, or 33.7 percent, for fiscal 2021, as compared to $6.27 for fiscal 2020.
Adjusted net income of $371.7 million increased $44.4 million in fiscal 2021, or 13.6 percent, as compared to the prior year. Adjusted diluted earnings per share of $10.17 increased $1.90 in fiscal 2021, or 23.0 percent, as compared to $8.27 for fiscal 2020.

Segment Performance
Acuity Brands Lighting and Lighting Controls (ABL)
Fourth-Quarter Results
ABL generated net sales of $946.9 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021, an increase of $93.8 million or 11.0 percent, as compared to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020.
Net sales of $663.1 million in the Independent Sales Network and $102.1 million in the Direct Sales Network increased 9.6 percent and 14.8 percent, respectively, as compared to the prior year, as these channels continue to benefit from improved service levels and an improving economy.
Sales in the Corporate Accounts channel of $75.6 million increased 16.0 percent over the prior year as some large accounts began previously deferred maintenance and renovations.
Retail sales of $45.7 million declined 20.1 percent, primarily due to continued customer inventory rebalancing.

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Press Release
Exhibit 99.1
Operating profit was $149.3 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021, an increase of $27.5 million or 22.6 percent, as compared to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020. Adjusted operating profit was $159.1 million for the fiscal fourth quarter of 2021, an increase of $27.8 million or 21.2 percent, as compared to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020.
Full-Year Results Summary
ABL generated net sales of $3.3 billion for the full year of fiscal 2021, an increase of $106.4 million or 3.3 percent, as compared to fiscal 2020.
Operating profit was $476.2 million for fiscal 2021, an increase of $50.4 million or 11.8 percent, as compared to fiscal 2020. Adjusted operating profit was $515.1 million for fiscal 2021 an increase of $47.3 million or 10.1 percent, as compared to fiscal 2020.

Intelligent Spaces Group (ISG)
Fourth-Quarter Results Summary
ISG generated net sales of $50.5 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021, an increase of $9.6 million or 23.5 percent, as compared to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020.The increase in net sales was due to strong demand for building and HVAC controls, energy management, and location services.
Operating profit was $2.0 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021, an increase of $3.6 million as compared to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020. Adjusted operating profit was $6.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2021 an increase of $3.9 million, as compared to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020.
Full-Year Results
ISG generated net sales of $190.0 million for fiscal 2021, an increase of $33.0 million or 21.0 percent, as compared to fiscal 2020.
Operating profit was $9.9 million for fiscal 2021, an increase of $13.8 million as compared to fiscal 2020. Adjusted operating profit was $25.6 million for fiscal 2021, an increase of $10.7 million, as compared to fiscal 2020.

The independent registered public accounting firm’s audit report with respect to the Company’s fiscal year-end financial statements will not be issued until the Company files its annual report on Form 10-K, including its evaluation of the effectiveness of internal controls over financial reporting. Accordingly, the financial results reported in this earnings release are preliminary pending completion of the audit.

Cash Flow and Capital Allocation
Net cash from operating activities of $408.7 million decreased $96.1 million, or 19.0 percent, for fiscal 2021 as compared to the prior year. The decrease was driven primarily by an increase in net working capital to support the higher level of sales.
During the twelve months of 2021, the Company repurchased 3.8 million shares of common stock for a total of $434.9 million at an average price paid of $114 per share. The Company had approximately 3.8 million shares remaining under its most recent share purchase authorization at the end of the fourth quarter of 2021. Since May of 2020, the Company has reduced the outstanding share count by over 10 percent.

The independent registered public accounting firm’s audit report with respect to the Company’s fiscal year-end financial statements will not be issued until the Company files its annual report on Form 10-K,

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Press Release
Exhibit 99.1
including its evaluation of the effectiveness of internal controls over financial reporting. Accordingly, the financial results reported in this earnings release are preliminary pending completion of the audit.

Today's Call Details
The Company is planning to host a conference call at 8:00 a.m. (EDT) today, Wednesday October 6th. Neil M. Ashe, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Acuity Brands, will lead the call.

The conference call and earnings release can be accessed via the Investor Relations section of the Company's website at investors.acuitybrands.com. The online replay will remain available for a limited time following the call. 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 archived on the site.

About Acuity Brands
Acuity Brands, Inc. (NYSE: AYI) is a market-leading industrial technology company. Through its two business segments, Acuity Brands Lighting and Lighting Controls (ABL) and the Intelligent Spaces Group (ISG), the Company designs, manufactures, and brings to market products and services that make the world more brilliant, productive, and connected. Acuity Brands achieves growth through the development of innovative new products and services, including building management systems, lighting, lighting controls, and location-aware applications.
Acuity Brands 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 is based in Atlanta, Georgia, with operations across North America, Europe, and Asia. The Company is powered by approximately 13,000 dedicated and talented associates. Visit us at www.acuitybrands.com.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures
This news release and the related conference call and webcast and presentation include the following non-generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) financial measures: “adjusted gross profit,” “adjusted gross profit margin,” “adjusted SD&A expenses,” “adjusted SD&A expenses as a percent of net sales,” “adjusted operating profit” and “adjusted operating profit margin” for total company and by segment, “adjusted other expense,” “adjusted net income,” and “adjusted diluted Earnings per Share (“EPS”). These non-GAAP financial measures are provided to enhance the reader's overall understanding of the Company's current financial performance and prospects for the future. Specifically, management believes that these non-GAAP measures provide useful information to investors by excluding or adjusting items for acquisition-related items, amortization of acquired intangible assets, share-based payment expense, impairments on investments, and special charges associated with continued efforts to streamline the organization and integrate recent acquisitions. Management typically adjusts for these items for internal reviews of performance and uses the above non-GAAP measures for baseline comparative operational analysis, decision making, and other activities. Management believes these non-GAAP measures provide greater comparability and enhanced visibility into the Company’s results of operations as well as comparability with many of its peers, especially those companies focused more on technology and software. Non-GAAP financial measures included in this news release should be considered in addition to, and not as a substitute for or superior to, results prepared in accordance with GAAP.

A reconciliation of each measure to the most directly comparable GAAP measure is available in this news release. The Company’s non-GAAP financial measures may not be comparable to similarly titled non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies, have limitations as an analytical tool, and should not

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Press Release
Exhibit 99.1
be considered in isolation or as a substitute for GAAP financial measures. Our presentation of such measures, which may include adjustments to exclude unusual or non-recurring items, should not be construed as an inference that our future results will be unaffected by other unusual or non-recurring items.

Forward-Looking Information
This press release and the related conference call and webcast and presentation include “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, that are based on management’s beliefs and assumptions and information currently available to management. Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which may be beyond our control. We caution you that the forward-looking information presented in this press release is not a guarantee of future events, and that actual events may differ materially from those made in or suggested by the forward-looking information contained in this press release. In addition, forward-looking statements are statements other than those of historical fact and may include statements relating to goals, plans, market conditions and projections regarding Acuity Brands' strategy, and specifically include statements made in this press release regarding: ongoing customer inventory rebalancing and achievement of growth and efficiencies. Generally, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “may,” “plan,” “seek,” “comfortable with,” “will,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “believe” or “continue” or the negative thereof or variations thereon or similar terminology. A number of important factors could cause actual events to differ materially from those contained in or implied by the forward-looking statements, including those factors discussed in our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2020, filed on October 23, 2020 and those described from time to time in our other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), which can be found at the SEC’s website www.sec.gov. Any forward-looking information presented herein is made only as of the date of this press release, and we do not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information to reflect changes in assumptions, the occurrence of events, or otherwise.



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Press Release
Exhibit 99.1
ACUITY BRANDS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In millions)
August 31,
 20212020
 (Preliminary)
ASSETS
Current assets: 
Cash and cash equivalents$491.3 $560.7 
Accounts receivable, less reserve for doubtful accounts of $1.2 and $2.6, respectively571.8 500.3 
Inventories398.7 320.1 
Prepayments and other current assets82.5 58.6 
Total current assets1,544.3 1,439.7 
Property, plant, and equipment, net269.1 270.5 
Other long-term assets1,761.7 1,781.5 
Total assets$3,575.1 $3,491.7 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable$391.5 $326.5 
Current maturities of debt— 24.3 
Other accrued liabilities300.7 266.8 
Total current liabilities692.2 617.6 
Long-term debt494.3 376.8 
Other long-term liabilities344.1 369.8 
Total stockholders’ equity2,044.5 2,127.5 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity$3,575.1 $3,491.7 


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Press Release
Exhibit 99.1
ACUITY BRANDS, INC.
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(In millions, except per-share data)
 Three Months Ended August 31,Year Ended August 31,
 2021202020212020
(Unaudited)(Unaudited)(Preliminary)
Net sales$992.7 $891.2 $3,461.0 $3,326.3 
Cost of products sold573.4 516.1 1,986.0 1,923.9 
Gross profit419.3 375.1 1,475.0 1,402.4 
Selling, distribution, and administrative expenses284.7 261.0 1,044.1 1,028.5 
Special charges1.8 8.2 3.3 20.0 
Operating profit132.8 105.9 427.6 353.9 
Other expense: 
Interest expense, net5.5 3.9 23.2 23.3 
Miscellaneous expense, net1.7 4.4 8.2 5.9 
Total other expense7.2 8.3 31.4 29.2 
Income before income taxes125.6 97.6 396.2 324.7 
Income tax expense27.5 23.9 89.9 76.4 
Net income$98.1 $73.7 $306.3 $248.3 
Earnings per share: 
Basic earnings per share$2.76 $1.88 $8.44 $6.29 
Basic weighted average number of shares outstanding35.5 39.3 36.3 39.5 
Diluted earnings per share$2.72 $1.87 $8.38 $6.27 
Diluted weighted average number of shares outstanding36.0 39.5 36.6 39.6 
Dividends declared per share$0.13 $0.13 $0.52 $0.52 

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Press Release
Exhibit 99.1
ACUITY BRANDS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In millions)
 Year Ended August 31,
 20212020
(Preliminary)
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income$306.3 $248.3 
Depreciation and amortization100.1 101.1 
Share-based payment expense32.5 38.2 
Asset impairments6.0 8.8 
Other(36.2)108.4 
Net cash provided by operating activities408.7 504.8 
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property, plant, and equipment(43.8)(54.9)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant, and equipment4.7 0.2 
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired(75.3)(303.0)
Other investing activities(3.5)(2.1)
Net cash used for investing activities(117.9)(359.8)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Issuances of long-term debt493.8 400.0 
Repayments of long-term debt(401.1)(355.7)
Repurchases of common stock(434.9)(69.3)
Proceeds from stock option exercises and other3.2 0.9 
Payments of taxes withheld on net settlement of equity awards(4.5)(5.4)
Dividends paid(19.1)(20.8)
Net cash used for financing activities(362.6)(50.3)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents2.4 5.0 
Net change in cash and cash equivalents(69.4)99.7 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year560.7 461.0 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year$491.3 $560.7 




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Press Release
Exhibit 99.1
ACUITY BRANDS, INC.
DISAGGREGATED NET SALES
(In millions)
The following table shows net sales by channel for the periods presented:
Three Months Ended August 31,
20212020Increase (Decrease)Percent Change
ABL:
Independent sales network$663.1 $605.1 $58.0 9.6 %
Direct sales network102.1 88.9 13.2 14.8 %
Retail sales45.7 57.2 (11.5)(20.1)%
Corporate accounts75.6 65.2 10.4 16.0 %
Other60.4 36.7 23.7 64.6 %
Total ABL946.9 853.1 93.8 11.0 %
ISG50.5 40.9 9.6 23.5 %
Eliminations(4.7)(2.8)(1.9)67.9 %
Total$992.7 $891.2 $101.5 11.4 %
Year Ended August 31,
20212020Increase (Decrease)Percent Change
ABL:
Independent sales network$2,400.5 $2,284.3 $116.2 5.1 %
Direct sales network358.1 329.0 29.1 8.8 %
Retail sales181.5 218.3 (36.8)(16.9)%
Corporate accounts168.7 191.8 (23.1)(12.0)%
Other178.5 157.5 21.0 13.3 %
Total ABL3,287.3 3,180.9 106.4 3.3 %
ISG190.0 157.0 33.0 21.0 %
Eliminations(16.3)(11.6)(4.7)40.5 %
Total$3,461.0 $3,326.3 $134.7 4.0 %

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Press Release
Exhibit 99.1
ACUITY BRANDS, INC.
Reconciliation of Non-U.S. GAAP Measures
The tables below reconcile certain GAAP financial measures to the corresponding non-GAAP measures for total company as well as our reportable operating segments:
(In millions except per share data)Three Months Ended August 31,
 20212020Increase (Decrease)Percent Change
Net sales$992.7 $891.2 $101.5 11.4 %
Selling, distribution, and administrative (SD&A) expenses (GAAP)$284.7 $261.0 $23.7 9.1 %
Percent of net sales28.7 %29.3 %(60)bps
Less: Amortization of acquired intangible assets(10.3)(10.9)
Less: Share-based payment expense(10.2)(5.7)
Less: Acquisition-related items (1)
(1.3)— 
Adjusted SD&A expenses (Non-GAAP)$262.9 $244.4 $18.5 7.6 %
Percent of net sales26.5 %27.4 %(90)bps
Operating profit (GAAP)$132.8 $105.9 $26.9 25.4 %
Percent of net sales13.4 %11.9 %150 bps
Add-back: Amortization of acquired intangible assets10.3 10.9 
Add-back: Share-based payment expense10.2 5.7 
Add-back: Acquisition-related items (1)
1.3 — 
Add-back: Special charges1.8 8.2 
Adjusted operating profit (Non-GAAP)$156.4 $130.7 $25.7 19.7 %
Percent of net sales15.8 %14.7 %110 bps
Other expense (GAAP)$7.2 $8.3 $(1.1)(13.3)%
Less: Impairment on investment(2.0)— 
Adjusted other expense (Non-GAAP)$5.2 $8.3 $(3.1)(37.3)%
Net income (GAAP)$98.1 $73.7 $24.4 33.1 %
Add-back: Amortization of acquired intangible assets10.3 10.9 
Add-back: Share-based payment expense10.2 5.7 
Add-back: Acquisition-related items (1)
1.3 — 
Add-back: Special charges1.8 8.2 
Add-back: Impairment on investment2.0 — 
Total pre-tax adjustments to net income25.6 24.8 
Income tax effects(6.0)(5.7)
Adjusted net income (Non-GAAP)$117.7 $92.8 $24.9 26.8 %
Diluted earnings per share (GAAP)$2.72 $1.87 $0.85 45.5 %
Adjusted diluted earnings per share (Non-GAAP)$3.27 $2.35 $0.92 39.1 %
______________________________
(1) Acquisition-related items include professional fees.

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Press Release
Exhibit 99.1
Three Months Ended August 31,
ABL20212020Increase (Decrease)Percent Change
Net sales$946.9 $853.1 $93.8 11.0 %
Operating profit$149.3 $121.8 $27.5 22.6 %
Add-back: Amortization of acquired intangible assets7.1 7.2 
Add-back: Share-based payment expense2.7 2.3 
Adjusted operating profit$159.1 $131.3 $27.8 21.2 %
Operating profit margin15.8 %14.3 %150bps
Adjusted operating profit margin16.8 %15.4 %140bps

Three Months Ended August 31,
ISG20212020Increase (Decrease)Percent Change
Net sales$50.5 $40.9 $9.6 23.5 %
Operating profit (loss)$2.0 $(1.6)$3.6 NM
Add-back: Amortization of acquired intangible assets3.2 3.7 
Add-back: Share-based payment expense0.8 — 
Adjusted operating profit$6.0 $2.1 $3.9 185.7 %
Operating profit (loss) margin4.0 %(3.9)%790bps
Adjusted operating profit margin11.9 %5.1 %680bps

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Press Release
Exhibit 99.1
(In millions, except per share data)Year Ended August 31,
 20212020Increase (Decrease)Percent Change
Net sales$3,461.0 $3,326.3 $134.7 4.0 %
Gross profit (GAAP)$1,475.0 $1,402.4 $72.6 5.2 %
Percent of net sales42.6 %42.2 %40 bps
Add-back: Acquisition-related items (1)
— 1.2 
Adjusted gross profit (Non-GAAP)$1,475.0 $1,403.6 $71.4 5.1 %
Percent of net sales42.6 %42.2 %40 bps
Selling, distribution, and administrative (SD&A) expenses (GAAP)$1,044.1 $1,028.5 $15.6 1.5 %
Percent of net sales30.2 %30.9 %(70)bps
Less: Amortization of acquired intangible assets(40.7)(41.7)
Less: Share-based payment expense(32.5)(38.2)
Less: Acquisition-related items (1)
(2.2)(1.3)
Adjusted SD&A expenses (Non-GAAP)$968.7 $947.3 $21.4 2.3 %
Percent of net sales28.0 %28.5 %(50)bps
Operating profit (GAAP)$427.6 $353.9 $73.7 20.8 %
Percent of net sales12.4 %10.6 %180 bps
Add-back: Amortization of acquired intangible assets40.7 41.7 
Add-back: Share-based payment expense32.5 38.2 
Add-back: Acquisition-related items (1)
2.2 2.5 
Add-back: Special charges3.3 20.0 
Adjusted operating profit (Non-GAAP)$506.3 $456.3 $50.0 11.0 %
Percent of net sales14.6 %13.7 %90 bps
Other expense (income) (GAAP)$31.4 $29.2 $2.2 7.5 %
Less: Impairment of investment(6.0)— 
Adjusted other expense (income) (Non-GAAP)$25.4 $29.2 $(3.8)(13.0)%
Net income (GAAP)$306.3 $248.3 $58.0 23.4 %
Add-back: Amortization of acquired intangible assets40.7 41.7 
Add-back: Share-based payment expense32.5 38.2 
Add-back: Acquisition-related items (1)
2.2 2.5 
Add-back: Special charges3.3 20.0 
Add-back: Impairments of investments6.0 — 
Total pre-tax adjustments to net income84.7 102.4 
Income tax effect(19.3)(23.4)
Adjusted net income (Non-GAAP)$371.7 $327.3 $44.4 13.6 %
Diluted earnings per share (GAAP)$8.38 $6.27 $2.11 33.7 %
Adjusted diluted earnings per share (Non-GAAP)$10.17 $8.27 $1.90 23.0 %
______________________________
(1) Acquisition-related items include profit in inventory and professional fees.

12

Press Release
Exhibit 99.1
Year Ended August 31,
ABL20212020Increase (Decrease)Percent Change
Net sales$3,287.3 $3,180.9 $106.4 3.3 %
Operating profit$476.2 $425.8 $50.4 11.8 %
Add-back: Amortization of acquired intangible assets27.9 27.4 
Add-back: Share-based payment expense11.0 13.4 
Add-back: Acquisition-related items (1)
— 1.2 
Adjusted operating profit$515.1 $467.8 $47.3 10.1 %
Operating profit margin14.5 %13.4 %110bps
Adjusted operating profit margin15.7 %14.7 %100bps

Year Ended August 31,
ISG20212020Increase (Decrease)Percent Change
Net sales$190.0 $157.0 $33.0 21.0 %
Operating profit (loss)$9.9 $(3.9)$13.8 NM
Add-back: Amortization of acquired intangible assets12.8 14.3 
Add-back: Share-based payment expense2.9 4.5 
Adjusted operating profit$25.6 $14.9 $10.7 71.8 %
Operating profit (loss) margin5.2 %(2.5)%770bps
Adjusted operating profit margin13.5 %9.5 %400bps
(1) Acquisition-related items include professional fees.

13
ayi-20211006x8xk_ex992
Acuity Brands (AYI) Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2021 Results


 
2 Forward Looking Statements This presentation and the related conference call and webcast and press-release include “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, that are based on management’s beliefs and assumptions and information currently available to management. Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which may be beyond our control. We caution you that the forward-looking information presented in this press release is not a guarantee of future events, and that actual events may differ materially from those made in or suggested by the forward-looking information contained in this press release. In addition, forward-looking statements are statements other than those of historical fact and may include statements relating to goals, plans, market conditions and projections regarding Acuity Brands' strategy, and specifically include statements made in this press release regarding: ongoing customer inventory rebalancing and achievement of growth and efficiencies. Generally, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “may,” “plan,” “seek,” “comfortable with,” “will,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “believe” or “continue” or the negative thereof or variations thereon or similar terminology. A number of important factors could cause actual events to differ materially from those contained in or implied by the forward-looking statements, including those factors discussed in our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2020, filed on October 23, 20201 and those described from time to time in our other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), which can be found at the SEC’s website www.sec.gov. Any forward-looking information presented herein is made only as of the date of this press release, and we do not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information to reflect changes in assumptions, the occurrence of events, or otherwise. 1 The independent registered public accounting firm’s audit report with respect to the Company’s fiscal year-end financial statements will not be issued until the Company files its annual report on Form 10-K, including its evaluation of the effectiveness of internal controls over financial reporting. Accordingly, the financial results reported in this earnings release are preliminary pending completion of the audit


 
3 This presentation and the related conference call and webcast and press release include the following non-generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) financial measures: “adjusted gross profit,” “adjusted gross profit margin,” “adjusted SD&A expenses,” “adjusted SD&A expenses as a percent of net sales,” “adjusted operating profit” and “adjusted operating profit margin” for total company and by segment, “adjusted other expense,” “adjusted net income,” and “adjusted diluted Earnings per Share (“EPS”). These non-GAAP financial measures are provided to enhance the reader's overall understanding of the Company's current financial performance and prospects for the future. Specifically, management believes that these non-GAAP measures provide useful information to investors by excluding or adjusting items for acquisition-related items, amortization of acquired intangible assets, share-based payment expense, impairments on investments, and special charges associated with continued efforts to streamline the organization and integrate recent acquisitions. Management typically adjusts for these items for internal reviews of performance and uses the above non-GAAP measures for baseline comparative operational analysis, decision making, and other activities. Management believes these non-GAAP measures provide greater comparability and enhanced visibility into the Company’s results of operations as well as comparability with many of its peers, especially those companies focused more on technology and software. Non-GAAP financial measures included in this news release should be considered in addition to, and not as a substitute for or superior to, results prepared in accordance with GAAP. A reconciliation of each measure to the most directly comparable GAAP measure is available in this news release. The Company’s non-GAAP financial measures may not be comparable to similarly titled non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies, have limitations as an analytical tool, and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for GAAP financial measures. Our presentation of such measures, which may include adjustments to exclude unusual or non-recurring items, should not be construed as an inference that our future results will be unaffected by other unusual or non-recurring items. Non-GAAP Financial Measures


 
4 Fiscal 2021 Key Achievements Improvement Throughout 2021  Returned the Company to Growth  Expanded Gross Margin by 40 Basis Points for Full Year 2021  Realigned the Businesses into Lighting and Lighting Controls and the Intelligent Spaces Group  Generated Strong Cash Flow and Allocated Capital to Create Permanent Value for Shareholders  Held First Investor Day  Built a Strong and Diverse Leadership Team  Made Significant Progress Around ESG  Positioned the Company Well for 2022 and Beyond


 
AYI: Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2021 Gross Profit Margin Operating Margin Net Sales Sales and Margin Improvement Adjusted Operating Margin1 Diluted EPS Adjusted Diluted EPS1 ($ In Millions, except for EPS) Net Sales Growth 1 Adjusted Operating Profit and Adjusted Diluted EPS for the Fourth Quarter are Reconciled in Our Appendix on Slides 15 and 16 and for the Full Year on Slides 19 and 20 $891 $993 $3,326 $3,461 Q4'20 Q4'21 FY'20 FY'21 42.2% 42.6% 10.6% 12.4% 13.7% 14.6% $6.27 $8.38 $8.27 $10.17 (9.4%) 4.0% 42.1% 11.9% 14.7% $1.87 $2.35 (5.0%) 42.2% 13.4% 15.8% $2.72 $3.27 11.4%


 
ABL: Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2021 Focus on Product Vitality and Service 1 ABL Adjusted Operating Profit is Reconciled on Slides 17 and 21 6 Operating Margin Net Sales ($ In Millions) Net Sales Growth $853 $947 $3,181 $3,287 Q4'20 Q4'21 FY'20 FY'21 13.4% 14.5% 14.7% 15.7% N/A 3.3% 14.3% 15.4% N/A 15.8% 16.8% 11.0% Adjusted Operating Margin1


 
ISG: Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2021 Making Spaces Smarter, Safer and Greener 1 ISG Adjusted Operating Profit is Reconciled on Slides 18 and 21 7 Operating Margin Net Sales ($ In Millions) Net Sales Growth $41 $51 $157 $190 Q4'20 Q4'21 FY'20 FY'21 (2.5%) 5.2% 9.5% 13.5% N/A 21.0% (3.9%) 5.1% N/A 4.0% 11.9% 23.5% Adjusted Operating Margin1


 
Full Year 2021 Capital Allocation 8 $409M Operating Cash Flow $44M CapEx $435M Share Repurchase Creating Value for Shareholders Capital Allocation Priorities Reinvestment in Growth Working Capital CapEx M&A Osram Digital Systems Rockpile Ventures Dividend Maintained Share Repurchases 3.8M Shares


 
9


 
2022 Financial Framework Optimism Heading into Full Year 2022 10  ABL Full Year Revenue Growth: High Single Digits  ISG Full Year Revenue Growth: Mid-Teens  AYI Full Year Gross Profit Margin: 42+ Percent  Capital Allocation Priorities  Investment in Growth  Investment in M&A  Maintain Dividend  Share Repurchases Other  AYI Full Year Tax Rate: ~23 Percent  AYI Full Year Capital Expenditure: ~1.5 Percent of Net Sales


 
Appendix and Non-GAAP Reconciliations 11


 
12 $834.7 $792.0 $824.2 $776.6 $776.2 $899.7 $891.2 $992.7 Q1'20 Q1'21 Q2'20 Q2'21 Q3'20 Q3'21 Q4'20 Q4'21 AYI Quarterly Performance Gross Profit Margin Operating Margin Net Sales 42.6% 42.0% 41.7% 43.4% 43.0% 10.0% 10.8% 9.9% 11.7% 13.1% Improvement throughout 2021 Adjusted Operating Margin1 Diluted EPS Adjusted Diluted EPS1 14.3% 13.2% 12.3% 14.0% 15.2% $1.44 $1.57 $1.44 $1.74 $2.37 $2.13 $2.03 $1.84 $2.12 $2.77 42.2% 10.7% 13.5% $1.52 $1.94 ($ In Millions) Net Sales Growth (10.5%) (5.1%) (3.5%) (5.8%) 15.9%(18.1%) 1 Adjusted Operating Profit and Adjusted Diluted EPS are Reconciled in Our Appendix on Slide 15 and 16 42.2% 13.4% 15.8% $2.72 $3.27 42.1% 11.9% 14.7% $1.87 $2.35 11.4%(5.0%)


 
ABL Quarterly Trends $798.0 $788.2 $741.6 $853.1 $753.6 $736.8 $850.0 $946.9 Q1'20 Q2'20 Q3'20 Q4'20 Q1'21 Q2'21 Q3'21 Q4'21 Net Sales Growth Operating Margin Net Sales Adjusted Operating Margin1 (In $Millions) 13.7% 15.2% 12.2% 13.5% 13.3% 14.6% 14.3% 15.4% (5.6%) 13.1% 14.4% (6.5%) 13.8% 15.2% 14.6% 14.9% 16.0% 1 Adjusted Operating Profit and Adjusted Operating Profit Margin for ABL is Reconciled, on Slide 17 13 11.0% 15.8% 16.8%


 
ISG Quarterly Trends $39.3 $39.1 $37.7 $40.9 $40.8 $43.3 $55.4 $50.5 Q1'20 Q2'20 Q3'20 Q4'20 Q1'21 Q2'21 Q3'21 Q4'21 Net Sales Growth Operating Margin Net Sales Adjusted Operating Margin1 (In $Millions) 3.3% 14.5% (8.7%) 5.4% (0.5%) 13.3% (3.9%) 5.1% 3.8% (0.2%) 9.1% 10.7% 1.8% 11.1% 46.9% 13.0% 20.0% 1 Adjusted Operating Profit and Adjusted Operating Profit Margin for ISG is Reconciled, on Slide 18 14 23.5% 4.0% 11.9%


 
15 AYI Quarterly Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures: Adjusted Operating Profit and Adjusted Operating Profit Margin (In $Millions) Second Quarter Feb. 28, 2021 Feb. 29, 2020 Nov. 30, 2020 Nov. 30, 2019 Operating Profit (GAAP) $91.0 $81.4 $85.7 $83.6 + Amortization of acquired intangible assets 10.1 10.4 10.1 9.6 + Share-based payment expense 7.5 8.0 7.7 16.7 + Acquisition-related items1 - 0.3 - 2.2 Adjusted Operating Profit $108.9 $101.7 $104.2 $119.0 + Special Charges 0.3 1.6 0.7 6.9 Operating Profit (GAAP) Margin 11.7% 9.9% 10.8% 10.0% Adjusted Operating Profit Margin 14.0% 12.3% 13.2% 14.3% Third Quarter May 31, 2021 May 31, 2020 $118.1 $83.0 10.2 10.8 7.1 7.8 0.9 - $136.8 $104.9 0.5 3.3 13.1% 10.7% 15.2% 13.5% First Quarter 1 Acquisition-Related Items Include Profit in Inventory and Professional Fees. Fourth Quarter Aug. 31, 2021 Aug. 31, 2020 $132.8 $105.9 10.3 10.9 10.2 5.7 1.3 - $156.4 $130.7 1.8 8.2 13.4% 11.9% 15.8% 14.7%


 
16 AYI Quarterly Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures: Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Earnings Per Share (In Millions Except Per Share Data) Second Quarter Feb. 28, 2021 Feb. 29, 2020 Nov.30, 2020 Nov.30, 2019 Net Income (GAAP) $62.9 $57.2 + Amortization of acquired intangible assets 10.1 10.4 + Share-based payment expense 7.5 8.0 + Acquisition-related items1 - 0.3 Adjusted net income $76.7 $73.1 + Special Charges 0.3 1.6 Third Quarter May 31, 2021 May 31, 2020 $85.7 $60.4 10.2 10.8 7.1 7.8 0.9 - $100.4 $77.2 0.5 3.3 First Quarter Diluted weighted average number of shares outstanding 36.2 39.7 36.2 39.7 Diluted Earnings Per Share $2.37 $1.52 $1.74 $1.44 Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share $2.77 $1.94 $2.12 $1.84 37.8 39.6 $1.57 $1.44 $2.03 $2.13 $59.6 $57.0 10.1 9.6 7.7 16.7 - 2.2 $76.9 $84.2 0.7 6.9 Total pre-tax adjustments to net income 17.9 20.318.7 21.9 22.5 35.4 Income tax effects (4.1) (4.4)(4.0) (5.1) (5.2) (8.2) 1 Acquisition-Related Items Include Profit in Inventory and Professional Fees. + Impairments of investments - -- - 4.0 - Fourth Quarter Aug. 31, 2021 Aug. 31, 2020 $98.1 $73.7 10.3 10.9 10.2 5.7 1.3 - $117.7 $92.8 1.8 8.2 36.0 39.5 $2.72 $1.87 $3.27 $2.35 25.6 24.8 (6.0) (5.7) 2.0 -


 
17 ABL Quarterly Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures: Adjusted Operating Profit and Adjusted Operating Profit Margin (In $Millions) Second Quarter Feb. 28, 2021 Feb. 29, 2020 Nov. 30, 2020 Nov. 30, 2019 Operating Profit (GAAP) $102.0 $95.8 $98.4 $109.6 + Amortization of acquired intangible assets 6.9 6.8 7.0 6.5 + Share-based payment expense 3.0 3.9 2.9 4.3 + Acquisition-related items1 - 0.1 - 1.1 Adjusted Operating Profit $111.9 $106.6 $108.3 $121.5 Operating Profit (GAAP) Margin 13.8% 12.2% 13.1% 13.7% Adjusted Operating Profit Margin 15.2% 13.5% 14.4% 15.2% Third Quarter May 31, 2021 May 31, 2020 $126.5 $98.6 6.9 6.9 2.4 2.9 - - $135.8 $108.4 14.9% 13.3% 16.0% 14.6% First Quarter 1 Acquisition-Related Items Include Profit in Inventory Fourth Quarter Aug. 31, 2021 Aug. 31, 2020 $149.3 $121.8 7.1 7.2 2.7 2.3 - - $159.1 $131.3 15.8% 14.3% 16.8% 15.4%


 
18 ISG Quarterly Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures: Adjusted Operating Profit and Adjusted Operating Profit Margin (In $Millions) Segment Breakdown (ISG) Second Quarter Feb. 28, 2021 Feb. 29, 2020 Nov. 30, 2020 Nov. 30, 2019 Operating Profit (Loss) (GAAP) $0.8 ($3.4) ($0.1) $1.3 + Amortization of acquired intangible assets 3.2 3.6 3.1 3.1 + Share-based payment expense 0.8 1.9 0.7 1.3 Adjusted Operating Profit (Loss) $4.8 $2.1 $3.7 $5.7 Operating Profit (Loss) (GAAP) Margin 1.8% (8.7%) (0.2%) 3.3% Adjusted Operating Profit Margin 11.1% 5.4% 9.1% 14.5% Third Quarter May 31, 2021 May 31, 2020 $7.2 ($0.2) 3.3 3.9 0.6 1.3 $11.1 $5.0 13.0% (0.5%) 20.0% 13.3% First QuarterFourth Quarter Aug. 31, 2021 Aug. 31, 2020 $2.0 ($1.6) 3.2 3.7 0.8 - $6.0 $2.1 4.0% (3.9%) 11.9% 5.1%


 
19 AYI Full Year Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures: Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Earnings Per Share (In Millions Except Per Share Data) Net Income (GAAP) + Amortization of acquired intangible assets + Share-based payment expense + Acquisition-related items1 Adjusted net income + Special Charges Diluted weighted average number of shares outstanding Diluted Earnings Per Share Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share Total pre-tax adjustments to net income Income tax effects 1 Acquisition-Related Items Include Profit in Inventory and Professional Fees. + Impairments of investments Aug. 31, 2021 Aug. 31, 2020 $306.3 $248.3 40.7 41.7 32.5 38.2 2.2 2.5 $371.7 $327.3 3.3 20.0 36.6 39.6 $8.38 $6.27 $10.17 $8.27 84.7 102.4 (19.3) (23.4) 6.0 -


 
20 AYI Full Year Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures: Adjusted Operating Profit and Adjusted Operating Profit Margin (In $Millions) Operating Profit (GAAP) + Amortization of acquired intangible assets + Share-based payment expense + Acquisition-related items1 Adjusted Operating Profit Operating Profit (GAAP) Margin Adjusted Operating Profit Margin Aug.31, 2021 Aug.31, 2020 $427.6 $353.9 40.7 41.7 32.5 38.2 2.2 2.5 $506.3 $456.3 12.4% 13.7% 14.6% 13.7% 1 Acquisition-Related Items Include Profit in Inventory + Special Charges 3.3 20.1


 
21 ABL and ISG Full Year Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures: Adjusted Operating Profit and Adjusted Operating Profit Margin (In $Millions) ABL Aug.31, 2021 Aug.31, 2020 Aug.31, 2020 Aug.31, 2019 Operating Profit (GAAP) $476.2 $425.8 $9.9 ($3.9) + Amortization of acquired intangible assets 27.9 27.4 12.8 14.3 + Share-based payment expense 11.0 13.4 2.9 4.5 + Acquisition-related items1 - 1.2 Adjusted Operating Profit $515.1 $467.8 $25.6 $14.9 Operating Profit (GAAP) Margin 14.5% 13.4% 5.2% (2.5)% Adjusted Operating Profit Margin 15.7% 14.7% 13.5% 9.5% ISG 1 Acquisition-Related Items Include Profit in Inventory + Special Charges