ATLANTA — Acuity Inc. (“Acuity”) delivered net sales of $1.2 billion in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026 ended August 31, 2026, an increase of $35.3 million, or 2.9 percent, compared to the prior year.
“We demonstrated solid execution in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026. We grew sales and expanded our adjusted operating profit and adjusted operating profit margin. We increased our adjusted diluted earnings per share, generated strong cash flow and allocated capital effectively,” stated Neil Ashe, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Acuity Inc. “Throughout fiscal 2026 we strengthened Acuity Brands Lighting while continuing to scale Acuity Intelligent Spaces, building the operating and financial capacity needed to compound growth and value over time.”
During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026 we received $44.9 million in tariff refunds, which are reflected as a non-GAAP adjustment in our results. We also took certain actions that resulted in $17.8 million of special charges. Of these charges $14.7 million related to initiatives in our Acuity Brands Lighting segment involving our product portfolio, supply chain, and operating footprint, while $3.1 million related to a facility impairment in our Acuity Intelligent Spaces segment.
Operating profit was $227.0 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026, an increase of $46.4 million, or 25.7 percent, compared to the prior year. Operating profit as a percent of net sales was 18.2 percent in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026, an increase of 330 basis points compared to the prior year. Adjusted operating profit was $232.9 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026, an increase of $7.6 million, or 3.4 percent, compared to the prior year. Adjusted operating profit as a percent of net sales was 18.7 percent in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026, an increase of 10 basis points compared to the prior year.
Diluted earnings per share was $5.63 in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026, an increase of $2.02, or 56.0 percent, compared to the prior year. Adjusted diluted earnings per share was $5.77 in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026, an increase of $0.57, or 11.0 percent, compared to the prior year.
Full-Year 2026 Summary
Net sales of $4.6 billion for the full year of fiscal 2026 increased $296.2 million, or 6.8 percent, compared to the prior year.
Operating profit was $713.7 million for the full year of fiscal 2026, an increase of $149.8 million, or 26.6 percent, compared to the prior year. Operating profit as a percent of net sales was 15.4 percent, an increase of 240 basis points compared to the prior year. Adjusted operating profit was $828.7 million for the full year of fiscal 2026, an increase of $60.1 million, or 7.8 percent, compared to the prior year. Adjusted operating profit as a percent of net sales was 17.9 percent, an increase of 20 basis points compared to the prior year.
Diluted earnings per share was $17.05 for the full year of fiscal 2026, an increase of $4.52, or 36.1 percent, compared to the prior year. Adjusted diluted earnings per share was $19.90, an increase of $1.89, or 10.5 percent, compared to the prior year.
Segment Performance
Acuity Brands Lighting (“ABL”)
Fourth-Quarter Results
ABL generated net sales of $958.7 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026, a decrease of $3.7 million, or 0.4 percent, compared to the prior year.
ABL operating profit was $188.8 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026, an increase of $5.8 million, or 3.2 percent, compared to the prior year. ABL operating profit as a percent of ABL net sales was 19.7 percent in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026, an increase of 70 basis points compared to the prior year. ABL adjusted operating profit was $179.8 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026, a decrease of $13.8 million, or 7.1 percent, compared to the prior year. ABL adjusted operating profit as a percent of ABL net sales was 18.8 percent in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026, a decrease of 130 basis points compared to the prior year.
Full-Year Results
ABL generated net sales of $3.6 billion for the full year of fiscal 2026, a decrease of $35.8 million, or 1.0 percent, compared to the prior year.
ABL operating profit was $623.5 million for the full year of fiscal 2026, an increase of $32.9 million, or 5.6 percent, compared to the prior year. ABL operating profit as a percent of ABL net sales was 17.4 percent for the full year of fiscal 2026, an increase of 100 basis points compared to the prior year. ABL adjusted operating profit was $646.0 million for the full year of fiscal 2026, a decrease of $16.3 million, or 2.5 percent, compared to the prior year. ABL adjusted operating profit as a percent of ABL net sales was 18.1 percent for the full year of fiscal 2026, a decrease of 20 basis points compared to the prior year.
Acuity Intelligent Spaces (“AIS”)
Fourth-Quarter Results
AIS generated net sales of $297.6 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026, an increase of $42.4 million, or 16.6 percent, compared to the prior year.
AIS operating profit was $64.7 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026, an increase of $36.7 million, or 131.1 percent, compared to the prior year. AIS operating profit as a percent of AIS net sales was 21.7 percent in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026, an increase of 1,070 basis points compared to the prior year. AIS adjusted operating profit was $74.1 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026, an increase of $19.5 million, or 35.7 percent, compared to the prior year. AIS adjusted operating profit as a percent of AIS net sales was 24.9 percent in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026, an increase of 350 basis points compared to the prior year.
Full-Year Results
AIS generated net sales of $1.1 billion for the full year of fiscal 2026, an increase of $342.3 million, or 44.8 percent, compared to the prior year.
AIS operating profit was $186.5 million for the full year of fiscal 2026, an increase of $110.4 million, or 145.1 percent, compared to the prior year. AIS operating profit as a percent of AIS net sales was 16.9 percent for the full year of fiscal 2026, an increase of 690 basis points compared to the prior year. AIS adjusted operating profit was $255.0 million for the full year of fiscal 2026, an increase of $90.7 million, or 55.2 percent, compared to the prior year. AIS adjusted operating profit as a percent of AIS net sales was 23.0 percent for the full year of fiscal 2026, an increase of 150 basis points compared to the prior year.
Cash Flow and Capital Allocation
Net cash from operating activities was $825.6 million for the full year of fiscal 2026. During the year we repaid $200 million of our term loan, we increased our dividend by 18 percent, and we repurchased over 940,000 shares of common stock for $287.2 million.
Form 10-K Filing
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.
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