ATLANTA — Acuity Brands, Inc. announced net sales of $934.7 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2024 ended November 30, 2023, a decrease of $63.2 million, or 6.3 percent, compared to the prior year.
“We continued to demonstrate strong execution in our fiscal 2024 first quarter,” stated Neil Ashe, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Acuity Brands, Inc. “We increased our adjusted operating profit, adjusted operating profit margin and adjusted diluted earnings per share. We generated significant free cash flow, and we allocated capital effectively to drive value.”
Operating profit was $132.9 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2024, an increase of $24.0 million, or 22.0 percent, compared to the prior year. Operating profit as a percent of net sales was 14.2 percent in the first quarter of fiscal 2024, an increase of 330 basis points compared to the prior year. Adjusted operating profit was $153.9 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2024, an increase of $13.8 million, or 9.9 percent, compared to the prior year. Adjusted operating profit as a percent of net sales was 16.5 percent in the first quarter of fiscal 2024, an increase of 250 basis points compared to the prior year.
Diluted earnings per share was $3.21 in the first quarter of fiscal 2024, an increase of $0.92, or 40.2 percent, compared to the prior year. Adjusted diluted earnings per share was $3.72 in the first quarter of fiscal 2024, an increase of $0.43, or 13.1 percent, from $3.29 in the prior year.
Segment Performance
Acuity Brands Lighting and Lighting Controls (“ABL”)
ABL generated net sales of $876.4 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2024, a decrease of $70.7 million, or 7.5 percent, compared to the prior year.
ABL operating profit was $143.8 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2024, an increase of $25.7 million, or 21.8 percent, compared to the prior year. ABL operating profit as a percent of ABL net sales was 16.4 percent in the first quarter of fiscal 2024, an increase of 390 basis points compared to the prior year. ABL adjusted operating profit was $153.8 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2024, an increase of $15.0 million, or 10.8 percent, compared to the prior year. ABL adjusted operating profit as a percent of ABL net sales was 17.5 percent in the first quarter of fiscal 2024, an increase of 280 basis points compared to the prior year.
Intelligent Spaces Group (“ISG”)
ISG generated net sales of $64.2 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2024, an increase of $7.4 million, or 13.0 percent, compared to the prior year.
ISG operating profit was $5.3 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2024, a decrease of $2.4 million compared to the prior year. ISG operating profit as a percent of ISG net sales was 8.3 percent in the first quarter of fiscal 2024, a decrease of 530 basis points compared to the prior year. ISG adjusted operating profit was $10.3 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2024, a decrease of $1.8 million compared to the prior year. ISG adjusted operating profit as a percent of ISG net sales was 16.0 percent in the first quarter of fiscal 2024, a decrease of 530 basis points compared to the prior year.
Cash Flow and Capital Allocation
Net cash from operating activities was $190.0 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2024, an increase of $3.4 million compared to the prior year.
During the first quarter of fiscal 2024, the Company repurchased approximately 0.3 million shares of common stock for a total of approximately $50 million.
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