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Acuity Brands

Acuity is a leading industrial technology company that offers lighting, lighting controls, and intelligent building solutions. Acuity Brands designs, manufactures, and brings to market products and services relating to these and other offerings. Acuity Brands has two reportable segments: Acuity Brands Lighting and the Intelligent Spaces Group. ABL sells commercial, architectural, and specialty lighting, including components and control systems. ISG offers building management and audio/visual solutions to help make buildings intelligent.

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Los futuros de EE.UU. avanzan antes del cierre del jueves. Descubre qué sectores lideran y qué esperar esta semana.

Los futuros de EE.UU. suben: ¿Qué esperar del mercado antes del cierre del jueves?

PSMT

Aquí tienes cinco acciones estadounidenses que podrían llamar la atención de los inversores este miércoles: UNF, CALM, AYI, AIR y PSMT.

5 acciones en el foco este miércoles: UNF, CALM, AYI, AIR y PSMT

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VIEW

Aquí tienes cinco acciones estadounidenses que podrían llamar la atención de los inversores este miércoles: AYI, CALM, LEVI, VIEW y BB.

5 acciones en el foco este miércoles: AYI, CALM, LEVI, VIEW y BB

Acuity Brands Inc

Acuity Brands (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AYI#NYSE">AYI</a>) has outperformed the market over the past 20 years by 4.9% on an annualized basis producing an average annual return of 13.35%. Currently, Acuity Brands has a market capitalization of $10.10 billion. 
Buying $100 In AYI: If an investor had bought $100 of AYI stock 20 years ago, it would be worth $1,226.28 today based on a price of $326.19 for AYI at the time of writing.
<h3>Acuity Brands's Performance Over Last 20 Years</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1737036909_0.png" alt="comp_fig" />
Finally -- what's the point of all this? The key insight to take from this article is to note how much of a difference compounded returns can make in your cash growth over a period of time.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Here's How Much You Would Have Made Owning Acuity Brands Stock In The Last 20 Years

U.S. stock futures declined on Friday ahead of the crucial U.S. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/01/42905396/us-may-add-fewer-jobs-in-december-with-an-unchanged-unemployment-rate-predict-economists">jobs data</a> report after a mixed close in the previous session. Futures of all four major indices fell in premarket trade.
Traders were cautious on Friday morning as <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/01/42905396/us-may-add-fewer-jobs-in-december-with-an-unchanged-unemployment-rate-predict-economists">economists</a> expect December's non-farm payrolls to soften as compared to November in Friday's official monthly jobs report. The unemployment rate is projected to hold steady at 4.2%.
The stock markets ended mixed on Wednesday followed by a break on Thursday in the remembrance of former President Jimmy Carter.
The 10-year and two-year Treasury notes yielded 4.70% and 4.29%, respectively. The probability of having no change in the interest rates for the upcoming Jan. 31, 2025, FOMC meeting was at 95.2%, <a href="https://www.cmegroup.com/markets/interest-rates/cme-fedwatch-tool.html">according to</a> CME Group&#8217;s FedWatch tool.
<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Futures</td>
<td>Change (+/-)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Nasdaq 100</td>
<td>-0.03%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>S&amp;P 500</td>
<td>-0.08%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Dow Jones</td>
<td>-0.01%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Russell 2000</td>
<td>-0.17%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
In premarket trading on Friday, the SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>) was down 0.03% to $589.31, and the Invesco QQQ Trust ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>) was down 0.058% to $514.97, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga Pro</a> data.
Cues From The Last Session
U.S. stock markets closed <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/01/42906229/dow-surges-over-100-points-following-fed-minutes-investor-sentiment-declines-greed-index-remains-in-fear-zone">mixed</a> on Wednesday, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average gaining over 100 points. The Federal Reserve&#8217;s latest meeting minutes revealed uncertainty among policymakers regarding future interest rate cuts. The incoming administration&#8217;s policies and their potential impact on inflation remain unclear. 
Acuity Brands Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AYI#NYSE">AYI</a>), a leading lighting solutions provider, reported weaker-than-expected revenue for the first quarter of its fiscal year.
On the economic data front, U.S. private companies added 122,000 jobs in December, lower than November&#8217;s figure and below market expectations. Initial jobless claims decreased to an 11-month low, suggesting a tightening labor market.
Most sectors in the S&amp;P 500 Index closed higher, with consumer staples, healthcare, and materials sectors leading the gains. However, the energy and communication services sectors experienced declines.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed 0.25% higher at 42,635.20, up approximately 107 points. The S&amp;P 500 Index rose 0.16% to 5,918.25, while the Nasdaq Composite dipped 0.055% to 19,478.88. Russell 200, on the other hand, fell 0.48% to 2,238.96.
<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Index</td>
<td>Performance (+/-)</td>
<td>Value</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Nasdaq Composite</td>
<td>-0.055%</td>
<td>19,478.88</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>S&amp;P 500</td>
<td>0.16%</td>
<td>5,918.25</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Dow Jones</td>
<td>0.25%</td>
<td>42,635.20</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Russell 2000</td>
<td>-0.48%</td>
<td>2,238.96</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
Insights From Analysts
TradingEconomics <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/25/01/42905396/us-may-add-fewer-jobs-in-december-with-an-unchanged-unemployment-rate-predict-economists">compiled</a> economist consensus expects nonfarm payrolls to show a net gain of 154,000 jobs in December, down sharply from the 227,000 added in November. On the other hand, Bloomberg's consensus estimate stands at 165,000 jobs.
However, December's job report will be "the first clean monthly employment report after October," said&nbsp;Ed Yardeni&nbsp;and&nbsp;Eric Wallerstein&nbsp;in their weekly economic report, adding that October witnessed hurricanes and strikes, and November's jobs were boosted because of the returning workers.
Yardeni Research also anticipates further hiring under the Trump administration due to potential policy changes and increased economic certainty.
A <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/25/01/42881085/is-labor-market-cooling-or-raising-fed-concerns-what-to-watch-in-fridays-jobs-report">weaker-than-expected jobs report</a> on Friday could boost U.S. stocks, weaken the dollar, and lower government bond yields, as investors might see it as an indication that the Fed has room to ease monetary policy. &#8211;
Conversely, stronger-than-expected job growth or a lower unemployment rate could raise concerns about a robust labor market, potentially delaying the Fed&#8217;s timeline for easing.
&#8220;The recent string of strong economic data can keep pushing back the timing of the next Fed rate cut,&#8221; said Collin Martin, director, of fixed income strategy at the Schwab Center for Financial Research. &#8220;The Fed funds futures market is not pricing in the next cut until July, and if inflation remains as sticky as it has lately, it seems likely that the Fed could skip cutting rates at a number of meetings.&#8221;
Drawing a parallel between a strong U.S. dollar and equity performance, Louis Navellier of Navellier &amp; Associates said that a stronger greenback &#8220;impedes the sales in the multi-international stocks&#8221; in the S&amp;P 500 and most such stocks have at least half of their revenue coming from outside U.S.
&#8220;As a result, domestic stocks tend to prosper during a strong U.S. dollar environment, especially small-to-mid capitalization companies,&#8221; he added.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-trade-futures">How to Trade Futures</a> 
Upcoming Economic Data
<ul>
<li>On Friday, the U.S. employment report, unemployment rate, and hourly wages data for December along with hourly wages year over year will be released at 8:30 a.m., ET.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>The preliminary consumer sentiment data for January will be announced at 10:00 a.m., ET.</li>
</ul>
Stocks In Focus:
<ul>
<li>Delta Air Lines Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DAL#NYSE">DAL</a>) was up 3.37% in the premarket on Friday. Wall Street is expecting it to report quarterly earnings of $1.76 per share on revenue of $14.21 billion before the opening bell, according to data from <a href="https://www.benzinga.com">Benzinga Pro</a>.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>TD Synnex Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SNX#NYSE">SNX</a>) was marginally up by 0.07% as analysts expect it to post quarterly earnings at $3.05 per share on revenue of $15.22 billion. The company will release earnings before the markets open.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Constellation Brands Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/STZ#NYSE">STZ</a>) was marginally down by 0.50% as it will be reporting its earnings before the opening bell. Analysts project quarterly earnings of $3.31 per share on revenue of $2.53 billion.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WBA#NASDAQ">WBA</a>) was also up 0.33% ahead of its earnings before the opening bell. Analysts expect quarterly earnings of 37 cents per share on revenue of $37.28 billion.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Costco Wholesale Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/COST#NASDAQ">COST</a>) was up 2.44% after it posed a 9.9% jump in its core comparable sales excluding forex and gas price changes for the five weeks ended Jan. 5, 2025.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Vision Marine Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VMAR#NASDAQ">VMAR</a>) was up 114.47% as it regained compliance with Nasdaq&#8217;s minimum stockholders&#8217; equity requirement, which it previously failed to meet.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>IGM Biosciences Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IGMS#NASDAQ">IGMS</a>) was down 68.55% as it announced in a regulatory filing that it is reducing its workforce by 73% to preserve cash.</li>
</ul>
Commodities, Gold And Global Equity Markets:
Crude oil futures were higher in the early New York session by 2.52% to hover around $75.78 per barrel.
The gold spot index was up by 0.68% to $2,709.19 per ounce. The Dollar Index was at 109.184 level.
Asian markets closed lower on Friday as Hong Kong&#8217;s Hang Seng, Japan&#8217;s Nikkei 225, India&#8217;s S&amp;P BSE Sensex, China&#8217;s CSI 300, Australia&#8217;s ASX 200, and South Korea&#8217;s Kospi index declined. European markets were mixed.
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Photo courtesy: Wikimedia

Analyst Color

Macro Economic Events

Macro Notification

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COST

IGMS

VMAR

US Stocks To Open On A Tentative Note As Traders Remain Cautious Ahead Of Friday's Crucial Jobs Data

The CNN Money Fear and Greed index showed a decline in overall market sentiment, while the index remained in the &#8220;Fear&#8221; zone on Wednesday.
U.S. stocks settled mostly higher on Wednesday, with the Dow Jones index gaining more than 100 points during the session.
Minutes from the Federal Reserve&#8217;s December meeting released on Wednesday show officials are uncertain about the path of future rate cuts, as President-elect Donald Trump&#8217;s policies and how they could affect inflation remain unknown.
Acuity Brands Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AYI#NYSE">AYI</a>) reported weaker-than-expected revenue for its fiscal first quarter.
On the economic data front, U.S. private businesses added 122,000 workers to their payrolls in December down from 146,000 in November and versus expectations of 140,000. U.S. initial jobless claims fell by 10,000 to 201,000 in the week ending Jan. 4, recording the lowest level in eleven months and versus market estimates of 218,000.
Most sectors on the S&amp;P 500 closed on a positive note, with consumer staples, health care, and materials stocks recording the biggest gains on Wednesday. However, energy and communication services stocks bucked the overall market trend, closing the session lower.
The Dow Jones closed higher by around 107 points to 42,635.20 on Wednesday. The S&amp;P 500 rose 0.16% to 5,918.25, while the Nasdaq Composite fell 0.06% at 19,478.88 during Wednesday's session.
Investors are awaiting earnings results from Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WBA#NASDAQ">WBA</a>), Constellation Brands Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/STZ#NYSE">STZ</a>), and Delta Air Lines Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DAL#NYSE">DAL</a>) today.
What is CNN Business Fear &amp; Greed Index?
At a current reading of 32.4, the index remained in the &#8220;Fear&#8221; zone on Wednesday, versus a prior reading of 35.8.
The Fear &amp; Greed Index is a measure of the current market sentiment. It is based on the premise that higher fear exerts pressure on stock prices, while higher greed has the opposite effect. The index is calculated based on seven equal-weighted indicators. The index ranges from 0 to 100, where 0 represents maximum fear and 100 signals maximum greediness.
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Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

Dow Surges Over 100 Points Following Fed Minutes: Investor Sentiment Declines, Greed Index Remains In 'Fear' Zone

Oppenheimer analyst Christopher Glynn maintains Acuity Brands (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AYI#NYSE">AYI</a>) with a Outperform and raises the price target from $370 to $380.

Price Target

Oppenheimer Maintains Outperform on Acuity Brands, Raises Price Target to $380

Wells Fargo analyst Joseph O'Dea maintains Acuity Brands (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AYI#NYSE">AYI</a>) with a Equal-Weight and raises the price target from $320 to $336.

Wells Fargo Maintains Equal-Weight on Acuity Brands, Raises Price Target to $336

Acuity Brands's (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AYI#NYSE">AYI</a>) short percent of float has risen 35.82% since its last report. The company recently reported that it has 894 thousand shares sold short, which is 3.83% of all regular shares that are available for trading. Based on its trading volume, it would take traders 3.29 days to cover their short positions on average.
<h3>Why Short Interest Matters</h3>
Short interest is the number of shares that have been sold short but have not yet been covered or closed out. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-short-a-stock/">Short selling</a> is when a trader sells shares of a company they do not own, with the hope that the price will fall. Traders make money from short selling if the price of the stock falls and they lose if it rises.
Short interest is important to track because it can act as an indicator of market sentiment towards a particular stock. An increase in short interest can signal that investors have become more bearish, while a decrease in short interest can signal they have become more bullish.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/short-interest">List of the most shorted stocks</a>
<h3>Acuity Brands Short Interest Graph (3 Months)</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1736428517_0.png" alt="short_fig" />
As you can see from the chart above the percentage of shares that are sold short for Acuity Brands has grown since its last report. This does not mean that the stock is going to fall in the near-term but traders should be aware that more shares are being shorted.
<h3>Comparing Acuity Brands's Short Interest Against Its Peers</h3>
Peer comparison is a popular technique amongst analysts and investors for gauging how well a company is performing. A company's peer is another company that has similar characteristics to it, such as industry, size, age, and financial structure. You can find a company's peer group by reading its 10-K, proxy filing, or by doing your own similarity analysis.
According to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/">Benzinga Pro</a>, Acuity Brands's peer group average for short interest as a percentage of float is 10.94%, which means the company has less short interest than most of its peers.
Did you know that increasing short interest can actually be bullish for a stock? <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-make-money-on-a-short-squeeze/">This post by Benzinga Money explains how you can profit from it.</a>
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and was reviewed by an editor.

Short Sellers

Short Ideas

Looking Into Acuity Brands's Recent Short Interest

U.S. stocks traded lower this morning, with the Dow Jones index falling around 0.2%% on Wednesday.
Following the market opening Wednesday, the Dow traded down 0.19% to 42,449.51 while the NASDAQ dipped 0.26% to 19,439.95. The S&amp;P 500 also fell, dropping, 0.17% to 5,898.88.
Check This Out: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42839544/wells-fargo-gears-up-for-q4-print-here-are-the-recent-forecast-changes-from-wall-streets-most-accurate-analysts">Wells Fargo Gears Up For Q4 Print; Here Are The Recent Forecast Changes From Wall Street&#8217;s Most Accurate Analysts</a>
Leading and Lagging Sectors Financial shares jumped by 0.1% on Wednesday.
In trading on Wednesday, health care shares fell by 0.7%.
Top Headline
Acuity Brands, Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AYI#NYSE">AYI</a>) reported weaker-than-expected revenue for its fiscal first quarter.
The company posted net sales growth of 1.8% year over year to $951.6 million, missing the analyst consensus estimate of $956.2 million. It clocked an adjusted EPS of $3.97, beating the analyst consensus estimate of $3.89.
Equities Trading UP &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Sana Biotechnology, Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SANA#NASDAQ">SANA</a>) shares shot up 282% to $6.30 after the company on Tuesday announced clinical trial results from its type 1 diabetes study of islet cell transplantation without immunosuppression.</li>
<li>Shares of Silo Pharma, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SILO#NASDAQ">SILO</a>)got a boost, surging 170% to $2.9500 after the company announced it was awarded a US patent for its PTSD treatment titled &#8216;Pharmacological Prophylactics Against Stress-Induced Affective Disorders in Females.&#8217;</li>
<li>CURRENC Group Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CURR#NASDAQ">CURR</a>) shares were also up, gaining 146% to $3.42 after the company announced the launch of its AI call center.</li>
</ul>
Equities Trading DOWN
<ul>
<li>DatChat, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DATS#NASDAQ">DATS</a>) shares dropped 64% to $3.2583 after the company announced the pricing of a $5.1 million registered direct offering priced at-the-market under Nasdaq rules.</li>
<li>Shares of Jasper Therapeutics, Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JSPR#NASDAQ">JSPR</a>) were down 54% to $8.22. The company reported preliminary data from its BEACON Phase 1b/2a study.</li>
<li>XTI Aerospace, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XTIA#NASDAQ">XTIA</a>) was down, falling 51% to $0.0555. XTI Aerospace priced $20 million offering of 363,636,364 shares of common stock at a price of $0.055 per share.</li>
</ul>
Commodities In commodity news, oil traded up 0.3% to $74.45 while gold traded up 0.7% at $2,683.30.
Silver traded up 1.1% to $31.02 on Wednesday, while copper rose 1% to $4.2360.
Euro zone
European shares were lower today. The eurozone's STOXX 600 declined 0.6%, Germany's DAX 40 fell 0.3% and France's CAC 40 dipped 1%. Spain's IBEX 35 Index fell 0.6%, while London's FTSE 100 slipped 0.4%.
Asia Pacific Markets
Asian markets closed mostly lower on Wednesday, with Japan's Nikkei 225 falling 0.26%, China's Shanghai Composite Index gaining 0.02%, Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index declining 0.86% and India's BSE Sensex falling 0.07%.
Economics
<ul>
<li>U.S. private businesses added 122,000 workers to their payrolls in December down from 146,000 in November and versus expectations of 140,000.</li>
<li>U.S. initial jobless claims fell by 10,000 to 201,000 in the week ending Jan. 4, recording the lowest level in eleven months and versus market estimates of 218,000.</li>
</ul>
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Eurozone

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Intraday Update

CURE PHARMA HLDG CORP by CURE Pharmaceutical Holding Corp.

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Jasper Therapeutics, Inc. - Class A Common Stock

JSPR

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US Stocks Down; Acuity Brands Posts Weak Revenue

Acuity Brands, Inc (NYSE:&nbsp;AYI)&nbsp;reported fiscal first-quarter 2025 net sales growth of 1.8% year over year to $951.6 million, missing the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/25/01/g42868674/acuity-brands-reports-fiscal-2025-first-quarter-results" rel="noreferrer noopener">analyst consensus estimate of $956.2 million</a>.&nbsp;
It clocked an adjusted EPS of $3.97, beating the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/calendars/earnings" rel="noreferrer noopener">analyst consensus estimate of $3.89</a>.
Sales by segments: Acuity Brands Lighting (ABL) and Lighting Controls revenue hit $886.0 million (+1.1% Y/Y), and Intelligent Spaces Group (ISG) clocked $73.5 million (+14.5% Y/Y).
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The consolidated adjusted operating margin grew by 20 bps to 16.7%. ABL&#8217;s adjusted operating margin declined by 20 bps to 17.3%. ISG&#8217;s margin increased by 500 bps to 21.0%.
The company generated $132.2 million in operating cash flow for the quarter, compared to $190.0 million a year ago. Free cash flow was $113.3 million.
Acuity held cash and equivalents of $935.6 million, compared to $845.8 million last year.
Adjusted EBITDA was $171.6 million, up from $166.7 million a year ago.&nbsp;The margin expanded by 20 bps to 18.0%.
Effective January 1, 2025, the company completed the acquisition of QSC, LLC for $1.215 billion, expanding Acuity&#8217;s Intelligent Spaces into cloud-manageable audio, video, and control.
Acuity Brands stock surged 49% in the last 12 months. Investors can gain exposure to the stock through First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index Fund (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QCLN#NASDAQ">QCLN</a>) and Invesco S&amp;P MidCap Quality ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XMHQ#NYSE">XMHQ</a>).
Price Action: AYI stock is down 0.82% at $301.38 premarket at the last check on Wednesday.
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First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index Fund

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Acuity Brands Q1 Earnings: Revenue Miss, Smart Spaces Revenue Soars 14.5%, Expands Into Cloud Tech With $1.2 Billion Deal

Earnings Beats

Earnings Misses

Acuity Brands Q1 2025 Adj. EPS $3.97 Beats $3.89 Estimate, Sales $951.600M Miss $956.175M Estimate

U.S. stock futures advanced on Wednesday after closing lower on Tuesday. Futures of all four major indices rose in premarket trade.
After a mixed close on Monday and a fall on Tuesday, the U.S. market has remained sluggish in yet another truncated week as it will remain closed for former President Jimmy Carter&#8217;s &#8216;National Day of Mourning&#8217; on Thursday, Jan. 9.
The 10-year and two-year Treasury notes yielded 4.67% and 4.28%, respectively. The probability of having no change in the interest rates for the upcoming Jan. 31, 2025, FOMC meeting was at 95.2%, <a href="https://www.cmegroup.com/markets/interest-rates/cme-fedwatch-tool.html">according to</a> CME Group&#8217;s FedWatch <a href="https://www.cmegroup.com/markets/interest-rates/cme-fedwatch-tool.html">tool</a>.
<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Futures</td>
<td>Change (+/-)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Nasdaq 100</td>
<td>0.38%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>S&amp;P 500</td>
<td>0.30%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Dow Jones</td>
<td>0.24%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Russell 2000</td>
<td>0.11%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
In premarket trading on Wednesday, the SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>) was up 0.33% to $590.60&nbsp;and the Invesco QQQ Trust ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>) rose 0.36% to $517.02, according to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga Pro</a> data.
Cues From The Last Session
U.S. stocks experienced a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/42867409/sp-500-down-over-1-amid-decline-in-nvidia-fear-greed-index-remains-in-fear-zone">downturn </a>on Tuesday, with the S&amp;P 500 closing more than 1% lower. This decline was primarily driven by a decline in major technology companies.
Nvidia Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) shares retreated significantly after reaching a new peak. Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) stock faced a setback following a downgrade by BofA Securities. Meta Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>) also saw a decline in its share price.
Economic data released on Tuesday showed a widening of the U.S. trade deficit. Imports increased at a faster pace than exports, contributing to the deficit.
Most sectors within the S&amp;P 500 ended the day in negative territory. Consumer discretionary, communication services and information technology were among the hardest hit. However, energy and healthcare sectors bucked the trend and closed higher.
<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Index</td>
<td>Performance (+/-)</td>
<td>Value</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Nasdaq Composite</td>
<td>-1.89%</td>
<td>19,489.68</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>S&amp;P 500</td>
<td>-1.11%</td>
<td>5,909.03</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Dow Jones</td>
<td>-0.42%</td>
<td>42,528.36</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Russell 2000</td>
<td>-0.74%</td>
<td>2,249.80</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</figure>
Insights From Analysts
Talking about Donald Trump&#8216;s policy agenda, Christopher Wood from Jefferies wrote in his GREED &amp; Fear note dated Jan. 2 that it&#8217;s clear that certain aspects of Trump&#8217;s policy, such as the proposed tariffs and the crackdown on immigration could be inherently inflationary, something the Federal Reserve is likely aware of.
According to the note, there is a fundamental contradiction between the expectations of a disinflationary, productivity-driven boom fueled by AI and deregulation, which the U.S. stock market has been celebrating since the presidential election, and the potential economic impact of tariffs and immigration restrictions.
Regarding the latter, even if mass deportations do not occur, as is GREED &amp; Fear's base case, a substantial reduction in new arrivals could still lead to stagflationary effects.
According to the chief market strategist at Carson Research, Ryan Detrick an average year sees gains of 9.5%. This jumps to 10.6% after a 20% gain, &#8220;Suggesting better than average returns,&#8221; he said in a <a href="https://www.carsongroup.com/insights/blog/what-happens-after-stocks-gain-20/">note </a>dated Jan. 7. 
&#8220;The bull very well might have a little more up his sleeves this year. But taking this one step further shows that after back-to-back 20% gains, the next year is up 20% on average and never lower,&#8221; he added.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="961" height="463" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/08050221/RYAN-DETRICK-IMAGE.png" alt="" class="wp-image-723523" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/08050221/RYAN-DETRICK-IMAGE.png 961w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/08050221/RYAN-DETRICK-IMAGE-300x145.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/08050221/RYAN-DETRICK-IMAGE-768x370.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 961px) 100vw, 961px" /></figure>
According to Charles Schwab <a href="https://international.schwab.com/story/stock-market-update-open">commentary</a>, &#8220;The month lacked a significant &#8216;Santa Claus Rally,&#8217; but investor sentiment appeared bullish, particularly at the start and end of December. Many clients appeared to close out the year by rebalancing their portfolios, adding exposure to underperforming sectors such as health care and energy and trimming positions in outperformers like information technology and communication services.&#8221; &#8211;
Louis Navellier of Navellier &amp; Associates said that there&#8217;s no reason to be overly concerned by the recent volatility; the trend remains positive.
&#8220;If interest rates are up because the economy is strong, that will be good for earnings growth, which will outshine any small increments in financing costs. And global market yields will likely tie the Fed's hands from being too restrictive anyway,&#8221; he added.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-trade-futures">How to Trade Futures</a>
Upcoming Economic Data
Several important data points will be released in this truncated week that will help investors determine the future course of action.
<ul>
<li>On Wednesday, December&#8217;s ADP employment data will be released at 8:15 a.m., ET.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>The minutes of the Fed&#8217;s December FOMC meeting will be released at 2:00 p.m., ET.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Consumer credit data for December will be announced at 3:00 p.m., ET.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>On Thursday, initial jobless claims till Jan. 4 will be announced at 8:30 a.m., ET.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Wholesale inventories data for November will be released at 10:00 a.m., ET.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>On Friday, the U.S. employment report, unemployment rate, and hourly wages data for December along with hourly wages year over year will be released at 8:30 a.m., ET.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>The preliminary consumer sentiment data for January will be announced at 10:00 a.m., ET.</li>
</ul>
Stocks In Focus:
<ul>
<li>Cal-Maine Foods Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CALM#NASDAQ">CALM</a>) was up 3.78% in premarket on Wednesday after it posted better-than-expected results for its second quarter. The company said it set a quarterly record for total dozens sold and specialty dozens sold. It also announced a cash dividend of approximately $1.49 per share.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Acuity Brands Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AYI#NYSE">AYI</a>) was up 2.35% in premarket as analysts expect it to post quarterly earnings at $3.89 per share on revenue of $956.18 million. The company will release earnings before the markets open.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>AAR Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AIR#NYSE">AIR</a>) was up 2.36% in premarket after it posted stronger-than-expected second-quarter results. The company reported quarterly earnings of 90 cents per share, which beat the analyst consensus estimate of 84 cents.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Fubotv Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FUBO#NYSE">FUBO</a>) was down 19.05% as Halper Sadeh LLC, an investor rights law firm, initiated an investigation on whether its merger with the Walt Disney Company's Hulu + Live TV business is fair to FuboTV shareholders.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Blue Hat Interactive Entertainment Technology (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BHAT#NASDAQ">BHAT</a>) was up 70.70% after it announced a $4.4 million registered direct offering of 55,200,000 Ordinary Shares.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>XTI Aerospace Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XTIA#NASDAQ">XTIA</a>) was down 49.08% in premarket after it announced a public offering of over 363 million shares at $0.055 per share and a 1-for-250 share consolidation as part of its 2025 strategic initiatives.</li>
</ul>
Commodities, Gold And Global Equity Markets:
Crude oil futures were higher in the early New York session by 1.19% to hover around $75.13 per barrel.
The gold spot index was up by 0.07% to $2,667.29 per ounce. The Dollar Index was up 0.29% to 108.858 level.
Asian markets were mostly lower on Wednesday as Hong Kong&#8217;s Hang Seng, Japan&#8217;s Nikkei 225, and China&#8217;s CSI 300 index declined. Whereas, Australia&#8217;s ASX 200, South Korea&#8217;s Kospi index ended higher. European markets were mostly higher in trade.
Read Next: 
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/market-summary/25/01/42867184/yield-curve-normalization-cheap-valuation-eps-growth-to-boost-banks-in-2025-truist-initiates-coverage-on-these-14-regional-names">Yield Curve Normalization, Cheap Valuation, EPS Growth To Boost Banks In 2025: Truist Initiates Coverage On These 14 Regional Names</a></li>
</ul>
Photo courtesy: Wikimedia

US Stocks To Open Higher As Futures Advance: Christopher Wood Expects Trump's Inflationary Policies To Hurt Market

The CNN Money Fear and Greed index showed an increase in the overall fear level, while the index remained in the &#8220;Fear&#8221; zone on Tuesday.
U.S. stocks settled lower on Tuesday, with the S&amp;P 500 falling more than 1% during the session amid a decline in major tech stocks.
NVIDIA Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) shares dipped 6.2% on Tuesday after hitting a record high level. Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>) shares fell over 4% after BofA Securities downgraded the stock from Buy to Neutral, while Meta Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>) lost nearly 2% during the session.
On the economic data front, the U.S. trade deficit increased to $78.2 billion in November versus a revised $73.6 billion gap in the previous month and is in line with market estimates. Imports increased 3.4% to $351.6 billion, while exports rose 2.7% to $273.4 billion.
Most sectors on the S&amp;P 500 closed on a negative note, with consumer discretionary, communication services, and information technology stocks recording the biggest losses on Tuesday. However, energy and health care stocks bucked the overall market trend, closing the session higher.
The Dow Jones closed lower by around 178 points to 42,528.36 on Tuesday. The S&amp;P 500 fell 1.11% to 5,909.03, while the Nasdaq Composite dipped 1.89% at 19,489.68 during Tuesday's session.
Investors are awaiting earnings results from UniFirst Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UNF#NYSE">UNF</a>), Acuity Brands, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AYI#NYSE">AYI</a>) and PriceSmart, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PSMT#NASDAQ">PSMT</a>) today.
At a current reading of 35.7, the index remained in the &#8220;Fear&#8221; zone on Tuesday, versus a prior reading of 37.8.
What is CNN Business Fear &amp; Greed Index?
The Fear &amp; Greed Index is a measure of the current market sentiment. It is based on the premise that higher fear exerts pressure on stock prices, while higher greed has the opposite effect. The index is calculated based on seven equal-weighted indicators. The index ranges from 0 to 100, where 0 represents maximum fear and 100 signals maximum greediness.
Read Next: 
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/price-target/25/01/42846607/bank-of-new-york-mellon-earnings-are-imminent-these-most-accurate-analysts-revise-forecasts-ahead-of-earnings-call">Bank of New York Mellon Earnings Are Imminent; These Most Accurate Analysts Revise Forecasts Ahead Of Earnings Call</a></li>
</ul>
Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

S&P 500 Down Over 1% As Nvidia, Tesla Tumble: Greed Index Remains In 'Fear' Zone

<h3>Companies Reporting Before The Bell</h3>
• UniFirst (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UNF#NYSE">UNF</a>) is estimated to report quarterly earnings at $2.21 per share on revenue of $606.60 million. 
• Simply Good Foods (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SMPL#NASDAQ">SMPL</a>) is projected to report quarterly earnings at $0.46 per share on revenue of $347.32 million. 
• Helen Of Troy (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HELE#NASDAQ">HELE</a>) is likely to report quarterly earnings at $2.58 per share on revenue of $532.91 million. 
• MSC Industrial Direct Co (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSM#NYSE">MSM</a>) is likely to report quarterly earnings at $0.73 per share on revenue of $904.59 million. 
• Albertsons Companies (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ACI#NYSE">ACI</a>) is estimated to report quarterly earnings at $0.66 per share on revenue of $18.82 billion. 
• Acuity Brands (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AYI#NYSE">AYI</a>) is estimated to report quarterly earnings at $3.89 per share on revenue of $956.17 million. 
• AngioDynamics (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ANGO#NASDAQ">ANGO</a>) is expected to report quarterly loss at $0.11 per share on revenue of $70.93 million. 
<h3>Companies Reporting After The Bell</h3>
• Jefferies Financial Gr (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JEF#NYSE">JEF</a>) is likely to report quarterly earnings at $1.04 per share on revenue of $1.83 billion. 
• Penguin Solutions (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PENG#NASDAQ">PENG</a>) is expected to report quarterly earnings at $0.39 per share on revenue of $319.99 million. 
• Pricesmart (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PSMT#NASDAQ">PSMT</a>) is projected to report quarterly earnings at $1.29 per share on revenue of $1.24 billion. 
• Greenbrier Companies (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GBX#NYSE">GBX</a>) is projected to report quarterly earnings at $1.15 per share on revenue of $849.51 million. 
• Franklin Covey (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FC#NYSE">FC</a>) is estimated to report quarterly earnings at $0.22 per share on revenue of $70.15 million. 
• Saratoga Investment (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SAR#NYSE">SAR</a>) is projected to report quarterly earnings at $0.84 per share on revenue of $34.90 million. 
• Pure Cycle (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PCYO#NASDAQ">PCYO</a>) is likely to report earnings for its first quarter. 
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

ANGO

HELE

PCYO

Penguin Solutions, Inc. - Ordinary Shares

PENG

SMPL

Earnings Scheduled For January 8, 2025

With U.S. stock futures trading higher this morning on Wednesday, some of the stocks that may grab investor focus today are as follows:
<ul>
<li>Wall Street expects UniFirst Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UNF#NYSE">UNF</a>) to report quarterly earnings at $2.22 per share on revenue of $606.62 million before the opening bell, according to data from <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga Pro</a>. UniFirst shares gained 2.5% to $209.76 in after-hours trading.</li>
<li>Cal-Maine Foods, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CALM#NASDAQ">CALM</a>) posted better-than-expected results for its second quarter. The company said it set a quarterly record for total dozens sold and specialty dozens sold. It also announced a cash dividend of approximately $1.49 per share. Cal-Maine shares climbed 3.8% to $107.60 in the after-hours trading session.</li>
<li>Analysts are expecting Acuity Brands, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AYI#NYSE">AYI</a>) to post quarterly earnings at $3.89 per share on revenue of $956.18 million. The company will release earnings before the markets open. Acuity Brands shares fell 0.3% to $303.00 in after-hours trading.</li>
</ul>
Check out our <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premarket/">premarket coverage here</a>
<ul>
<li>AAR Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AIR#NYSE">AIR</a>) posted stronger-than-expected second-quarter results. The company reported quarterly earnings of 90 cents per share, which beat the analyst consensus estimate of 84 cents. Quarterly revenue came in at $686.1 million, which beat the analyst consensus estimate of $654.18 million. AAR shares surged 5.8% to $65.35 in the after-hours trading session.</li>
<li>Analysts expect PriceSmart, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PSMT#NASDAQ">PSMT</a>) to post quarterly earnings at $3.68 per share on revenue of $751.49 million after the closing bell. PriceSmart shares gained 0.6% to close at $92.22 on Tuesday.</li>
</ul>
Check This Out: 
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/price-target/25/01/42846607/bank-of-new-york-mellon-earnings-are-imminent-these-most-accurate-analysts-revise-forecasts-ahead-of-earnings-call">Bank of New York Mellon Earnings Are Imminent; These Most Accurate Analysts Revise Forecasts Ahead Of Earnings Call</a></li>
</ul>
Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

UniFirst, Acuity Brands And 3 Stocks To Watch Heading Into Wednesday

Wells Fargo analyst Joseph O'Dea maintains Acuity Brands (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AYI#NYSE">AYI</a>) with a Equal-Weight and lowers the price target from $330 to $320.

Wells Fargo Maintains Equal-Weight on Acuity Brands, Lowers Price Target to $320

Acuity Brands (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AYI#NYSE">AYI</a>) has outperformed the market over the past 20 years by 4.21% on an annualized basis producing an average annual return of 12.66%. Currently, Acuity Brands has a market capitalization of $9.38 billion. 
Buying $1000 In AYI: If an investor had bought $1000 of AYI stock 20 years ago, it would be worth $10,731.33 today based on a price of $304.00 for AYI at the time of writing.
<h3>Acuity Brands's Performance Over Last 20 Years</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1736200812_0.png" alt="comp_fig" />
Finally -- what's the point of all this? The key insight to take from this article is to note how much of a difference compounded returns can make in your cash growth over a period of time.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Acuity Brands, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AYI#NYSE">AYI</a>) will release earnings results for its first quarter, before the opening <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/AYI/earnings">bell on Thursday, Jan. 9.</a>
Analysts expect the Atlanta-based company to report quarterly earnings at $3.87 per share, up from $3.72 per share in the year-ago period. Acuity Brands projects to report quarterly revenue at $956.32 million, compared to $934.7 million a year earlier, according to data from <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga Pro</a>.
With the recent buzz around Acuity Brands, some investors may be eyeing potential gains from the company's dividends too. As of now, Acuity Brands offers an annual dividend yield of 0.21%, which is a quarterly dividend amount of 15 cents per share (60 cents a year).
So, how can investors exploit its dividend yield to pocket a regular $500 monthly?
To earn $500 per month or $6,000 annually from dividends alone, you would need an investment of approximately $2,921,300 or around 10,000 shares. For a more modest $100 per month or $1,200 per year, you would need $584,260 or around 2,000 shares.
To calculate: Divide the desired annual income ($6,000 or $1,200) by the dividend ($0.60 in this case). So, $6,000 / $0.60 = 10,000 ($500 per month), and $1,200 / $0.60 = 2,000 shares ($100 per month).
Note that dividend yield can change on a rolling basis, as the dividend payment and the stock price both fluctuate over time.
How that works: The dividend yield is computed by dividing the annual dividend payment by the stock&#8217;s current price.
For example, if a stock pays an annual dividend of $2 and is currently priced at $50, the dividend yield would be 4% ($2/$50). However, if the stock price increases to $60, the dividend yield drops to 3.33% ($2/$60). Conversely, if the stock price falls to $40, the dividend yield rises to 5% ($2/$40).
Similarly, changes in the dividend payment can impact the yield. If a company increases its dividend, the yield will also increase, provided the stock price stays the same. Conversely, if the dividend payment decreases, so will the yield.
Price Action: Shares of Acuity Brands fell 0.7% to close at $292.13 on Tuesday.
On Oct. 24, Acuity Brands agreed to acquire QSC, LLC.
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"> 
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<iframe loading="lazy" title="How to Find Dividend Stocks: Scan, Analyze, and Capture with Benzinga Pro" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/pVF0O2lsEH4?start=1&#038;feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div>
</figure>
Read More: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/24/12/42740135/how-to-earn-500-a-month-from-alphabet-stock">How To Earn $500 A Month From Alphabet Stock</a></li>
</ul>
Image: Shutterstock

Long Ideas

How To Earn $500 A Month From Acuity Brands Stock Ahead Of Q1 Earnings

Acuity Brands (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AYI#NYSE">AYI</a>) has outperformed the market over the past 5 years by 5.1% on an annualized basis producing an average annual return of 18.69%. Currently, Acuity Brands has a market capitalization of $9.96 billion. 
Buying $1000 In AYI: If an investor had bought $1000 of AYI stock 5 years ago, it would be worth $2,439.57 today based on a price of $322.64 for AYI at the time of writing.
<h3>Acuity Brands's Performance Over Last 5 Years</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1734040815_0.png" alt="comp_fig" />
Finally -- what's the point of all this? The key insight to take from this article is to note how much of a difference compounded returns can make in your cash growth over a period of time.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Here's How Much $1000 Invested In Acuity Brands 5 Years Ago Would Be Worth Today

Looking into the current session, Acuity Brands Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AYI#NYSE">AYI</a>) shares are trading at $323.73, after a 0.31% drop. Over the past month, the stock decreased by 2.98%, but over the past year, it actually increased by 69.42%. With questionable short-term performance like this, and great long-term performance, long-term shareholders might want to start looking into the company's price-to-earnings ratio. 

<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1733766310_0.png" alt="Past Year Chart" />

<h3>Acuity Brands P/E Compared to Competitors</h3>
The P/E ratio measures the current share price to the company's EPS. It is used by long-term investors to analyze the company's current performance against it's past earnings, historical data and aggregate market data for the industry or the indices, such as S&amp;P 500. A higher P/E indicates that investors expect the company to perform better in the future, and the stock is probably overvalued, but not necessarily. It also could indicate that investors are willing to pay a higher share price currently, because they expect the company to perform better in the upcoming quarters. This leads investors to also remain optimistic about rising dividends in the future. 
Compared to the aggregate P/E ratio of the 69.97 in the Electrical Equipment industry, Acuity Brands Inc. has a lower P/E ratio of 24.16. Shareholders might be inclined to think that the stock might perform worse than it's industry peers. It's also possible that the stock is undervalued. 

<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1733766310_1.png" alt="Guage" />

In summary, while the price-to-earnings ratio is a valuable tool for investors to evaluate a company's market performance, it should be used with caution. A low P/E ratio can be an indication of undervaluation, but it can also suggest weak growth prospects or financial instability. Moreover, the P/E ratio is just one of many metrics that investors should consider when making investment decisions, and it should be evaluated alongside other financial ratios, industry trends, and qualitative factors. By taking a comprehensive approach to analyzing a company's financial health, investors can make well-informed decisions that are more likely to lead to successful outcomes.

Price Over Earnings Overview: Acuity Brands

Acuity Brands's (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AYI#NYSE">AYI</a>) short percent of float has fallen 13.4% since its last report. The company recently reported that it has 753 thousand shares sold short, which is 3.23% of all regular shares that are available for trading. Based on its trading volume, it would take traders 2.77 days to cover their short positions on average.
<h3>Why Short Interest Matters</h3>
Short interest is the number of shares that have been sold short but have not yet been covered or closed out. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-short-a-stock/">Short selling</a> is when a trader sells shares of a company they do not own, with the hope that the price will fall. Traders make money from short selling if the price of the stock falls and they lose if it rises.
Short interest is important to track because it can act as an indicator of market sentiment towards a particular stock. An increase in short interest can signal that investors have become more bearish, while a decrease in short interest can signal they have become more bullish.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/short-interest">List of the most shorted stocks</a>
<h3>Acuity Brands Short Interest Graph (3 Months)</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1732899612_0.png" alt="short_fig" />
As you can see from the chart above the percentage of shares that are sold short for Acuity Brands has declined since its last report. This does not mean that the stock is going to rise in the near-term but traders should be aware that less shares are being shorted.
<h3>Comparing Acuity Brands's Short Interest Against Its Peers</h3>
Peer comparison is a popular technique amongst analysts and investors for gauging how well a company is performing. A company's peer is another company that has similar characteristics to it, such as industry, size, age, and financial structure. You can find a company's peer group by reading its 10-K, proxy filing, or by doing your own similarity analysis.
According to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/">Benzinga Pro</a>, Acuity Brands's peer group average for short interest as a percentage of float is 9.08%, which means the company has less short interest than most of its peers.
Did you know that increasing short interest can actually be bullish for a stock? <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-make-money-on-a-short-squeeze/">This post by Benzinga Money explains how you can profit from it.</a>
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and was reviewed by an editor.

(AYI) - Analyzing Acuity Brands's Short Interest

<ul>
<li>QSC, LLC is a Leader in the Strategically Adjacent and Growing Audio, Video and Control Industry</li>
<li>Transaction Expected to Close in the Second Quarter of Fiscal 2025 and be Accretive to Acuity Brands Fiscal 2025 Full-Year Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share</li>
</ul>
ATLANTA, Oct. 24, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Acuity Brands, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AYI#NYSE">AYI</a>) (the "Company" or "Acuity"), a market-leading industrial technology company, has reached a definitive agreement to acquire QSC, LLC ("QSC") for a purchase price of $1.215 billion, or $1.1 billion net of approximately $100 million in present value of expected tax benefits. The net purchase price represents approximately 14 times QSC's estimated EBITDA for the last twelve months ending August 31, 2024. It is expected to be accretive to Acuity's' fiscal 2025 full-year adjusted diluted earnings per share.

Acuity Announces Agreement To Acquire QSC For A Purchase Price Of $1.215B; Transaction Expected To Close In Q2 2025 And Be Accretive To Acuity Brands Fiscal 2025 Full-Tear Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share

Oppenheimer analyst Christopher Glynn maintained a Buy rating on Acuity Brands (AYI – Research Report) today and set a price target of $380.00. The...

Acuity Brands (AYI) Receives a Rating Update from a Top Analyst

Oppenheimer analyst Christopher Glynn raised the firm's price target on Acuity Brands (AYI) to $380 from $370 and keeps an Outperform rating on the...

Acuity Brands price target raised to $380 from $370 at Oppenheimer

Acuity Brands Inc.: Stay Bullish As Growth Should Turn Better

In a report released today, Christopher Snyder from Morgan Stanley upgraded Acuity Brands (AYI – Research Report) to a Buy, with a price target of ...

Acuity Brands: Strong Growth Prospects and Market Re-Rating Potential Following QSC Acquisition

Morgan Stanley upgraded Acuity Brands (AYI) to Overweight from Equal Weight with a price target of $37, down from $304. The firm says structurally ...

Acuity Brands upgraded to Overweight from Equal Weight at Morgan Stanley

Amid the increasing demand from various industries for innovative, technology-optimal, and efficient lighting products, Acuity Brands' (AYI) future growth appears promising with its strategic initiatives and solutions. So, let's analyze whether AYI could be an ideal investment opportunity for those looking to capitalize on the sector's expansion. Read on... Acuity Brands, Inc. (<a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/AYI/">AYI</a>), a market-leading industrial technology company, recently reported impressive financial results for the fiscal first quarter of 2025. AYI, operating through two primary segments, Acuity Brands Lighting and Lighting Controls (ABL), and the Intelligent Spaces Group (ISG), provides lighting, lighting controls, building management systems, and location-aware applications.
The company offers a wide range of lighting solutions, targeting consumers like electrical distributors, retail home improvement centers, electric utilities, and corporate accounts. Its extensive range of products reflects its commitment to catering to specific requirements and end-user satisfaction.
Recently, Acuity Brands acquired QSC, LLC, resulting in the expansion of its Intelligent Spaces business and future opportunities. During the first quarter, AYI's net sales from the Acuity Intelligent Spaces segment marked a strong growth of 14.5% from the year-ago value to $73.50 million, while its Acuity Brands Lighting sales were $886 million.
Acuity Brands keeps its operational vision and sustainability in sync with effective management and continuous efforts. The company endeavors to avoid greenhouse gas emissions through innovative products and services. Also, it has maintained sound cash flow. AYI's net cash from operating activities was $132.2 million for the quarter.
Besides, as complexes across different sectors rise, seeking efficient and conscious technologies, AYI stands out as a key player in the segment with its innovative solution, sustainable and environmentally aligned products, and vast product range.
The performance of AYI's shares is also consistent with its efforts and operations. AYI's stock surged 28.8% over the past six months to close its last trading session at $321.97. Also, the stock has climbed over 43% over the past year.
Let's look at factors that could influence AYI's performance in the upcoming months.
Positive Recent Developments
On October 24, 2024, AYI entered a definitive agreement to acquire QSC, LLC, a leader in the evolving AV&amp;C industry, for $1.22 billion. Through its Intelligent Spaces business, AYI caters to the end users powered by disruptive technologies. The strategic acquisition of QSC further strengthens the company's vision of delivering smarter, safer, and greener spaces.
AYI integrates QSC's advanced cloud-manageable audio, video, and control platform into its operations, resulting in innovation and sustainable growth.
Robust Financials
AYI's net sales increased 1.8% year-over-year to $951.60 million during the first quarter that ended November 30, 2024. Its gross profit grew 4.9% from the year-ago value to $449.30 million. Also, the company's adjusted operating profit rose 3.1% year-over-year to $158.70 million.
In addition, the company's <a href="https://www.investopedia.com/terms/a/adjusted-ebitda.asp">adjusted EBITDA</a> of $171.60 million indicates growth of 2.9% from the prior year's quarter. AYI's adjusted net income and EPS came in at $126.30 million and $3.97, up 8.1% and 6.7% over the previous year, respectively.
Also, as of November 30, 2024, the company's cash and cash equivalents stood at $935.60 million, compared to $845.80 million as of August 31, 2024.
Solid Historical Growth
AYI's revenue and EBITDA have grown at respective CAGRs of 2.4% and 5.3% over the past three years. The company's EBIT has increased at a CAGR of 7% over the same timeframe, while its net income and EPS have improved at CAGRs of 8.6% and 13.5%, respectively.
Furthermore, the company's tangible book value and levered free cash flow have improved at respective CAGRs of 30.4% and 22.8% over the past three years.
Favorable Analyst Estimates
Analysts expect AYI's revenue for the second quarter (ending February 2025) to increase 13.8% year-over-year to $1.03 billion. The consensus EPS estimate of $3.73 for the same quarter indicates a 10.5% year-over-year improvement. Moreover, AYI has an impressive earnings surprise history, having topped consensus EPS estimates in each of the trailing four quarters.
Further, looking forward to the fiscal year ending August 2025, the company's revenue and EPS are expected to grow 14.4% and 11.9% year-over-year to $4.39 billion and $17.41, respectively. Also, Street expects revenue and EPS of AYI for the fiscal year 2026 to increase 9.8% and 11.9% year-over-year to $4.82 billion and $19.49, respectively.
High Profitability
AYI's trailing-12-month gross profit margin of 46.72% is 47.4% higher than the industry average of 31.70%. Its trailing-12-month net income margin of 11.11% is 71.7% higher than the industry average of 6.47%. Also, the stock's trailing-12-month EBIT margin of 14.44% is 39.8% higher than the industry average of 10.33%.
Furthermore, the stock's trailing-12-month ROCE, ROTC, and ROTA of 18.94%, 12.25%, and 11.09% favorably compared to the industry averages of 13.46%, 7.18%, and 5.27%, respectively.
POWR Ratings Reflect Promise
AYI's solid fundamentals are reflected in its <a href="https://stocknews.com/powr-ratings/">POWR Ratings</a>. The stock has an overall rating of A, translating to a Strong Buy in our proprietary system. The POWR Ratings are calculated by considering 118 different factors, with each factor weighted to an optimal degree.
Our proprietary rating system also evaluates each stock based on eight distinct categories. AYI has an A grade for Quality, consistent with its higher-than-industry profitability.
In addition, the stock has a B grade for Sentiment, which is in sync with the impressive analysts' anticipation.
AYI is ranked #2 in the 57-stock B-rated <a href="https://stocknews.com/category/home-improvement-goods/">Home Improvement &amp; Goods</a> industry.
Beyond what I have stated above, we have also given AYI grades for Growth, Value, Momentum, and Stability. Get access to all the AYI ratings <a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/AYI/">here</a>.
Bottom Line
AYI is a creative, industrial technology company operating through numerous highly respected brands within the lighting and intelligent spaces. The company's environment-conscious strategies, along with strategic acquisition, strong market position, and solid financial health, position it for bright long-term prospects.
The Board declared a quarterly dividend of $0.15 per share and repurchased approximately 17,000 shares of common stock for a total of approximately $5 million, supported by continued strong cash generation.
Given its reliable profitability, solid cash flow, and solid financial performance, AYI is poised to continue its upward trajectory in 2025 and beyond. Thus, now could be an opportune moment to consider adding this stock to one's holdings.
How Does Acuity Brands, Inc. (AYI) Stack Up Against Its Peers?
While AYI has an overall POWR Rating of A, investors could also check out these other stocks within the B-rated <a href="https://stocknews.com/category/home-improvement-goods/">Home Improvement &amp; Goods</a> industry with A (Strong Buy) or B (Buy) ratings: Steelcase Inc. (<a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/SCS/">SCS</a>), HNI Corporation (<a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/HNI/">HNI</a>), and Kingfisher PLC ADR (<a href="https://stocknews.com/stock/KGFHY/">KGFHY</a>).
For exploring more A and B-rated home improvement stocks, <a href="https://stocknews.com/category/home-improvement-goods/">click here</a>.
What To Do Next?
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<hr />
AYI shares were trading at $324.02 per share on Wednesday morning, up $2.05 (+0.64%). Year-to-date, AYI has gained 10.92%, versus a 0.68% rise in the benchmark S&amp;P 500 index during the same period.
<hr><div style="clear:both;"></div> <h2>About the Author: Rjkumari Saxena</h2> <img src='https:/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Rajkumari-Saxena_Image-1.jpeg' style="float:left; padding:5px;width:125px;">Rajkumari started her career as a writer but gradually shifted her focus to financial journalism, leveraging her educational background in Commerce. Fascinated by the interplay of business and economic shifts in equities, she aspires to evolve as an analyst. With a knack for simplifying complex financial concepts, her mission is to empower investors with insights that lead to profitable decisions.<a href="https://stocknews.com/authors/?author=rajkumari-saxena">More...</a>The post <a href=https://stocknews.com/news/ayi-scs-hni-kgfhy-should-acuity-brands-be-your-next-investment-in-lighting-solutions/>Should Acuity Brands Be Your Next Investment in Lighting Solutions?</a> appeared first on <a href=https://stocknews.com/>StockNews.com</a>

Should Acuity Brands Be Your Next Investment in Lighting Solutions?

Vulcan Value Partners Q4 2024 Letter

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Press Releases

Acuity Brands Reports Fiscal 2024 Fourth-Quarter and Full-Year Results

Acuity Announces Agreement to Acquire QSC, LLC

QSC, LLC to Be Acquired by Acuity Brands

Acuity Brands to Announce Fiscal 2025 First-Quarter Results on January 9, 2025

Acuity Brands Announces 2024 EarthLIGHT Report

Acuity Brands Moves Announcement of Fiscal 2025 First-Quarter Results to January 8, 2025 in Observance of the National Day of Mourning of Former President Jimmy Carter

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