Acuity Inc. research snapshot

AYI AI Stock Analysis

AYI AI stock analysis currently reads Acuity Inc. as a profitable industrial technology company whose core lighting franchise funds a faster-growing intelligent spaces platform. AYI closed at $333.11 on July 10, 2026, with a market capitalization near $9.91 billion. FY2025 revenue was $4.35 billion and GAAP net income was $396.6 million. The latest twelve-month data through May 31, 2026 shows revenue of about $4.61 billion, net income of $472.3 million, and free cash flow of $639.4 million. The main question is whether AIS growth and the Q-SYS acquisition can compound without allowing lighting demand, tariffs, construction cycles, or acquisition amortization to dilute returns. This AYI AI stock analysis is an information tool, not investment advice.

Current price

$333.11 at the July 10, 2026 close

Market cap

$9.91 billion using about 29.74 million shares; price times shares variance versus reported market cap is 0.03%

AI score

72 / 100

Rating

Profitable industrial technology company with a strong lighting franchise and faster-growing intelligent spaces, balanced by QSC integration, construction cyclicality, and a full valuation

Trend status

Short-term momentum is weak after the June earnings surge, but price remains above the 200-day average; RSI readings range from oversold to neutral by data feed

Data cutoff (updated weekly)

July 12, 2026

Informational use only. This page is not investment advice.

Research quality check

information Richness
A-level information richness. Acuity has a long public-company history, SEC filings, a current Q3 FY2026 earnings release, multi-source financial statements, detailed segment reporting, management disclosures, and broad industrial peer coverage.
bias Check
The main AI bias risk is treating AIS growth and the QSC acquisition as proof of a durable software transformation. The research still tests ABL cyclicality, price competition, tariffs, integration costs, goodwill and intangible risk, construction demand, and the possibility that a good business is already fairly valued.
ai Confidence
High for reported financials, share-count math, valuation ratios, segment results, and the Q3 balance sheet because company and independent financial sources align. Medium for technical signals because current providers show material differences in the 50-day average and RSI. Medium for three-year scenarios because they depend on QSC execution and normalized industrial demand.
investment Certainty
Medium. Acuity has a profitable core, strong cash generation, recognized brands, and a credible intelligent-spaces platform. Investment certainty is lower than data confidence because the growth story includes a large acquisition and the stock is not priced at a clear distressed valuation.

Quick verdict table

DimensionConclusionConfidence
Business qualityCustomers pay for reliable lighting, lighting controls, building management, and audio-video systems that improve energy use, building operations, and user experience. ABL remains the cash-generating base while AIS expands the addressable product set.High
MoatThe moat is built from brand breadth, independent sales agencies, distributor and integrator relationships, installed controls, product know-how, and the Q-SYS, Distech, and Atrius platforms. It is a practical industrial moat, not a pure network-effect moat.Medium-high
ManagementNeil Ashe has led Acuity as CEO since 2020 and Chairman since 2021, with a strategy centered on electronics, data, controls, and selective acquisitions. The $1.24 billion QSC deal and continued buybacks make integration returns the key capital-allocation test.Medium
Financial trendFY2025 revenue rose 13.1% to $4.35 billion, but GAAP net income fell 6.2% to $396.6 million. TTM revenue, net income, and free cash flow improved to about $4.61 billion, $472.3 million, and $639.4 million through May 31, 2026.High
ValuationAt $333.11, AYI trades near 22.12x TTM earnings, 2.15x sales, 16.34x free cash flow, and 13.81x EV to EBITDA. The price is reasonable only if AIS growth, QSC integration, and cash conversion remain durable.Medium
Technical trendPrice remains above the 200-day moving-average area near $321 to $323 but below the detailed July 8 50-day reading near $356.52. Pivot support is near $328 to $331, while $333 to $336 is the first resistance band.Medium-low
Risk levelMaterial risks include commercial construction weakness, aggressive pricing, tariffs and input costs, QSC integration, goodwill or intangible impairment, cyber incidents in connected systems, and competition from larger industrial and software companies.High
AI confidenceData confidence is high for the reported business and financial record. Forecast confidence is medium because the next phase depends on acquired technology, integration discipline, and the timing of a cyclical lighting recovery.High for data
Investment certaintyAYI looks like a quality industrial compounder candidate with execution risk, not a low-uncertainty utility or a deep-value situation. The thesis needs both AIS growth and continued ABL cash generation.Medium

AYI AI stock forecast

AYI AI Stock Forecast Scenarios

The AYI AI stock forecast uses scenario ranges rather than a single target price. A three-year model using TTM EPS of $15.06, annual EPS growth of 10%, 6%, and -5%, and terminal P/E multiples of 24x, 20x, and 14x produced audited reference values of $481.10, $358.70, and $180.80. These calculations are valuation scenarios, not promises. The base case assumes AIS keeps growing, QSC integration remains productive, ABL stays broadly stable, and free cash flow remains healthy.

Bullish case

$450 to $500

More likely if AIS sustains double-digit growth with stable or improving margins, Q-SYS and other platforms gain share, ABL returns to steady organic growth, QSC integration beats the acquisition assumptions, and the market supports about 24x earnings.

Base case

$340 to $380

More likely if AIS growth moderates but remains positive, ABL is flat to low growth, QSC contributes as planned, free cash flow stays near the current run rate, and normalized EPS compounds near 6% with a 20x terminal multiple.

Bearish case

$160 to $220

More likely if construction and retrofit demand weaken, ABL faces sustained price pressure, AIS growth slows, tariffs and integration costs compress margins, or goodwill and acquired-intangible charges signal that QSC returns are below plan.

AYI AI technical analysis

AYI AI Technical Analysis

AYI technical analysis is based on data around the July 12, 2026 cutoff. AYI closed at $333.11 on July 10 after a sharp post-earnings move and subsequent pullback. Price is above the 200-day moving-average area near $320.95 to $322.50, but below the July 8 Investing.com 50-day reading near $356.52. StockAnalysis reported a different 50-day reading near $308.13 and RSI near 52.38, while Investing.com reported RSI near 28.89. Treat the moving-average and RSI inputs as a range because the providers are not refreshing on the same basis.

LevelValueWhy it matters
Current price$333.11StockAnalysis reported the July 10, 2026 NYSE close. Market data is not live on this static page.
Immediate support$328.17 to $330.81Investing.com July 8 classic pivot supports S3 through S1 sit below the latest close.
200-day support$320.95 to $322.50Investing.com and StockAnalysis place the long-term moving-average area near this band. A sustained close below it weakens the intermediate trend.
First resistance$333.45 to $336.09Investing.com July 8 pivot resistance levels form the first test above the July 10 close.
50-day moving averageAbout $308.13 to $356.52 by providerStockAnalysis showed about $308.13 while Investing.com showed about $356.52. The gap is a material source limitation, so do not treat either print as exact without a refreshed chart.
200-day moving averageAbout $320.95 to $322.50Both feeds place this longer trend reference below the latest close.
MomentumRSI about 28.89 to 52.38 by providerInvesting.com showed oversold RSI near 28.89 on July 8, while StockAnalysis showed neutral RSI near 52.38. Momentum is therefore not a single-source signal.
VolumeAbout 500,656 shares average over 20 daysStockAnalysis volume statistics provide the average-volume reference. A breakout should be checked against current session volume.
VolatilityBeta 1.28; ATR(14) about $4.84 on July 8StockAnalysis reported beta 1.28 and Investing.com reported ATR(14) near $4.84. Price can move materially around earnings and macro data.
Higher resistance$356 to $380The detailed 50-day reference and StockAnalysis 52-week high near $380.17 create the next supply zone if price reclaims the pivot band.
InvalidationSustained close below $320This research framework treats a decisive break below the 200-day area as an invalidation of the constructive intermediate trend, subject to confirmation from business data.

AYI AI trading strategy

AYI AI Trading Strategy Framework

The AYI AI trading strategy below is a rules-based research framework, not personal advice. It connects price levels with AIS growth, ABL demand, QSC integration, free cash flow, acquisition amortization, tariffs, construction indicators, and the company balance sheet.

Trend-following setup

Watch for price to hold the $321 to $331 support area, reclaim $333 to $336, and then challenge the $356 to $380 zone with stronger volume while AIS margins and ABL sales remain stable. A setup is stronger when QSC integration metrics improve without a new balance-sheet strain.

A sustained close below $320, weaker AIS growth, a sharp ABL order slowdown, or evidence of margin pressure should lower trend-following confidence.

Mean-reversion setup

If AYI pulls back toward the 200-day area without a deterioration in QSC performance, cash conversion, or end-market demand, compare the price with the $340 to $380 base range and the $160 to $220 bear range before treating weakness as attractive.

Do not treat a lower multiple as sufficient if a construction slowdown, price competition, tariff burden, or acquisition impairment is reducing normalized earnings power.

Fundamental monitor

Track ABL organic sales, AIS sales and operating margin, Q-SYS growth, QSC integration costs, gross margin, operating margin, free cash flow, capital expenditures, net debt, repurchases, dividends, construction activity, and tariff or commodity commentary.

Keep the framework sized for an industrial cycle and an acquisition integration. Data confidence does not remove the risk of multiple contraction or a permanent change in the earnings base.

Investment research summary

Four-master Research Compression

Business essence

Customers pay Acuity to make physical spaces more useful, efficient, and controllable. ABL sells luminaires, electronics, and controls through sales agencies, distributors, retailers, corporate accounts, and OEM channels. AIS adds building management, software, and Q-SYS audio-video-control solutions, with a larger share of growth coming from acquired and connected technology.

Moat

Acuity has a broad brand portfolio, a large distribution and independent-agent network, manufacturing scale, installed controls, and application knowledge. AIS adds software, systems integration, and Q-SYS technology. Switching costs are meaningful when controls and building workflows are embedded, but hardware can be price competitive and global manufacturers can bundle products and services.

Munger risk inversion

The thesis fails if ABL becomes a lower-return lighting supplier, construction demand contracts, competitors force price concessions, tariffs and raw materials absorb pricing, or AIS growth depends too heavily on acquisitions. QSC cost and revenue assumptions could disappoint, while goodwill, acquired technology, and customer relationships create impairment risk if returns fall short.

Management

Neil Ashe has led the company since 2020 after senior roles at Walmart, CBS Interactive, and CNET. The record shows a clear move from traditional luminaires toward electronics, data, controls, and intelligent spaces. QSC was purchased for about $1.24 billion, while the company also repurchased about $230 million of stock in the first nine months of FY2026. The test is whether this capital allocation raises durable per-share cash earnings.

Industry trend

The long-term trend favors solid-state lighting, embedded controls, energy efficiency, intelligent buildings, sustainability reporting, and integrated audio-video and building systems. Demand still depends on new construction, renovation, retrofit, building occupancy, credit, interest rates, tariffs, and commodity costs. Acuity does not provide one independently auditable TAM figure, so the page avoids inventing one.

Valuation and margin of safety

At $333.11, AYI is priced near the audited base scenario and well above the bear case. The 22.12x TTM P/E and 16.34x P/FCF are supportable if AIS growth and QSC returns compound, but they leave less room for an earnings reset than a distressed industrial multiple would. Margin of safety depends on cash conversion and execution, not on the lighting brand alone.

Source-backed data

AYI Data Table

Every metric below includes a source and last verification date.

MetricValueSourceLast verified
AYI quote and market cap$333.11 close on July 10, 2026; reported market cap about $9.91 billionStockAnalysis AYI overview and statisticsJuly 12, 2026
Market cap verification$333.11 x 29.74 million shares = about $9.91 billion; financial_rigor.py deviation 0.03%Pineify financial_rigor.py and StockAnalysisJuly 12, 2026
Shares outstanding cross-checkStockAnalysis reported 29.74 million shares on July 10, 2026; the SEC FY2025 10-K reported 30.61 million shares on October 23, 2025. The 1.45% difference reflects different dates and share activity.StockAnalysis statistics and SEC FY2025 Form 10-KJuly 12, 2026
FY2025 financialsRevenue $4.346 billion, gross margin 47.8%, operating profit $563.9 million, net income $396.6 million, diluted EPS $12.53SEC FY2025 Form 10-K and StockAnalysis financialsJuly 12, 2026
TTM financials through May 31, 2026Revenue $4.607 billion, net income $472.3 million, EPS $15.06, free cash flow $639.4 millionStockAnalysis TTM financial statements and SEC TTM bridgeJuly 12, 2026
Q3 FY2026 resultsNet sales $1.198 billion, GAAP operating profit $193.3 million, net income $141.0 million, diluted EPS $4.56, adjusted diluted EPS $5.31Acuity Q3 FY2026 earnings release and SEC Exhibit 99.1July 12, 2026
Segment revenue mixFY2025 ABL revenue $3.612 billion, about 83.1% of total; AIS revenue $764.3 million, about 17.6%. QSC contributed $428.6 million to FY2025 AIS sales.SEC FY2025 Form 10-K segment resultsJuly 12, 2026
Q3 FY2026 segment trendNine-month ABL sales $2.618 billion, down 1.2%; nine-month AIS sales $809.0 million, up 58.9%. Q3 AIS sales rose 14.9% while Q3 ABL sales fell 1.9%.Acuity Q3 FY2026 earnings releaseJuly 12, 2026
Cash, debt, and liquidityCash $411.9 million and long-term debt $697.3 million at May 31, 2026; StockAnalysis reports total debt $804.3 million including lease obligations and net debt about $392.4 million.Acuity Q3 FY2026 release and StockAnalysis balance sheetJuly 12, 2026
Free cash flow and capital allocationFY2025 free cash flow about $533.0 million; nine-month FY2026 free cash flow $461.7 million; nine-month FY2026 repurchases about $230 million.Acuity Q3 FY2026 release and StockAnalysis cash flow statementJuly 12, 2026
Valuation snapshotTTM P/E 22.12x, P/S 2.15x, P/FCF 16.34x, PB 3.66x, EV/EBITDA 13.81x, FCF yield 6.12%, dividend yield 0.24%.StockAnalysis statistics and Pineify financial_rigor.pyJuly 12, 2026
Management and QSC acquisitionNeil Ashe has been CEO since 2020 and Chairman since 2021. Acuity acquired QSC for cash consideration of about $1.2407 billion on January 1, 2025.Acuity leadership biography and SEC FY2025 Form 10-KJuly 12, 2026
Industry and risk contextAddressable markets include luminaires, lighting and HVAC controls, audio-video systems, and building technology. Demand is affected by construction, retrofit, interest rates, tariffs, energy costs, commodities, and competition.SEC FY2025 Form 10-K business and risk factorsJuly 12, 2026
Technical indicatorsStockAnalysis: 50-day average about $308.13, 200-day average about $322.50, RSI 52.38, beta 1.28. Investing.com on July 8: 50-day average $356.52, 200-day average $320.95, RSI 28.89, ATR(14) $4.84.StockAnalysis statistics and Investing.com AYI technical pageJuly 12, 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

This AYI AI stock analysis is an informational research tool only and is not investment advice, tax advice, or a recommendation to buy or sell any security. Forecast scenarios use public data and explicit assumptions as of July 12, 2026, and can be wrong if Acuity execution, lighting demand, intelligent-spaces growth, QSC integration, tariffs, competition, regulation, cash flow, or market valuation changes.