Acuity Brands

2017 Annual Report

2017 Financial Highlights

(in millions of dollars, except earnings per share)

for the year ended August 31

Operations 
2017(1)
2016(2)
% Change 
Net sales $3,505.1 $3,291.3 6%
Gross profit % 42.3% 43.6%  
Operating profit $518.8 $475.2 9%
Operating profit % 14.8% 14.4%  
Net Income $321.7 $290.8 11%
Diluted earnings per share $7.43 $6.63 12%
Diluted weighted average number of shares outstanding
(in millions)		 43.3 43.8  
Return on average shareholders’ equity 19.2% 19.3% (1%)
Cash provided by operating activities $316.2 $345.7 (9%)
Depreciation and amortization $74.6 $62.6 19%
Capital expenditures $67.3 $83.7 (20%)
Financial Position 
2017(1)
2016(2)
% Change
Total assets $2,900 $2,948 (2%)
Total cash $311 $413 (25%)
Total debt $357 $355 1%
Total stockholders’ equity $1,666 $1,660 0%
Ratio of total debt to capital 17.6% 17.6%  
Operating working capital as a percentage of net sales(3) 14.5% 14.2%  

(1) 2017 results include pre-tax special charges associated with streamlining initiatives of $11.3 million, pre-tax amortization of acquired intangible assets of $28.0 million, pre-tax share-based payment expense of $32.0 million, and pre-tax costs associated with manufacturing inefficiencies associated with the closing of a facility of $1.6 million, and gain on sale of investment in an unconsolidated affiliate of $7.2 million, totaling $1.02 per share.

(2) 2016 results include pre-tax special charges associated with streamlining initiatives of $15.0 million, pre-tax amortization of acquired intangible assets of $21.4 million, pre-tax share-based payment expense of $27.7 million, pre-tax acquisition-related items of $10.8 million, and pre-tax impairment of intangible asset of $5.1 million, totaling $1.21 per share.

(3) Operating working capital is defined as net receivables plus inventories minus accounts payable.

Revenues ($ in millions)

$2,089

$2,394

$2,707

$3,291

$3,505

’13
’14
’15
’16
’17

Diluted EPS  

$2.95

$4.05

$5.09

$6.63

$7.43

’13
’14
’15
’16
’17

Operating Profit ($ in millions)

$221.5

10.6%

$299.1

12.5%

$376.3

13.9%

$475.2

14.4%

$518.8

14.8%

’13
’14
’15
’16
’17

Free Cash Flow ($ in millions)

$91.7

$197.8

$232.4

$262.0

$248.9

’13
’14
’15
’16
’17

Margins

Free Cash Flow is defined as cash provided by operating
activities minus purchases of property, plant, and equipment.

5-Year Cumulative Total Return*

Among Acuity Brands, Inc., the S&P 500 Index, the Dow Jones US Electrical Components & Equipment Index,
and the Dow Jones US Building Materials & Fixtures Index

Acuity Brands, Inc.

Dow Jones US Electrical Components & Equipment Index

S&P 500 Index

Dow Jones US Building Materials & Fixtures Index

  8/12 8/13 8/14 8/15 8/16 8/17
Acuity Brands, Inc. $100 $134 $195 $308 $436 $281
S&P 500 Index $100 $119 $149 $149 $168 $195
Dow Jones US Electrical Components & Equipment Index $100 $125 $156 $141 $161 $201
Dow Jones US Building Materials & Fixtures Index $100 $127 $159 $183 $228 $239

*Assumes $100 invested on August 31, 2012 in stock or index, including reinvestment of dividends.