Acuity Brands, Inc. announced unaudited consolidated earnings results for the first quarter ended November 30, 2015. For the quarter, the company's net sales were $736.6 million compared with $647.4 million a year ago. Operating profit was $112.4 million compared with $86.7 million a year ago. Income before provision for income taxes was $105.2 million compared with $79.7 million a year ago. Net income was $68.4 million or $1.57 per diluted share compared with $51.1 million or $1.17 per diluted share a year ago. Net cash provided by operating activities was $51.1 million compared with $46.7 million a year ago. Purchases of property, plant, and equipment were $23.1 million compared with $18.5 million a year ago. Adjusted operating profit (Non-GAAP) was $117.1 million compared with $96.7 million a year ago. Adjusted net income (Non-GAAP) was $71.7 million or $1.65 diluted per share compared with $57.4 million or $1.32 diluted per share a year ago. The company recorded special pretax charges of $400,000 this quarter and $10 million in the year-ago quarter associated with certain streamlining actions to lower cost structure in certain areas.

The company expects the effective tax rate for fiscal year 2016 to be 35.5% before any discrete items and if the rates in taxing jurisdictions remain generally consistent throughout the year. The company currently expect to spend approximately 2.5% of revenues in capital expenditures in fiscal year 2016.