UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

 

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 11-K

Annual Report Pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

(Mark One)

þ		ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934.

o		TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934.

Commission file number 001- 16583

A.		Full title of the plans and the address of the plans, if different from that of the Issuer named below:
		Acuity Brands, Inc. 401(k) Plan Acuity Brands Lighting, Inc. 401(k) Plan for Hourly Employees Holophane Division of Acuity Brands Lighting 401(k) Plan for Hourly Employees Holophane Division of Acuity Brands Lighting 401(k) Plan for Hourly Employees Covered by a Collective Bargaining Agreement
B.		Name of issuer of the securities held pursuant to the plans and the address of the Principal executive office:
		Acuity Brands, Inc. 1170 Peachtree Street, NE Suite 2400 Atlanta, Georgia 30309

 

REQUIRED INFORMATION

The following documents are filed as part of this report:

1.		Audited Financial Statements Plan financial statements prepared in accordance with the financial reporting requirements of ERISA including the following: Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits as of December 31, 2010 and 2009 Statements of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits for the Year Ended December 31, 2010 Notes to Financial Statements Supplemental Schedule
2.		Exhibits The following exhibit is filed with this report: Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the trustees (or other persons who administer the employee benefit plan) have duly caused this annual report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

Acuity Brands, Inc.

Selected 401(k) and Retirement Plans

Audited Financial Statements and Supplemental Schedule

At December 31, 2010 and 2009 and for the year ended December 31, 2010

Contents

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm			1
Audited Financial Statements
Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits			2
Statements of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits			4
Notes to Financial Statements			5
Supplemental Schedule
Schedule of Assets (Held at End of Year)			19
Exhibit Index			20
EX-23.1

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Members of the Investment Committee

Acuity Brands, Inc. Selected 401(k) and Retirement Plans

We have audited the accompanying statements of net assets available for benefits of Acuity Brands, Inc. 401(k) Plan, Acuity Brands Lighting, Inc. 401(k) Plan for Hourly Employees, Holophane Division of Acuity Brands Lighting 401(k) Plan for Hourly Employees, and Holophane Division of Acuity Brands Lighting 401(k) Plan for Hourly Employees Covered by a Collective Bargaining Agreement as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, and the related statements of changes in net assets available for benefits for the year ended December 31, 2010. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Plans’ management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Plans’ internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Plans’ internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the net assets available for benefits of the Plans at December 31, 2010 and 2009, and the changes in the net assets available for benefits for the year ended December 31, 2010, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Our audits were performed for the purpose of forming an opinion on the financial statements taken as a whole. The accompanying schedule of assets (held at end of year) as of December 31, 2010 is presented for purposes of additional analysis and is not a required part of the financial statements but is supplementary information required by the Department of Labor’s Rules and Regulations for Reporting and Disclosure under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. This supplemental schedule is the responsibility of the Plans’ management. The supplemental schedule has been subjected to the auditing procedures applied in our audits of the financial statements and, in our opinion, is fairly stated in all material respects in relation to the financial statements taken as a whole.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

 

Atlanta, Georgia
June 28, 2011

Acuity Brands, Inc. Selected 401(k) and Retirement Plans

Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits

December 31, 2010

																		Holophane Division
																		of Acuity Brands
																		Lighting 401(k) Plan
										Acuity Brands				Holophane Division				for Hourly Employees
										Lighting, Inc.				of Acuity Brands				Covered by a
		Filing				Acuity Brands,				401(k) Plan for				Lighting 401(k) Plan				Collective Bargaining
		Plan				Inc. 401(k) Plan				Hourly Employees				for Hourly Employees				Agreement
		No.				033				067				069				070
Assets:
Plan Interest in Acuity DC Trust at fair value						$	183,507,306			$	2,934,729			$	4,476,833			$	16,632,283
Receivables:
Employer contributions							216,323				1,129				1,858				10,890
Participant contributions							442,061				8,920				4,187				14,319
Notes receivable from participants							2,264,917				96,421				41,124				592,357
Total assets							186,430,607				3,041,199				4,524,002				17,249,849
Liabilities:
Excess contributions payable							—				—				—				—
Total liabilities							—				—				—				—
Net Assets at fair value							186,430,607				3,041,199				4,524,002				17,249,849
Valuation adjustment *							(1,873,237	)			(29,702	)			(69,731	)			(394,850	)
Net assets available for benefit						$	184,557,370			$	3,011,497			$	4,454,271			$	16,854,999
Plan interest percentage in Acuity DC Trust							88.4	%			1.4	%			2.1	%			8.1	%

See accompanying notes.

Acuity Brands, Inc. Selected 401(k) and Retirement Plans

Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits

December 31, 2009

																		Holophane Division
																		of Acuity Brands
																		Lighting 401(k) Plan
										Acuity Brands				Holophane Division				for Hourly Employees
										Lighting, Inc.				of Acuity Brands				Covered by a
		Filing				Acuity Brands,				401(k) Plan for				Lighting 401(k) Plan				Collective Bargaining
		Plan				Inc. 401(k) Plan				Hourly Employees				for Hourly Employees				Agreement
		No.				033				067				069				070
Assets:
Plan Interest in Acuity DC Trust at fair value							164,610,359				2,177,900				6,377,280				16,223,585
Receivables:
Employer contributions							59,052				388				553				6,445
Participant contributions							27,298				5,199				1,222				8,097
Notes receivable from participants							1,986,860				73,684				89,008				671,209
Total assets							166,683,569				2,257,171				6,468,063				16,909,336
Liabilities:
Excess contributions payable							146,360				—				—				—
Total liabilities							146,360				—				—				—
Net Assets at fair value							166,537,210				2,257,171				6,468,063				16,909,336
Valuation adjustment *							(1,082,355	)			(18,653	)			(58,606	)			(241,866	)
Net assets available for benefit						$	165,454,855			$	2,238,518			$	6,409,457			$	16,667,470
Plan interest percentage in Acuity DC Trust							86.7	%			1.2	%			3.4	%			8.7	%

See accompanying notes.

Acuity Brands, Inc. Selected 401(k) and Retirement Plans

Statements of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits

Year Ended December 31, 2010

																		Holophane Division
																		of Acuity Brands
																		Lighting 401(k) Plan
														Holophane Division				for Hourly
										Acuity Brands				of Acuity Brands				Employees Covered
										Lighting, Inc. 401(k)				Lighting 401(k) Plan				by a Collective
		Filing				Acuity Brands, Inc.				Plan for Hourly				for Hourly				Bargaining
		Plan				401(k) Plan				Employees				Employees				Agreement
		No.				033				067				069				070
Additions:
Net investment gain from Acuity DC Trust						$	23,285,038			$	363,415			$	598,503			$	1,615,495
Contributions:
Employer							3,587,281				25,698				33,916				273,929
Participant							9,417,497				311,657				72,593				356,956
Transfer from other qualified plan							1,773,820				630,357				—				—
Total additions							38,063,636				1,331,127				705,012				2,246,380
Deductions:
Benefit payments							19,056,918				536,374				2,633,447				2,011,579
Total deductions							19,056,918				536,374				2,633,447				2,011,579
Plan transfers in (out), net							95,797				(21,774	)			(26,751	)			(47,272	)
Net increase							19,102,515				772,979				(1,955,186	)			187,529
Net assets available for benefits:
January 1, 2010							165,454,855				2,238,518				6,409,457				16,667,470
December 31, 2010						$	184,557,370			$	3,011,497			$	4,454,271			$	16,854,999

See accompanying notes.

Acuity Brands, Inc. Selected 401(k) and Retirement Plans

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2010

1. Description of the Plans

General

The financial positions of Acuity Brands, Inc. 401(k) Plan, Acuity Brands Lighting, Inc. 401(k) Plan for Hourly Employees, Holophane Division of Acuity Brands Lighting 401(k) Plan for Hourly Employees, and Holophane Division of Acuity Brands Lighting 401(k) Plan for Hourly Employees Covered by a Collective Bargaining Agreement (collectively, the “Plans”) are included in the accompanying financial statements. The investment assets of the Plans are included in the Acuity Brands, Inc. Defined Contribution Plans Master Trust (the “Acuity DC Trust”). The Plans are subject to the provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”).

Employer matching amounts are allocated in accordance with the participant’s current investment elections for elective deferrals at the time the match is funded.

Effective July 1, 2010, the assets of the Sensor Switch 401(k) Plan were merged into the Acuity Brands, Inc. 401(k) Plan and the Acuity Brands Lighting, Inc. 401(k) Plan for Hourly Employees. Employees of Sensor Switch, Inc. became eligible on September 1, 2009 to participate in the plans in accordance with the terms of the respective plans.

Refer to the respective summary plan description or plan agreement for additional information about the Plans’ eligibility, funding, allocation, vesting, and benefit provisions.

Eligibility and Forfeitures

Each of the Plans is a defined contribution plan. The Plans cover substantially all domestic salaried, commissioned, union and non-union hourly employees of Acuity Brands, Inc. and its subsidiaries (“Acuity Brands” or “the Company”). Employees of certain unions who have elected not to participate in such Plans and foreign employees of the Company are not eligible to participate.

Employees have immediate eligibility upon attaining the age requirement of each respective plan. The Plans further provide that forfeitures of Company contributions may be used to pay plan administrative expenses or reduce future Company contributions.

In the event of the cessation of operation of a plant, or the discontinuance of a component of the Company’s business, plan participants shall automatically become fully vested in Employer contributions upon termination.

Participant Loans

Participants may borrow the lesser of 50% of their vested balance or $50,000 (reduced by the excess of the participant’s highest outstanding loan balance from the twelve months prior to the loan request). Participants agree to loan repayment terms upon endorsement of the borrowed funds. Only one outstanding general-purpose loan and one residence loan, a loan issued for the purchase of a primary residence, are permitted during a calendar year. The Holophane Division of Acuity Brands Lighting 401(k) Plan for Hourly Employees and the Holophane Division of Acuity Brands Lighting 401(k) Plan for Hourly Employees Covered by a Collective Bargaining Agreement are the only Plans which allow for residential loans.

Loan repayments must be substantially equal in amount over the term of the loan and must be made by payroll deduction on an after-tax basis. General-purpose loans must be repaid within five years, and residential loans must be repaid within ten years.

Loan repayments may be suspended, at the discretion of the Company, for a period of not more than twelve months if a participant is on unpaid leave of absence, disability, or military service. Upon return, the loan will be amortized over the initial loan repayment period.

Administration

Administration of the Plans is the responsibility of the Company’s Investment Committee, members of which are designated by the Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Acuity Brands, Inc. All administrative expenses of the Plans were paid by either the Company or plan forfeitures during the year ended December 31, 2010.

Acuity Brands, Inc. Selected 401(k) and Retirement Plans

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

1. Description of the Plans (continued)

Plan Termination

Although the Company intends for the Plans to be permanent, the Plan agreements provide the Company the right to discontinue contributions or to terminate the Plans at any time.

In the event of a plan termination, each respective participant shall be 100% vested in the balance of his/her account and his/her proportionate share of any future adjustments or forfeitures.

In October 2008, the Company announced the planned closures of the Austin, Texas, and Utica, Ohio, facilities. The Utica, Ohio, closure was completed in 2009. The Austin, Texas, closure has been delayed and is now anticipated to occur by September 2011. As a result, the Holophane Division of Acuity Brands Lighting 401(k) Plan for Hourly Employees incurred a partial plan termination. The partial plan termination will cause any unvested accounts of participants affected by the partial plan termination to become fully vested and nonforfeitable.

In October 2008, the Company announced a staff reduction of the IBEW union employees at the Holophane Newark, Ohio facility. The staff reduction began and completed in 2009. As a result, the Holophane Division of Acuity Brands Lighting 401(k) Plan for Hourly Employees Covered by a Collective Bargaining Agreement incurred a partial Plan termination following the staff reduction. The partial plan termination caused any unvested accounts of the IBEW employees affected by the termination to become fully vested and nonforfeitable.

Investment in Parties-In-Interest Common Stock

As of December 31, 2010 and 2009, the percentage of the Acuity DC Trust’s net assets invested in the common stock of Acuity Brands, Inc. was 3.8% and 2.9% respectively.

Acuity Brands, Inc. Selected 401(k) and Retirement Plans

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

Funding Policy

The basis for determining participant (pre-tax) and Company contributions is as follows:

		Participant
Plan Name		Contributions		Employer Contributions
Acuity Brands, Inc. 401(k) Plan		1% to 50% of compensation		Matching contribution of 60% of the first 6% of participant compensation.
				Supplemental contributions for employees who on December 31, 2002 were active participants in the Acuity Brands, Inc. Pension Plan, which was frozen on that date are made at the end of each plan year to eligible participants who are non-highly compensated employees and who are employed on the last day of the plan year.
				Effective June 1, 2006, automatic enrollment was implemented for all new hires at 3% deferral.
Acuity Brands Lighting, Inc. 401(k) Plan for Hourly Employees		1% to 25% of compensation		Plan provides that the matching contribution for hourly employees of Hydrel will be equal to 25% of the first 15% of a participant’s contributions and for hourly employees of Sensor Switch Inc will be equal to 60% of the first 6% of participant’s contributions.
				Teamsters Local Union 673 — Midwest Regional Warehouse employees received an employer contribution equal to $.16 per hour worked in 2010 regardless of whether they made participant deferrals to the plan.   Employees at all other locations participating in the plan do not receive an employer contribution.
Holophane Division of Acuity Brands Lighting 401(k) Plan for Hourly Employees		1% to 60% of compensation		Employees of Utica, Ohio hired on or after December 1, 2001 — 60% of participant contribution up to 6% of compensation. Employees of Utica, Ohio hired before December 1, 2001 — 33% of participant contribution up to 6% of compensation.
				Employees of Metal Optics — 50% of participant contribution up to 6% of compensation.
				All other employees of Holophane — 33% of participant contribution up to 6% of compensation, plus a discretionary basic contribution of 5% of annual compensation.

Acuity Brands, Inc. Selected 401(k) and Retirement Plans

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

Funding Policy (continued)

		Participant
Plan Name		Contributions		Employer Contributions
Holophane Division of Acuity Brands Lighting 401(k) Plan for Hourly Employees Covered by a Collective Bargaining Agreement		1% to 25% of compensation		IBEW Local 1853 — Effective April 1, 2003 the basic additional contribution was increased to 5% of annual compensation. Participating employees hired prior to December 16, 2001 receive match of 30% of the first 5% of compensation, plus basic 5% of annual compensation. Participating employees hired on or after December 16, 2001 receive a matching contribution of 50% of the first 6% of compensation.
				USW Local Nos. 4, 105 and 525 — Effective August 6, 2007, for participating employees hired prior to August 5, 2002, 30% of the first 6% of compensation. Additional basic contribution of 5% of annual compensation. Participating employees hired on or after August 5, 2002 receive a matching contribution of 60% of the first 6% of participant deferrals. Prior to August 6, 2007, for participating employees hired prior to August 5, 2002, 25% of the first 6% of compensation. Additional basic contribution of 5% of annual compensation. Participating employees hired on or after August 5, 2002 receive a matching contribution of 50% of the first 6% of compensation.

Acuity Brands, Inc. Selected 401(k) and Retirement Plans

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

2. Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Accounting

The accounts of the Plans are maintained by the trustee, Merrill Lynch National Trust Company, on the cash basis of accounting. The accompanying financial statements have been prepared using the accrual method of accounting.

Investments

The investments in the Acuity DC Trust are subject to certain administrative guidelines and limitations as to the type and amount of securities held. Fund assets are allocated to selected independent investment managers to invest under these guidelines.

Investments of the Acuity DC Trust are stated at fair value. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (an exit price). Please see Notes 3 and 8 for further discussion of fair value measurements.

The Acuity DC Trust holds investments in synthetic guaranteed investment contracts (“synthetic GICs” or “wrap contracts”) as part of the Stable Value Fund. The synthetic GICs each hold a diversified portfolio of investment contracts backed by high-quality bonds, including corporate bonds, mortgage-backed securities, asset-backed securities, government securities, or units of collective trust funds holding corporate and government bonds. Bonds or units of collective trust funds are held in the name of the Acuity DC Trust. The synthetic GICs or wrap contracts have features that provide for variable interest crediting rates which are credited to the contract value of the contracts’ underlying holdings. As required by Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 946, Financial Services—Investment Companies, (“ASC 946”) and ASC 962, Plan Accounting—Defined Contribution Pension Plans, (“ASC 962”), the investments in synthetic GICs deemed to be fully benefit responsive are presented at fair value on the Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits in the row Plan Interest in Acuity DC Trust. An adjustment row has also been included in the Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits so that the ending values of the synthetic GICs are recorded at contract value in the Net Assets Available for Benefits.

Contract value represents contributions made under the contract, plus earnings, less member withdrawals and administrative expenses. Members may ordinarily direct the withdrawal and transfer of all or a portion of their investment at contract value. The crediting interest rate is based on a mutually agreed upon formula that resets on a monthly basis depending on the performance of the underlying investments being managed. The minimum crediting rate is 0%.

Certain events limit the ability of the Plans to transact at contract value with the issuer. These events include, but are not limited to, the following: (1) amendments to the Plan documents that materially and adversely affect the risk borne by the contract issuer, unless otherwise approved by the issuer, (2) bankruptcy of the Plans’ sponsor or other Plans’ sponsor events which cause a significant withdrawal from the Plans, or (3) the failure of the Acuity DC Trust to qualify for exemption from federal income taxes or any required prohibited transaction exemption under ERISA. Acuity Brands does not believe that the occurrence of any event limiting the Plans’ ability to transact at contract value with members is probable.

The contract issuers can only terminate the contract under very limited circumstances, such as Acuity Brands or the investment fund managers breaching any of their material obligations under the agreement, or upon completion of specified periods of time following notice periods. Acuity Brands does not believe it is likely that the contracts will be terminated. The average yield of the Stable Value Fund based on actual earnings was approximately 4.23% and 4.32% at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The average yield credited to members reflecting all investments in the Stable Value Fund was approximately 4.06% and 4.18% at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. At December 31, 2010 and 2009, the fair values of the underlying assets of the synthetic GICs were $51,020,340 and $50,266,517, respectively. At December 31, 2010 and 2009, the values of the wrap contracts and book valuation adjustments included in the Acuity DC Trust were ($2,315,844) and ($1,371,983), respectively.

Notes Receivable from Participants

The notes receivable from participants are participant loans in the Acuity DC Trust which are carried at principal amounts outstanding plus accrued but unpaid interest.

Acuity Brands, Inc. Selected 401(k) and Retirement Plans

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

2. Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates, and the differences could be significant.

New Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued FASB Statement No. 165, Subsequent Events, which was codified into ASC 855, Subsequent Events, to provide general standards of accounting for and disclosure of events that occur after the balance sheet date, but before financial statements are issued or are available to be issued. ASC 855 was amended in February 2010. The Plan has adopted ASC 855, as amended.

In January 2010, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2010-06, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (Topic 820) — Improving Disclosures about Fair Value Measurements (“ASU 2010-06”). The updates require new disclosures around transfers into and out of Levels 1 and 2 in the fair value hierarchy and separate disclosures about purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements related to Level 3 measurements. ASU 2010-06 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2009, with early adoption permitted, except for the disclosures about purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements in the rollforward of Level 3 activity. Those disclosures are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2010, and for interim periods within those fiscal years with early adoption permitted. Adoption of ASU 2010-06 did not have a material effect on the Plans’ net assets available for benefits or its changes in net assets available for benefits.

In September 2010, the FASB issued ASU No. 2010-25, Plan Accounting — Defined Contribution Pension Plans (Topic 962) — Reporting Loans to Participants by Defined Contribution Pension Plans (“ASU 2010-25”). The updates to the Codification require that participant loans be classified as notes receivable from participants. ASU 2010-25 should be applied retrospectively to all prior periods presented and is effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2010, with early adoption permitted. Adoption of ASU 2010-25 did not have a material effect on the Plans’ net assets available for benefits or its changes in net assets available for benefits.

In May 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-04, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) — Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs (“ASU 2011-04”), which clarifies the wording and disclosures required in Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 820, Fair Value Measurement (“ASC 820”), to converge with those used (to be used) in International Financial Reporting Standards. The update explains how to measure and disclose fair value under ASC 820. However, the FASB does not expect the changes in this standards update to alter the current application of the requirements in ASC 820. The provisions of ASU 2011-04 are effective for public entities prospectively for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011. Early adoption is prohibited. Therefore, ASU 2011-04 is effective for the Company on January 1, 2012. The Company does not expect ASU 2011-04 to have a material effect on the Plans’ net assets available for benefits or its changes in net assets available for benefits.

3. Acuity DC Trust

The Acuity DC Trust is a collective investment of the assets of participating employee benefit plans of the Company. Trust assets are allocated among participating plans by assigning to each plan those transactions (primarily contributions and benefit payments) which can be specifically identified and distributed among all plans, in proportion to the fair value of the assets assigned to each plan, income and expenses resulting from the collective investment of the assets of the Trust. The fair value of net assets of the Acuity DC Trust is presented below as of December 31, 2010 and 2009.

Acuity Brands, Inc. Selected 401(k) and Retirement Plans

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

3. Acuity DC Trust (continued)

						Plans’ Percentage Interest
		2010				Plan				Plan				Plan				Plan
		Value				No. 033				No. 067				No. 069				No. 070
Mutual Funds
Vanguard S & P Index		$	23,159,415				91.77	%			1.45	%			2.45	%			4.33	%
American Century Equity Income			13,779,609				92.33	%			0.80	%			1.70	%			5.17	%
T. Rowe Price Mid Cap Growth			18,107,156				90.09	%			0.50	%			2.17	%			7.24	%
Templeton Foreign			10,847,065				95.22	%			0.61	%			1.01	%			3.16	%
CRM Mid Cap Value			8,458,864				93.46	%			0.89	%			1.42	%			4.23	%
Vanguard Explorer			8,622,654				88.67	%			1.23	%			2.38	%			7.72	%
T Rowe Price Growth Stock			7,846,219				87.48	%			0.90	%			2.97	%			8.65	%
Northern Small Cap Value			8,107,228				96.05	%			0.56	%			1.12	%			2.27	%
Total Mutual Funds			98,928,210
Self-Directed Brokerage Accounts
Money Market Fund			1,766,068				99.09	%			—	%			—	%			0.91	%
Corporate Bonds			116,338				100.00	%			—	%			—	%			—	%
Mutual Funds			748,324				67.73	%			—	%			—	%			32.27	%
Preferred Stocks			77,735				100.00	%			—	%			—	%			—	%
Common Stocks			3,855,050				92.45	%			—	%			—	%			7.55	%
Total Self-Directed Brokerage Accounts			6,563,515
Common Stock
Acuity Brands Stock			7,701,500				95.60	%			1.52	%			1.00	%			1.88	%
Common/Collective Trusts
Dow Jones Target Today Fund			2,862,701				81.42	%			2.18	%			2.34	%			14.06	%
Dow Jones Target 2025 Fund			14,735,210				91.68	%			3.19	%			1.74	%			3.39	%
Dow Jones Target 2045 Fund			5,567,006				90.14	%			4.35	%			2.97	%			2.54	%
Dow Jones Target 2015 Fund			3,548,503				83.59	%			5.96	%			2.71	%			7.74	%
Dow Jones Target 2035 Fund			6,027,576				88.13	%			3.39	%			3.75	%			4.73	%
SSGA Passive Bond Market			8,477,180				95.85	%			0.71	%			0.83	%			2.61	%
Total Common/Collective Trusts			41,218,176
103-12 Investment Entities
INVESCO Stable Value Fund			53,139,888				79.12	%			1.25	%			2.95	%			16.68	%
Total Investments			207,551,289
Unallocated Cash			4,520
Accrued Investment Income			984
Adjustments for pending trades			18,030
Total Assets			207,574,823
Accrued expenses and other			(23,672	)
Net Assets at fair value			207,551,151
Valuation Adjustment			(2,367,520	)
Net Assets of the Acuity DC Trust		$	205,183,631

Acuity Brands, Inc. Selected 401(k) and Retirement Plans

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

3. Acuity DC Trust (continued)

						Plans’ Percentage Interest
		2009				Plan				Plan				Plan				Plan
		Value				No. 033				No. 067				No. 069				No. 070
Mutual Funds
Vanguard S & P Index		$	20,748,073				90.02	%			1.80	%			3.22	%			4.96	%
American Century Equity Income			13,159,738				90.41	%			0.74	%			3.82	%			5.03	%
T. Rowe Price Mid Cap Growth			15,263,841				88.02	%			0.50	%			3.75	%			7.73	%
Templeton Foreign			10,340,127				93.94	%			0.68	%			2.21	%			3.18	%
CRM Mid Cap Value			8,238,803				93.10	%			0.67	%			2.42	%			3.81	%
Vanguard Explorer			7,068,636				87.90	%			1.12	%			3.42	%			7.56	%
T Rowe Price Growth Stock			7,480,816				87.39	%			0.84	%			3.88	%			7.89	%
Northern Small Cap Value			6,199,163				94.49	%			0.54	%			2.40	%			2.57	%
Total Mutual Funds			88,499,197
Self-Directed Brokerage Accounts
Money Market Fund			2,197,237				99.53	%			—	%			0.21	%			0.26	%
Corporate Bonds			38,015				100.00	%			—	%			—	%			—	%
Mutual Funds			567,145				100.00	%			—	%			—	%			—	%
Preferred Stocks			22,596				100.00	%			—	%			—	%			—	%
Common Stocks			2,974,441				86.68	%			—	%			1.76	%			11.56	%
Total Self-Directed Brokerage Accounts			5,799,434
Common Stock
Acuity Brands Stock			5,468,176				94.64	%			1.31	%			2.34	%			1.71	%
Common/Collective Trusts
Dow Jones Target Today Fund			2,782,558				81.46	%			1.76	%			2.31	%			14.47	%
Dow Jones Target 2025 Fund			13,562,275				91.79	%			1.58	%			2.77	%			3.86	%
Dow Jones Target 2045 Fund			3,780,538				89.83	%			1.05	%			4.70	%			4.42	%
Dow Jones Target 2015 Fund			3,017,293				84.68	%			2.99	%			3.56	%			8.77	%
Dow Jones Target 2035 Fund			5,167,918				87.02	%			1.63	%			5.67	%			5.68	%
SSGA Passive Bond Market			9,145,255				94.73	%			0.94	%			1.91	%			2.42	%
Total Common/Collective Trusts			37,455,837
103-12 Investment Entities
INVESCO Stable Value Fund			52,015,445				77.23	%			1.33	%			4.18	%			17.26	%
Total Investments			189,238,090
Unallocated Cash			69,939
Accrued Investment Income			1,072
Adjustments for pending trades			132,425
Total Assets			189,441,526
Accrued expenses and other			(52,402	)
Net Assets at fair value			189,389,124
Valuation Adjustment			(1,401,480	)
Net Assets of the Acuity DC Trust		$	187,987,644

Acuity Brands, Inc. Selected 401(k) and Retirement Plans

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

3. Acuity DC Trust (continued)

The following investments are the components of the synthetic GICs:

DC Plans Master Trust Stable Value Fund

								2010				2010
				2010				Valuation				Contract
Contract Issuer		Security		Fair Value				Adjustment				Value
103-12 Investment Entities:
ING Life & Annuity		IGT INVESCO Short Term Bond		$	5,697,464			$	(212,098	)		$	5,485,366
Monumental		IGT MxMGR Core			8,012,666				(292,662	)			7,720,004
NATIXIS Capital Markets		IGT INVESCO Short Term Bond			11,924,306				(448,264	)			11,476,042
Pacific Life Insurance		IGT MxMGR Int G/C			19,189,278				(1,182,582	)			18,006,696
Rabobank Nederland		IGT MxMGR Int G/C			—				—				—
State Street Bank		IGT INVESCO Short Term Bond			6,196,626				(231,914	)			5,964,712
Subtotal					51,020,340				(2,367,520	)			48,652,820
Wrap Contracts					51,676				—				51,676
Cash:
State Street Bank		Cash			2,067,872				—				2,067,872
Total				$	53,139,888			$	(2,367,520	)		$	50,772,368

								2009				2009
				2009				Valuation				Contract
Contract Issuer		Security		Fair Value				Adjustment				Value
103-12 Investment Entities:
ING Life & Annuity		IGT INVESCO Short Term Bond		$	5,608,032			$	(122,461	)		$	5,485,571
Monumental		IGT MxMGR Core			7,731,847				(83,303	)			7,648,544
NATIXIS Capital Markets		IGT INVESCO Short Term Bond			12,208,052				(264,958	)			11,943,094
Pacific Life Insurance		IGT MxMGR Int G/C			9,313,007				(390,120	)			8,922,887
Rabobank Nederland		IGT MxMGR Int G/C			9,310,543				(409,108	)			8,901,435
State Street Bank		IGT INVESCO Short Term Bond			6,095,036				(131,530	)			5,963,506
Subtotal					50,266,517				(1,401,480	)			48,865,037
Wrap Contracts					29,497				—				29,497
Cash:
State Street Bank		Cash			1,719,431				—				1,719,431
Total				$	52,015,445			$	(1,401,480	)		$	50,613,965

Investment results of the Acuity DC Trust for the year ended December 31, 2010 are as follows:

Interest income		$	2,068,170
Net appreciation in fair value of common stock (quoted market prices)			3,201,931
Net investment gain from common/collective trust funds (quoted redemption values)			4,497,114
Net investment gain from mutual funds (quoted market prices)			16,095,236
Investment results		$	25,862,451

Acuity Brands, Inc. Selected 401(k) and Retirement Plans

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

3. Acuity DC Trust (continued)

In accordance with Accounting Standards Codification 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, (“ASC 820”), the Plans determine a fair value measurement using an exit price based on the assumptions a market participant would use in pricing an asset or liability. ASC 820 established a three-tiered hierarchy making a distinction between market participant assumptions based on (i) observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets (Level 1), (ii) inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are observable either directly or indirectly (Level 2), and (iii) unobservable inputs that reflect the Plans’ best estimate of what market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability including consideration of the risk inherent in the valuation technique and the risk inherent in the inputs to the model (Level 3).

The following table presents information about the Acuity DC Trust’s assets as of December 31, 2010 and 2009:

						Fair Value Measurements
						as of December 31, 2010
						Quoted Market				Significant
						Prices in Active				Other				Significant
		Fair Value				Markets for				Observable				Unobservable
		as of				Identical Assets				Inputs				Inputs
Assets		December 31, 2010				(Level 1)				(Level 2)				(Level 3)
Stable Value Fund Cash(2)		$	2,067,872			$	2,067,872			$	—			$	—
Money Market Fund			1,766,068				1,766,068				—				—
U.S. Corporate Bonds			116,338				116,338				—				—
Company Stock			7,701,500				7,701,500								—
Equity Securities			3,932,785				3,932,785								—
Mutal Funds
US Equity Securities			88,829,469				88,829,469				—				—
International Equity Securitites			10,847,065				10,847,065				—				—
Common/Collective Trusts(1)			41,218,176				—				41,218,176				—
Guaranteed Investment Contracts and Wrappers(2)			51,072,016				—				51,020,340				51,676
		$	207,551,289

Acuity Brands, Inc. Selected 401(k) and Retirement Plans

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

3. Acuity DC Trust (continued)

						Fair Value Measurements
						as of December 31, 2009
						Quoted Market				Significant
						Prices in Active				Other				Significant
		Fair Value				Markets for				Observable				Unobservable
		as of				Identical Assets				Inputs				Inputs
Assets		December 31, 2009				(Level 1)				(Level 2)				(Level 3)
Stable Value Fund Cash(2)		$	1,719,431			$	1,719,431			$	—			$	—
Money Market Fund			2,197,237				2,197,237				—				—
U.S. Corporate Bonds			38,015				38,015				—				—
Company Stock			5,468,176				5,468,176								—
Equity Securities			2,997,037				2,997,037								—
Mutal Funds
US Equity Securities			78,726,216				78,726,216				—				—
International Equity Securitites			10,340,127				10,340,127				—				—
Common/Collective Trusts(1)			37,455,837				—				37,455,837				—
Guaranteed Investment Contracts and Wrappers(2)			50,296,014				—				50,266,517				29,497
		$	189,238,090

Acuity Brands, Inc. Selected 401(k) and Retirement Plans

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

3. Acuity DC Trust (continued)

The table below presents a summary of changes in the fair value of the Acuity DC Trust’s Level 3 assets for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009:

		Year ended
		December 31, 2010
		Wrap Contracts
Balance, beginning of year		$	29,497
Realized gains/(losses)			—
Unrealized gain relating to instruments still held at the reporting date			22,179
Purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements, net			—
Balance, end of year		$	51,676

		Year ended
		December 31, 2009
		Wrap Contracts
Balance, beginning of year		$	62,084
Realized gains/(losses)			—
Unrealized loss relating to instruments still held at the reporting date			(32,587	)
Purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements, net			—
Balance, end of year		$	29,497

Acuity Brands, Inc. Selected 401(k) and Retirement Plans

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

4. Income Tax Status

The Plans have received determination letters from the Internal Revenue Service stating that the Plans are qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code, and, therefore, the related Trust is exempt from taxation. Subsequent to these determinations by the Internal Revenue Service, the Plans were amended and/or restated. Once qualified, the Plans are required to operate in conformity with the Code to maintain their qualification. The Plan administrator believes that the Plans are being operated in compliance with the applicable requirements of the Code and, therefore, believes that the Plans as amended are qualified and that the related trust is tax-exempt.

Accounting principles generally accepted in the United States require plan management to evaluate uncertain tax positions taken by the Plans. The financial statement effects of a tax position are recognized when the position is more likely than not, based on the technical merits, to be sustained upon examination by the IRS. The plan administrator has analyzed the tax positions taken by the Plan, and has concluded that as of December 31, 2010, there are no uncertain positions taken or expected to be taken. The Plan has recognized no interest or penalties related to uncertain tax positions. The Plan is subject to routine audits by taxing jurisdictions; however, there are currently no audits for any tax periods in progress. The plan administrator believes it is no longer subject to income tax examinations for years prior to 2007.

5. Benefits Payable

The following Plans had benefit payments that were approved for payment prior to December 31, but were not paid until subsequent to December 31:

Plan
No.				Plan Name		2010				2009
	033			Acuity Brands, Inc. 401(k) Plan		$	4,500			$	68,751

These benefit payments represent a reconciling item between the financial statements and Form 5500. An additional reconciling item is related to the difference between the carrying value of synthetic GICs in the financial statements (contract value) and Form 5500 (fair value) in the amount of ($2,367,520). The Form 5500 has not yet been finalized. As such, the differences may vary from those noted above. However, these differences are not expected to be materially divergent.

6. Excess Contributions Payable

There were no liabilities for excess contributions as of December 31, 2010. As of December 31, 2009, liabilities for excess contributions for the Acuity Brands, Inc. 401(k) Plan (Plan No. 033), as defined by the Code, were $146,360.

7. Risks and Uncertainties

The Plans invest in various investment securities. Investment securities are exposed to various risks, such as interest rate, market, and credit risks. Due to the level of risk associated with certain investment securities, it is at least reasonably possible that changes in the values of investment securities will occur in the near term and that such changes could materially affect participants’ account balances and the amounts reported in the statements of net assets available for benefits.

8. Fair Value Measurements

In accordance with ASC 820, Acuity Brands determines a fair value measurement using an exit price based on the assumptions a market participant would use in pricing an asset or liability. Investments of the Acuity DC Trust, including guaranteed investment contracts (“GICs”), are stated at fair value, as determined by the trustee from quoted market prices in an active market, net asset values, or as determined by the Investment Manager using generally accepted valuation procedures for GICs. Securities traded on a national exchange are valued at the last reported sales price on the last business day of the plan year; investments traded in the over-the-counter market and listed securities for which no sale was reported on the last day of the plan year are valued at the last reported bid price.

The fair value of wrap contracts is determined by calculating the present value of excess future wrap fees. When the replacement cost of a wrap contract (a re-pricing provided annually by the contract issuer) is greater than the current wrap fee, the difference is converted into the implied additional fee payment cash flows for the duration of the holding. The present

Acuity Brands, Inc. Selected 401(k) and Retirement Plans

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

8. Fair Value Measurements (continued)

value of that cash flow stream is calculated using a swap curve yield that is based on the duration of the holding and adjusted for the holding’s credit quality rating.

9. Subsequent Events

In October 2010, the Company’s Board of Directors approved the merger of the assets of the Renaissance Lighting, Inc. 401(k) Plan into the Acuity Brands, Inc. 401(k) Plan and the Acuity Brands Lighting, Inc. 401(k) Plan for Hourly Employees. The plan assets of the Renaissance Lighting, Inc. 401(k) Plan were acquired by the Company as part of the acquisition of Renaissance Lighting, Inc. in July 2010. The value of the assets of the Renaissance 401(k) Plan was approximately $0.5 million at the time of the approval. The merger was effective on March 16, 2011.

In January 2011, the Company’s Board of Directors approved the merger of the assets of the Winona Lighting, Inc. 401(k) Plan into the Acuity Brands, Inc. 401(k) Plan and the Acuity Brands Lighting, Inc. 401(k) Plan for Hourly Employees. The plan assets of the Winona Lighting, Inc. 401(k) Plan were acquired by the Company as part of the acquisition of Winona Lighting, Inc. in October 2010. The value of the assets of the Winona Lighting, Inc. 401(k) Plan was approximately $4.0 million at the time of the approval. The merger was effective on June 16, 2011.

In June 2011, the Company’s Board of Directors approved the merger of the assets of the Healthcare Lighting, Inc. 401(k) Plan into the Acuity Brands, Inc. 401(k) Plan and the Acuity Brands Lighting, Inc. 401(k) Plan for Hourly Employees. The plan assets of the Healthcare Lighting, Inc. 401(k) Plan were acquired by the Company as part of the acquisition of Healthcare Lighting, Inc. in May 2011. The value of the assets of the Healthcare Lighting, Inc. 401(k) Plan was approximately $0.2 million at the time of the approval.

Acuity Brands, Inc.
Selected 401(k) and Retirement Plans

Schedule H, Line 4i

Schedule of Assets (Held at End of Year)

December 31, 2010

Description of Investment

Varying Maturity Dates

Plan

and Interest Rates

Current

Plan Name

No.

EIN #

Identity of Issue *

Ranging from:

Value

Acuity Brands, Inc. 401(k) Plan

033

58-2632672

Notes Receivable from Participants

4.25% to 9.25% (various maturity dates)

$

2,264,917

Acuity Brands Lighting, Inc. 401(k) Plan for Hourly Employees

067

58-2632672

Notes Receivable from Participants

4.14% to 6.25% (various maturity dates)

96,421

Holophane Division of Acuity Brands Lighting 401(k) Plan for Hourly Employees

069

58-2632672

Notes Receivable from Participants

4.25% to 9.25% (various maturity dates)

41,124

Holophane Division of Acuity Brands Lighting 401(k) Plan for Hourly Employees

070

58-2632672

Notes Receivable from Participants

4.25% to 9.25% (various maturity dates)

592,357

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit
Number		Description
23.1		Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.