UPDATE 2-Acuity Brands profit drop worse than forecast

* Q3 profit of 54 cents/shr below 57-cent consensus

* Blames weak nonresidential construction market

* Shares fall 6.9 percent (Adds stock activity)

BOSTON, July 2 (Reuters) - Lighting fixtures maker Acuity Brands Inc (AYI.N) reported a deeper-than-expected 46 percent drop in quarterly profit, as a weak U.S. nonresidential construction market took a heavy toll on demand.

The company, whose shares fell nearly 7 percent, warned on Thursday that it expected the tough environment to continue into 2010, but said its future results would benefit from some recent restructuring moves.

Acuity reported profit of $22 million, or 53 cents per share, for the third quarter ended on May 31, down from $41.1 million, or $1 per share, a year earlier.

Earnings from continuing operations came to 54 cents per share, below the analysts' average forecast of 57 cents, according to Reuters Estimates.

Acuity shares were down 6.9 percent at $26.88 in morning New York Stock Exchange trading. (Reporting by Scott Malone; Editing by Lisa Von Ahn)