For the quarter ended March 31, 2023, the Company had net non-operating income of $1,257,000 compared to net non-operating expense of $(1,329,000) for the quarter ended March 31, 2022. Interest and dividend income, net of fees, was $565,000 for the quarter ended March 31, 2023 as compared to $296,000 in the quarter ended March 31, 2022. In January 2023, the Company reallocated its investments in equities and mutual funds to fixed income, government securities which resulted in the increased interest income for the quarter ended March 31, 2023. The net realized and unrealized gains on marketable securities were $692,000 for the quarter ended March 31, 2023 versus net realized and unrealized losses of $(1,488,000) for the quarter ended March 31, 2022. The higher gains in fiscal 2023 were due to a stronger domestic stock market during the quarter ended March 31, 2023.
The effective income tax rates for the quarters ended March 31, 2023 and March 31, 2022, were 24.1% and 24.2%, respectively, based on the expected annual effective income tax rate.
Net income for the quarter ended March 31, 2023 was $4,873,000, or $0.33 basic and diluted earnings per share, versus $439,000, or $0.03 basic and diluted earnings per share, for the quarter ended March 31, 2022.
Six Months Ended March 31, 2023 versus March 31, 2022
Net sales for the six months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 were $56,327,000 and $50,760,000, respectively, an increase of $5,567,000. The improved revenues were primarily in contract equipment and paver sales.
Gross profit margins increased to 26.5% for the six months ended March 31, 2023 from 19.5% for the six months ended March 31, 2022. The improved gross profit margins were due to increased efficiency, absorption and favorable price realization.
Product engineering and development expenses decreased $498,000 to $1,771,000 for the six months ended March 31, 2023, compared to $2,269,000 for the six months ended March 31, 2022 due primarily to reduced headcount. SG&A expenses decreased $902,000 to $5,861,000 for the six months ended March 31, 2023, compared to $6,763,000 the six months ended March 31, 2022. The decrease in SG&A expenses was primarily due to lower headcount and reduced professional expenses.
The Company had operating income of $7,280,000 for the six months ended March 31, 2023 versus $865,000 for the six months ended March 31, 2022. The increase in operating income was due primarily to the improved gross profit margins and reduced operating expenses.
For the six months ended March 31, 2023, the Company had net non-operating income of $3,712,000 compared to net non-operating expense of $(629,000) for the six months ended March 31, 2022. Interest and dividend income, net of fees, was $1,058,000, as compared to $573,000 for the six months ended March 31, 2022. The increase in interest income for the six months ended March 31, 2023, was due to the reallocation of the Company’s investments in equities and mutual funds to fixed income, government securities in January 2023. Net realized and unrealized gains on marketable securities were $2,654,000 for the six months ended March 31, 2023 versus net realized and unrealized losses of $(1,065,000) for the six months ended March 31, 2022. The higher gains in fiscal 2023 were due to a stronger domestic stock market during the six months ended March 31, 2023.
The effective income tax rates for the six months ended March 31, 2023 and March 31, 2022, were 24.0% and 30.0%, respectively, based on the expected annual effective income tax rate. Net income for the six months ended March 31, 2023 was $8,349,000, or $0.57 basic and diluted earnings per share, versus $165,000, or $0.01 basic and diluted earnings per share for the six months ended March 31, 2022.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
The Company generates capital resources through operations and returns on its investments.
The Company had no long-term or short-term debt outstanding at March 31, 2023 or September 30, 2022. As of March 31, 2023, the Company has funded $85,000 in cash deposits at insurance companies to cover related collateral needs. In April 2020, a financial institution issued an irrevocable standby letter of credit (“letter of credit”) on behalf of the Company for the benefit of one of the Company’s insurance carriers. The maximum amount that can be drawn by the beneficiary under the letter of credit is $150,000. The letter of credit expires in
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