Overview, Including Items Impacting Comparability
On a consolidated basis, net sales were similar in the second quarter of fiscal 2024, as compared to the same period of fiscal 2023, with lower net sales in the Infrastructure segment and slightly higher net sales in the Agriculture segment. On a consolidated basis, net sales decreased in the first half of fiscal 2024, as compared to the same period of fiscal 2023, with lower net sales in both the Infrastructure and Agriculture segments.
On a consolidated basis, gross profit and gross profit margin decreased in the second quarter of fiscal 2024, as compared to the same period of fiscal 2023, driven by a decrease in gross profit in the Agriculture segment partially offset by an increase in gross profit in the Infrastructure segment. Gross profit decreased in the first half of fiscal 2024, as compared to the same period of fiscal 2023, while gross profit margin increased. Favorability from steel deflation, strong commercial execution, and pricing strategies in the Infrastructure segment was more than offset by lower volumes and pricing in Brazil in the Agriculture segment.
During the third quarter of fiscal 2023, management initiated a plan to streamline segment support across the Company and reduce costs through an organizational realignment program (the “Realignment Program”). The Realignment Program provided for a reduction in force through a voluntary early retirement program and other headcount reduction actions, which were completed by the end of fiscal 2023. The Board of Directors authorized the incurrence of cash charges up to $36.0 million in connection with the Realignment Program of which $35.2 million were incurred in fiscal 2023 which included severance and other employee benefit costs totaling approximately $17.3 million within the Infrastructure segment, $9.1 million within the Agriculture segment, and $8.8 million within Corporate expense.
Consolidated selling, general, and administrative expenses (“SG&A”) decreased in the second quarter and first half of fiscal 2024, as compared to the same periods of fiscal 2023, primarily driven by decreased compensation costs largely attributable to the Realignment Program in fiscal 2023.
In the second quarter and first half of fiscal 2023, SG&A in the Agriculture segment included amortization of identified intangible assets of $1.6 million and $3.3 million, respectively, and stock-based compensation expense of $2.3 million and $4.3 million, respectively, from the Prospera subsidiary acquired in fiscal 2021. Prospera intangible asset amortization was $0.1 million and $0.2 million, respectively, and stock-based compensation expense was $1.3 million and $2.1 million, respectively, for the second quarter and first half of fiscal 2024.
Consolidated operating income for the second quarter and first half of fiscal 2024, as compared to the same periods of fiscal 2023, was impacted by the lower SG&A as a result of the Realignment Program partially offset by decreased gross profit.
Acquisitions and Divestitures
In the third quarter of fiscal 2023, the Company acquired HR Products, a leading wholesale supplier of irrigation parts in Australia, included in the Agriculture segment.
In the second quarter of fiscal 2023, the Company divested Torrent Engineering and Equipment, an integrator of prepackaged pump stations in Indiana, included in the Agriculture segment.
Macroeconomic Impacts on Financial Results and Liquidity
We continue to monitor several macroeconomic trends and geopolitical uncertainties that have impacted or may impact our business, including inflationary cost pressures, supply chain disruptions, changes in foreign currency exchange rates against the United States (“U.S.”) dollar, rising interest rates, ongoing international armed conflicts, and labor shortages.
Net Interest Expense
Consolidated net interest expense was flat in the second quarter of fiscal 2024, as compared to the same period of fiscal 2023. The increase in average outstanding borrowings on the revolving line of credit along with higher average interest rates resulted in higher consolidated net interest expense in the first half of fiscal 2024, as compared to the same period of fiscal 2023.