Gain on sale of equipment. Gain on sale of equipment totaled $305,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2024, an increase of $257,000 from $48,000 for the same period in the prior year. Gain on sale of equipment totaled $292,000 for the six months ended March 31, 2024, an increase of $275,000 from $17,000 for the same period in the prior year. The Company sold certain underutilized or non-working pieces of equipment during the three and six months ended March 31, 2024, with no comparable sale occurring during the three and six months ended March 31, 2023.
Net income (loss). Loss before income taxes was $1.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, as compared to $2.5 million for the same period in the prior year. Income before income taxes was $1.6 million for the six months ended March 31, 2024, as compared to a loss before income taxes of $2.5 million for the same period in the prior year. The increases were primarily related to the items mentioned above.
Income tax benefit for the three months ended March 31, 2024, was $373,000 compared to $650,000 for the same period in the prior year. The decrease in income tax benefit was due to the increase in taxable income for the three months ended March 31, 2024, as compared to the prior period. Income tax expense for the six months ended March 31, 2024, was $685,000 compared to an income tax benefit of $730,000 for the same period in the prior year. The increase in income tax expense was due to the increase in taxable income for the six months ended March 31, 2024, as compared to the prior year period.
Net loss for the three months ended March 31, 2024, was $1.1 million, as compared to $1.9 million for the same period in the prior year. Net income for the six months ended March 31, 2024 was $933,000, as compared to a net loss of $1.7 million for the same period in 2023.
Comparison of Financial Condition at March 31, 2024, and September 30, 2023
The Company had total assets of $136.1 million at March 31, 2024, a decrease of $6.4 million from the prior fiscal year end balance of $142.5 million.
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts, totaled $46.4 million at March 31, 2024, a decrease of $4.8 million from the prior fiscal year end balance of $51.2 million. The decrease was primarily due to the timing of cash collections and project invoicing since September 30, 2023.
Cash and cash equivalents totaled $12.1 million at March 31, 2024, a decrease of $4.3 million from the prior fiscal year end balance of $16.4 million. The decrease was primarily due to a net $2.6 million investment in equipment, and a net $1.9 million used in financing activities, partially offset by a net $183,000 provided from operating activities.
Contract assets totaled $14.6 million at March 31, 2024, a decrease of $1.3 million from the prior fiscal year end balance of $16.0 million. The decrease was due to a difference in the timing of project billings at March 31, 2024, compared to September 30, 2023.
Right-of-use assets totaled $2.8 million at March 31, 2024, a decrease of $560,000 from the prior fiscal year end balance of $3.3 million. The decrease was primarily due to the amortization of operating leases during the six months ended March 31, 2024, partially offset by a net increase in leased vehicles.
Intangible assets, net totaled $3.2 million at March 31, 2024, a decrease of $216,000 from the prior fiscal year end balance of $3.4 million. The decrease was due to the amortization of intangible assets during the six months ended March 31, 2024.
Retainage receivable totaled $10.1 million at March 31, 2024, an increase of $2.5 million from the prior fiscal year end balance of $7.6 million. The increase was primarily due to more current year projects that require retainages to be withheld.
Prepaid expenses and other totaled $5.1 million at March 31, 2024, an increase of $1.6 million from the prior fiscal year end balance of $3.5 million. The increase was primarily due to an increase in prepaid insurance that will be expense throughout fiscal year 2024.
The Company had net property, plant and equipment of $37.0 million at March 31, 2024, an increase of $448,000 from the prior fiscal year end balance of $36.5 million. The increase was due to $5.3 million in asset additions, partially offset by $4.2 million in depreciation and net equipment disposals of $652,000.