Loss from operations for the first quarter of fiscal 2023 was $3.3 million, a decrease of $8.8 million from the first quarter of fiscal 2022 loss from operations of $12.1 million. The decrease in loss from operations was primarily the result of a decrease in selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expense of $5.2 million and an increase in gross margin of $5.0 million, partially offset by an increase in research and development (“R&D”) expense of $1.3 million. The decrease in SG&A expense reflects a decrease in acquisition-related expenses of $2.9 million and a decrease in intangible amortization expense and other related non-cash purchase accounting expenses of $1.2 million.
Other expense, net, for the first quarter of fiscal 2023 was $2.0 million, as compared to other expense, net of $1.6 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2022, primarily due to an increase in interest expense resulting from an increase in interest rates.
Provision for income taxes for the first quarter of fiscal 2023 was $2.6 million, as compared to a benefit from income taxes of $(1.0) million for the first quarter of fiscal 2022. The increase in provision for income taxes was primarily due to changes in the full fiscal year projected effective income tax rate.
Equity method investment loss, net of tax, for the first quarter of fiscal 2023 was $0.5 million, as compared to $1.1 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2022. Subsequent to the sale of the equity interest in HAPSMobile during the three months ended April 30, 2022, equity method investment loss, net of tax only relates to activity from investments in limited partnership funds.
Net loss attributable to AeroVironment for the first quarter of fiscal 2023 was $8.4 million, or $(0.34) per diluted share, as compared to $14.0 million, or $(0.57) per diluted share, for the first quarter of fiscal 2022.
Non-GAAP loss per diluted share was $(0.10) for the first quarter of fiscal 2023, as compared to $(0.17) for the first quarter of fiscal 2022.
BACKLOG
As of July 30, 2022, funded backlog (defined as remaining performance obligations under firm orders for which funding is currently appropriated to the Company under a customer contract) was $203.9 million, as compared to $210.8 million as of April 30, 2022. As of August 27, 2022, funded backlog was $307.6 million.
FISCAL 2023 — OUTLOOK FOR THE FULL YEAR
For the fiscal year 2023, the Company continues to expect revenue of between $490 million and $520 million, net income of between $11 million and $18 million, Non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA of between $82 million and $92 million, earnings per diluted share of between $0.42 and $0.72 and non-GAAP earnings per diluted share, which excludes amortization of intangible assets and other non-cash purchase accounting expenses, of between $1.35 and $1.65.
The foregoing estimates are forward-looking and reflect management’s view of current and future market conditions, subject to certain risks and uncertainties, and including certain assumptions with respect to our ability to efficiently and on a timely basis integrate our acquisitions, obtain and retain government contracts, changes in the timing and/or amount of government spending, changes in the demand for our products and services, activities of competitors, changes in the regulatory environment, and general economic and business conditions in the United States and elsewhere in the world. Investors are reminded that actual results may differ materially from these estimates.
CONFERENCE CALL AND PRESENTATION
In conjunction with this release, AeroVironment, Inc. will host a conference call today, Wednesday, September 7, 2022, at 4:30 pm Eastern Time that will be webcast live. Wahid Nawabi, chairman, president and chief executive officer, Kevin P. McDonnell, chief financial officer and Jonah Teeter-Balin, senior director corporate development and investor relations, will host the call.