and higher gross margin of $7.2 million, partially offset by an increase in research and development (“R&D”) expense of $18.6 million.
Other loss, net, for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024 was $1.5 million, as compared to $0.8 million for the fourth quarter of last fiscal year. The increase in other loss, net was primarily due to increases in net unrealized losses on investment holdings, partially offset by a decrease in interest expense.
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024 was $1.8 million, as compared to $(6.3) million for the fourth quarter of last fiscal year. The increase in provision for income taxes was primarily attributable to the increase in net income before income taxes.
Net income attributable to AeroVironment for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024 was $6.0 million, or $0.22 per diluted share, as compared to net loss of $(160.5) million, or $(6.31) per diluted share, in the prior-year period, respectively.
Non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024 was $22.2 million and non-GAAP earnings per diluted share were $0.43, as compared to $46.4 million and $0.99, respectively, for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023.
BACKLOG
As of April 30, 2024, funded backlog (defined as remaining performance obligations under firm orders for which funding is currently appropriated to us under a customer contract) was $400.2 million, as compared to $424.1 million as of April 30, 2023. Funded backlog as of April 30, 2024 does not include new orders related to recently announced program wins such as the Low Altitude Stalking and Strike Ordnance or “LASSO” program, Organic Precision Fires-Light or “OPF-L” program, the Replicator Initiative and the Ukraine Aid Initiative as well as our first Lithuanian order for Switchblade 300 and 600.
FISCAL 2025 — OUTLOOK FOR THE FULL YEAR
For fiscal year 2025, the Company expects revenue of between $790 million and $820 million, net income of between $74 million and $83 million, Non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA of between $143 million and $153 million, earnings per diluted share of between $2.61 and $2.92 and non-GAAP earnings per diluted share, which excludes amortization of intangible assets, other non-cash purchase accounting expenses and equity securities investments gains or losses, of between $3.18 and $3.49.
The foregoing estimates are forward-looking and reflect management’s view of current and future market conditions, subject to certain risks and uncertainties, including certain assumptions with respect to our ability to efficiently and on a timely basis integrate acquisitions, obtain and retain government contracts, changes in the timing and/or amount of government spending, react to 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, June 26, 2024, 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.
Investors may access the call by registering via the following participant registration link up to ten minutes prior to the start time.
Participant registration URL: https://register.vevent.com/register/BIda168288195747ed8cf612e20a3e0343
Investors may also listen to the live audio webcast via the Investor Relations page of the AeroVironment, Inc. website, http://investor.avinc.com. Please allow 15 minutes prior to the call to download and install any necessary audio software.