Transport segment, offset by a $0.7 million increase from the Logistics segment. The decrease at the Transport segment was primarily due to a $6.8 million decrease in professional service costs associated with consulting agreements related to our operational improvement initiatives in 2015.
Goodwill Impairment. During the second quarter of 2015, the Company completed an interim impairment test of goodwill and intangible assets of AES resulting in an impairment charge of $14.2 million of goodwill impairment and $1.2 million intangible asset impairment. The charge was a result of reduced rates of growth of sales, profit, and cash flow and revised expectations for future performance that were below the Company’s previous projections, partially as a result of increased price competition and weak export demand for vehicles to Nigeria, a major market within which AES operates. The Company did not recognize any goodwill or intangible asset impairment for the six months end June 30, 2016.
Operating Income (Loss). Operating income was $8.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016, compared to an operating loss of $17.7 million for the same period in 2015, an improvement of $26.0 million, or 146.9%. The improvement over the comparable period was primarily attributable to the recognition of a goodwill impairment during the six months ended June 30, 2015 with no comparable charge during the six months ended June 30, 2016, as well as the continuing effect of the increased contractual rates agreed to with certain customers and operational efficiencies and cost reductions implemented since the prior comparable period.
Other Expense (Income). Other expense (income) consists of interest expense, net and other expenses (income), net, the majority of which is attributable to foreign currency transaction gains and losses.
Interest expense, net was $22.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016, compared to $21.4 million for the same period in 2015, an increase of $1.1 million, or 5.3%. The increase in interest expense, net was a result of the interest paid on the outstanding Term Loan balance during the six months ended June 30, 2016, which was not outstanding for the same length of time during the six months ended June 30, 2015. The increase was offset by a decrease in the interest rate applicable to the outstanding 2020 Notes balance during the six months ended June 30, 2016 as a result of the completion of the exchange offer on June 13, 2016.
Other income was $2.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016, compared to other expense of $2.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015, an increase of $4.8 million, and consisted primarily of foreign currency transaction gains primarily associated with intercompany transactions between operations in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico due to the weakening of the U.S. dollar over the comparable period.
Provision for Income Taxes. Our effective tax rate for the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 was (3.7)% and (1.6)%, respectively. The accounting for income taxes requires deferred tax assets be reduced by a valuation allowance if it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. There have not been any material changes in unrecognized income tax benefits since December 31, 2015. As of June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, we had $90.4 million and $85.4 million recorded for valuation allowances, respectively.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Our cash is primarily generated from operations and specific financing arrangements with lenders, customers and vendors. Our core cash requirements include operating expenses, capital expenditures for equipment, payments under borrowing arrangements and operating leases for equipment, deposits of cash collateral and payments to workers’ compensation, auto and general liability insurers, and withdrawal payments to multiemployer pension funds in which we participate. We project that cash generated by our operating activities and borrowings under our Credit Facility will be sufficient to satisfy our core cash needs over the next twelve months. Over the long-term, we will continue to have significant capital requirements, which may require us to seek additional borrowings, lease financing, or equity capital, or engage in asset sales. Further, we routinely evaluate market conditions and the availability of additional financing in the form of debt and equity capital and intend to seek additional funding when conditions are appropriate, and further may conduct near-term and long-term capital raises, financing and refinancing transactions, “restricted payment” transactions, and other strategic or financing transactions, including, without limitation, near-term and long-term high-yield debt offerings and other debt offerings, private and public equity offerings (including an initial public offering), redemptions, repurchases, dividends, distributions, other transactions with respect to the Company’s debt, equity, and/or derivative securities, and corporate reorganizations, acquisitions, divestitures, and mergers. The availability of financing or equity capital will depend on our financial condition and results of operations as well as prevailing market conditions. There can be no assurance that we will be able to incur additional debt or refinance our existing debt as it becomes due or that we will receive additional equity capital.