European orders for the first quarter of fiscal 2021 increased by 19%, compared to the corresponding prior year period, and included a favorable currency impact of 8%, when translating foreign orders to U.S. dollars. The year-over-year increase in orders was driven primarily by increased customer demand for Hurco machines in Germany, France and the United Kingdom.
Asian Pacific orders for the first quarter of fiscal 2021 increased by 35%, compared to the corresponding prior year period, and included a favorable currency impact of 7%, when translating foreign orders to U.S. dollars. The year-over-year increase in Asian Pacific orders was driven primarily by an increase in customer demand for Hurco vertical milling machines in China and Southeast Asia, partially offset by decreased demand for Takumi machines in China.
Gross Profit. Gross profit for the first quarter of fiscal 2021 was $11.5 million, or 21% of sales, compared to $9.2 million, or 21% of sales, for the corresponding prior year period. Gross profit as a percentage of sales remained relatively unchanged year-over-year on a higher level of sales, as global excess inventory levels continue to apply competitive pricing pressure on the machine tool industry. Additionally, similar to fiscal 2020, the first quarter of fiscal 2021 gross profit continued to be impacted by the allocation of fixed costs on lower production volumes year-to-date.
Operating Expenses. Selling, general, and administrative expenses for the first quarter of fiscal 2021 were $10.6 million, or 20% of sales, compared to $10.8 million, or 25% of sales, in the corresponding fiscal 2020 period, and included an unfavorable currency impact of $0.3 million, when translating foreign expenses to U.S. dollars for financial reporting purposes. The year-over-year reduction in selling, general, and administrative expenses was primarily due to operating cost reduction measures implemented in the first two quarters of fiscal 2020, partially offset by increases in incentive compensation.
Operating Income (Loss). Operating income for the first quarter of fiscal 2021 was $1.0 million compared to an operating loss of $1.7 million for the corresponding period in fiscal 2020. The increase in operating income was primarily driven by the increased volume of sales.
Other Income, Net. Other income, net in the first quarter of fiscal 2021 was $0.1 million compared to $0.1 million for the corresponding period in fiscal 2020.
Income Taxes. The effective tax rate for the first quarter of fiscal 2021 was 45%, compared to 40% in the corresponding prior year period. The year-over-year increase in the effective tax rate was primarily due to changes in geographic mix of income and loss which includes jurisdictions with differing tax rates and other events that are not consistent from period to period, such as changes in income tax laws to address the unfavorable impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and a discrete income tax expense related to unvested stock awards in the first quarter of fiscal 2021.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
At January 31, 2021, we had cash and cash equivalents of $66.6 million, compared to $57.9 million at October 31, 2020. Approximately 15% of the $66.6 million of cash and cash equivalents was denominated in U.S. dollars. The balance was attributable to our foreign operations and is held in the local currencies of our various foreign entities, subject to fluctuations in currency exchange rates. We do not believe that the indefinite reinvestment of these funds offshore impairs our ability to meet our domestic working capital needs.
Working capital was $204.0 million at January 31, 2021 compared to $201.0 million at October 31, 2020. The increase in working capital was primarily driven by an increase in prepaid expenses, offset by a reduction in inventory and an increase in accounts payable.
Capital expenditures of $0.6 million during the first three months of fiscal 2021 were primarily for capital improvements in existing facilities and software development costs. We funded these expenditures with cash on hand.
In addition, during the three months ended January 31, 2021, we paid cash dividends to our shareholders of $0.9 million. Future dividends are subject to approval of our Board of Directors and will depend upon many factors, including our results of operations, financial condition, capital requirements, regulatory and contractual restrictions, our business strategy and other factors deemed relevant by our Board of Directors from time to time.