Income Taxes. The effective tax rate for the nine months of fiscal 2021 was 36%, compared to 46% in the corresponding prior year period. The year-over-year change in the effective tax rate was primarily due to changes in geographic mix of income and loss that includes jurisdictions with differing tax rates, various discrete income tax expense items, and more specifically related to the prior year period, and changes in income tax laws to address the unfavorable impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
At July 31, 2021, we had cash and cash equivalents of $80.5 million, compared to $57.9 million at October 31, 2020. Approximately 25% of the $80.5 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 $207.3 million at July 31, 2021 compared to $201.0 million at October 31, 2020. The increase in working capital was primarily driven by the increase in cash and cash equivalents and accounts receivable, which was partially offset by increases in accounts payable and customer deposits.
Capital expenditures of $1.8 million during the nine months of fiscal 2021 were primarily for capital improvements in existing facilities and software development costs. We funded these expenditures with cash on hand.
On March 12, 2021, we announced that our Board of Directors approved a share repurchase program in an aggregate amount of up to $7.0 million. Repurchases under the program may be made in the open market or through privately-negotiated transactions from time to time through March 10, 2023, subject to applicable laws, regulations and contractual provisions. The program may be amended, suspended or discontinued at any time and does not commit us to repurchase any shares of our common stock. We did not repurchase any shares of our common stock under this program during the third quarter of fiscal 2021.
In addition, during the nine months ended July 31, 2021, we paid cash dividends to our shareholders of $2.7 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.
On December 31, 2018, we and our subsidiary Hurco B.V. entered into the 2018 Credit Agreement with Bank of America, N.A., as the lender, which was subsequently amended on each of March 13, 2020 and December 23, 2020. The 2018 Credit Agreement provides for an unsecured revolving credit and letter of credit facility in a maximum aggregate amount of $40.0 million. The 2018 Credit Agreement provides that the maximum amount of outstanding letters of credit at any one time may not exceed $10.0 million, the maximum amount of outstanding loans made to our subsidiary Hurco B.V. at any one time may not exceed $20.0 million, and the maximum amount of all outstanding loans denominated in alternative currencies at any one time may not exceed $20.0 million. Under the 2018 Credit Agreement, we and Hurco B.V. are borrowers, and certain of our other subsidiaries are guarantors. The scheduled maturity date of the 2018 Credit Agreement is December 31, 2021.
Borrowings under the 2018 Credit Agreement bear interest at floating rates based on, at our option, either (i) a LIBOR-based rate, or other alternative currency-based rate approved by the lender, plus 1.25% per annum, or (ii) a base rate (which is the highest of (a) the federal funds rate plus 0.50%, (b) the prime rate or (c) the one month LIBOR-based rate plus 1.00%), plus 0.00% per annum. Outstanding letters of credit will carry an annual rate of 1.25%.
The 2018 Credit Agreement contains customary affirmative and negative covenants and events of default, including covenants (1) restricting us from making certain investments, loans, advances and acquisitions (but permitting us to make investments in subsidiaries of up to $10.0 million); (2) restricting us from making certain payments, including (a) cash dividends, except that we may pay cash dividends as long as immediately before and after giving effect to such payment, the sum of the unused amount of the commitments under the 2018 Credit Agreement plus our cash on hand is not less than $10.0 million, and as long as we are not in default before and after giving effect to such dividend payments and (b) payments made to repurchase shares of our common stock, except that we may repurchase shares of our common stock as long as we are not in default before and after giving effect to such repurchases and the aggregate amount of payments made by us for all such repurchases during any fiscal year does not exceed $10.0 million; (3) requiring that we maintain a minimum working capital of $125.0 million; (4) requiring that we maintain a minimum tangible net worth of $170.0 million; and (5) providing that if the Specified Outstanding Amount exceeds $25.0 million, then the Company will not permit the amount