Operating income increased from $1,239,000 for the quarter ended March 31, 2021 to $1,908,000 for the quarter ended March 31, 2022, due primarily to increased sales and reduced professional fees.
For the quarter ended March 31, 2022, interest and dividend income, net of fees, was $296,000 as compared to $327,000 in the quarter ended March 31, 2021. The net realized and unrealized losses on marketable securities were $(1,488,000) for the quarter ended March 31, 2022 versus net realized and unrealized gains of $1,294,000 for the quarter ended March 31, 2021. The fiscal 2022 investment losses reflect the decline in equity markets due to higher interest rates, inflation, and the Federal Reserve’s recent monetary tightening policy.
The effective income tax rates for the quarters ended March 31, 2022 and March 31, 2021, were 24.2% and 20.0%, respectively, based on the expected annual effective income tax rate.
Net income for the quarter ended March 31, 2022 was $439,000, or $0.03 basic and diluted earnings per share, versus $2,288,000, or $0.16 basic and diluted earnings per share, for the quarter ended March 31, 2021.
Six Months Ended March 31, 2022 versus March 31, 2021
Net sales for the six months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 were $50,760,000 and $40,316,000, respectively, an increase of $10,444,000. The increased revenues reflect the impact of the new five year, $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill, the IIJ Act, signed into law in November 2021. There were no revenues generated by Blaw-Knox during the first quarter of fiscal 2021, as the facility was being readied to begin production.
Gross profit margins decreased to 19.5% for the six months ended March 31, 2022 from 22.6% for the six months ended March 31, 2021. Increases in wages, steel and OEM parts prices contributed to the lower overall gross margins during the six months ended March 31, 2022.
Product engineering and development expenses increased $355,000 in the six months ended March 31, 2022, compared to the six months ended March 31, 2021 due primarily to salary increases as well as a full six months of engineering wages and benefits related to Blaw-Knox. SG&A expenses decreased $269,000 in the six months ended March 31, 2022, compared to the six months ended March 31, 2021. The increase in SG&A expenses from a full six months of SG&A wages and benefits related to Blaw-Knox employees was offset by reduced professional fees to support business development efforts.
The Company had operating income of $865,000 for the six months ended March 31, 2022 versus $181,000 for the six months ended March 31, 2021. The improved operating income was due primarily to the improved revenues.
For the six months ended March 31, 2022, interest and dividend income, net of fees, from the investment portfolio was $573,000, as compared to $1,130,000 for the six months ended March 31, 2021. Interest income for the six months ended March 31, 2021, included $456,000 of interest collected from a customer. Net realized and unrealized losses on marketable securities was $(1,065,000) for the six months ended March 31, 2022 versus net realized and unrealized gains of $3,488,000 for the six months ended March 31, 2021. The fiscal 2022 investment losses reflect the decline in equity markets due to higher interest rates, inflation, and the Federal Reserve’s recent monetary tightening policy.
The effective income tax rates for the six months ended March 31, 2022 and March 31, 2021, were 30.0% and 20.0%, respectively, based on the expected annual effective income tax rate. Net income for the six months ended March 31, 2022 was $165,000, or $0.01 basic and diluted earnings per share, versus $3,839,000, or $0.26 basic and diluted earnings per share for the six months ended March 31, 2021.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
The Company generates capital resources through operations and returns on its investments.