Comparison of the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023
Performance Technologies net sales decreased $39.8 million, or 12 percent, from the second quarter of fiscal 2024 to the second quarter of fiscal 2025, primarily due to lower sales volume, including $21.9 million of lower sales from three automotive businesses in Germany that we sold during the third quarter of fiscal 2024. These decreases were partially offset by higher average selling prices and, to a lesser extent, the recognition of sales tax credits in Brazil. Compared with the second quarter of the prior year, sales of liquid-cooled and air-cooled products decreased $27.3 million and $18.1 million, respectively. Sales of advanced solutions products increased $5.7 million.
Performance Technologies cost of sales decreased $42.3 million, or 15 percent, from the second quarter of fiscal 2024 to the second quarter of fiscal 2025, primarily due to lower sales volume and, to a lesser extent, improved operating efficiencies and lower raw material costs, which decreased approximately $2.0 million. These favorable drivers were partially offset by higher labor and inflationary costs. As a percentage of sales, cost of sales decreased 310 basis points to 79.8 percent, primarily due to higher average selling prices, the favorable impact of the sales tax credits recognized in Brazil, and improved operating efficiencies.
As a result of the lower sales and lower cost of sales as a percentage of sales, gross profit increased $2.5 million and gross margin improved 310 basis points to 20.2 percent.
Performance Technologies SG&A expenses increased $0.1 million compared with the second quarter of the prior year. As a percentage of sales, SG&A expenses increased by 100 basis points. The increase in SG&A expenses was primarily due to higher compensation-related expenses, which increased approximately $2.0 million, partially offset by decreases across other general and administrative expenses.
Restructuring expenses increased $2.8 million compared with the second quarter of the prior year, primarily due to higher severance expenses in Europe.
Operating income of $30.8 million decreased $0.4 million from the second quarter of fiscal 2024 to the second quarter of fiscal 2025, primarily due to higher restructuring expenses, partially offset by higher gross profit.
Comparison of six months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023
Performance Technologies year-to-date net sales decreased $73.9 million, or 11 percent, from the same period last year, primarily due to lower sales volume, including $46.2 million of lower sales from three automotive businesses in Germany that we sold during the third quarter of fiscal 2024. These decreases were partially offset by higher average selling prices and, to a lesser extent, the recognition of sales tax credits in Brazil. Compared with the same period in the prior year, sales of liquid-cooled and air-cooled products decreased $58.0 million and $22.2 million, respectively. Sales of advanced solutions products increased $9.1 million.
Performance Technologies year-to-date cost of sales decreased $88.0 million, or 15 percent, from the same period last year, primarily due to lower sales volume and, to a lesser extent, improved operating efficiencies and lower raw material costs, which decreased approximately $9.0 million. These favorable drivers were partially offset by higher labor and inflationary costs. As a percentage of sales, cost of sales decreased 430 basis points to 79.6 percent, primarily due to higher average selling prices, improved operating efficiencies, lower material costs, and the favorable impact of the sales tax credits recognized in Brazil, partially offset by higher labor and inflationary costs.
As a result of the lower sales and lower cost of sales as a percentage of sales, gross profit increased $14.1 million and gross margin improved 430 basis points to 20.4 percent.
Performance Technologies year-to-date SG&A expenses increased $2.6 million, or 5 percent, compared with the same period last year. As a percentage of sales, year-to-date SG&A expenses increased by 130 basis points. The increase in SG&A expenses was primarily due to higher compensation-related expenses, which increased approximately $5.0 million. This increase was partially offset by decreases across other general and administrative expenses.