Results of Operations
Sales for the three months ended December 31, 2020 increased by $1,376,000 to $27,207,000 as compared to $25,829,000 for the same period a year ago. Sales for the six months ended December 31, 2020 decreased by $1,736,000 to $50,378,000 as compared to $52,114,000 for the same period a year ago. The increase in sales for the three months ended December 31, 2020 was due primarily to increased recurring communication service revenues ($2,405,000) and sales of intrusion and access products ($463,000) as partially offset by a decrease in sales of door-locking products ($1,492,000). Sales of the Company’s door-locking products continue to be negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The decrease in sales for the six months ended December 31, 2020 was due primarily to decreased sales of door-locking products ($5,826,000) and intrusion and access products ($226,000) as partially offset by an increase in recurring communication service revenues ($4,316,000)
Gross profit for the three months ended December 31, 2020 decreased to $11,403,000 or 41.9% of sales as compared to $12,127,000 or 47.0% of sales for the same period a year ago. Gross profit on equipment sales for the three months ended December 31, 2020 decreased to $4,417,000 or 23.2% of equipment sales as compared to $7,443,000 or 37.1% of equipment sales for the same period a year ago. Gross profit on sales of services for the three months ended December 31, 2020 increased to $6,986,000 or 85.3% of service sales as compared to $4,684,000 or 81.0% of service sales for the same period a year ago. Gross profit for the six months ended December 31, 2020 decreased to $22,095,000 or 43.9% of sales as compared to $23,645,000 or 45.4% of sales for the same period a year ago. Gross profit on equipment sales for the six months ended December 31, 2020 decreased to $9,008,000 or 25.8% of equipment sales as compared to $14,726,000 or 36.0% of equipment sales for the same period a year ago. Gross profit on sales of services for the six months ended December 31, 2020 increased to $13,087,000 or 84.6% of service sales as compared to $8,919,000 or 80.0% of service sales for the same period a year ago. The decrease in gross profit and gross profit as a percentage of equipment sales for the three and six months was primarily due to the decrease in net sales of equipment, an unfavorable shift in product mix from door-locking products to intrusion products as well as lower overhead absorption which resulted from the Company’s lower purchasing and production levels. The lower levels of component part purchases and production were due to the Company’s efforts to reduce its inventory levels as well as the reduced hardware revenues discussed above. The increase in gross profit and gross profit as a percentage of service sales for the three and six months ended December 31, 2020 was due primarily to the increase in service revenues as well as a favorable shift in service product mix to higher margin service plans.
Research and development expenses for the three months ended December 31, 2020 increased $61,000 to $1,884,000 as compared to $1,823,000 for the same period a year ago. Research and development expenses for the six months ended December 31, 2020 increased $201,000 to $3,773,000 as compared to $3,572,000 for the same period a year ago. These increases were due primarily to increased payroll.
Selling, general and administrative expenses for the three months ended December 31, 2020 decreased 7.3% to $5,850,000 from $6,310,000 for the same period a year ago. Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales decreased to 21.5% for the three months ended December 31, 2020 as compared to 24.4% for the same period a year ago. Selling, general and administrative expenses for the six months ended December 31, 2020 decreased 3.8% to $11,999,000 from $12,470,000 for the same period a year ago. Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales remained relatively constant at 23.8% for the six months ended December 31, 2020 as compared to 23.9% for the same period a year ago. The decreases in Selling, general and administrative expenses and as a percentage of sales for the three and six months was primarily due to decreased travel, tradeshow and stock option expense.
Interest expense, net for the three months ended December 31, 2020 remained relatively constant at $3,000 as compared to $(9,000) for the same period a year ago. Interest expense, net for the six months ended December 31, 2020 remained relatively constant at $9,000 as compared to $(2,000) for the same period a year ago.
The Company’s provision for income taxes for the three months ended December 31, 2020 increased by $38,000 to $469,000 as compared to $431,000 for the same period a year ago. The Company’s provision for income taxes for the six months ended December 31, 2020 remained relatively constant at $798,000 as compared to $800,000 for the same period a year ago. The increase in the provision for income taxes for the three months was primarily due to accrued interest and state tax resulting from the Company's settlement of the IRS audit for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016 as well as higher taxable income in the U.S, as compared to income in the DR. The Company’s effective rate for income tax was 13% and 11% for the three months and the six months ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.