737 MAX. In addition, the cash preservation actions occurring with many customers resulted in very conservative order entry trends. The product average selling price was $24.41 per pound in the third quarter of fiscal 2020, an increase of 5.0% from $23.25 per pound in the same period of fiscal 2019. The increase in average selling price per pound largely reflects a higher value product mix most notably in chemical processing and other markets as compared to the same period of last year, and improved pricing, both of which increased average selling price per pound by approximately $1.45. These increases were partially offset by lower market prices of raw materials which decreased average selling price per pound by approximately $0.29
Cost of Sales. Cost of sales was $77.9 million, or 96.7% of net revenues, in the third quarter of fiscal 2020 compared to $107.9 million, or 85.6% of net revenues, in the same period of fiscal 2019. The decrease was primarily due to lower volumes and lower raw material prices combined with the Company’s actions taken to lower costs in response to COVID-19. During the third quarter of fiscal 2020, the Company took safety measures to reduce the risk of spread of COVID-19, those actions included plant shutdowns during the month of April as well as voluntary and involuntary layoffs. Forced temporary layoffs were also activated. In an additional effort to cut expenses, the Company reduced its salaried workforce as well and incurred approximately $0.4 million in severance expenses. However, despite these cost reduction measures, fixed costs did not decline in line with the current production volumes which required directly expensing a portion of these fixed costs in the amount of approximately $5.9 million. Also, the Company recorded certain inventory reserves to cost of goods sold during the third quarter of fiscal 2020.
Gross Profit. As a result of the above factors, gross profit was $2.6 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2020, a decrease of $15.5 million from the same period of fiscal 2019. Gross margin as a percentage of net revenue decreased to 3.3% in the third quarter of fiscal 2020 as compared to 14.4% in the same period of fiscal 2019. This percentage decrease was primarily due to the above-mentioned $5.9 million direct charge to cost of goods sold and period costs spread over lower volumes.
Selling, General and Administrative Expense. Selling, general and administrative expense was $9.8 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2020, a decrease of $1.2 million from the same period of fiscal 2019. Selling, general and administrative expense as a percentage of net revenues increased to 12.2% for the third quarter of fiscal 2020 compared to 8.7% for the same period of fiscal 2019. Significant cost saving measures were undertaken during the quarter including such actions as: reduced executive salaries, reduced board fees, reduced travel and entertainment expenses, management incentive programs were not accrued for, temporary layoffs, as well as reduced salaried workforce, which incurred approximately $0.2 million in severance expenses.
Research and Technical Expense. Research and technical expense was $0.9 million, or 1.1% of net revenue, for the third quarter of fiscal 2020, compared to $0.8 million, or 0.7% of net revenue, in the same period of fiscal 2019.
Operating Income/(Loss). As a result of the above factors, operating loss in the third quarter of fiscal 2020 was ($8.1) million compared to operating income of $6.4 million in the same period of fiscal 2019.
Nonoperating retirement benefit expense. Nonoperating retirement benefit expense was $1.7 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2020 compared to $0.9 million in the same period of fiscal 2019. The increase in expense was primarily driven by lower discount rates in the September 30, 2019 valuation which resulted in higher retirement liabilities and ultimately higher expense for the third quarter of fiscal 2020.
Income Taxes. Income tax benefit was $2.1 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2020, a difference of $3.5 million from expense of $1.5 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2019, driven by a difference in income before income taxes of $15.4 million, partially offset by a valuation allowance recorded during the third quarter of fiscal 2020 of $980 that are not expected to be realized prior to expiration.
Net Income/(Loss). As a result of the above factors, net loss in the third quarter of fiscal 2020 was ($8.1) million, compared to net income of $3.8 million in the same period of fiscal 2019.
Volumes, Competition and Pricing
Due to the widespread impact of the COVID-19 global pandemic, demand for the Company’s products has been negatively impacted across all of the Company’s major end markets. Most significantly aerospace volumes have declined with announced reductions in commercial aerospace build schedules combined with a reduction in repair, maintenance & overhaul activity. The commercial airline industry has been dramatically impacted along with the corresponding aerospace supply chain. Complicating the demand situation includes: 1) The elevated amount of inventory throughout the aerospace supply chain, 2) The significant number of undelivered new planes already built (primarily Boeing 737 MAX), 3) The