product mix and higher market prices of raw materials, which increased average selling price per pound by approximately $0.55, combined with pricing increases and other factors which increased average selling price per pound by approximately $0.27.
Sales to other markets were $12.8 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2021, an increase of 7.6% from $11.9 million in the same period of fiscal 2020, due to an increase in volume of 59.8%, partially offset by a 32.7% decrease in average selling price per pound. The increase in volume was primarily related to an increase in flue-gas desulphurization. The average selling price per pound decrease reflects a lower-value product mix and other pricing factors, which decreased average selling price per pound by approximately $12.61, combined with lower market prices of raw materials, which decreased average selling price per pound by approximately $0.07.
Other Revenue. Other revenue was $5.6 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2021, a decrease of 22.6% from $7.3 million in the same period of fiscal 2020. The decrease was due primarily to decreased toll conversion which related to the COVID-19 pandemic including toll conversion customers with exposure to the aerospace industry.
Cost of Sales. Cost of sales was $71.2 million, or 98.6% of net revenues, in the first quarter of fiscal 2021 compared to $89.7 million, or 82.7% of net revenues, in the same period of fiscal 2020. The decrease was primarily due to lower volumes combined with the Company’s actions taken to lower costs in response to COVID-19. However, despite these cost reduction measures, fixed costs have not declined in line with current production volumes, which required directly expensing a portion of these fixed costs in the amount of approximately $5.9 million during the first quarter of fiscal 2021. The Company also recorded a $0.7 million increase in inventory reserves and scrap-outs to cost of sales during the first quarter of fiscal 2021 as compared to the first quarter of 2020.
Gross Profit. As a result of the above factors, gross profit was $1.0 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2021, a decrease of $17.8 million from the same period of fiscal 2020. Gross margin as a percentage of net revenue decreased to 1.4% in the first quarter of fiscal 2021 as compared to 17.3% in the same period of fiscal 2020.
Selling, General and Administrative Expense. Selling, general and administrative expense was $9.7 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2021, a decrease of $1.8 million, or 15.4%, from the same period of fiscal 2020. Selling, general and administrative expense as a percentage of net revenues increased to 13.5% for the first quarter of fiscal 2021 compared to 10.6% for the same period of fiscal 2020. Significant cost saving measures continued in the quarter including headcount reductions, furloughs, reduced executive salaries, reduced board fees and reduced travel and entertainment expenses. Lower exchange rate loss also contributed to the lower expenses in the first quarter of fiscal 2021 as compared to the same period of fiscal 2020.
Research and Technical Expense. Research and technical expense was $0.8 million, or 1.1% of net revenue, for the first quarter of fiscal 2021, compared to $0.9 million, or 0.8% of net revenue, in the same period of fiscal 2020. The reduction in spend as compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2020 is primarily attributable to lower salaries and wages as a result of lower hours worked and reduced headcount.
Operating Income/(Loss). As a result of the above factors, operating loss in the first quarter of fiscal 2021 was ($9.5) million compared to operating income of $6.4 million in the same period of fiscal 2020.
Nonoperating retirement benefit expense. Nonoperating retirement benefit expense was $0.4 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2021 compared to $1.7 million in the same period of fiscal 2020. The decrease in expense was primarily driven by favorable retiree health care spending and higher than expected return on plan assets.
Income Taxes. Income tax benefit was $2.2 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2021, a difference of $3.3 million from income tax expense of $1.1 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2020, driven primarily by a difference in income (loss) before income taxes of $14.6 million. Additionally, income tax benefit is being adversely impacted by discrete items related to stock compensation in the first quarter of fiscal 2021.
Net Income/(Loss). As a result of the above factors, net loss in the first quarter of fiscal 2021 was ($8.0) million, compared to net income of $3.3 million in the same period of fiscal 2020.
Working Capital
Controllable working capital, which includes accounts receivable, inventory, accounts payable and accrued expenses, was $244.5 million at December 31, 2020, a decrease of $20.4 million, or 7.7%, from $264.9 million at September 30, 2020. The decrease resulted primarily from accounts receivable and inventory decreasing $10.7 million and $9.8 million, respectively, during the first three months of fiscal 2021.