The comparative operating expenses for the three-months ended June 30, 2021 included a $16.9 million reversal of amounts previously accrued in connection with an intellectual property claim. In addition, the increase in operating expenses was primarily due to increased out-bound fuel, freight and warehouse costs of $23.2 million, increased payroll expenses of $18.5 million (of which $6.5 million was related to CANarchy), increased expenditures of $10.6 million for sponsorships and endorsements, increased expenditures of $10.1 million for travel and entertainment, as well as increased expenditures of $8.5 million for other marketing expenses, including social media and digital marketing, point of sale and sampling programs during the three-months ended June 30, 2022. In addition, CANarchy related depreciation and amortization was $2.4 million for the three-months ended June 30, 2022. Operating expenses as a percentage of net sales for the three-months ended June 30, 2022 were 24.6% as compared to 21.3% for the three-months ended June 30, 2021. Operating expenses as a percentage of net sales for the three-months ended June 30, 2019 (pre COVID-19) were 25.6%.
Operating Income
Operating income was $373.0 million for the three-months ended June 30, 2022, a decrease of approximately $153.0 million, or 29.1% lower than operating income of $526.0 million for the three-months ended June 30, 2021. Operating income as a percentage of net sales decreased to 22.5% for the three-months ended June 30, 2022 from 36.0% for the three-months ended June 30, 2021. Operating income for the three-months ended June 30, 2022 decreased primarily as a result of the decrease in the gross profit as a percentage of net sales as well as the increase in operating expenses.
Operating income was $82.8 million and $123.1 million for the three-months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively, for our operations in EMEA, Asia Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean.
Operating income for the Monster Energy® Drinks segment, exclusive of corporate and unallocated expenses, was $441.7 million for the three-months ended June 30, 2022, a decrease of approximately $105.5 million, or 19.3% lower than operating income of $547.3 million for the three-months ended June 30, 2021. The decrease in operating income for the Monster Energy® Drinks segment was primarily the result of a decrease in gross profit as a percentage of net sales as well as an increase in operating expenses.
Operating income for the Strategic Brands segment, exclusive of corporate and unallocated expenses, was $41.5 million for the three-months ended June 30, 2022, a decrease of approximately $12.6 million, or 23.3% lower than operating income of $54.1 million for the three-months ended June 30, 2021. The decrease in operating income for the Strategic Brands segment was primarily the result of a decrease in net sales as well as a decrease in gross profit as a percentage of net sales.
Operating loss for the Alcohol Brands segment, exclusive of corporate and unallocated expenses, was $4.7 million for the three-months ended June 30, 2022.
Operating income for the Other segment, exclusive of corporate and unallocated expenses, was $1.0 million for the three-months ended June 30, 2022, a decrease of approximately $1.3 million, or 55.5% lower than operating income of $2.2 million for the three-months ended June 30, 2021.
Interest and Other (Expense) Income, net
Interest and other non-operating (expense) income, net, was ($6.8) million for the three-months ended June 30, 2022, as compared to interest and other non-operating (expense) income, net, of $0.9 million for the three-months ended June 30, 2021. Foreign currency transaction losses were $8.3 million and $1.8 million for the three-months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Interest income was $3.8 million and $1.1 million for the three-months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
Provision for Income Taxes
Provision for income taxes was $92.8 million for the three-months ended June 30, 2022, a decrease of $30.3 million, or 24.6% lower than the provision for income taxes of $123.1 million for the three-months ended June 30, 2021. The effective combined federal, state and foreign tax rate increased to 25.3% from 23.4% for the three-months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The increase in the effective tax rate was primarily attributable to an increase in the effective state income tax rate as well as an increase in the net losses in certain foreign jurisdictions which have lower tax rates compared to the United States.