Total operating expenses for the first three quarters of fiscal 2019 increased to 11.0% of net sales from 8.9% of net sales for the first three quarters of fiscal 2018 due to the same reasons cited in the quarterly comparison. The increase in total operating expenses was also attributable to a $1.2 million increase in amortization expense, which was related to the acquisition of the Squirrel Brand business.
Interest expense for the current third quarter declined to $0.8 million from $1.0 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2018. For the first three quarters of fiscal 2019, interest expense declined to $2.5 million from $2.6 million for the first three quarters of fiscal 2018. The decreases in interest expense in both comparisons resulted from lower average debt levels.
The value of total inventories on hand at the end of the current third quarter decreased by $5.9 million, or 3.2%, when compared to the value of total inventories on hand at the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2018. The decrease in the value of total inventories was primarily due to lower acquisition costs for pecans, cashews and walnuts. The lower acquisition costs for these commodities led to a 24.7% reduction in the weighted average cost per pound of raw nut and dried fruit input stocks on hand in the quarterly comparison.
“We had another record third quarter for net income and earnings per share driven mainly by lower commodity acquisition costs and strong sales volume growth in our consumer distribution channel. Sales volume in the consumer distribution channel accounted for approximately 67% of our total sales volume in the current third quarter compared to approximately 64% of our total sales volume for last year’s third quarter. The increase in sales volume in the consumer distribution channel was driven by increased sales of private brand andOrchard Valley Harvestsnack nut and trail mix products,” stated Jeffrey T. Sanfilippo, Chief Executive Officer. “At retail,Fisher recipe nut pound volume declined by 14% while the total category pound volume increased by 4% in the quarterly comparison according to IRi market data. OurOrchard Valley Harvest brand continues to grow at retail with pound volume up by 3%, while the total produce category pound volume fell by 2% in the quarterly comparison,” Mr. Sanfilippo stated. “Fisher snack nut pound volume at retail increased by 3%, while the total pound volume for the snack nut category increased by 4%. This increase in pound volume at retail was primarily attributable to distribution gains for our recently launchedOven Roasted Never Fried product line. Pound volume for ourSouthern Style Nuts brand declined by 1%, while pound volume for the total trail and snack mix category was unchanged in the quarterly comparison,” Mr. Sanfilippo stated. “As we noted in the quarterly comparison, the increase in incentive compensation expense was a significant driver for the increase in total operating expenses, as this expense accounted for 42% of the increase. Our rising gross profit has allowed us to increase our incentive compensation over the prior year while still delivering value to our shareholders,” Mr. Sanfilippo concluded.
The Company will host an investor conference call and webcast on Thursday, May 2, 2019, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern (9:00 a.m. Central) to discuss these results. To participate in the call via telephone, dial1-844-536-5471 from the U.S. or1-614-999-9317 internationally and enter the participant passcode of 1084546. This call is being webcast by NASDAQ/OMX and can be accessed at the Company’s website atwww.jbssinc.com.
Some of the statements in this release are forward-looking. These forward-looking statements may be generally identified by the use of forward-looking words and phrases such as “will”, “intends”, “may”, “believes”, “anticipates”, “should” and “expects” and are based on the Company’s current expectations or beliefs concerning future events and involve risks and uncertainties. Consequently, the Company’s actual results could differ materially. The Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new
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