Net sales for the third quarter of 2018 were $347.6 million, compared to net sales of $331.4 million in the third quarter of 2017. The increase during the quarter was driven by higher aluminum prices, offset by lower volume in the third quarter of 2018.
Value-Added Sales, anon-GAAP financial measure defined as net sales less pass-through charges, primarily for the value of aluminum, were $179.1 million for the third quarter of 2018, a 4.5% decrease compared to the third quarter of 2017. The decrease in Value-Added Sales was driven by lower volumes in Europe, the extra week in the third quarter of 2017 in North America, and the translation due to currency, partially offset by higher Value-Added Sales per wheel. See“Non-GAAP Financial Information” below and the reconciliation of consolidated net sales to Value-Added Sales in this press release.
Gross profit for the third quarter of 2018 was $23.7 million, compared to $23.9 million in the prior year period. Gross profit as a percentage of Value-Added Sales was 13.2% compared to 12.8% in the prior year period. The increase in gross profit as a percentage of Value-Added Sales was due to acquisition-related accounting items last year outlined in the subsequent tables in this press release that did not repeat in 2018, partially offset by the effects of lower shipment volumes and higher energy prices in Mexico.
Selling, general and administrative expenses for the third quarter were $16.0 million, or 4.6% of net sales, compared to $18.1 million, or 5.5% of net sales in the prior year period. Selling, general and administrative expenses were lower for the third quarter of 2018 due to reduced acquisition and integration-related expenses.
Income from operations for the third quarter of 2018 was $7.7 million, or 4.3% of Value-Added Sales, compared to income from operations of $5.8 million, or 3.1% of Value-Added Sales in the prior year period. The comparison was favorably impacted by lower acquisition and integration-related costs compared to the prior year period.
The income tax benefit for the third quarter ended September 30, 2018 was $7.1 million on apre-tax loss of $7.7 million. The tax benefit was primarily due to a revision to the estimated U.S. tax related to provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.
For the third quarter of 2018, the Company reported a net loss of $0.7 million, a loss per diluted share of $0.37. This compares to net income of $2.6 million, or $0.22 loss per diluted share, reported in the third quarter of 2017.
Adjusted EBITDA, anon-GAAP financial measure, was $30.6 million, or 17.1% of Value-Added Sales, for the third quarter of 2018. This compares to $43.0 million, or 22.9% of Value-Added Sales, for the third quarter of 2017. The decrease in Adjusted EBITDA was primarily driven by lower volume in North America and Europe, higher energy costs in Mexico and higher launch costs. See“Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below and the reconciliation of net income to Adjusted EBITDA in this press release.
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