For the quarter ended March 31, 2024, the Company had net non-operating income of $1,008,000 compared to $1,257,000 for the quarter ended March 31, 2023. The decrease was primarily due to a decrease in net gains on marketable securities as the Company sold most of its equities in January 2023. Interest and dividend income, net of fees, was $803,000 in the quarter ended March 31, 2024 as compared to $565,000 in the quarter ended March 31, 2023. The increase was primarily due to higher rates earned on cash and fixed income investments. The net realized and unrealized gains on marketable securities were $205,000 for the quarter ended March 31, 2024 compared to $692,000 for the quarter ended March 31, 2023.
The effective income tax rates for the quarters ended March 31, 2024 and March 31, 2023, were 23.0% and 24.1%, respectively, based on the expected annual effective income tax rate.
Net income for the quarter ended March 31, 2024 increased 27.7% to $6,222,000, or $0.42 basic and diluted earnings per share, from $4,873,000, or $0.33 basic and diluted earnings per share, for the quarter ended March 31, 2023. The improved net income and earnings per share resulted primarily from the increased net revenue.
Six Months Ended March 31, 2024 versus March 31, 2023
Net revenue for the six months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 were $66,694,000 and $56,327,000, respectively, an increase of $10,367,000 or 18.4%. The improved net revenue was primarily in contract equipment and parts sales resulting from the impact of government funding for highways, bridges and roads under the IIJ Act.
Gross profit margins increased to 29.8% for the six months ended March 31, 2024 from 26.5% for the six months ended March 31, 2023. The higher gross profit margins in fiscal 2024 were due to improved absorption and efficiency on increased production and favorable price realization.
Product engineering and development expenses decreased $77,000 to $1,694,000 for the six months ended March 31, 2024, compared to $1,771,000 for the six months ended March 31, 2023, due primarily to lower headcount. SG&A expenses increased $1,846,000 to $7,707,000 for the six months ended March 31, 2024, compared to $5,861,000 the six months ended March 31, 2023. The increase in SG&A expenses was primarily due to increased trade show expenses, professional fees and commissions on higher net revenue.
The Company had operating income of $10,455,000 for the six months ended March 31, 2024 versus $7,280,000 for the six months ended March 31, 2023. The increase in operating income was due primarily to the increased net revenue and gross profit margins.
For the six months ended March 31, 2024, the Company had net non-operating income of $3,243,000 compared to $3,712,000 for the six months ended March 31, 2023. Interest and dividend income, net of fees, was $1,519,000, as compared to $1,058,000 for the six months ended March 31, 2023. The increase in interest and dividend income, net of fees, for the six months ended March 31, 2024, was primarily due to higher rates earned on fixed income investments coupled with the Company reallocating a majority of its holdings in equities to fixed income in January 2023. Net realized and unrealized gains on marketable securities were $1,724,000 for the six months ended March 31, 2024 compared to $2,654,000 for the six months ended March 31, 2023. The decrease in net gains on marketable securities resulted primarily from the sale of most of its equities in January 2023.
The effective income tax rates for the six months ended March 31, 2024 and March 31, 2023, were 23.0% and 24.0%, respectively, based on the expected annual effective income tax rate. Net income for the six months ended March 31, 2024 was $10,548,000, or $0.72 basic and diluted earnings per share, versus $8,349,000, or $0.57 basic and diluted earnings per share for the six months ended March 31, 2023. The improved net income and earnings per share resulted primarily from the increased net revenue.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
The Company generates capital resources through operations and returns on its investments.
The Company had no long-term or short-term debt outstanding at March 31, 2024 or September 30, 2023. In April 2020, a financial institution issued an irrevocable standby letter of credit (“letter of credit”) on behalf of the Company for the benefit of one of the Company’s insurance carriers. The maximum amount that can be drawn by
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