Gross Profit Margin. Gross profit margin is calculated as net sales less cost of goods sold expressed as a percentage of net sales. Our gross profit margin was 30.7% and 27.0% of sales for the quarters ended June 30, 2022, and 2021, respectively. Gross profit margins for the period ended June 30, 2022, improved due to variations in the mix of products sold.
Expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses were $1,382,603 for the three months ended June 30, 2022, compared to $1,133,139 for the comparable three months in the prior year. As a percentage of net sales, these expenses increased to 29.8% for the three-month period ended June 30, 2022, from 24.3% for the 2021 period. These expenses increased as a percentage of net sales since selling, general, and administrative expenses do not fluctuate in direct proportion to sales. These expenses increased as a dollar amount due to increases in freight costs, and due to legal and consulting expenses associated with the prospective merger.
Research and development expenses were $89,262 for the three-month period ended June 30, 2022, compared to $101,056 for the comparable quarter of the prior year, a decrease of $11,794 (11.7%).
Interest Expense. Our interest expense was $55,496 for the quarter ended June 30, 2022, compared to interest expense of $9,489 for the quarter ended June 30, 2021. Interest expense is primarily dependent upon the total amounts borrowed on average from our Factor, and on interest rates which vary with the prime rate of interest.
Net (Loss) Income. We reported a net loss of $106,138 for the quarter ended June 30, 2022, compared to a net income of $14,641 for the corresponding quarter of the prior fiscal year, a $120,779 (824.9%) decrease in net income. The primary reason for the net loss is increased expenditures for freight costs and legal and consulting expenses associated with the prospective merger.
Management Plans and Liquidity
In light of the shutdowns, quarantines and other restrictions and delays in operations and travel caused by or related to COVID-19 in Hong Kong, the PRC and the United States, the Company has experienced delays in shipping and receiving of products.
Our short-term borrowings to finance any operating losses, trade accounts receivable, and foreign inventory purchases are provided pursuant to the terms of its Factoring Agreement with Merchant Factors Corporation (Merchant or Factor). Borrowings under the Factoring Agreement bear interest at prime plus 2% and are secured by trade accounts receivable and inventory. Advances from Merchant are at the sole discretion of Merchant based on Merchant’s assessment of the Company’s receivables, inventory, and financial condition at the time of each request for an advance. The Company had fully utilized the availability of this facility on June 30, 2022. The Company’s non-factored trade and other accounts receivable net of allowance for uncollectible amounts totaled approximately $493,000 on June 30, 2022. We anticipate that future availability provided from Merchant, cash flows from operations, and the collection of non-factored trade accounts receivable will provide sufficient working capital for the next twelve months following the date of this report.
The Company has a recent history of sales that are insufficient to generate profitable operations and has limited sources of financing. Management’s plan in response to these conditions continues to be to increase sales resulting from the delivery of the Company’s line of sealed battery ionization smoke alarms, carbon monoxide products, and ground fault circuit interrupters. In addition, the Company has a short-term note payable due to its principal supplier (Eyston Company Ltd.) that requires monthly payments beginning April, 2022 of $100,000 per month and until the principal balance of approximately $1,081,000 is repaid. The Company has a long history of working closely with Eyston and believes that forbearance or extension of the payment terms of the short-term note payable can be achieved if required to meet short-term cash flow requirements. Further, the Company’s factor has withheld financing on certain of the Company’s accounts receivable subject to resolution of any disputes. The resolution of disputed items is ongoing and subsequent to June 30, 2022, the Company continues to provide support for resolution of any disputed items. The Company expects that all amounts in dispute will be resolved satisfactorily. Finally, the Company has filed requests for refunds of customs payments with US Customs and Border Protection for approximately $300,000 (including interest expected) for overpayments of duty. The Company expects this refund to be available during the second quarter of fiscal year 2023. The Company has seen positive results on this plan as reflected by increased sales of its product offerings. Management expects sales growth to continue going forward. Though no assurances can be given, if management’s plan continues to be successful over the next twelve months, the Company anticipates that it should be able to meet its cash needs for the next twelve months following the issuance date of this report. Cash flows and credit availability is expected to be adequate to fund operations for one year from the issuance date of this report.
Operating activities used cash of $562,395 for the three months ended June 30, 2022. This was primarily due to a increase in inventories, prepaid expenses and other of $574,655, and a decrease in accounts payable and accrued expenses of $318,965, a net loss of $106,138,