Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (continued)
Marketing and sales expense
Marketing and sales expense was $151,538, and $127,243 for the three months ended June 30, 2024, and 2023, respectively. This was an increase of 19.1%. Compensation and benefits expense increased $22,096 during the three months ended June 30, 2024 compared to the same period in 2023, which included increased staff. Marketing and sales expense was $280,890, and $236,814 for the six months ended June 30, 2024, and 2023, respectively. This was an increase of 18.6%. Compensation and benefits expense increased $41,492 during the six months ended June 30, 2024 compared to the same period in 2023, which included increased staff.
Stock compensation expense
Included in total expenses were noncash stock-based compensation costs of $0 and $395 for the three months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively and $43,980 and $45,485 for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Compensation expense for all stock-based awards is based on the grant date fair value and recognized over the required service (vesting) period. There was no unrecognized non-cash stock-based compensation expense at June 30, 2024.
Interest
Net interest income was $96,461, and $63,914 for the three months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively and $183,517, and $112,891 for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The increase was primarily due to higher cash and approximately $2.0 million investment in marketable securities which benefited from an overall increase in interest rates. Interest expense related to finance lease obligations was $231 and $1,214 for the three months ended June 30, 2024, and 2023, respectively and $678 and $2,699 for the six months ended June 30, 2024, and 2023, respectively.
Income taxes
Income tax expense was $155,153, and $144,346 for the three months ended June 30, 2024, and 2023, respectively. For the first six months of 2024 and 2023 income tax expense was $315,153 and $302,556, respectively. The effective tax rate was 22.8% and 22.0% for the three months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively and 22.7% and 22.4% for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The deferred tax asset was $0, and the deferred tax liability was $86,185 at June 30, 2024. The deferred tax asset was $0, and the deferred tax liability was $69,846 at December 31, 2023.
Net income
Net income for the three months ended June 30, 2024, and 2023, was $526,506, and $511,359, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2024 we had record net income of $1,071,830, compared to $1,049,379 for the six months ended June 30, 2023. Higher gross profit and interest income was partially offset by an increase in operating expenses.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Cash and cash equivalents
As of June 30, 2024, cash and cash equivalents were $6,192,476 compared to $5,673,994 at December 31, 2023.
Working capital
At June 30, 2024, working capital was $8,231,993 compared to $7,633,016 at December 31, 2023, an increase of $598,977, or 7.8%. Cash increased $518,482, accounts receivable-trade increased $323,568, inventories decreased $2,198,229, prepaid purchase orders decreased $1,118,572 and customer deposits decreased $3,921,817. In addition, a short-term investment matured which was reinvested and appeared as long term on the balance sheet at June 30, 2024.