The Company’s average overall debt for the six-month period ended June 30, 2025, was $179,710, as compared to $195,375 for the same period of the prior year. Our borrowings increased as a result of higher inventory levels. As can be seen from the table above, our effective bank interest rate on our revolving line of credit was 8.5% for the six months ended June 30, 2025, as compared to 7.9% in 2024.
Income tax expense was $1,152 for the six months ended June 30, 2025, as compared to an income tax benefit of $69 for the three months ended June 30, 2024. The effective income tax rate for the six months ended June 30, 2025, was computed based on the estimated effective tax rate for the full year which is approximately 28%, excluding discrete items and entities subject to full valuation allowances against related net deferred tax assets. During the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2024, the Company established a valuation allowance against the U.S. entities net deferred tax assets. The company continues to maintain valuation allowances established against the net deferred tax assets of the U.S. and certain international entities, primarily in Brazil, for the six months ended June 30, 2025. During the six months ended June 30, 2025, several of the Company's international business outside of Brazil were profitable resulting in an income tax expense.
We incurred a loss before provision before income taxes of $8,159 for the six months ended June 30, 2025, as compared to a loss before taxes of $10,238 for the six months ended June 30, 2024. Our net loss, after income taxes, for the six-month period ended June 30, 2025 was $9,311 or $0.33 per basic and diluted share, as compared to $10,169 or $0.036 per basic and per diluted share in the same period of 2024.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
The Company’s operating activities utilized net cash of $39,836 during the six-month period ended June 30, 2025, as compared to $49,357 during the six months ended June 30, 2024. Included in the $39,836 are net loss of $9,311, plus non-cash depreciation, amortization of intangibles and other assets and discounted future liabilities, in the amount of $10,027, and provision for bad debts in the amount of $1,999, change in deferred income taxes of $200 and changes in liabilities for uncertain tax positions or unrecognized tax benefits of $60. Also included are stock-based compensation of $981, asset impairment of $134, and net foreign currency adjustments of $855.
During the six-month period of 2025, the Company increased working capital by $21,381, as compared to an increase of $49,375 during the same period of the prior year. Included in this change: inventories increased by $9,785, as compared to $27,770 for the same period of 2024. While increases in inventories are normal for the Company’s annual cycle, the Company has seen distinct changes in buying patterns across its global markets as customers are pushing back purchase close to time of use as they manage working capital and interest expense. In response the Company has focused on holding inventory levels down including holding down manufacturing output.
Customer prepayments decreased by $46,187, as compared to $53,468 in the same period of 2024, driven by customer decisions regarding the amount of prepayments they made during the final quarter of 2024, and by purchase orders received from those customers during the first two quarters and the product mix and payment terms on those purchase orders. Our accounts payable balances increased by $24,547, as compared to $34,292 in the same period of 2024, reflecting both the timing and terms of the related purchase orders. Accounts receivables increased by $3,293, as compared to a decrease of $11,962 in the same period of 2024. Prepaid expenses increased by $1,863, as compared to $3,730 in the same period of 2024. Income tax receivable changed by $1,024 as compared to $7,129 in the prior year. Accrued programs increased by $10,267, as compared to $18,209 in the prior year, driven by changes in mix of sales (products attract different program arrangements) and lower sales in our US Crop business (which is the main driver from programs). Finally, other payables and accrued expenses decreased by $15,073, as compared to an increase of $1,665 in the prior year.
Accrued program costs are recorded in line with the growing season upon which specific products are targeted. Typically crop products have a growing season that ends on September 30th of each year. During the first six months of 2025, the Company made accruals for programs in the amount of $41,451 and payments in the amount of $31,032, resulting in a net increase in accrued program costs of $10,267. During the first six months of the prior year, the Company made accruals in the amount of $44,633 and made payments in the amount of $26,615, resulting in a net increase of accrued program costs of $18,018.
Cash used for investing activities for the six-month period ended June 30, 2025, and 2024 was $1,085 and $6,398, respectively. In 2025, the Company spent $1,020 on purchases of fixed assets primarily focused on continuing to invest in manufacturing infrastructure, as compared to $4,944 for the same period of prior year. The Company made a payment of $88 for a product acquisition.