INCOME TAX EXPENSE

6 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2024

INCOME TAX EXPENSE

INCOME TAX EXPENSE

9.    INCOME TAX EXPENSE

The second quarter 2024 effective income tax rate was 20.5% compared to 23.4% in the second quarter of 2023. The effective income tax rate in the first six months of 2024 was 21.1% compared to 22.8% for the first six months of 2023. Income tax expense in the second quarter and first six months of 2024 was favorably impacted by discrete events including the release of a foreign valuation allowance and excess tax benefit related to the vesting of share-based director compensation.