could impact the future cost of raw materials, packaging, freight and labor. We also expect to continue to invest in our supply chain to improve product quality, reduce variability and improve our manufacturing product yields. General and Administrative General and administrative expenses were $49.3 million in fiscal 2012, which represented an increase of 7.4%, or $3.4 million, from fiscal 2011. The increase was primarily due to $3.8 million in higher bad debt expense, of which $3.7 million related to a customer bankruptcy filing, and $1.5 million in higher professional fees, including fees associated with our leveraged recapitalization with a special cash dividend. These increases were partially offset by $1.8 million in lower staffing-related costs, including costs associated with our AIP. Gross Profit Our gross profit as a percentage of revenue was 47.7% in fiscal 2012 as compared to 48.1% for fiscal 2011. The decrease in gross profit as a percentage of revenue was primarily due to higher fixed manufacturing costs, pricing impacts and decreased sales and production volumes, partially offset by lower variable manufacturing costs and higher manufacturing yields. We expect our gross profit percentage for full fiscal year 2013 to be in the range of 46% to 48%, which is unchanged from the full year guidance for fiscal 2012. However, we may experience fluctuations in our gross profit due to a number of factors, including the extent to which we utilize our manufacturing capacity and changes in our product mix, which may cause our quarterly gross profit to be above or below this range. Interest Expense Interest expense was $2.3 million in fiscal 2012, which represented an increase of $2.2 million from fiscal 2011. The increase was due to interest expense recorded on the Term Loan, as discussed in the Overview section of this MD&A and in Note 9 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, which was used to partially fund the special cash dividend we paid in fiscal 2012. Other Income (Expense), Net Other expense was $1.3 million in both fiscal 2012 and 2011. Other expense includes $0.3 million in amortization of prepaid debt costs as well as gains and losses on transactions denominated in foreign currencies, primarily related to changes in the exchange rate of the Japanese yen and the New Taiwan dollar to the U.S. dollar, net of the gains and losses incurred on forward foreign exchange contracts discussed in Note 10 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. Research, Development and Technical Total research, development and technical expenses were $58.6 million in fiscal 2012, which represented an increase of 1.0%, or $0.6 million, from fiscal 2011. The increase was primarily due to $1.5 million in higher expenses for research and development materials and $0.5 million in higher sample costs, partially offset by $1.6 million in lower staffing-related costs, including costs related to our annual incentive cash bonus program (AIP). Our research, development and technical efforts are focused on the following main areas: • esearch related to fundamental CMP technology; R • evelopment and formulation of new and enhanced D CMP consumable products, including collaboration on joint development projects with our customers; • rocess development to support rapid and effective P commercialization of new products; • echnical support of CMP products in our customers’ T development and manufacturing facilities; and, • valuation and development of new polishing and E metrology applications outside of the semiconductor industry. Provision for Income Taxes Our effective income tax rate was 35.1% in fiscal 2012 compared to 34.5% in fiscal 2011. The increase in the effective tax rate was primarily due the expiration of the U.S. research and experimentation tax credit effective December 31, 2011, decreased income in certain foreign subsidiaries where we have elected to permanently reinvest earnings, which are taxed at lower rates than in the U.S., and certain adjustments made to prior year tax estimates. These increases were partially offset by decreased tax effects on share-based compensation and the decreased taxable executive compensation in excess of limits defined in section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code. As discussed above at the beginning of the “Results of Operations” section of this MD&A, our income tax provision in fiscal 2012 included various nonmaterial adjustments to correct prior period amounts, which resulted in additional income tax expense of $1.0 million. As discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2011, our income tax provision in fiscal 2011 included adjustments to correct prior period amounts, including $0.7 million in tax expense related to executive compensation in fiscal Selling and Marketing Selling and marketing expenses were $29.5 million in fiscal 2012, which represented a decrease of 0.8%, or $0.2 million, from fiscal 2011. The decrease was primarily due to $0.5 million in lower depreciation and amortization expense and $0.3 million in lower professional fees, partially offset by $0.4 million in higher staffing related costs. 27