AerCap has reported net income of $263.4 million for the third quarter of 2018, compared with $265.8 million for the same period in 2017. Diluted earnings per share, which was $1.79, compared with $1.62 for the same period in 2017, increased 10%, primarily driven by the repurchase of 20.0 million shares from July 2017 through September 2018
Aengus Kelly, CEO of AerCap, commented: “I am pleased to announce another strong quarter for AerCap with earnings per share of $1.79 and 11% growth in book value per share year over year. This consistent profitability shows the resilience and consistency of our platform. We continue to actively place our new orders and look forward to delivering over 200 new aircraft by the end of 2020 to drive the continued success of the company.”
Basic lease rents were $1,038.5 million for the third quarter of 2018, compared with $1,038.4 million for the same period in 2017.
Maintenance rents and other receipts were $93.9 million for the third quarter of 2018, compared with $163.0 million for the same period in 2017. The decrease was primarily as a result of lower end of lease compensation during the third quarter of 2018.
Net gain on sale of assets for the third quarter of 2018 was $20.0 million, relating to 13 aircraft sold, compared with $63.7 million for the same period in 2017, relating to 27 aircraft sold. The decrease was primarily due to the volume and composition of asset sales.
Other income for the third quarter of 2018 was $14.1 million, compared with $8.8 million for the same period in 2017.
Interest expense excluding mark-to-market of interest rate caps of $4.9 million was $297.0 million for the third quarter of 2018, compared with $278.2 million for the same period in 2017. Average cost of debt was 4.1% for the third quarter of 2018, compared with 4.0% for the same period in 2017.
Annualized net spread was 8.4% for the third quarter of 2018, compared with 8.9% for the same period in 2017. The decrease was primarily due to the lower age of our owned fleet, which increased our average remaining lease term to 7.1 years. Younger aircraft tend to have lower yields than older aircraft.
Selling, general and administrative expenses were $63.4 million for the third quarter of 2018, compared with $83.9 million for the same period in 2017. The decrease was primarily due to a decrease in share-based compensation and other compensation-related expenses.
Leasing expenses were $84.8 million for the third quarter of 2018, compared with $137.8 million for the same period in 2017. The decrease was primarily due to a decrease in maintenance rights expense as a result of the lower maintenance rights intangible asset balance, partially offset by an increase in other leasing expenses as a result of lease terminations. Asset impairment charges were $12.8 million for the third quarter of 2018, compared to $45.6 million recorded for the same period in 2017. Asset impairment recorded in the third quarter of 2018 related to sales transactions and lease terminations and was more than offset by maintenance revenue.
Our effective tax rate for the third quarter of 2018 was 13.0%, compared to 11.5% for the same period in 2017. The effective tax rate for the full year 2017 was 13.3%. The effective tax rate is impacted by the source and amount of earnings among our different tax jurisdictions.
As of September 30, 2018, AerCap’s portfolio consisted of 1,457 aircraft that were owned, on order or managed. The average age of our owned fleet as of September 30, 2018 was 6.6 years and the average remaining contracted lease term was 7.1 years.
On October 29, 2018, the AerCap Board of Directors approved a new share repurchase program authorizing total repurchases of up to $200 million of AerCap ordinary shares through March 31, 2019. The program will be funded using the Company’s cash on hand and cash generated from operations. The program may be suspended or discontinued at any time.
In April 2018, our Board of Directors approved a share repurchase program authorizing total share repurchases of up to $200 million of AerCap ordinary shares through September 30, 2018. In September 2018, this share repurchase program was extended to run through December 31, 2018.