I will now highlight current trends and conditions in the markets in which we operate as well as provide an update on a few strategic matters. First, we are encouraged by the steady growth of the U.S. economy. As new jobs are created, average hourly wages increased and the unemployment rate remained below 6% during our fiscal 2015 first quarter. Furthermore, the demand pattern for U.S. steel products remains solid as the nonresidential construction market continued its upward climb with nonresidential construction spending up approximately 6% over the first quarter of our prior fiscal year. The continued improvement in nonresidential construction spending led to higher shipments in our Americas Mills and Americas Fabrication segments. Although volumes have strengthened over the same period of the prior fiscal year, we continue to see pricing pressure as a result of elevated import activity. Rebar imports have increased approximately 40% year-over-year primarily from Turkey. Iron ore prices remain low driving the cost of scrap down. Inversely, metal margins for the Americas Mills expanded in the quarter as a result of improved finished good selling prices and stable scrap prices.
Our focus remains on evaluating a number of strategic growth initiatives, capitalizing on our vertically integrated operating model and strong customer and market position in the U.S. Continuing with comments regarding our international markets, the Polish economy continue to strengthen during our fiscal 2015 first quarter, specifically the manufacturing sector. On the other hand, margins for our Polish operations remained under pressure due to broader economic concerns in the Euro zones. Our International Marketing and Distribution segment reported outstanding results for the first quarter of fiscal 2015, as our steel trading division in the U.S. benefited from strong shipments, in particular, of tubular products. However, in light of the recent decline in oil and gas prices, we are closely monitoring the demand for products exposed to the energy sector.
As part of our share repurchase program that was approved in late October, 2014, we purchased 560,493 shares of our common stock for approximately $9.3 million during the first quarter of fiscal 2015. To date, total purchases are approximately $13.3 million.
With that overview, I will now turn the discussion over to Barbara Smith, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Barbara?
Barbara Smith, SVP and Chief Financial Officer,Commercial Metals Company
Thank you, Joe. Happy New Year and good morning, everyone. As Joe mentioned, for the first quarter of fiscal 2015, we reported earnings from continuing operations of $38.3 million or $0.32 per diluted share, which compares to earnings from continuing operations of $33.7 million or $0.29 per diluted share for the first quarter of the prior year. Results from continuing operations for this year’s first quarter included after-tax LIFO income of $4 million or $0.03 per diluted share compared with after-tax LIFO expense from continuing operations of $2.8 million or $0.02 per diluted share for last year’s first quarter.
Turning to our results by segment, our Americas Recycling segment recorded adjusted operating loss of $1.1 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2015 compared to adjusted operating profit of $839,000 in the first quarter of fiscal 2014. Ferrous shipments declined 2% and average ferrous metal margins declined $1 per short ton compared to the same period in the prior fiscal year. Non-ferrous shipments increased 5%; however, average non-ferrous metal margins continued to be pressured compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2014. Furthermore, in the first quarter of fiscal 2014, this segment benefited from a pre-tax gain on real estate and facility relocation benefits of $3.7 million. In contrast, a favorable change in pre-tax LIFO of $3.2 million was recorded for the first quarter of fiscal 2015 compared to the first quarter of the prior fiscal year.
