Table:
|  | First | Second | Third | Fourth |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2019 |  |  |  |  |
| Net sales | $117,625 | $120,684 | $115,651 | $115,040 |
| Gross margin | $40,615 | $41,204 | $37,057 | $38,700 |
| Operating earnings | $14,218 | $17,083 | $10,124 | $12,391 |
| Net earnings | $11,419 | $11,943 | $2,722 | $10,062 |
| Basic earnings per share | $0.35 | $0.36 | $0.08 | $0.31 |
| Diluted earnings per share | $0.34 | $0.36 | $0.08 | $0.31 |
| 2018 |  |  |  |  |
| Net sales | $113,530 | $118,021 | $118,859 | $120,073 |
| Gross margin | $38,433 | $41,813 | $42,082 | $42,645 |
| Operating earnings | $13,359 | $14,544 | $16,118 | $17,017 |
| Net earnings | $ 11,54 | $7,209 | $10,211 | $17,564 |
| Basic earnings per share | $0.35 | $0.22 | $0.31 | $0.53 |
| Diluted earnings per share | $0.34 | $0.21 | $0.30 | $0.52 |
Paragraphs:
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (in thousands, except for share and per share data)
NOTE 21 — Quarterly Financial Data
Quarterly Results of Operations (Unaudited)
Question:
What was the gross margin in the first quarter?
Answer: 40,615