RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

  EXHIBIT 12

 

    

Three months ended
June 30,


  

Six months ended

June 30,


( in thousands )


   2004

   2003

   2004

   2003

EARNINGS AS DEFINED:

                           

Earnings from operations before income taxes after eliminating undistributed earnings of 20%- to 50%-owned affiliates

   $ 151,185    $ 122,080    $ 282,112    $ 213,096

Fixed charges excluding capitalized interest and preferred stock dividends of majority-owned subsidiary companies

     10,409      9,482      19,920      19,110
    

  

  

  

Earnings as defined

   $ 161,594    $ 131,562    $ 302,032    $ 232,206
    

  

  

  

FIXED CHARGES AS DEFINED:

                           

Interest expense, including amortization of debt issue costs

   $ 8,272    $ 7,832    $ 15,667    $ 15,835

Interest capitalized

     251      89      516      164

Portion of rental expense representative of the interest factor

     2,137      1,650      4,253      3,275

Preferred stock dividends of majority-owned subsidiary companies

     20      20      40      40
    

  

  

  

Fixed charges as defined

   $ 10,680    $ 9,591    $ 20,476    $ 19,314
    

  

  

  

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

     15.13      13.72      14.75      12.02
    

  

  

  

 

E - 2