EXHIBIT 12

 

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

 

( in thousands )


   Three months ended
March 31,


   2005

   2004

EARNINGS AS DEFINED:

             

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

   $ 125,656    $ 130,927

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

     9,583      9,511
    

  

Earnings as defined

   $ 135,239    $ 140,438
    

  

FIXED CHARGES AS DEFINED:

             

Interest expense, including amortization of debt issue costs

   $ 7,372    $ 7,395

Interest capitalized

            265

Portion of rental expense representative of the interest factor

     2,211      2,116

Preferred stock dividends of majority-owned subsidiary companies

     20      20
    

  

Fixed charges as defined

   $ 9,603    $ 9,796
    

  

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

     14.08      14.34