EXHIBIT 12

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

 

      Three months ended
June 30,
   Six months ended
June 30,

(in thousands)

   2007    2006    2007    2006

EARNINGS AS DEFINED:

           

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

   $ 172,976    $ 195,554    $ 295,214    $ 348,361

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

     13,791      17,651      26,392      31,940
                           

Earnings as defined

   $ 186,767    $ 213,205    $ 321,606    $ 380,301
                           

FIXED CHARGES AS DEFINED:

           

Interest expense, including amortization of debt issue costs

   $ 10,729    $ 15,537    $ 20,930    $ 27,690

Interest capitalized

     33      28      122      28

Portion of rental expense representative of the interest factor

     3,062      2,114      5,462      4,250

Preferred stock dividends of majority-owned subsidiary companies

     20      20      40      40
                           

Fixed charges as defined

   $ 13,844    $ 17,699    $ 26,554    $ 32,008
                           

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

     13.49      12.05      12.11      11.88