Exhibit 7.1
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges
Year ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
($ millions, except ratio information) | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | |||||||||||||||
Income (loss) before taxes | $ | 224.4 | $ | 57.4 | $ | (537.3 | ) | $ | (48.8 | ) | $ | 98.4 | ||||||||
Fixed charges: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Interest expense | 31.0 | 16.4 | 24.2 | 17.1 | 17.5 | |||||||||||||||
Interest portion of rental expense | 5.2 | 4.9 | 3.6 | 3.4 | 2.5 | |||||||||||||||
Income (loss) before taxes plus fixed charges | $ | 260.6 | $ | 78.7 | $ | (509.5 | ) | $ | (28.3 | ) | $ | 118.4 | ||||||||
Fixed charges: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Interest expense | $ | 31.0 | $ | 16.4 | $ | 24.2 | $ | 17.1 | $ | 17.5 | ||||||||||
Interest portion of rental expense | 5.2 | 4.9 | 3.6 | 3.4 | 2.5 | |||||||||||||||
$ | 36.2 | $ | 21.3 | $ | 27.8 | $ | 20.5 | $ | 20.0 | |||||||||||
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges | 7.2 | 3.7 | (a | ) | (b | ) | 5.9 |
The ratio of earnings to fixed charges is calculated by dividing earnings by fixed charges. Fixed charges consist of interest expense and the interest portion of rental expense.
(a) Due to Converium’s loss in 2001 the ratio coverage was less than 1:1. Converium would have needed to generate additional earnings of $537.3 million to achieve coverage of 1:1.
(b) Due to Converium’s loss in 2000 the ratio coverage was less than 1:1. Converium would have needed to generate additional earnings of $48.8 million to achieve coverage of 1:1.