Exhibit 12.1
QUEST DIAGNOSTICS INCORPORATED
COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT RATIOS)
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | For The Three Months Ended March 31, | | Year Ended December 31, |
| 2007 | | 2006 | | 2005 | | 2004 | | 2003 | | 2002 |
Income from continuing operations before taxes, equity earnings and minority share of income | | | $ | | 176,273 | | | | $ | | 1,028,161 | | | | $ | | 941,498 | | | | $ | | 822,880 | | | | $ | | 725,920 | | | | $ | | 531,469 | |
Adjustments: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Distributed income from less than 50% owned companies | | | | 5,300 | | | | | 26,411 | | | | | 25,492 | | | | | 21,973 | | | | | 13,881 | | | | | 17,034 | |
Fixed charges | | | | 41,428 | | | | | 147,133 | | | | | 108,751 | | | | | 103,725 | | | | | 100,312 | | | | | 88,997 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Earnings from continuing operations before taxes and fixed charges, as adjusted | | | $ | | 223,001 | | | | $ | | 1,201,705 | | | | $ | | 1,075,741 | | | | $ | | 948,578 | | | | $ | | 840,113 | | | | $ | | 637,500 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Fixed charges: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Interest expense | | | $ | | 28,168 | | | | $ | | 96,997 | | | | $ | | 63,266 | | | | $ | | 60,464 | | | | $ | | 61,064 | | | | $ | | 57,707 | |
Portion of rent expense which represents interest factor | | | | 13,260 | | | | | 50,136 | | | | | 45,485 | | | | | 43,261 | | | | | 39,248 | | | | | 31,290 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total fixed charges | | | $ | | 41,428 | | | | $ | | 147,133 | | | | $ | | 108,751 | | | | $ | | 103,725 | | | | $ | | 100,312 | | | | $ | | 88,997 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges | | | | 5.4x | | | | | 8.2x | | | | | 9.9x | | | | | 9.2x | | | | | 8.4x | | | | | 7.2x | |