EXHIBIT 12
THE WESTERN UNION COMPANY
COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
(unaudited)
(in millions)
2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | ||||||||||||||
Earnings: | ||||||||||||||||||
Income before income taxes | $ | 1,335.1 | $ | 1,344.1 | $ | 1,098.6 | $ | 962.6 | $ | 799.3 | ||||||||
Fixed charges | 56.9 | 7.9 | 9.7 | 2.5 | 1.5 | |||||||||||||
Other adjustments | (7.2 | ) | (2.3 | ) | — | 0.1 | (2.8 | ) | ||||||||||
Total earnings (a) | $ | 1,384.8 | $ | 1,349.7 | $ | 1,108.3 | $ | 965.2 | $ | 798.0 | ||||||||
Fixed charges: | ||||||||||||||||||
Interest expense | $ | 55.2 | $ | 6.2 | $ | 8.1 | $ | 1.2 | $ | 0.4 | ||||||||
Other adjustments | 1.7 | 1.7 | 1.6 | 1.3 | 1.1 | |||||||||||||
Total fixed charges (b) | $ | 56.9 | $ | 7.9 | $ | 9.7 | $ | 2.5 | $ | 1.5 | ||||||||
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges (a/b) | 24.3 | 170.8 | 114.3 | 386.1 | 532.0 | |||||||||||||
For purposes of calculating the ratio of earnings to fixed charges, earnings have been calculated by adding income before income taxes, fixed charges, and distributions from equity method investments, and then subtracting income from equity method investments. Fixed charges consist of interest expense and an estimated interest portion of rental expenses. Substantially all of our debt was incurred in connection with our spin-off from First Data which resulted in a lower ratio of earnings to fixed charges during 2006 compared to previous years. Due to the annualized nature of this calculation and timing associated with the debt we incurred in connection with the spin-off on September 29, 2006, we anticipate the ratio of earnings to fixed charges will be lower in 2007.