EXHIBIT 12.1
FIRST DATA CORPORATION
COMPUTATION OF
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
| | Successor | | Predecessor | |
| | | | | | | | Period from | | Period from | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | September 25 | | January 1 | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | Year ended | | though | | though | | | | | | | |
| | Three months ended March 31, | | December 31, | | December 31, | | September 24, | | Year ended December 31, | |
(in millions) | | 2009 | | 2008 | | 2008 | | 2007 | | 2007 | | 2006 | | 2005 | | 2004 | |
Earnings: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(Loss) income before income taxes (1) | | $ | (376.1 | ) | $ | (352.2 | ) | $ | (4,463.5 | ) | $ | (478.0 | ) | $ | 590.2 | | $ | 1,051.4 | | $ | 995.8 | | $ | 1,507.8 | |
Interest expense | | 448.2 | | 517.7 | | 1,964.9 | | 584.7 | | 103.6 | | 248.0 | | 190.9 | | 116.4 | |
Other adjustments | | 6.0 | | 6.9 | | 25.7 | | 76.8 | | 23.5 | | 31.4 | | 30.0 | | 35.4 | |
Total earnings (a) | | $ | 78.1 | | $ | 172.4 | | $ | (2,472.9 | ) | $ | 183.5 | | $ | 717.3 | | $ | 1,330.8 | | $ | 1,216.7 | | $ | 1,659.6 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Fixed charges: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Interest expense | | $ | 448.2 | | $ | 517.7 | | $ | 1,964.9 | | $ | 584.7 | | $ | 103.6 | | $ | 248.0 | | $ | 190.9 | | $ | 116.4 | |
Other adjustments | | 6.0 | | 6.9 | | 25.7 | | 76.8 | | 23.5 | | 31.4 | | 30.0 | | 35.4 | |
Total fixed charges (b) | | $ | 454.2 | | $ | 524.6 | | $ | 1,990.6 | | $ | 661.5 | | $ | 127.1 | | $ | 279.4 | | $ | 220.9 | | $ | 151.8 | |
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges (a/b)(2) | | | | | | | | | | 5.64 | | 4.76 | | 5.51 | | 10.93 | |
(1) (Loss) income before income taxes includes equity earnings in affiliates, and excludes discontinued operations and net income attributable to noncontrolling interests. Reflecting such amounts on a cash basis would not materially impact the ratio. Includes a goodwill impairment charge of $3.2 billion recognized in 2008.
(2) The Company’s ratio of earnings to fixed charges is less than one-to-one for the year ended December 31, 2008 as well as the successor period from September 25, 2007 through December 31, 2007 and the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The deficiencies in total earnings were $4,463.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2008, $478.0 million for the successor period from September 25, 2007 through December 31, 2007 and $376.1 million and $352.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
For purposes of computing the ratio of earnings to fixed charges, fixed charges consist of interest on debt, amortization of deferred financing costs and a portion of rentals determined to be representative of interest. Fixed charges do not include interest on income tax liabilities. Earnings consist of income before income taxes plus fixed charges.
