EXHIBIT 12 EMERSON ELECTRIC CO. AND SUBSIDIARIES COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES (Dollars in millions) THREE MONTHS ENDED YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, DECEMBER 31, ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ----------- 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2000 ------------ ----------- ---------- ------------ ------------ ----------- Earnings: Income before income taxes <F1> $ 1,611.3 1,821.7 2,002.3 2,064.0 2,212.9 554.0 Fixed charges 182.2 176.5 218.2 258.1 359.5 100.4 ------------- ------------ ---------- ------------ ------------ ----------- Earnings, as defined $ 1,793.5 1,998.2 2,220.5 2,322.1 2,572.4 654.4 ============= ============ ========== ============ ============ =========== Fixed charges: Interest expense $ 132.3 124.2 161.4 199.0 292.4 83.6 One-third of all rents 49.9 52.3 56.8 59.1 67.1 16.8 ------------- ------------ ---------- ------------ ------------ ----------- Total fixed charges $ 182.2 176.5 218.2 258.1 359.5 100.4 ============= ============ ========== ============ ============ =========== Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges 9.8x 11.3x 10.2x 9.0x 7.2x 6.5x ============= ============ ========== ============ ============ =========== <FN> <F1> Represents income before income taxes and minority interests in the income of consolidated subsidiaries with fixed charges. </FN>