EXHIBIT 12 GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS) Six months ended June 30, 1999 ---------------- GE EXCEPT GECS Earnings (a) $ 6,686 Less: Equity in undistributed earnings of General Electric Capital Services, Inc. (b) (1,329) Plus: Interest and other financial charges included in expense 404 One-third of rental expense (c) 95 ------- Adjusted "earnings" $ 5,856 ======= Fixed Charges: Interest and other financial charges $ 404 Interest capitalized 11 One-third of rental expense (c) 95 ------- Total fixed charges $ 510 ======= Ratio of earnings to fixed charges 11.48 ======= GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY AND CONSOLIDATED AFFILIATES Earnings (a) $ 7,506 Plus: Interest and other financial charges included in expense 4,730 One-third of rental expense (c) 266 ------- Adjusted "earnings" $ 12,502 ======= Fixed Charges: Interest and other financial charges $ 4,730 Interest capitalized 59 One-third of rental expense (c) 266 ------- Total fixed charges $ 5,055 ======= Ratio of earnings to fixed charges 2.47 ======= (a) Earnings before income taxes and minority interest. (b) Earnings after income taxes, net of dividends. (c) Considered to be representative of interest factor in rental expense.