Exhibit 99(b)
Gulf States Utilities Company
Computation of Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges and
Ratios of Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges and Preferred Dividends
Twelve Months Ended
December 31, June 30,
1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994
(In Thousands, Except for Ratios)
Fixed charges, as defined:
Interest on long-term debt $231,170 $218,462 $201,335 $197,218 $172,494 $168,825
Interest on notes payable 33,185 24,295 8,446 - - -
Interest on long-term debt - other 19,495 12,668 19,507 21,155 19,440 19,440
Other interest 13,331 18,380 29,169 26,564 10,561 8,415
Amortization of expense and premium on debt-net(cr) 2,280 2,192 1,999 3,479 8,104 8,613
Interest applicable to rentals 23,244 23,761 24,049 23,759 23,455 21,734
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Total fixed charges, as defined 322,705 299,758 284,505 272,175 234,054 227,027
Preferred dividends, as defined (a) 241,829 104,484 90,146 69,617 65,299 59,677
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Combined fixed charges and preferred dividends,
as defined $564,534 $404,242 $374,651 $341,792 $299,353 $286,704
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Earnings as defined:
Income (loss) from continuing operations before extrodinary
items and the cumulative effect of accounting changes $13,251 ($36,399) $112,391 $139,413 $69,462 $67,515
Add:
Income taxes 37,744 (24,216) 48,250 55,860 58,016 65,761
Fixed charges as above 322,705 299,758 284,505 272,175 234,054 227,027
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Total earnings, as defined $373,700 $239,143 $445,146 $467,448 $361,532 $360,303
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Ratio of earnings to fixed charges, as defined 1.16 0.80 1.56 1.72 1.54 1.59
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Ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and
preferred dividends, as defined 0.66 0.59 1.19 1.37 1.21 1.26
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(a) "Preferred dividends," as defined by SEC regulation S-K, are computed by
dividing the preferred dividend requirement by one hundred percent (100%)
minus the income tax rate.
(b) Earnings for the year ended December 31, 1990, for GSU were not adequate
to cover fixed charges by $60.6 million. Earnings for the years ended
December 31, 1990 and 1989, were not adequate to cover fixed charges and
preferred and preference dividends by $165.1 million and $190.8 million,
respectively. Earnings in 1990 include a $205 million charge for the
settlement of a purchased power dispute.