EXHIBIT 12(b) UNION ELECTRIC COMPANY COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDEND REQUIREMENTS 12 Months Year Ended December 31, Ended --------------------------------------------------------- June 30, 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- (Thousands of Dollars Except Ratios) Net income for the period $302,748 $297,160 $320,757 $314,107 $304,876 $302,061 Add: Taxes based on income 197,009 182,716 203,827 207,734 196,210 192,968 Fixed charges (see below) 136,227 130,914 142,411 138,071 136,102 139,545 ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- Earnings available for fixed charges and preferred stock dividend requirements of Registrant $635,984 $610,790 $666,995 $659,912 $637,188 $634,574 ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== Fixed charges: Interest on debt $125,798 $124,430 $135,608 $129,239 $128,375 $132,087 Amortization of premium and discount, less expense on debt; and bond defeasance cost 9,521 5,170 5,504 5,502 4,269 3,662 Rentals (see note) 908 1,314 1,299 3,330 3,458 3,796 -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- Total fixed charges $136,227 $130,914 $142,411 $138,071 $136,102 $139,545 Preferred stock dividend requirements of Registrant* (Adjusted for income tax effect) 21,852 21,537 20,514 20,808 20,612 16,923 ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ Total fixed charges and preferred stock dividend requirements $158,079 $152,451 $162,925 $158,879 $156,714 $156,468 ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== Ratio of earnings to fixed charges and preferred dividends 4.02 4.01 4.09 4.15 4.06 4.05 ==== ==== ==== ==== ==== ==== Note: Represents the interest factor applicable to rentals. * See following page for supporting computation. EXHIBIT 12(b) (continued) UNION ELECTRIC COMPANY COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDEND REQUIREMENTS 12 Months Year Ended December 31, Ended ---------------------------------------------------------- June 30, 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- (Thousands of Dollars Except Ratios) Computation of preferred stock dividend requirements of Registrant, adjusted for income tax effect* Preferred stock dividend requirements of Registrant, as shown on statement of earnings $14,058 $14,087 $13,252 $13,250 $13,249 $11,033 Less deductible preferred stock dividends** 2,085 1,973 1,816 1,816 1,816 1,816 ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- Non-deductible preferred stock dividends $11,973 $12,114 $11,436 $11,434 $11,433 $9,217 ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= ====== Excess of net income before income taxes over net income (percentage) See note below 65.1% 61.5% 63.5% 66.1% 64.4% 63.9% ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- Income tax effect on non-deductible preferred stock dividends* $7,794 $7,450 $7,262 $7,558 $7,363 $5,890 Add: Deductible preferred stock dividends (above) 2,085 1,973 1,816 1,816 1,816 1,816 Non-deductible preferred stock dividends (above) 11,973 12,114 11,436 11,434 11,433 9,217 ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ----- Preferred stock dividend requirements of Registrant. (Adjusted for income tax effect) $21,852 $21,537 $20,514 $20,808 $20,612 $16,923 ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= Note: Calculated as follows - Net income before income taxes $499,757 $479,876 $524,584 $521,841 $501,086 $495,029 Less net income 302,748 297,160 320,757 314,107 304,876 302,061 ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- Excess - Taxed based on income $197,009 $182,716 $203,827 $207,734 $196,210 $192,968 ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== - Percentage of net income 65.1% 61.5% 63.5% 66.1% 64.4% 63.9% ===== ===== ===== ===== ===== ===== * Income tax adjustment to reflect pretax earnings required to meet preferred stock dividend. ** Dividends deductible on federal income tax return.