Exhibit 12 Exhibit 12 RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES -------------------------------------------------------------------------- (in $millions except ratios) FISCAL YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 Fixed Charges Interest Expense $ 69 $ 59 $ 64 $ 102 $ 95 Interest Portion of Rent (est.) 10 7 7 7 6 -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- Sub-Total $ 79 $ 66 $ 71 $ 109 $ 101 -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- Earnings Income from Continuing Ops $ 78 $ 219 $ 185 $ - $ 57 before taxes plus: Fixed Charges 79 66 71 109 101 -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- Sub-Total $ 157 $ 285 $ 256 $ 109 $ 158 -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- ============== ============== ============== ============== ============== Earnings/Fixed Charges (x) = 2.0 4.3 3.6 1.0 1.6 ============== ============== ============== ============== ============== RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES ------------------------------------- (in $millions except ratios) NINE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30 ------------------------------------- 1999 1998 Fixed Charges Interest Expense $ 57 $ 51 Interest Portion of Rent (est.) 8 7 ------------------ ------------------ Sub-Total $ 65 $ 58 ------------------ ------------------ Earnings Income from Continuing Ops $ 161 $ 40 before taxes plus: Fixed Charges 65 58 ------------------ ------------------ Sub-Total $ 226 $ 98 ------------------ ------------------ ================== ================== Earnings/Fixed Charges (x) = 3.5 1.7 ================== ==================