EXHIBIT 12.4 WTD INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES COMPUTATION OF REGISTRANT'S AVERAGE STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT) TO AVERAGE TOTAL ASSETS (In Thousands, Except Ratios) YEAR ENDED APRIL 30, ----------------------------------------------------------- 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- AVERAGE STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT) Beginning of period $ 20,076 $ 18,512 $ 13,684 $ (43,553) $ (46,545) End of period 11,686 20,076 18,512 13,684 (43,553) Average $ 15,881 $ 19,294 $ 16,098 $ (14,935) $ (45,049) ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- AVERAGE TOTAL ASSETS Beginning of period $ 88,944 $ 97,100 $ 100,039 $ 113,561 $ 106,038 End of period 77,396 88,944 97,100 100,039 113,561 Average $ 83,170 $ 93,022 $ 98,570 $ 106,800 $ 109,800 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- RATIO OF AVERAGE STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT) TO AVERAGE TOTAL ASSETS 19.1 % 20.7 % 16.3 % NM NM NM - Not meaningful -62-