EXHIBIT 12 DUKE CAPITAL CORPORATION COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS) Six Months Ended Twelve Months Ended December 31, June 30, ------------------- ------------------------------------------------ 1999 1998 1998 1997(1) 1996(1) 1995(1) 1994(1) -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- Earnings Before Income Taxes.................. $ 344 $ 390 $ 829 $ 637 $ 651 $ 572 $ 448 Fixed Charges........... 133 122 258 235 254 264 263 ------- ------- ------- ----- ----- ----- ----- Total............... $ 477 $ 512 $1,087 $ 872 $ 905 $ 836 $ 711 ======= ======= ======= ===== ===== ===== ===== Fixed Charges Interest on debt....... $ 129 $ 118 $ 251 $ 224 $ 238 $ 253 $ 253 Interest component of rentals............... 4 4 7 11 16 11 10 ------- ------- ------- ----- ----- ----- ----- Fixed Charges....... $ 133 $ 122 $ 258 $ 235 $ 254 $ 264 $ 263 ======= ======= ======= ===== ===== ===== ===== Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.......... 3.6 4.2 4.2 3.7 3.6 3.2 2.7 - ---------------------- (1) Financial information reflects accounting for the combination with PanEnergy on June 30, 1997 similar to a pooling of interests. As a result, the financial information gives effect to the combination as if it had occurred as of January 1, 1994.