1 BRIGGS & STRATTON CORPORATION EXHIBIT NO. 12 COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES (dollars in thousands) Fiscal Year Ended -------------------------------------------- June 28, 1998 June 29, 1997 June 30, 1996 ------------- ------------- ------------- Net income $ 70,645 $ 61,565 $ 92,412 Add: Interest 19,352 9,880 10,069 Income tax expense and other taxes on income 42,500 37,740 56,640 Fixed charges of unconsolidated subsidiaries 510 668 574 -------- -------- -------- Earnings as defined $133,007 $109,853 $159,695 ======== ======== ======== Interest $ 19,352 $ 9,880 $ 10,069 Fixed charges of unconsolidated subsidiaries 510 668 574 -------- -------- -------- Fixed Charges as defined $ 19,862 $ 10,548 $ 10,643 ======== ======== ======== Ratio of earnings to fixed charges 6.7x 10.4x 15.0x ======== ======== ========