1 EXHIBIT 12 BRIGGS & STRATTON CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES (Dollars in thousands) Nine Months Ended ------------------------------- March 28, 1999 March 29, 1998 -------------- -------------- Net income $ 70,891 $ 43,440 Add: Interest 13,183 14,912 Income tax expense and other taxes on income 42,543 26,630 Fixed charges of unconsolidated subsidiaries 226 392 -------------- -------------- Earnings as defined $ 126,843 $ 85,374 ============== ============== Interest $ 13,183 $ 14,912 Fixed charges of unconsolidated subsidiaries 226 392 -------------- -------------- Fixed charges as defined $ 13,409 $ 15,304 ============== ============== Ratio of earnings to fixed charges 9.46x 5.58x ============== ==============