EXHIBIT 99 RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES (millions of dollars) Nine Months Ended September 30, 1998 ------------------ Pretax earnings $ 418.7 Portion of rents representative of the interest factor 14.3 Interest on indebtedness 197.1 Amortization of debt expense and premium .4 WFC preferred stock dividend 4.5 -------- Adjusted income $ 635.0 ======== Fixed charges Portion of rents representative of the interest factor $ 14.3 Interest on indebtedness 197.1 Amortization of debt expense and premium 0.4 WFC preferred stock dividend 4.5 -------- $ 216.3 ======== Ratio of earnings to fixed charges 2.94 ======== Ratios of earnings to fixed charges at September 30, 1997 (0.74) ======== 24