EXHIBIT 12 CENDANT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS) YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, -------------------------------------------------------------- 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Earnings before fixed charges: Income (loss) before income taxes and minority interest ................................................... $(574) $ 315 $ 257 $ 533 $ 350 Plus: Fixed charges ...................................... 625 677 409 325 291 Less: Equity income in unconsolidated affiliates ......... 18 14 51 -- -- Capitalized interest ..................................... -- -- -- 1 -- Minority interest in mandatorily redeemable preferred trust securities issued by subsidiary holding solely senior debentures issued by the Company ................................................. 96 80 -- -- -- ----- ------- ------- ------- ------- Earnings available to cover fixed charges ................... $ (63) $ 898 $ 615 $ 857 $ 641 ===== ======= ======= ======= ======= Fixed charges (1): Interest, including amortization of deferred financing costs ...................................................... $ 463 $ 509 $ 379 $ 300 $ 270 Capitalized interest ........................................ -- -- 1 -- Other charges, financing costs .............................. 28 -- -- -- Minority interest in mandatorily redeemable preferred trust securities issued by subsidiary holding solely senior debentures issued by the Company .................................................... 96 80 -- -- -- Interest portion of rental payment .......................... 66 60 30 24 21 ----- ------- ------- ------- ------- Total fixed charges ......................................... $ 625 $ 677 $ 409 $ 325 $ 291 ===== ======= ======= ======= ======= Ratio of earnings to fixed charges (2) ...................... (*) 1.33x 1.50x 2.64x 2.20x ===== ======= ======= ======= ======= - ---------- (1) Fixed charges consist of interest expense on all indebtedness (including amortization of deferred financing costs) and the portion of operating lease rental expense that is representative of the interest factor (deemed to be one-third of operating lease rentals). (2) For the years ended December 31, 1998, 1997, 1996 and 1995, income from continuing operations before income taxes, minority interest, extraordinary gain and cumulative effect of accounting change includes other charges of $810 million (exclusive of financing costs of $30 million), $704 million, $109 million and $97 million, respectively. Excluding such charges, the ratio of earnings to fixed charges for the years ended December 31, 1998, 1997, 1996 and 1995 is 2.52x, 3.22x, 2.97x and 2.54x, respectively. (*) Earnings are inadequate to cover fixed charges for the year ended December 31, 1999 (deficiency of $688 million) as a result of unusual charges of $3,032 million offset by $1,109 million net gain on dispositions of businesses. Excluding such charges and net gain on dispositions of businesses, the ratio of earnings to fixed charges is 2.98x.