1 EXHIBIT 12 BRIGGS & STRATTON CORPORATION COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES (dollars in millions) Fiscal Year Six Months Ended ------------------------------------ December 29,1996 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 ---------------- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- Net Income $ 11 $ 92 $104 $ 70 $ 70 $ 51 Add: Interest 4 10 9 9 11 11 Income tax expense and other taxes on income 7 57 66 67 44 29 Fixed charges of unconsolidated subsidiaries - 1 1 - 1 1 Cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles (net of tax) - - - 33 - - ---------------- ------------------------------------ Earnings as defined $ 22 $160 $180 $179 $126 $ 92 ================ ==================================== Interest 4 10 9 9 11 11 Fixed charges of unconsolidated subsidiaries - 1 1 - 1 1 ---------------- ------------------------------------ Fixed Charges as defined $ 4 $ 11 $ 10 $ 9 $ 12 $ 12 ================ ==================================== ---------------- ------------------------------------ Ratio of earnings to fixed charges 5.5X 14.5X 18.0X 19.9X 10.5X 7.7X ================ ====================================