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EXHIBIT 12.1
RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS
Nine months Three months
(Dollars in thousands) ended ended
Years ended November 30 November 30 February 28 Years ended November 30
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2000 1999 1998 1998 1997 1996
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Income (loss) before taxes, extraordinary
items and accounting changes 12,610 (20,387) (19,064) 4,907 14,046 674,656
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Fixed Charges:
Interest 47,362 49,060 36,313 6,940 31,261 3,083
Interest factor portion of rentals 1,100 1,200 854 199 1,043 828
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Total fixed charges 48,462 50,260 37,167 7,139 32,304 3,911
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Earnings before income taxes and
fixed charges 61,072 29,873 18,103 12,046 46,350 678,567
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Preferred stock dividends 11,848 10,569 7,382 - - -
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Ratio of earnings to fixed charges and
preferred stock dividends 1.01 0.49 0.41 1.69 1.43 173.50
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Earnings inadequate to cover fixed charges
and preferred stock dividends (30,956) (26,446)
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