1 EXHIBIT 12.1 THE DIAL CORP -- TOTAL ENTERPRISE COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, ------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------ 1994 1993 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989 ------- ------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- Earnings available for fixed charges: Pretax income from continuing operations........................ $28,084 $17,277 $171,649 $120,334 $ 72,380 $125,769 $ 73,086 Minority interests.................. (100) (158) 3,618 2,814 3,543 8,357 8,219 Fixed charges, excluding capitalized interest.......................... 24,075 22,576 91,620 100,149 101,253 107,774 113,645 ------- ------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- $52,059 $39,695 $266,887 $223,297 $177,176 $241,900 $194,950 ======= ======= ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== Fixed charges: Interest expense.................... $12,369 $13,369 $ 49,965 $ 56,049 $ 56,768 $ 63,667 $ 70,182 Interest capitalized................ 83 58 149 320 590 436 964 Estimated portion of rental expense representing interest............. 11,706 9,207 41,655 44,100 44,485 44,107 43,463 ------- ------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- $24,158 $22,634 $ 91,769 $100,469 $101,843 $108,210 $114,609 ======= ======= ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== Ratio of earnings (available for fixed charges) to fixed charges........... 2.16 1.75 2.91 2.22 1.74 2.24 1.70 ======= ======= ======== ======== ======== ======== ========