EXHIBIT 12.1 DST SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) YTD 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2Q 2004 ----------- ---------- --------- --------- --------- --------- Pretax income from continuing operations before adjustment for minority interests in consolidated subsidiaries or income or loss from equity investees $207,716 $325,318 $354,977 $310,132 $417,707 $149,602 Add: Fixed Charges 19,643 29,351 31,851 38,946 50,328 35,703 Amortization of capitalized interest 100 118 162 179 167 88 Distributed earnings of equity investees 468 92 49 371 102 - Subtract: Capitalized interest (285) (852) (1,005) (210) (571) (597) --------- ---------- --------- --------- --------- --------- Pretax income as adjusted $227,642 $354,027 $386,034 $349,418 $467,734 $184,796 ========= ========== ========= ========= ========= ========= Fixed charges: Interest expense $ 5,154 $ 5,561 $ 7,452 $ 13,379 $ 26,877 $ 26,652 Interest capitalized 285 852 1,005 210 571 597 --------- ---------- --------- --------- --------- --------- 5,439 6,413 8,457 13,589 27,448 27,249 Portion of rents representative of an appropriate interest factor 14,204 22,938 23,394 25,357 22,880 8,454 --------- ---------- --------- --------- --------- --------- Total fixed charges $19,643 $ 29,351 $ 31,851 $ 38,946 $ 50,328 $35,703 ========= ========== ========= ========= ========= ========= Ratio of earnings to fixed charges 11.6 12.1 12.1 9.0 9.3 5.2