Exhibit 12 Ratio of Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges and Preferred Stock Dividends (thousands of dollars) Year Ended September 30, Nine Months ---------------------------------------------------------- Ended 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 June 30, 2003 -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- ------------- Fixed Charges Computation Interest expensed and capitalized $ 2,220 $ 4,178 $ 3,603 $ 145 $ 417 $ 9,518 Amortized premiums, discounts, and capitalized expenses related to indebtedness 2,046 2,075 3,034 79 136 2,872 Reasonable approximation of interest within rental expense 47 131 26 20 72 839 -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- Total Fixed Charges 4,313 6,384 6,663 244 625 13,229 Preferred equity dividends 337 466 378 113 - - -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- Total Fixed Charges and Preferred Equity Dividends $ 4,650 $ 6,850 $ 7,041 $ 357 $ 625 $ 13,229 ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== Earnings Computation Pre-tax income (loss) from continuing operations before adjustment for minority interests in consolidated subsidiaries or income or loss from equity investees $(10,916) $(28,402) $ 8,642 $ 14,468 $ 40,236 $ 42,335 Plus Fixed charges 4,650 6,850 7,041 357 625 13,229 Minus Interest capitalized 1,390 - - - - 118 -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- Total Earnings $ (7,656) $(21,552) $ 15,683 $ 14,825 $ 40,861 $ 55,446 ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== Ratio of Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges and Preferred Stock Dividends N/A N/A 2.23 41.53 65.38 4.19 Dollar amount of Deficiency $(12,306) $(28,402) N/A N/A N/A N/A