Exhibit 12
Ratio of Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges and Preferred Stock Dividends
(thousands of dollars) Year Ended September 30,
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2000 2001 2002 2003 2004
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Fixed Charges Computation
Interest expensed and capitalized $ 3,603 $ 145 $ 417 $12,060 $ 13,857
Amortized premiums, discounts, and capitalized expenses
related to indebtedness 3,034 79 136 3,857 6,031
Reasonable approximation of interest within rental expense 26 20 72 1,139 1,462
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Total Fixed Charges 6,663 244 625 17,056 21,350
Preferred equity dividends 378 113 - - -
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Total Fixed Charges and Preferred Equity Dividends $ 7,041 $ 357 $ 625 $17,056 $ 21,350
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Earnings Computation
Pre-tax income from continuing operations before adjustment
for minority interests in consolidated subsidiaries or
income or loss from equity investees $ 8,642 $14,468 $40,236 $60,081 $105,107
Plus
Fixed charges 7,041 357 625 17,056 21,350
Minus
Interest capitalized - - - 230 435
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Total Earnings $15,683 $14,825 $40,861 $76,907 $126,022
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Ratio of Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges and
Preferred Stock Dividends 2.23 41.53 65.38 4.51 5.90