EXHIBIT 12
THOMAS & BETTS CORPORATION
COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
For The Years Ended
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January 3, December 28, December 29, December 31, January 1,
1999 1997 1996 1995 1995
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Earnings from continuing
operations before
income taxes $ 124,908 $ 233,507 $ 106,395 $ 148,365 $ 54,576
Add:
Interest on indebtedness 50,958 51,431 50,131 32,625 31,252
Amortization of debt expense 177 610 1,335 1,496 1,373
Portion of rents representative
of the interest factor 10,835 11,796 11,585 10,935 9,906
Deduct: Interest capitalized and
undistributed earnings from less
than 50 percent owned persons (12,701) (10,380) (5,259) (2,848) (1,863)
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Earnings as adjusted $ 174,177 $ 286,964 $ 164,187 $ 190,573 $ 95,244
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Fixed charges:
Interest on indebtedness 50,958 51,431 $ 50,131 $ 32,625 $ 31,252
Amortization of debt expense 177 610 1,335 1,496 1,373
Portion of rents representative
of the interest factor 10,835 11,796 11,585 10,935 9,906
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Total fixed charges $ 61,970 $ 63,837 $ 63,051 $ 45,056 $ 42,531
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Ratio of earnings to
fixed charges 2.8x 4.5x 2.6x 4.2x 2.2x
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EX12-1