Exhibit 12
THE LACLEDE GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
SCHEDULE OF COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
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Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
-------------------------------
2004 2003 2002 2001 2000
---- ---- ---- ---- ----
(Thousands of Dollars)
Income before interest
charges and income taxes $84,142 $80,185 $60,440 $73,742 $64,078
Add: One third of
applicable rentals
charged to operating
expense (which
approximates the
interest factor) 2,333 2,873 2,662 313 310
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Total Earnings $86,475 $83,058 $63,102 $74,055 $64,388
=========================================================================
Interest on long-term debt $22,010 $20,169 $20,820 $18,372 $15,164
Other Interest 6,750 6,717 4,989 10,067 8,844
Add: One third of
applicable rentals
charged to operating
expense (which
approximates the
interest factor) 2,333 2,873 2,662 313 310
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Fixed Charges $31,093 $29,759 $28,471 $28,752 $24,318
=========================================================================
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed
Charges 2.78 2.79 2.22 2.58 2.65
LACLEDE GAS COMPANY
SCHEDULE OF COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
-------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
-------------------------------
2004 2003 2002 2001 2000
---- ---- ---- ---- ----
(Thousands of Dollars)
Income before interest
charges and income taxes $73,956 $76,274 $56,154 $73,742 $64,078
Add: One third of
applicable rentals
charged to operating
expense (which
approximates the
interest factor) 538 457 315 313 310
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Earnings $74,494 $76,731 $56,469 $74,055 $64,388
=========================================================================
Interest on long-term debt $22,010 $20,169 $20,820 $18,372 $15,164
Other Interest 3,192 3,752 4,285 10,067 8,844
Add: One third of
applicable rentals
charged to operating
expense (which
approximates the
interest factor) 538 457 315 313 310
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Fixed Charges $25,740 $24,378 $25,420 $28,752 $24,318
=========================================================================
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed
Charges 2.89 3.15 2.22 2.58 2.65