EX-12.1 3 ex12-1.htm COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES ex12-1.htm
Exhibit 12.1
 
 
 
The Washington Post Company
Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
(Dollars in thousands)
 
   
Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended
    
Fiscal Year Ended
  
   
September 28,
2008
    
December 30,
2007
    
December 31,
2006
    
January 1,
2006
    
January 2,
2005
    
December 28,
2003
  
Earnings:
                                    
Income before income taxes and cumulative effect of change in accounting principle, and equity in earnings (losses) of affiliates
   $  82,800     $  475,132     $  518,344     $  500,525     $  544,723     $  392,354  
Add:  Fixed charges
     50,896       70,279       64,310       64,421       60,565       53,404  
           Amortization of capitalized interest
     -       -       68       198       198       198  
           Distributed income of equity investees
     189       2,155       900       850       800       750  
Earnings
   $  133,885     $  547,566     $  583,622     $  565,994     $  606,286     $  446,706  
                                                 
Fixed charges:
                                                
Interest expensed
   $  19,514     $  24,046     $  25,343     $  26,754     $  28,032     $  27,804  
Portion of rent expense representative of interest
     31,382       46,233       38,967       37,667       32,533       25,600  
Total fixed charges
   $  50,896     $  70,279     $  64,310     $  64,421     $  60,565     $  53,404  
                                                 
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges
     2.6       7.8       9.1       8.8       10.0       8.4