EX-12.1 3 exh121.htm WPS RESOURCES RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

Exhibit 12.1

WPS Resources Corporation

Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

2003

2002

(Millions)

2002

2001

2000

1999

1998

6 Months

6 Months

EARNINGS

Income available to common shareholders

$ 109.4

$ 77.6

$ 67.0

$ 59.6

$ 46.6

$ 35.7

$ 49.8

Federal and state income taxes

24.8

4.8

6.0

29.7

23.4

1.9

9.2

Net pretax income

134.2

82.4

73.0

89.3

70.0

37.6

59.0

Fixed charges

69.3

68.1

63.6

45.8

36.3

36.3

33.8

Subtract preferred dividend requirement

4.8

4.5

4.6

4.7

4.6

2.6

2.6

Subtract cumulative effect of change in accounting principle

-

-

-

-

-

3.2

-

Total earnings as defined

$ 198.7

$ 146.0

$ 132.0

$ 130.4

$ 101.7

$ 68.1

$ 90.2

FIXED CHARGES

Interest on long-term debt, including related amortization

$ 49.1

$ 45.6

$ 41.7

$ 27.2

$ 24.0

$ 27.7

$ 24.6

Other interest

10.2

12.2

11.9

8.5

4.8

2.4

4.0

Distributions - preferred securities of subsidiary trust

3.5

3.5

3.5

3.5

1.5

1.8

1.8

Interest factor applicable to rentals

1.7

2.3

1.9

1.9

1.4

1.8

0.8

Preferred dividends (grossed up) (see below)

$ 4.8

$ 4.5

$ 4.6

$ 4.7

$ 4.6

$ 2.6

$ 2.6

Total fixed charges

$ 69.3

$ 68.1

$ 63.6

$ 45.8

$ 36.3

$ 36.3

$ 33.8

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges

2.9

2.1

2.1

2.8

2.8

1.9

2.7

PREFERRED DIVIDEND CALCULATION:

Preferred dividends

$ 3.1

$ 3.1

$ 3.1

$ 3.1

$ 3.1

$ 1.6

$ 1.6

Tax rate *

35.6%

31.7%

32.0%

33.8%

33.1%

38.4%

37.3%

Preferred dividends (grossed up)

$ 4.8

$ 4.5

$ 4.6

$ 4.7

$ 4.6

$ 2.6

$ 2.6

* The tax rate has been adjusted to exclude the impact of tax credits.