EX-12.1 3 dex121.htm STATEMENT REGARDING COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNING TO FIXED CHARGES. Statement regarding computation of ratio of earning to fixed charges.

Exhibit 12.1

CONAGRA FOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

(Dollars in millions)

 

     Thirteen
Weeks
Ended
August 24,
2008
    2008     2007     2006     2005     2004  

Earnings:

            

Income from continuing operations before income taxes, equity method investment earnings (loss), and cumulative effect of changes in accounting

   $ 172.4     $ 696.2     $ 699.4     $ 756.8     $ 769.1     $ 662.8  

Add/(deduct):

            

Fixed charges

     77.9       313.6       308.1       366.2       400.0       386.7  

Distributed income of equity method investees

     4.6       28.0       13.0       12.8       15.6       24.4  

Capitalized interest

     (1.0 )     (8.2 )     (7.1 )     (5.0 )     (8.6 )     (4.4 )

Preferred distributions of subsidiary

     —         —         —         —         —         (3.5 )
                                                

Earnings available for fixed charges (a)

   $ 253.9     $ 1,029.6     $ 1,013.4     $ 1,130.8     $ 1,176.1     $ 1,066.0  
                                                

Fixed Charges:

            

Interest expense

   $ 65.3     $ 262.4     $ 256.7     $ 310.7     $ 345.0     $ 339.7  

Capitalized interest

     1.0       8.2       7.1       5.0       8.6       4.4  

Preferred distributions of subsidiary

     —         —         —         —         —         3.5  

One third of rental expense (1)

     11.6       43.0       44.3       50.5       46.4       39.1  
                                                

Total fixed charges (b)

   $ 77.9     $ 313.6     $ 308.1     $ 366.2     $ 400.0     $ 386.7  
                                                

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges (a/b)

     3.3       3.3       3.3       3.1       2.9       2.8  

 

(1)

Considered to be representative of interest factor in rental expense.