EX-12.4 8 0008.txt STATEMENT RE: COMPUTATION OF RATIOS Exhibit 12.4 DELUXE CORPORATION COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
Nine Months Ended Years Ended December 31, ----- ------------------------ September 30, 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- Earnings -------- Income from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes $205,695 $324,655 $242,915 $115,150 $118,765 $169,319 $246,706 Interest expense (excluding capitalized interest) 10,455 8,506 8,273 8,822 10,649 13,099 9,733 Portion of rent expense under long-term operating leases representative of an interest factor 9,043 14,640 15,126 13,621 13,467 14,761 13,554 Amortization of debt expense 402 263 122 122 121 84 84 ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- TOTAL EARNINGS $225,595 $348,064 $266,436 $137,715 $143,002 $197,262 $270,077 Fixed charges ------------- Interest Expense (including capitalized interest) 10,455 9,479 9,664 $9,742 $11,978 $14,714 $10,492 Portion of rent expense under long-term operating leases representative of an interest factor 9,043 14,640 15,126 13,621 13,467 14,761 13,554 Amortization of debt expense 402 263 122 122 121 84 84 ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- TOTAL FIXED CHARGES $19,900 $24,382 $24,912 $23,485 $25,566 $29,559 $24,130 RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES: 11.3 14.3 10.7 5.9 5.6 6.7 11.2