EX-12.1 3 c58867_ex12-1.htm c58867_ex12-1.htm -- Converted by SEC Publisher, created by BCL Technologies Inc., for SEC Filing

Exhibit 12.1

QUEST DIAGNOSTICS INCORPORATED
COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT RATIOS)

    FOR THE                                
    NINE                                
    MONTHS                                
    ENDED           YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,              
    SEPTEMBER 30,                                
    2009     2008     2007     2006     2005     2004  
Income from continuing                                    
 operations before taxes, equity                                    
 earnings and minority share of                                    
 income $ 909,617   $ 1,020,613   $ 912,380   $ 1,028,161   $ 941,498   $ 822,880  
Adjustments:                                    
 Distributed income from less                                    
     than 50% owned companies   16,085     28,752     24,972     26,411     25,492     21,973  
 Fixed charges   157,915     248,716     243,317     147,133     108,751     103,725  
Earnings from continuing                                    
 operations before taxes and                                    
 fixed charges, as adjusted $ 1,083,617   $ 1,298,081   $ 1,180,669   $ 1,201,705   $ 1,075,741   $ 948,578  
 
Fixed charges:                                    
 Interest expense $ 111,991   $ 185,783   $ 186,957   $ 96,997   $ 63,266   $ 60,464  
Portion of rent expense which                                    
 represents interest factor   45,924     62,933     56,360     50,136     45,485     43,261  
Total fixed charges $ 157,915   $ 248,716   $ 243,317   $ 147,133   $ 108,751   $ 103,725  
 
 
Ratio of earnings to fixed                                    
 charges   6.9 x   5.2 x   4.9 x   8.2 x   9.9 x   9.2 x