EX-12.1 3 a2142845zex-12_1.htm EXHIBIT 12.1
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Exhibit 12.1

HARRAH'S ENTERTAINMENT, INC.
COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
(In thousands, except ratio amounts)

 
  Six Months
Ended June 30,
(Unaudited)

  Year Ended December 31,
 
  2004(a)
  2003
  2003(b)
  2002(c)
  2001(d)
  2000(e)
  1999(f)
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges (g)                                          
Income/(loss) from continuing operations   $ 171,968   $ 158,197   $ 291,954   $ 323,235   $ 207,247   $ (12,335 ) $ 207,240
Add:                                          
  Provision for income taxes     101,431     94,918     172,201     196,534     125,797     14,880     122,262
  Interest expense     117,100     117,082     234,419     240,220     255,801     227,139     193,407
  Interest included in rental expense     11,093     10,832     22,055     27,101     20,473     15,233     10,248
  Amortization of capitalized interest     431     532     992     1,220     1,398     1,572     1,335
  (Income)/loss from equity investments     (284 )   86     1,073     (4,094 )   (148 )   314,958     33,042
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings as defined   $ 401,739   $ 381,647   $ 722,694   $ 784,216   $ 610,568   $ 561,447   $ 567,534
   
 
 
 
 
 
 

Fixed charges:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
  Interest expense   $ 117,100   $ 117,082   $ 234,419   $ 240,220   $ 255,801   $ 227,139   $ 193,407
  Capitalized interest     2,019     2,123     2,349     3,537     9,309     7,960     13,118
  Interest included in rental expense     11,093     10,832     22,055     27,101     20,473     15,233     10,248
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total fixed charges   $ 130,212   $ 130,037   $ 258,823   $ 270,858   $ 285,583   $ 250,332   $ 216,773
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges

 

 

3.1

 

 

2.9

 

 

2.8

 

 

2.9

 

 

2.1

 

 

2.2

 

 

2.6
   
 
 
 
 
 
 

(a)
The first six months of 2004 include $1.1 million in pretax credits for write-downs, reserves and recoveries.

(b)
2003 includes $11.1 million in pretax charges for write-downs, reserves and recoveries and $19.1 million in pretax charges for premiums paid for, and write-offs associated with, debt retired before maturity.

(c)
2002 includes $5.0 million in pretax charges for write-downs, reserves and recoveries, a $6.1 million pretax charge for our exposure under a letter of credit issued on behalf of National Airlines, Inc., and a charge of $91.2 million, net of tax benefits of $2.8 million, related to a change in accounting principle. 2002 also includes the financial results of Jazz Casino Company LLC from the date of our acquisition of a majority ownership interest on June 7, 2002.

(d)
2001 includes $22.5 million in pretax charges for write-downs, reserves and recoveries and $26.2 million of pretax income from dispositions of nonstrategic assets and the settlement of a contingency related to a former affiliate. 2001 also includes the financial results of Harveys Casino Resorts from its July 31, 2001, date of acquisition.

(e)
2000 includes $220.0 million in pretax reserves for receivables not expected to be recovered from JCC Holding Company and its subsidiary, Jazz Casino Company LLC, $6.1 million in pretax charges for other write-downs, reserves and recoveries, and $39.4 million in pretax write-offs and reserves for our investment in, loans to and net estimated exposure under letters of credit issued on behalf of National Airlines, Inc. 2000 also includes the financial results of Players International, Inc., from its March 22, 2000, date of acquisition.

(f)
1999 includes $2.2 million in pretax charges for write-downs, reserves and recoveries, $59.8 million of pretax gains from sales of our equity interests in nonconsolidated affiliates and $17.0 million in pretax losses on debt retired before maturity.

(g)
For purposes of computing this ratio, "earnings" consist of income before income taxes plus fixed charges (excluding capitalized interest) and minority interests (relating to subsidiaries whose fixed charges are included in the computation), excluding equity in undistributed earnings of less than 50% owned investments. "Fixed charges" include interest whether expensed or capitalized, amortization of debt expense, discount or premium related to indebtedness and such portion of rental expense that we deem to be representative of interest. As required by the rules which govern the computation of this ratio, both earnings and fixed charges are adjusted where appropriate to include the financial results for the Company's nonconsolidated majority-owned subsidiaries. As discussed in Note 11 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in the 2003 Harrah's Entertainment Annual Report, the Company has guaranteed certain third-party loans in connection with its casino development activities. The above ratio computations for the fiscal years presented exclude estimated fixed charges associated with these guarantees as follows: 2003, $9.5 million; 2002, $7.0 million; 2001, $4.4 million; 2000, $5.7 million; and 1999, $6.2 million.


CAESARS ENTERTAINMENT, INC.
COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
(dollar amounts in millions) (unaudited)

 
  Six Months
Ended
June 30,

  Fiscal Years Ended December 31,
 
 
  2004
  2003
  2003
  2002
  2001
  2000
  1999
 
Income from continuing operations before income taxes and minority interest   $ 217   $ 137   $ 120   $ 253   $ 104   $ 230   $ 237  

Add:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
  Distributions from less than 50% owned companies     6     4     10     16     18     43     4  
  Interest expense     153     167     326     341     379     427     139  
  Interest component of rent expense(1)     3     4     8     6     8     6     5  
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings available for fixed charges   $ 379   $ 312   $ 464   $ 616   $ 509   $ 706   $ 385  
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed charges:                                            
  Interest expense   $ 153   $ 167   $ 326   $ 341   $ 379   $ 427   $ 139  
  Capitalized interest     3     3     5     9     13     7     37  
  Interest component of rent expense(1)     3     4     8     6     8     6     5  
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total fixed charges   $ 159   $ 174   $ 339   $ 356   $ 400   $ 440   $ 181  
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges     2.4 x   1.8 x   1.4 x   1.7 x   1.3 x   1.6 x   2.1 x
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

(1)
Assumed interest component to be one-third of rent expense.



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HARRAH'S ENTERTAINMENT, INC. COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES (In thousands, except ratio amounts)
CAESARS ENTERTAINMENT, INC. COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES (dollar amounts in millions) (unaudited)