EX-12.(A) 3 d54259exv12wxay.htm STATEMENT REGARDING COMPUTATION OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES FOR THE COMPANY exv12wxay
 

Exhibit 12(a)
COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES(1)
The following table sets forth Lamar Advertising’s ratio of earnings to fixed charges for the periods indicated.
                           
             
    YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,  
(dollars in thousands)   2002   2003   2004   2005   2006   2007  
Net income (loss)
  (36,328 ) (39,755 ) 13,155   41,779   43,899   46,217  
 
                   
Income tax (benefit) expense
  (19,694 ) (23,573 ) 11,305   31,899   34,227   37,185  
Fixed charges
  158,084   142,545   127,933   147,069   173,889   226,537  
                           
 
                     
Earnings
  102,062   79,217   152,393   220,747   252,015   309,939  
                           
 
                   
Interest expense, net
  112,404   93,285   75,584   89,160   111,644   159,849  
 
                   
Rents under leases representative of an interest factor (1/3)
  45,315   48,895   51,984   57,544   61,880   66,323  
Preferred dividends
  365   365   365   365   365   365  
                           
 
         
Fixed charges
  158,084   142,545   127,933   147,069   173,889   226,537  
                           
 
                   
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges(2)
  0.6 x 0.6 x 1.2 x 1.5 x 1.5 x 1.4 x
                           
 
(1)   The ratio of earnings to fixed charges is defined as earnings divided by fixed charges. For purposes of this ratio, earnings is defined as net income (loss) before income taxes and cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle and fixed charges. Fixed charges is defined as the sum of interest expense, preferred stock dividends and the component of rental expense that we believe to be representative of the interest factor for those amounts.
 
(2)   For the years ended December 31, 2002 and 2003, earnings were insufficient to cover fixed charges by $56.0 million and $63.3 million, respectively.