EX-12 4 ratio.txt COMPUTATION OF RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGE SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION COMPUTATION OF RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES (THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)
FOR THE TWELVE MONTHS ENDED ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- JUNE 30, DECEMBER 31, --------------------------------------------------------------- CONTINUING OPERATIONS 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- 1.Fixed charges: A) Interest expense $ 77,288 $ 70,659 $ 63,110 $ 63,416 $ 63,247 $ 54,674 B) Amortization 1,702 1,564 1,366 1,243 1,164 1,494 C) Interest portion of rentals 9,029 8,572 8,217 7,531 6,973 6,629 D) Preferred securities distributions 5,475 5,475 5,475 5,475 5,475 5,475 ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- Total fixed charges $ 93,494 $ 86,270 $ 78,168 $ 77,665 $ 76,859 $ 68,272 =========== =========== =========== =========== =========== =========== 2.Earnings (as defined): E) Pretax income from continuing operations $ 66,286 $ 51,939 $ 60,955 $ 83,951 $ 21,328 $ 10,448 Fixed Charges (1. above) 93,494 86,270 78,168 77,665 76,859 68,272 ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- Total earnings as defined $ 159,780 $ 138,209 $ 139,123 $ 161,616 $ 98,187 $ 78,720 =========== =========== =========== =========== =========== =========== 1.71 1.60 1.78 2.08 1.28 1.15 =========== =========== =========== =========== =========== ===========