EXHIBIT 12.1 EQUIFAX INC. RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES ($ in thousands, except ratio data)
YTD YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, SEPTEMBER 30, ------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------- 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 --------- --------- -------- -------- -------- ------------- Income from continuing operations before income taxes and accounting changes .... $ 251,410 $230,841 $247,594 $249,370 $202,662 $230,080 Plus accounting change ...................... (3,237) -- -- -- -- -- Income from continuing operations before income taxes ........................... 248,173 230,841 247,594 249,370 202,662 230,080 Add: Capitalized interest ................... -- -- -- 1,088 -- -- Debt issuance costs & commitment fees .. 872 1,184 1,258 1,265 1,530 1,617 Interest expense ....................... 11,450 30,273 42,195 55,846 47,817 30,517 Imputed interest on operating leases ... 8,181 9,423 9,480 8,627 7,316 4,593 --------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- Earnings, as adjusted ....................... $ 268,676 $271,721 $300,527 $316,196 $259,325 $266,807 ========= ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== Fixed charges: Capitalized interest ................... $ -- $ -- $ -- $ 1,088 $ -- $ -- Debt issuance costs & commitment fees .. 872 1,184 1,258 1,265 1,530 1,617 Interest expense ....................... 11,450 30,273 42,195 55,846 47,817 30,517 Imputed interest on operating leases ... 8,181 9,423 9,480 8,627 7,316 4,593 --------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- Total fixed charges ......................... $ 20,503 $ 40,880 $ 52,933 $ 66,826 $ 56,663 $ 36,727 ========= ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== Ratio of earnings to fixed charges .......... 13.1 6.6 5.7 4.7 4.6 7.3