EXHIBIT 12
Household Finance Corporation and Subsidiaries
COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
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Nine months ended
September 30,
(In millions) 2000 1999
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Net income $ 814.2 $ 709.9
Income taxes 434.3 383.8
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Income before income taxes 1,248.5 1,093.7
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Fixed charged:
Interest expense (1) 2,054.3 1,584.4
Interest portion of rentals (2) 32.8 27.6
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Total fixed charges 2,087.1 1,612.0
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Total earnings as defined $ 3,335.6 $ 2,705.7
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Ratio of earnings to fixed charges 1.60 1.68
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(1) For financial statement purposes, interest expense includes income earned
on temporary investment of excess funds, generally resulting from
over-subscriptions of commercial paper.
(2) Represents one-third of rentals, which approximates the portion representing
interest.
