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EX-31.1 - EX-31.1 - Lazard Ltdd93044dex311.htm
EX-31.2 - EX-31.2 - Lazard Ltdd93044dex312.htm
EX-32.2 - EX-32.2 - Lazard Ltdd93044dex322.htm
EX-23.1 - EX-23.1 - Lazard Ltdd93044dex231.htm
EX-21.1 - EX-21.1 - Lazard Ltdd93044dex211.htm
EX-32.1 - EX-32.1 - Lazard Ltdd93044dex321.htm
10-K - FORM 10-K - Lazard Ltdd93044d10k.htm

Exhibit 12.1

LAZARD LTD

COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES (a)

The following table sets forth the ratio of earnings to fixed charges for Lazard Ltd and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis.

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
     2015     2014      2013     2012     2011  
    

(dollars in thousands)

 

Operating income (loss)

   $ (16,620   $ 519,465       $ 216,807      $ 123,885      $ 235,499   

Add—Fixed charges

     75,109        86,066         103,668        106,470        110,919   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income (loss) before
fixed charges

   $ 58,489      $ 605,531       $ 320,475      $ 230,355      $ 346,418   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Fixed Charges:

           

Interest (b)

   $ 51,159      $ 62,570       $ 79,381      $ 81,565      $ 90,126   

Other (c)

     23,950        23,496         24,287        24,905        20,793   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total fixed charges

   $ 75,109      $ 86,066       $ 103,668      $ 106,470      $ 110,919   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges

     (d)      7.04         3.09 (e)      2.16 (f)      3.12   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Deficiency in the coverage of operating income (loss) before fixed charges to total fixed charges

   $ 16,620            
           

 

Notes (dollars in thousands):

(a) For purposes of computing the ratio of earnings to fixed charges:

 

   

earnings for the periods presented represent income before income taxes and fixed charges, and

 

   

fixed charges represent the interest expense and the portion of rental expense which represents an appropriate interest factor.

 

(b) The Company’s policy is to include interest expense on unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense. Accordingly, such interest expense is not included in the computations of the ratio of earnings to fixed charges.

 

(c) Other fixed charges consist of the interest factor in rentals.

 

(d) Operating income for the year ended December 31, 2015 is presented after giving effect to a charge of (i) $60,219 associated with the redemption of $450 million of the 2017 Notes, (ii) $2,655 excess interest expense due to the overlap between the issuance of the 2025 Notes and the settlement of the redemption of the 2017 Notes, (iii) $12,203 relating to a private equity revenue adjustment and, (iv) $542,270 relating to the provision pursuant to the tax receivable agreement. Excluding the impact of such items, the ratio of earnings to fixed charges would have been 8.95.

 

(e) Operating income for the year ended December 31, 2013 is presented after giving effect to a charge of (i) $64,703 associated with the cost saving initiatives announced by the Company in October 2012, (ii) $54,087 pertaining to the refinancing of the 2015 Notes and the issuance of the 2020 Notes and (iii) $12,203 relating to private equity incentive compensation. Excluding the impact of such charge, the ratio of earnings to fixed charges would have been 4.35.

 

(f) Operating income for the year ended December 31, 2012 is presented after giving effect to (i) a charge in the first quarter of $24,659 relating to severance costs and benefit payments associated with staff reductions, including the acceleration of unrecognized amortization expense of deferred incentive compensation previously granted to individuals being terminated, (ii) a charge in the fourth quarter of $102,576 associated with the cost saving initiatives announced by the Company in October, 2012. Excluding the impact of such items, the ratio of earnings to fixed charges would have been 3.36.