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EX-32.2 - SECTION 1350 CERTIFICATION FOR MATTHIEU BUCAILLE - Lazard Group LLCd226294dex322.htm
EX-32.1 - SECTION 1350 CERTIFICATION FOR KENNETH M. JACOBS - Lazard Group LLCd226294dex321.htm
EX-31.2 - RULE 13A-14(A) CERTIFICATION OF MATTHIEU BUCAILLE - Lazard Group LLCd226294dex312.htm
EX-31.1 - RULE 13A-14(A) CERTIFICATION OF KENNETH M. JACOBS - Lazard Group LLCd226294dex311.htm
EXCEL - IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT - Lazard Group LLCFinancial_Report.xls
10-Q - FORM 10-Q - Lazard Group LLCd226294d10q.htm

Exhibit 12.1

LAZARD GROUP LLC

COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES (a)

 

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

 

    Nine  Months
Ended

September 30,
2011
    Year Ended December 31,  
      2010     2009     2008     2007     2006  
   

(dollars in thousands)

 

Operating income (loss)

  $ 255,124      $ 246,809      $ (181,988   $ 42,029      $ 436,064      $ 333,676   

Add—Fixed charges

    86,851        121,656        132,785        161,665        154,790        119,698   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income (loss) before
fixed charges

  $ 341,975      $ 368,465      $ (49,203   $ 203,694      $ 590,854      $ 453,374   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Fixed Charges:

           

Interest (b)

  $ 71,830      $ 102,249      $ 113,280      $ 141,413      $ 136,529      $ 104,348   

Other (c)

    15,021        19,407        19,505        20,252        18,261        15,350   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total fixed charges

  $ 86,851      $ 121,656      $ 132,785      $ 161,665      $ 154,790      $ 119,698   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges

    3.94 (d)      3.03 (e)      –   (f)      1.26 (g)      3.82        3.79   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

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

      $ 181,988         
     

 

 

       

 

Notes (dollars in thousands):

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

 

   

earnings for the years 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 nine month period ended September 30, 2011 is presented after giving effect to a gain of $18,171 relating to the extinguishment of debt. Excluding the impact of such gain, the ratio of earnings to fixed charges would have been 3.73.

 

(e) Operating income for the year ended December 31, 2010 is presented after giving effect to (i) a restructuring charge of $87,108, and (ii) a charge of $24,860 relating to the amendment of Lazard’s retirement policy with respect to RSU awards. Excluding the impact of such items, the ratio of earnings to fixed charges would have been 3.95.

 

(f) Operating loss for the year ended December 31, 2009 is presented after giving effect to (i) a restructuring charge of $62,550, (ii) the acceleration of amortization expense of $86,514 relating to the vesting of RSUs held by Lazard’s former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer as the result of his death in October 2009 and (iii) the acceleration of amortization expense of $60,512 relating to the accelerated vesting of the unamortized portion of previously awarded deferred cash incentive awards. Excluding the impact of such items, the ratio of earnings to fixed charges would have been 1.21.

 

(g) Operating income for the year ended December 31, 2008 is presented after giving effect to a charge of $199,550 relating to the LAM Merger. Excluding the impact of such charge, the ratio of earnings to fixed charges would have been 2.49.