Form: 10-Q

Quarterly report [Sections 13 or 15(d)]

February 13, 2001

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

Published on February 13, 2001



EXHIBIT 12

EMERSON ELECTRIC CO. AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
(Dollars in millions)


THREE MONTHS
ENDED
YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, DECEMBER 31,
------------------------------------------------------------------------ -----------
1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2000
------------ ----------- ---------- ------------ ------------ -----------

Earnings:
Income before income taxes $ 1,611.3 1,821.7 2,002.3 2,064.0 2,212.9 554.0
Fixed charges 182.2 176.5 218.2 258.1 359.5 100.4
------------- ------------ ---------- ------------ ------------ -----------
Earnings, as defined $ 1,793.5 1,998.2 2,220.5 2,322.1 2,572.4 654.4
============= ============ ========== ============ ============ ===========
Fixed charges:
Interest expense $ 132.3 124.2 161.4 199.0 292.4 83.6
One-third of all rents 49.9 52.3 56.8 59.1 67.1 16.8
------------- ------------ ---------- ------------ ------------ -----------
Total fixed charges $ 182.2 176.5 218.2 258.1 359.5 100.4
============= ============ ========== ============ ============ ===========

Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges 9.8x 11.3x 10.2x 9.0x 7.2x 6.5x
============= ============ ========== ============ ============ ===========



Represents income before income taxes and minority interests in the income of
consolidated subsidiaries with fixed charges.