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Exhibit 12.1

Main Street Capital Corporation
Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
(dollars in thousands)

 
  Twelve Months Ended December 31,  
 
  2016   2015   2014   2013   2012  

Earnings:

                               

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

  $ 138,899   $ 104,437   $ 100,748   $ 96,855   $ 104,444  

Income tax expense (benefit) and excise taxes

    (1,227 )   (8,687 )   6,287     (35 )   10,820  
​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Total earnings before taxes

  $ 137,672   $ 95,750   $ 107,035   $ 96,820   $ 115,264  
​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Fixed Charges:

                               

Interest expense

  $ 33,630   $ 32,115   $ 23,589   $ 20,238   $ 15,631  
​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Total fixed charges

  $ 33,630   $ 32,115   $ 23,589   $ 20,238   $ 15,631  
​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Earnings available to cover fixed charges

  $ 171,302   $ 127,865   $ 130,624   $ 117,058   $ 130,895  

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges

    5.09     3.98     5.54     5.78     8.37  



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Main Street Capital Corporation Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges (dollars in thousands)