C.H. Robinson Worldwide (CHRW) 10-K 29 Feb 16 2015 FY Annual report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Feb. 24, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	C H ROBINSON WORLDWIDE INC
Entity Central Index Key	1,043,277
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2015
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Amendment Flag	false
Trading Symbol	CHRW
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		143,242,681
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Public Float			$ 9,031,044,026

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 168,229	$ 128,940
Restricted cash	0	359,388
Receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $43,455 and $41,051	1,505,620	1,571,591
Deferred tax asset	16,788	7,746
Prepaid expenses and other	40,061	37,794
Total current assets	1,730,698	2,105,459
Property and equipment	379,139	313,688
Accumulated depreciation and amortization	(188,265)	(161,217)
Net property and equipment	190,874	152,471
Goodwill	1,108,337	825,038
Other intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $61,405 and $36,917	120,242	98,330
Other assets	34,207	33,040
Total assets	3,184,358	3,214,338
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	697,585	716,654
Outstanding checks	86,298	78,601
Accrued expenses–
Compensation and profit-sharing contribution	146,666	125,624
Income taxes	12,573	4,616
Other accrued liabilities	55,475	45,365
Current portion of debt	450,000	605,000
Total current liabilities	1,448,597	1,575,860
Long-term debt	500,000	500,000
Noncurrent income taxes payable	19,634	24,279
Deferred tax liabilities	65,460	66,961
Other long-term liabilities	217	223
Total liabilities	$ 2,033,908	$ 2,167,323
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders’ investment:
Preferred stock, $ .10 par value, 20,000 shares authorized; no shares issued or outstanding	$ 0	$ 0
Common stock, $ .10 par value, 480,000 shares authorized; 178,784 and 178,621 shares issued, 143,455 and 146,458 outstanding	14,345	14,646
Additional paid-in capital	379,444	321,968
Retained earnings	2,922,620	2,648,539
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(37,946)	(28,610)
Treasury stock at cost (35,329 and 32,163 shares)	(2,128,013)	(1,909,528)
Total stockholders’ investment	1,150,450	1,047,015
Total liabilities and stockholders’ investment	$ 3,184,358	$ 3,214,338

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Pa

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Receivables, allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 43,455	$ 41,051
Other intangible assets, accumulated amortization	$ 61,405	$ 36,917
Preferred stock, par value	$ 0.10	$ 0.10
Preferred stock, shares authorized	20,000,000	20,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	0	0
Common stock, par value	$ 0.10	$ 0.10
Common stock, shares authorized	480,000,000	480,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	178,784,000	178,621,000
Common stock shares outstanding	143,455,000	146,458,000
Treasury stock, shares	35,329,000	32,163,000

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPER

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Revenues:
Transportation	$ 11,989,780	$ 11,936,512	$ 11,082,942
Sourcing	1,486,304	1,533,555	1,669,134
Total revenues	13,476,084	13,470,067	12,752,076
Costs and expenses:
Purchased transportation and related services	9,842,271	10,044,406	9,373,797
Purchased products sourced for resale	1,365,333	1,418,009	1,542,184
Personnel expenses	1,051,410	939,021	826,661
Other selling, general, and administrative expenses	358,760	320,213	326,784
Total costs and expenses	12,617,774	12,721,649	12,069,426
Income from operations	858,310	748,418	682,650
Interest and other expense	(35,529)	(24,987)	(9,289)
Income before provision for income taxes	822,781	723,431	673,361
Provision for income taxes	313,082	273,720	257,457
Net income	509,699	449,711	415,904
Other comprehensive loss	(9,336)	(17,990)	(1,275)
Comprehensive income	$ 500,363	$ 431,721	$ 414,629
Basic net income per share (in dollars per share)	$ 3.52	$ 3.06	$ 2.65
Diluted net income per share (in dollars per share)	$ 3.51	$ 3.05	$ 2.65
Basic weighted average shares outstanding (in shares)	144,967	147,202	156,915
Dilutive effect of outstanding stock awards (in shares)	382	340	165
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding (in shares)	145,349	147,542	157,080

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' INVESTMENT - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended				12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance		$ 1,047,015		$ 939,724	$ 1,047,015	$ 939,724	$ 1,504,372
Net income	$ 126,583	$ 106,476	$ 112,947	$ 93,187	509,699	449,711	415,904
Foreign currency translation adjustment					(9,336)	(17,990)	(1,275)
Dividends declared, $1.57 in 2015, $1.43 in 2014 and $1.40 in 2013 per share					(235,618)	(215,005)	(220,300)
Stock issued for employee benefit plans					4,188	(667)	(34,978)
Stock-based compensation expense					58,067	47,721	9,096
Excess tax benefit on deferred compensation and employee stock plans					8,548	7,558	27,209
Repurchase of common stock					(232,113)	(164,037)	(760,304)
Ending Balance	$ 1,150,450		$ 1,047,015		$ 1,150,450	$ 1,047,015	$ 939,724
Common Stock
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance (in shares)		146,458		150,197	146,458	150,197	161,327
Beginning Balance		$ 14,646		$ 15,020	$ 14,646	$ 15,020	$ 16,133
Stock issued for employee benefit plans (in shares)					254	405	263
Stock issued for employee benefit plans					$ 25	$ 40	$ 26
Issuance of restricted stock (in shares)					164	(410)	335
Issuance of restricted stock					$ 16	$ (41)	$ 34
Stock-based compensation expense (in shares)						30	30
Stock-based compensation expense						$ 3	$ 3
Repurchase of common stock (in shares)					(3,421)	(3,764)	(11,758)
Repurchase of common stock					$ (342)	$ (376)	$ (1,176)
Ending Balance (in shares)	143,455		146,458		143,455	146,458	150,197
Ending Balance	$ 14,345		$ 14,646		$ 14,345	$ 14,646	$ 15,020
Additional Paid-in Capital
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance		321,968		217,894	321,968	217,894	303,479
Stock issued for employee benefit plans					(9,095)	(24,644)	(45,106)
Issuance of restricted stock					(16)	41	(34)
Stock-based compensation expense					58,039	46,119	7,346
Excess tax benefit on deferred compensation and employee stock plans					8,548	7,558	27,209
Repurchase of common stock						75,000	(75,000)
Ending Balance	379,444		321,968		379,444	321,968	217,894
Retained Earnings
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance		2,648,539		2,413,833	2,648,539	2,413,833	2,218,229
Net income					509,699	449,711	415,904
Dividends declared, $1.57 in 2015, $1.43 in 2014 and $1.40 in 2013 per share					(235,618)	(215,005)	(220,300)
Ending Balance	2,922,620		2,648,539		2,922,620	2,648,539	2,413,833
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance		(28,610)		(10,620)	(28,610)	(10,620)	(9,345)
Foreign currency translation adjustment					(9,336)	(17,990)	(1,275)
Ending Balance	(37,946)		(28,610)		(37,946)	(28,610)	(10,620)
Treasury Stock
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance		$ (1,909,528)		$ (1,696,403)	(1,909,528)	(1,696,403)	(1,024,124)
Stock issued for employee benefit plans					13,258	23,937	10,102
Stock-based compensation expense					28	1,599	1,747
Repurchase of common stock					(231,771)	(238,661)	(684,128)
Ending Balance	$ (2,128,013)		$ (1,909,528)		$ (2,128,013)	$ (1,909,528)	$ (1,696,403)

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STO6

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' INVESTMENT (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]
Dividends declared, per share	$ 1.57	$ 1.43	$ 1.40

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income	$ 509,699	$ 449,711	$ 415,904
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	66,409	57,009	56,882
Provision for doubtful accounts	11,538	15,092	15,587
Stock-based compensation	57,661	47,861	9,094
Gain on divestiture	0	(1,848)	0
Deferred income taxes	(17,095)	(3,117)	25,226
Other	7,409	710	314
Other long-term liabilities	0	0	5
Changes in operating elements, net of effects of acquisitions:
Receivables	107,560	(137,102)	(87,316)
Prepaid expenses and other	(228)	6,294	(5,254)
Other non-current assets	741	380	0
Accounts payable and outstanding checks	(53,272)	40,251	47,488
Accrued compensation and profit-sharing contribution	18,580	40,236	(15,097)
Accrued income taxes	5,178	(4,370)	(105,857)
Other accrued liabilities	4,156	2,319	(9,199)
Net cash provided by operating activities	718,336	513,426	347,777
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Purchases of property and equipment	(28,115)	(22,364)	(40,354)
Purchases and development of software	(16,527)	(7,138)	(7,852)
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(369,833)	0	19,126
Restricted cash	359,388	(359,388)	0
Other	641	(6)	221
Net cash used for investing activities	(54,446)	(388,896)	(28,859)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from stock issued for employee benefit plans	15,557	11,942	15,166
Stock tendered for payment of withholding taxes	(11,368)	(12,604)	(50,144)
Payment of contingent purchase price	0	0	(927)
Repurchase of common stock	(229,863)	(164,041)	(757,305)
Cash dividends	(235,615)	(215,008)	(220,257)
Excess tax benefit on stock-based compensation	8,548	7,558	27,209
Proceeds from short-term borrowings	6,833,000	4,823,000	4,165,023
Payments on short-term borrowings	(6,988,000)	(4,593,000)	(4,043,669)
Debt issuance costs	0	(1,484)	0
Proceeds from long-term borrowings	0	0	500,000
Net cash used for financing activities	(607,741)	(143,637)	(364,904)
Effect of exchange rates on cash	(16,860)	(14,000)	(1,986)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	39,289	(33,107)	(47,972)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year	128,940	162,047	210,019
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year	168,229	128,940	162,047
Cash paid for income taxes	311,800	271,979	313,799
Cash paid for interest	$ 28,537	$ 27,066	$ 3,875

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTI

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES BASIS OF PRESENTATION. C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc. and our subsidiaries (“the company,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) are a global provider of transportation services and logistics solutions through a network of offices operating in North America, Europe, Asia, and South America. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc. and our majority owned and controlled subsidiaries. Our minority interests in subsidiaries are not significant. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in the consolidated financial statements. We had previously reported Payment Services revenues separately from Transportation revenues. The prior year amounts have been combined to conform with the current period presentation. This change in presentation had no effect on our prior year consolidated results of operations, financial condition, or cash flows. USE OF ESTIMATES. The preparation of financial statements, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities. We are also required to disclose contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Our ultimate results could differ from those estimates. REVENUE RECOGNITION. Total revenues consist of the total dollar value of goods and services purchased from us by customers. Our net revenues are our total revenues less purchased transportation and related services, including contracted motor carrier, rail, ocean, air, and other costs, and the purchase price and services related to the products we source. We act principally as the service provider for these transactions and recognize revenue as these services are rendered or goods are delivered. At that time, our obligations to the transactions are completed and collection of receivables is reasonably assured. Most transactions in our Transportation and Sourcing businesses are recorded at the gross amount we charge our customers for the service we provide and goods we sell. In these transactions, we are the primary obligor, we have credit risk, we have discretion to select the supplier, and we have latitude in pricing decisions. Additionally, in our Sourcing business, we take loss of inventory risk during shipment and have general inventory risk. Certain transactions in customs brokerage, managed services, freight forwarding, and sourcing are recorded at the net amount we charge our customers for the service we provide because many of the factors stated above are not present. ALLOWANCE FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS. Accounts receivable are reduced by an allowance for amounts that may become uncollectible in the future. We continuously monitor payments from our customers and maintain a provision for uncollectible accounts based upon our customer aging trends, historical loss experience, and any specific customer collection issues that we have identified. FOREIGN CURRENCY. Most balance sheet accounts of foreign subsidiaries are translated or remeasured at the current exchange rate as of the end of the year. Statement of operations items are translated at average exchange rates during the year. The resulting translation adjustment is recorded net of tax as a separate component of comprehensive income in our statements of operations and comprehensive income. SEGMENT REPORTING AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION. We operate in the transportation and logistics industry. We provide a wide range of products and services to our customers and contract carriers, including transportation services, produce sourcing, freight consolidation, contract warehousing, and information services. Each of these is a significant component to optimizing logistics solutions for our customers. These services are performed throughout our network of offices, as an integrated offering for which our customers are typically provided a single invoice. Our network of offices work together to complete transactions and collectively meet the needs of our customers. For large multi-location customers, we often coordinate our efforts in one location and rely on multiple locations to deliver specific geographic or modal needs. As an example, approximately 49 percent of our truckload transactions are shared transactions between offices. In addition, our methodology of providing services is very similar across all locations. The majority of our global network operates on a common technology platform that is used to match customer needs with supplier capabilities, to collaborate with other locations, and to utilize centralized support resources to complete all facets of the transaction. Accordingly, our chief operating decision maker analyzes our business as a single segment, relying on net revenues and operating income across our network of offices as the primary performance measures. The following table presents our total revenues (based on location of the customer) and long-lived assets (including intangible and other assets) by geographic regions (in thousands): For the year ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 Total revenues United States $ 12,097,633 $ 11,800,140 $ 11,140,163 Other locations 1,378,451 1,669,927 1,611,913 Total revenues $ 13,476,084 $ 13,470,067 $ 12,752,076 December 31, 2015 2014 2013 Long-lived assets United States $ 320,445 $ 257,587 $ 284,693 Other locations 24,878 26,254 24,567 Total long-lived assets $ 345,323 $ 283,841 $ 309,260 CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS. Cash and cash equivalents consist of bank deposits. RESTRICTED CASH. On December 31, 2014, we funded $359.4 million of the purchase price for the acquisition of Freightquote into an escrow account pursuant to the purchase agreement, pending the effective date of closing of the acquisition, which occurred on January 1, 2015. PREPAID EXPENSES AND OTHER. Prepaid expenses and other include such items as prepaid rent, software maintenance contracts, insurance premiums, other prepaid operating expenses, and inventories, consisting primarily of produce and related products held for resale. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT. Property and equipment are recorded at cost. Maintenance and repair expenditures are charged to expense as incurred. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated lives of the assets of 3 to 30 years. Amortization of leasehold improvements is computed over the shorter of the lease term or the estimated useful lives of the improvements. We recognized the following depreciation expense (in thousands): 2015 $ 32,412 2014 29,340 2013 27,757 A summary of our property and equipment as of December 31 is as follows (in thousands): 2015 2014 Furniture, fixtures, and equipment $ 200,215 $ 180,233 Buildings 110,056 79,981 Corporate aircraft 11,334 11,334 Leasehold improvements 28,178 25,545 Land 23,759 14,983 Construction in progress 5,597 1,612 Less accumulated depreciation (188,265 ) (161,217 ) Net property and equipment $ 190,874 $ 152,471 GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS. Goodwill is the difference between the purchase price of a company and the fair market value of the acquired company’s net identifiable assets. Other intangible assets include definite-lived customer lists, contract carrier lists, and non-competition agreements and indefinite-lived trademarks. The definite-lived intangible assets are being amortized using the straight-line method over their estimated lives, ranging from 3 to 8 years. The indefinite-lived trademarks are not amortized. Goodwill is not amortized, but is tested for impairment using a fair value approach. Goodwill is tested for impairment annually or more frequently if events warrant. Intangible assets are evaluated for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. See Note 2. OTHER ASSETS. Other assets include such items as purchased and internally developed software, and the investments related to our nonqualified deferred compensation plan. We amortize software using the straight-line method over 3 years. We recognized the following amortization expense of purchased and internally developed software (in thousands): 2015 $ 9,624 2014 8,921 2013 8,759 A summary of our purchased and internally developed software as of December 31 is as follows (in thousands): 2015 2014 Purchased software $ 23,569 $ 21,872 Internally developed software 40,796 27,429 Less accumulated amortization (42,930 ) (35,369 ) Net software $ 21,435 $ 13,932 INCOME TAXES. Income taxes are accounted for using the asset and liability method. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences of temporary differences between the carrying amounts and tax bases of assets and liabilities using enacted rates. Annual tax provisions include amounts considered sufficient to pay assessments that may result from examination of prior year tax returns; however, the amount ultimately paid upon resolution of issues raised may differ from the amounts accrued. The financial statement benefits of an uncertain income tax position are recognized when more likely than not, based on the technical merits, the position will be sustained upon examination. Unrecognized tax benefits are, more likely than not, owed to a taxing authority, and the amount of the contingency can be reasonably estimated. Uncertain income tax positions are included in “Noncurrent income taxes payable” in the consolidated balance sheets. Provisions are made for U.S. taxes on undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries and related companies. COMPREHENSIVE INCOME. Comprehensive income includes any changes in the equity of an enterprise from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources. Our only component of other comprehensive income is foreign currency translation adjustment. It is presented on our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION. We issue stock awards, including stock options, performance shares, and restricted stock units, to key employees and outside directors. In general, the awards vest over five years , either based on the company’s earnings growth or the passage of time. The fair value of each share-based payment award is established on the date of grant. For grants of performance shares and restricted stock units, the fair value is established based on the market price on the date of the grant, discounted for post-vesting holding restrictions. The discounts on outstanding grants vary from 17 percent to 22 percent and are calculated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. Changes in measured stock volatility and interest rates are the primary reason for changes in the discount. For grants of options, we use the Black-Scholes option pricing model to estimate the fair value of share-based payment awards. The determination of the fair value of share-based awards is affected by our stock price and a number of assumptions, including expected volatility, expected life, risk-free interest rate, and expected dividends.

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE A

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS	GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS The change in the carrying amount of goodwill is as follows (in thousands): 2015 2014 Balance, beginning of year $ 825,038 $ 829,073 Acquisitions 287,220 — Translation (3,921 ) (4,035 ) Balance, end of year $ 1,108,337 $ 825,038 We complete an impairment test on goodwill annually. The fair value of the enterprise-wide reporting unit substantially exceeds the book value; therefore we have determined that there is no goodwill impairment as of December 31, 2015 or any previous periods presented. A summary of our other intangible assets, with finite lives, which include primarily customer relationships and non-competition agreements, as of December 31 is as follows (in thousands): 2015 2014 Gross $ 171,172 $ 133,372 Accumulated amortization (61,405 ) (36,917 ) Net $ 109,767 $ 96,455 Other intangible assets, with indefinite lives, as of December 31 is as follows (in thousands): 2015 2014 Trademarks $ 10,475 $ 1,875 Amortization expense for other intangible assets was (in thousands): 2015 $ 24,373 2014 18,748 2013 20,128 Intangible assets at December 31, 2015 , will be amortized over the next five years, and that expense is as follows (in thousands): 2016 $ 24,368 2017 24,309 2018 23,785 2019 23,785 2020 13,520 Thereafter — Total $ 109,767

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT	FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT Accounting guidance on fair value measurements for certain financial assets and liabilities requires that assets and liabilities carried at fair value be classified and disclosed in one of the following three categories: • Level 1-Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. • Level 2-Observable market-based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data. • Level 3-Unobservable inputs reflecting the reporting entity’s own assumptions or external inputs from inactive markets. A financial asset or liability’s classification within the hierarchy is determined based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. We had no Level 3 assets or liabilities as of December 31, 2015 or December 31, 2014 .

FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS

FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS	FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS On October 29, 2012, we entered into a senior unsecured revolving credit facility for up to $500 million with a $500 million accordion feature (the “Credit Agreement”), with a syndicate of financial institutions led by U.S. Bank. The purpose of this facility was to partially fund the acquisition of Phoenix International Freight Services, Ltd. (“Phoenix”) and to allow us to continue to fund working capital, capital expenditures, dividends, and share repurchases. In December 2014, we amended the credit facility to increase the amount available from $500 million to $900 million and to extend the expiration date from October 2017 to December 2019. As of December 31, 2015 and 2014 , we had $450.0 million and $605.0 million in borrowings outstanding under the Credit Agreement, which is classified as a current liability on the consolidated balance sheets. The recorded amount of borrowings outstanding approximates fair value because of the short maturity period of the debt; therefore, we consider these borrowings to be a Level 2 financial liability. Borrowings under the Credit Agreement generally bear interest at a variable rate determined by a pricing schedule or the base rate (which is the highest of (a) the administrative agent’s prime rate, (b) the federal funds rate plus 0.50 percent , or (c) the sum of one-month LIBOR plus a specified margin). As of December 31, 2015 , the variable rate equaled LIBOR plus 1.13 percent . In addition, there is a commitment fee on the average daily undrawn stated amount under each letter of credit issued under the facility. The weighted average interest rate incurred on borrowings during 2015 was approximately 1.3 percent and at December 31, 2015 , was approximately 1.6 percent . The weighted average interest rate incurred on borrowings during 2014 was approximately 1.7 percent and at December 31, 2014 , was approximately 1.3 percent . The Credit Agreement contains various restrictions and covenants. Among other requirements, we may not permit our leverage ratio, as of the end of each of our fiscal quarters, of (i) Consolidated Funded Indebtedness to (ii) Consolidated Total Capitalization to be greater than 0.65 to 1.00 . As a result of amending the Note Purchase Agreement in February, 2015, the ratio of (i) Consolidated Funded Indebtedness to (ii) EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization), as of the end of each of our fiscal quarters, may not exceed 3.00 to 1.00 . We were in compliance with the financial debt covenants as of December 31, 2015 . The Credit Agreement also contains customary events of default. If an event of default under the Credit Agreement occurs and is continuing, then the administrative agent may declare any outstanding obligations under the Credit Agreement to be immediately due and payable. In addition, if we become the subject of voluntary or involuntary proceedings under any bankruptcy, insolvency, or similar law, then any outstanding obligations under the Credit Agreement will automatically become immediately due and payable. On August 23, 2013, we entered into a Note Purchase Agreement with certain institutional investors (the “Purchasers”) named therein (the “Note Purchase Agreement”). Pursuant to the Note Purchase Agreement, the Purchasers purchased, on August 27, 2013, (i) $175,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the company’s 3.97 percent Senior Notes, Series A, due August 27, 2023 (the “Series A Notes”), (ii) $150,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the company’s 4.26 percent Senior Notes, Series B, due August 27, 2028 (the “Series B Notes”), and (iii) $175,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the company’s 4.60 percent Senior Notes, Series C, due August 27, 2033 (the “Series C Notes” and, together with the Series A Notes and the Series B Notes, the “Notes”). Interest on the fixed-rate Notes is payable semi-annually in arrears. We applied the proceeds of the sale of the Notes for share repurchases. See Note 9. The Note Purchase Agreement contains customary provisions for transactions of this type, including representations and warranties regarding the company and its subsidiaries and various covenants, including covenants that require us to maintain specified financial ratios. The Note Purchase Agreement includes the following financial covenants: we will not permit our leverage ratio, as of the end of each of our fiscal quarters, of (i) Consolidated Funded Indebtedness to (ii) Consolidated Total Capitalization to be greater than 0.65 to 1.00 ; we will not permit the interest coverage ratio, as of the end of each of our fiscal quarters and for the twelve-month period ending, of (i) Consolidated EBIT (earnings before income taxes) to (ii) Consolidated Interest Expense to be less than 2.00 to 1.00 ; we will not permit, as of the end of each of our fiscal quarters, Consolidated Priority Debt to exceed 15% of Consolidated Total Assets. The Note Purchase Agreement was amended in February 2015 to conform its financial covenants to be consistent with the amended revolving credit facility. As a result of amending the Note Purchase Agreement in February 2015, the ratio of (i) Consolidated Funded Indebtedness to (ii) EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization), as of the end of each of our fiscal quarters, may not exceed 3.00 to 1.00 . We were in compliance with all of the financial debt covenants as of December 31, 2015 . The Note Purchase Agreement provides for customary events of default, generally with corresponding grace periods, including, without limitation, payment defaults with respect to the Notes, covenant defaults, cross-defaults to other agreements evidencing indebtedness of the company or its subsidiaries, certain judgments against the company or its subsidiaries, and events of bankruptcy involving the company or its material subsidiaries. The occurrence of an event of default would permit certain Purchasers to declare certain Notes then outstanding to be immediately due and payable. Under the terms of the Note Purchase Agreement, the Notes are redeemable, in whole or in part, at 100% of the principal amount being redeemed together with a “make-whole amount,” and accrued and unpaid interest (as defined in the Note Purchase Agreement) with respect to each Note. The obligations of the company under the Note Purchase Agreement and the Notes are guaranteed by C.H. Robinson Company, a Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of the company, and by C.H. Robinson Company, Inc., a Minnesota corporation and an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the company. The Notes were issued by the company to such initial Purchasers in a private placement in reliance on Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The Notes will not be and have not been registered under the Securities Act and may not be offered or sold in the United States, absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration requirements. The fair value of long-term debt approximated carrying value of $522.2 million at December 31, 2015 , and $500.0 million at December 31, 2014 . We estimate the fair value of our debt primarily using an expected present value technique, which is based on observable market inputs using interest rates currently available to companies of similar credit standing for similar terms and remaining maturities, and considering our own credit risk. If our long-term debt was recorded at fair value, it would be classified as Level 2.

INCOME TAXES

INCOME TAXES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
INCOME TAXES	INCOME TAXES C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc. and its 80 percent (or more) owned U.S. subsidiaries file a consolidated federal income tax return. We file unitary or separate state returns based on state filing requirements. With few exceptions, we are no longer subject to audits of U.S. federal, state and local, or non-U.S. income tax returns before 2009. A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits, excluding interest and penalties, is as follows (in thousands): 2015 2014 2013 Unrecognized tax benefits, beginning of period $ 18,274 $ 16,897 $ 16,788 Additions based on tax positions related to the current year 1,520 2,002 1,572 Additions for tax positions of prior years — 839 1,105 Reductions for tax positions of prior years (810 ) (183 ) (1,464 ) Lapse in statute of limitations (5,188 ) (1,281 ) (238 ) Settlements (525 ) — (866 ) Unrecognized tax benefits, end of the period $ 13,271 $ 18,274 $ 16,897 As of December 31, 2015 , we had $19.6 million of unrecognized tax benefits and related interest and penalties, all of which would affect our effective tax rate if recognized. We are not aware of any tax positions for which it is reasonably possible that the total amount of unrecognized tax benefit will significantly increase or decrease in the next 12 months. Income tax expense considers amounts which may be needed to cover exposures for open tax years. We do not expect any material impact related to open tax years; however, actual settlements may differ from amounts accrued. We recognize interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in the provision for income taxes. During the years ended December 31, 2015 , 2014 , and 2013 , we recognized approximately $1.2 million , $1.5 million , and $1.2 million in interest and penalties. We had approximately $6.4 million and $5.7 million for the payment of interest and penalties accrued within noncurrent income taxes payable as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 . These amounts are not included in the reconciliation above. The components of the provision for income taxes consist of the following for the years ended December 31 (in thousands): 2015 2014 2013 Tax provision: Federal $ 259,793 $ 224,468 $ 180,351 State 37,129 32,110 26,351 Foreign 33,255 20,259 25,529 330,177 276,837 232,231 Deferred provision (benefit): Federal (14,559 ) (5,302 ) 24,877 State (2,074 ) (755 ) 3,623 Foreign (462 ) 2,940 (3,274 ) (17,095 ) (3,117 ) 25,226 Total provision $ 313,082 $ 273,720 $ 257,457 A reconciliation of the provision for income taxes using the statutory federal income tax rate to our effective income tax rate for the years ended December 31 is as follows: 2015 2014 2013 Federal statutory rate 35.0 % 35.0 % 35.0 % State income taxes, net of federal benefit 2.8 2.8 2.9 Other 0.3 — 0.3 38.1 % 37.8 % 38.2 % Deferred tax assets (liabilities) are comprised of the following at December 31 (in thousands): 2015 2014 Deferred tax assets: Compensation $ 91,729 $ 78,516 Receivables 16,243 13,397 Other 9,242 8,103 Deferred tax liabilities: Intangible assets (133,375 ) (115,761 ) Prepaid assets (13,418 ) (10,808 ) Long-lived assets (18,666 ) (19,018 ) Undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries — (13,616 ) Other (427 ) (28 ) Net deferred tax (liabilities) assets $ (48,672 ) $ (59,215 ) We had foreign net operating loss carryforwards with a tax effect of $8.0 million as of December 31, 2015 and $8.3 million as of December 31, 2014 . A full valuation allowance has been established for these net operating loss carryforwards due to the uncertainty of the use of the tax benefit in future periods.

CAPITAL STOCK AND STOCK AWARD P

CAPITAL STOCK AND STOCK AWARD PLANS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
CAPITAL STOCK AND STOCK AWARD PLANS	CAPITAL STOCK AND STOCK AWARD PLANS PREFERRED STOCK. Our Certificate of Incorporation authorizes the issuance of 20,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.10 per share. There are no shares of preferred stock outstanding. The preferred stock may be issued by resolution of our Board of Directors at any time without any action of the stockholders. The Board of Directors may issue the preferred stock in one or more series and fix the designation and relative powers. These include voting powers, preferences, rights, qualifications, limitations, and restrictions of each series. The issuance of any such series may have an adverse effect on the rights of holders of common stock and may impede the completion of a merger, tender offer, or other takeover attempt. COMMON STOCK. Our Certificate of Incorporation authorizes 480,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $.10 per share. Subject to the rights of preferred stock which may from time to time be outstanding, holders of common stock are entitled to receive dividends out of funds legally available, when and if declared by the Board of Directors, and to receive their share of the net assets of the company legally available for distribution upon liquidation or dissolution. For each share of common stock held, stockholders are entitled to one vote on each matter to be voted on by the stockholders, including the election of directors. Holders of common stock are not entitled to cumulative voting. The stockholders do not have preemptive rights. All outstanding shares of common stock are fully paid and nonassessable. STOCK AWARD PLANS. Stock-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the value of the award and is recognized as expense as it vests. A summary of our total compensation expense recognized in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income for stock-based compensation is as follows (in thousands): 2015 2014 2013 Stock options $ 14,607 $ 9,243 $ 5 Stock awards 40,785 36,510 6,808 Company expense on ESPP discount 2,269 2,108 2,281 Total stock-based compensation expense $ 57,661 $ 47,861 $ 9,094 On May 9, 2013, our shareholders approved our 2013 Equity Incentive Plan, which allows us to grant certain stock awards, including stock options at fair market value and performance shares and restricted stock units, to our key employees and outside directors. A maximum of 3,400,000 shares, plus the shares remaining available for future grants under the 1997 Plan as of May 9, 2013, can be granted under this plan. Approximately 715,064 shares were available for stock awards as of December 31, 2015 . Shares subject to awards that expire or are canceled without delivery of shares or that are settled in cash, generally become available again for issuance under the plan. We have awarded performance-based stock options to certain key employees. These options are subject to certain vesting requirements over a five -year period, based on the company’s earnings growth. Any options remaining unvested at the end of the five year vesting period are forfeited to the company. Although participants can exercise options via a stock swap exercise, we do not issue reloads (restoration options) on the grants made after 2003. The fair value of these options is established based on the market price on the date of grant, discounted for post-vesting holding restrictions, calculated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. Changes in measured stock price volatility and interest rates are the primary reasons for changes in the discount. These grants are being expensed based on the terms of the awards. As of December 31, 2015 , unrecognized compensation expense related to stock options was $55.1 million . The amount of future expense to be recognized will be based on the company’s earnings growth and certain other conditions. The following schedule summarizes stock option activity in the plans. All outstanding unvested options as of December 31, 2015 , relate to the performance-based grants from 2011 through 2015 . Options Weighted Average Exercise Price Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in thousands) Average Remaining Life (years) Outstanding at December 31, 2014 4,704,620 $ 65.40 $ 44,644 8.1 Grants 1,493,388 63.80 Exercised (40,337 ) 62.30 Terminated (6,810 ) 66.99 Outstanding at December 31, 2015 6,150,861 $ 65.03 $ — 8.1 Vested at December 31, 2015 1,991,263 $ 64.49 $ — 7.3 Exercisable at December 31, 2015 1,991,263 $ 64.49 $ — 7.3 Additional potential dilutive stock options totaling 125,797 for 2015 and 218,932 for 2013 have been excluded from our diluted net income per share calculations because these securities’ exercise prices were anti-dilutive (e.g., greater than the average market price of our common stock). Information on the intrinsic value of options exercised is as follows (in thousands): 2015 $ 400 2014 4 2013 7,640 The following table summarizes performance-based options by year of grant: Year of grant First vesting date Last vesting date Options Weighted Unvested options 2011 December 31, 2012 December 31, 2016 894,254 $ 15.72 352,850 2012 December 31, 2013 December 31, 2017 1,143,939 13.15 725,564 2013 December 31, 2014 December 31, 2018 1,405,906 11.83 702,953 2014 December 31, 2015 December 31, 2019 1,278,231 14.17 958,674 4,722,330 $ 13.52 2,740,041 We issued no performance-based options in 2015. We have awarded stock options to certain key employees that vest primarily based on their continued employment. The value of these awards is established by the market price on the date of the grant and is being expensed over the vesting period of the award. The following table summarizes these unvested stock option grants as of December 31, 2015 : Year of grant First vesting date Last vesting date Options Weighted Unvested options 2015 December 31, 2016 December 31, 2020 1,428,531 $ 12.66 1,428,531 Determining Fair Value We estimated the fair value of stock options granted using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. We estimate the fair value of restricted shares and units using the Black-Scholes option pricing model-protective put method. A description of significant assumptions used to estimate the expected volatility, risk-free interest rate, and expected terms is as follows: Expected Volatility -Expected volatility was determined based on implied volatility of our traded options and historical volatility of our stock price. Risk-Free Interest Rate -The risk-free interest rate was based on the implied yield available on U.S. Treasury zero-coupon issues at the date of grant with a term equal to the expected term. Expected Term - Expected term represents the period that our stock-based awards are expected to be outstanding and was determined based on historical experience and anticipated future exercise patterns, giving consideration to the contractual terms of unexercised stock-based awards. The fair value per option was estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following assumptions: 2015 Grants 2014 Grants 2013 Grants Risk-free interest rate 1.95-1.96% 1.93-1.96% .18-1.94% Dividend per share (quarterly amounts) $0.38-0.43 $0.35-0.38 $0.35 Expected volatility factor 22.0-24.0% 22.0-25.0% 25.0-27.5% Expected option term 6.29 years 6.3 years .01-6.3 years Weighted average fair value per option $ 12.68 $ 14.23 $ 11.73 FULL VALUE AWARDS. We have awarded performance shares and restricted stock units to certain key employees and non-employee directors. These awards are subject to certain vesting requirements over a five -year period, based on the company’s earnings growth. The awards also contain restrictions on the awardees’ ability to sell or transfer vested awards for a specified period of time. The fair value of these awards is established based on the market price on the date of grant, discounted for post-vesting holding restrictions. The discounts on outstanding grants vary from 17 percent to 22 percent and are calculated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model-protective put method. Changes in measured stock price volatility and interest rates are the primary reasons for changes in the discount. These grants are being expensed based on the terms of the awards. The following table summarizes our unvested performance shares and restricted stock unit grants as of December 31, 2015 : Number of Performance Shares and Restricted Stock Units Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Unvested at December 31, 2014 1,536,154 $ 54.67 Granted 407,019 52.08 Vested (492,129 ) 55.27 Forfeitures (179,004 ) 62.13 Unvested at December 31, 2015 1,272,040 $ 52.56 The following table summarizes performance shares and restricted stock units by year of grant: Year of grant First vesting date Last vesting date Performance shares and stock units granted, net of forfeitures Weighted average grant date fair value (1) Unvested performance shares and restricted stock units 2011 December 31, 2012 December 31, 2016 569,854 $ 53.72 222,243 2012 December 31, 2013 December 31, 2017 331,780 48.65 209,022 2013 December 31, 2014 December 31, 2018 395,016 46.45 197,510 2014 December 31, 2015 December 31, 2019 337,154 60.56 252,866 2015 December 31, 2016 December 31, 2020 390,400 51.88 390,400 2,024,204 $ 52.56 1,272,041 ________________________ (1) Amount shown is the weighted average grant date fair value of performance shares and restricted stock units granted, net of forfeitures. We have also awarded restricted shares and restricted stock units to certain key employees that vest primarily based on their continued employment. The value of these awards is established by the market price on the date of the grant and is being expensed over the vesting period of the award. The following table summarizes these unvested restricted share and restricted stock unit grants as of December 31, 2015 : Number of Restricted Shares and Stock Units Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Unvested at December 31, 2014 954,124 $ 52.12 Granted 482,222 51.93 Vested (237,563 ) 48.87 Forfeitures (71,261 ) 52.62 Unvested at December 31, 2015 1,127,522 $ 52.69 We have also issued to certain key employees and non-employee directors restricted stock units which are fully vested upon issuance. These units contain restrictions on the awardees’ ability to sell or transfer vested units for a specified period of time. The fair value of these units is established using the same method discussed above. These grants have been expensed during the year they were earned. A summary of the fair value of full value awards vested (in thousands): 2015 $ 40,785 2014 36,510 2013 6,808 As of December 31, 2015 , there was unrecognized compensation expense of $127.4 million related to previously granted full value awards. The amount of future expense to be recognized will be based on the company’s earnings growth and certain other conditions. EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN. Our 1997 Employee Stock Purchase Plan allows our employees to contribute up to $10,000 of their annual cash compensation to purchase company stock. Purchase price is determined using the closing price on the last day of the quarter discounted by 15 percent . Shares are vested immediately. The following is a summary of the employee stock purchase plan activity (dollar amounts in thousands): Shares purchased by employees Aggregate cost to employees Expense recognized by the company 2015 228,103 $ 13,045 $ 2,269 2014 231,564 11,943 2,108 2013 259,730 12,928 2,281 SHARE REPURCHASE PROGRAMS. During 2012, our Board of Directors authorized a stock repurchase program that allowed management to repurchase up to 10,000,000 shares. The activity under that program for each of the periods reported is as follows (dollar amounts in thousands): Shares repurchased Total value of shares repurchased 2012 Program 2013 Purchases 10,000,000 $ 579,853 As of December 31, 2013, there were no shares remaining for repurchase under the 2012 authorization. During 2013, our Board of Directors increased the number of shares authorized to be repurchased by 15,000,000 shares. The activity under this authorization is as follows (dollar amounts in thousands): Shares repurchased Total value of shares 2013 Program 2013 Purchases 930,075 $ 57,689 2014 Purchases 3,763,583 239,037 2015 Purchases 3,420,681 232,113 As of December 31, 2015 , there were 6,885,661 shares remaining for repurchase under the 2013 authorization.

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS. We offer a defined contribution plan, which qualifies under section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code and covers all eligible U.S. employees. Annual profit-sharing contributions are determined by us, in accordance with the provisions of the plan. We can also elect to make matching contributions to the plan. Defined contribution plan expense, including matching contributions, was approximately (in thousands): 2015 $ 46,507 2014 30,112 2013 19,907 We have committed to a defined contribution match of four percent of eligible compensation in 2016. NONQUALIFIED DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN. All restricted shares vested but not yet delivered, as well as a deferred share award granted to our CEO, are held within this plan. LEASE COMMITMENTS. We lease certain facilities and equipment under operating leases. Information regarding our lease expense is as follows (in thousands): 2015 $ 56,210 2014 56,871 2013 54,753 Minimum future lease commitments under noncancelable lease agreements in excess of one year as of December 31, 2015 , are as follows (in thousands): 2016 $ 43,888 2017 39,108 2018 31,349 2019 27,842 2020 22,437 Thereafter 108,845 Total $ 273,469 In addition to minimum lease payments, we are typically responsible under our lease agreements to pay our pro rata share of maintenance expenses, common charges, and real estate taxes of the buildings in which we lease space. LITIGATION. We are not subject to any pending or threatened litigation other than routine litigation arising in the ordinary course of our business operations, including 26 contingent auto liability cases as of December 31, 2015 . For some legal proceedings, we have accrued an amount that reflects the aggregate liability deemed probable and estimable, but this amount is not material to our consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows. Because of the preliminary nature of many of these proceedings, the difficulty in ascertaining the applicable facts relating to many of these proceedings, the inconsistent treatment of claims made in many of these proceedings, and the difficulty of predicting the settlement value of many of these proceedings, we are not able to estimate an amount or range of any reasonably possible additional losses. However, based upon our historical experience, the resolution of these proceedings is not expected to have a material effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

ACQUISITIONS

ACQUISITIONS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Business Combinations [Abstract]
ACQUISITIONS	ACQUISITIONS On January 1, 2015, we acquired all of the outstanding stock of Freightquote.com, Inc. (“Freightquote”) for the purpose of enhancing our less than truckload and truckload businesses and expanding our eCommerce capabilities. Total purchase consideration was, $398.6 million which was paid in cash. We used advances under the Credit Agreement to fund part of the cash consideration. The following is a summary of the allocation of purchase consideration to the estimated fair value of net assets for the acquisition of Freightquote (in thousands): Cash and cash equivalents $ 29,302 Receivables 56,228 Other current assets 2,395 Property and equipment 43,687 Identifiable intangible assets 37,800 Goodwill 287,220 Trademarks 8,600 Other noncurrent assets 3,421 Total assets 468,653 Accounts payable (44,622 ) Accrued expenses (5,485 ) Other liabilities (19,939 ) Net assets acquired $ 398,607 Following are the details of the purchase price allocated to the intangible assets acquired (dollars in thousands): Estimated Life (years) Customer relationships 5 $ 37,500 Noncompete agreements 5 300 Total identifiable intangible assets $ 37,800 We also acquired a trademark valued at $8.6 million which has been determined to be indefinite-lived. The Freightquote goodwill is a result of acquiring and retaining the Freightquote existing workforce and expected synergies from integrating their business in C.H. Robinson. Purchase accounting is considered final. The goodwill will not be deductible for tax purposes. On an unaudited pro forma basis, assuming the Freightquote acquisition had closed on January 1, 2014, the results of C.H. Robinson including Freightquote, would have resulted in the following (in thousands): Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2014 C.H. Robinson Freightquote Combined As Reported Operations Pro Forma Total revenues $ 13,470,067 $ 623,245 $ 14,093,312 Income from operations 748,418 24,131 772,549 Freightquote pro forma financial information includes the following adjustments for the twelve months ended December 31, 2014 (in thousands): Additional amortization expense on identifiable intangible assets $ (7,560 ) Contractual changes in compensation 1,973 Additional compensation paid by sellers 2,627 Accounting policy changes 1,303 Third party advisory fees paid by sellers 5,355 Other 2,196 The pro forma consolidated information was prepared for comparative purposes only and includes certain adjustments, as noted above. The adjustments are estimates based on currently available information, and actual amounts may have differed from these estimates. They do not reflect the effect of costs or synergies that would have been expected to result from the integration of the acquisition. The pro forma information does not purport to be indicative of the results of operations that actually would have resulted had the acquisition occurred at the beginning of each period presented or of future results of the consolidated entity. The results of operations and financial condition of Freightquote have been included in our consolidated financial statements since the acquisition date of January 1, 2015.

ACCELERATED SHARE REPURCHASE

ACCELERATED SHARE REPURCHASE	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
CAPITAL STOCK [Abstract]
ACCELERATED SHARE REPURCHASE	ACCELERATED SHARE REPURCHASE On August 24, 2013, we entered into two letter agreements with unrelated third party financial institutions to repurchase an aggregate of $500.0 million of our outstanding common stock (the “ASR agreements”). The total aggregate number of shares repurchased pursuant to these agreements was determined based on the volume-weighted average price of our common stock during the purchase period, less a fixed discount of 0.94% . Under the ASR agreements, we paid $500.0 million to the financial institutions and received 6.1 million shares of common stock with a fair value of $350.0 million during the third quarter of 2013, which represented approximately 70 percent of the total shares expected to be repurchased under the agreements. One of the two financial institutions terminated their ASR agreement and delivered 1.2 million shares on December 13, 2013. We recorded this transaction as an increase in treasury stock of $425.0 million , and recorded the remaining $75.0 million as a decrease to additional paid in capital on our consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2013 . In accordance with the terms of the other ASR agreement, we had the option to settle our delivery obligation, if any, in cash or shares and we may be required to settle in cash in very limited circumstances. We accounted for the variable component of shares to be delivered under the ASR agreements as a forward contract indexed to our common stock, which met all of the applicable criteria for equity classification, and therefore, was not accounted for as a derivative instrument, but instead was also accounted for as a component of equity. The remaining ASR agreement continued to meet those requirements for equity classification as of December 31, 2013 . In February 2014, the remaining ASR agreement was terminated. Approximately 1.2 million shares were delivered as final settlement of the remaining agreement. We reclassified the $75.0 million recorded in additional paid in capital to treasury stock during the first quarter of 2014. The delivery of 7.3 million shares of our common stock reduced our outstanding shares used to determine our weighted average shares outstanding for purposes of calculating basic and diluted earnings per share for the 12 months ended December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 . These shares, along with the 1.2 million shares received in February 2014, reduced our outstanding shares used to determine our weighted average shares outstanding for the purposes of calculating basic and diluted earnings per share for the 12 months ended December 31, 2014 . We evaluated the ASR agreement for the potential dilutive effects of any shares remaining to be received upon settlement and determined that the additional shares would be anti-dilutive, and therefore were not included in our EPS calculation for the twelve months ended December 31, 2013 .

CHANGES IN ACCUMULATED OTHER CO

CHANGES IN ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Accumulated other comprehensive loss [Abstract]
CHANGES IN ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS	CHANGES IN ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS Accumulated other comprehensive loss is included in the Stockholders’ investment on our consolidated balance sheets. The recorded balance at December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , was $37.9 million and $28.6 million , respectively. Accumulated other comprehensive loss is comprised solely of foreign currency translation adjustment net of tax at December 31, 2015 and 2014 .

RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRON

RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements [Abstract]
RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS	RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued a final standard on revenue recognition from contracts with customers. The new standard sets forth a single comprehensive model for recognizing and reporting revenue. The new standard is effective for annual reporting periods after December 15, 2017, and permits the use of either a retrospective or a cumulative effect transition method. We are evaluating the effect of the new standard on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures, and have not yet selected a transition method or determined the impact of this standard on our consolidated financial statements. In November 2015, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2015-17, “ Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes .” ASU 2015-17 requires that deferred tax liabilities and assets be classified as noncurrent in a classified statement of financial position. ASU 2015-17 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. We are evaluating the effect of the new standard on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures, and have not yet selected a transition method or determined the impact of this standard on our consolidated financial statements.

SUPPLEMENTARY DATA (UNAUDITED)

SUPPLEMENTARY DATA (UNAUDITED)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
SUPPLEMENTARY DATA (UNAUDITED)	SUPPLEMENTARY DATA (UNAUDITED) Our unaudited results of operations for each of the quarters in the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 , are summarized below (in thousands, except per share data). 2015 March 31 June 30 September 30 December 31 Revenues: Transportation (1) $ 2,947,257 $ 3,130,722 $ 3,044,500 $ 2,867,301 Sourcing 353,633 414,366 374,753 343,552 Total revenues 3,300,890 3,545,088 3,419,253 3,210,853 Costs and expenses: Purchased transportation and related services (1) 2,452,112 2,582,374 2,484,409 2,323,376 Purchased products sourced for resale 323,668 378,696 346,269 316,700 Personnel expenses 255,144 263,999 264,077 268,190 Other selling, general, and administrative expenses 88,041 90,924 91,787 88,008 Total costs and expenses 3,118,965 3,315,993 3,186,542 2,996,274 Income from operations 181,925 229,095 232,711 214,579 Net income $ 106,476 $ 137,208 $ 139,432 $ 126,583 Basic net income per share $ 0.73 $ 0.94 $ 0.96 $ 0.88 Diluted net income per share $ 0.73 $ 0.94 $ 0.96 $ 0.88 Basic weighted average shares outstanding 146,204 145,515 144,578 143,484 Dilutive effect of outstanding stock awards 179 164 204 660 Diluted weighted average shares outstanding 146,383 145,679 144,782 144,144 Market price range of common stock: High $ 76.18 $ 73.09 $ 71.50 $ 73.34 Low $ 67.11 $ 61.46 $ 61.64 $ 59.71 2014 March 31 June 30 September 30 December 31 Revenues: Transportation (1) $ 2,806,777 $ 3,042,102 $ 3,073,382 $ 3,014,251 Sourcing 335,808 460,816 393,980 342,951 Total revenues 3,142,585 3,502,918 3,467,362 3,357,202 Costs and expenses: Purchased transportation and related services (1) 2,376,388 2,555,959 2,575,619 2,536,440 Purchased products sourced for resale 308,962 425,922 364,179 318,946 Personnel expenses 220,297 238,986 244,621 235,117 Other selling, general, and administrative expenses 79,967 81,669 79,606 78,971 Total costs and expenses 2,985,614 3,302,536 3,264,025 3,169,474 Income from operations 156,971 200,382 203,337 187,728 Net income $ 93,187 $ 118,596 $ 124,981 $ 112,947 Basic net income per share $ 0.63 $ 0.80 $ 0.85 $ 0.77 Diluted net income per share $ 0.63 $ 0.80 $ 0.85 $ 0.77 Basic weighted average shares outstanding 148,517 147,826 146,646 145,856 Dilutive effect of outstanding stock awards 491 148 210 794 Diluted weighted average shares outstanding 149,008 147,974 146,856 146,650 Market price range of common stock: High $ 60.31 $ 64.09 $ 69.50 $ 77.49 Low $ 50.21 $ 51.10 $ 63.09 $ 63.42 (1) We previously reported revenues and costs from the fees we earn from our cash advance option offered to our contract carriers separately from Transportation revenues. Starting in the first quarter of 2015, on a retrospective basis, we report these payment services revenues and costs as a part of Transportation total revenues and costs.

SCHEDULE II. VALUATION AND QUAL

SCHEDULE II. VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts [Abstract]
SCHEDULE II. VALUTAION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS	SCHEDULE II. VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS Allowance for Doubtful Accounts The transactions in the allowance for doubtful accounts for the years ended December 31 were as follows (in thousands): 2015 2014 2013 Balance, beginning of year $ 41,051 $ 39,292 $ 34,560 Provision 11,538 15,092 15,587 Write-offs (9,134 ) (13,333 ) (10,855 ) Balance, end of year $ 43,455 $ 41,051 $ 39,292

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUN21

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
BASIS OF PRESENTATION	BASIS OF PRESENTATION. C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc. and our subsidiaries (“the company,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) are a global provider of transportation services and logistics solutions through a network of offices operating in North America, Europe, Asia, and South America. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc. and our majority owned and controlled subsidiaries. Our minority interests in subsidiaries are not significant. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in the consolidated financial statements. We had previously reported Payment Services revenues separately from Transportation revenues. The prior year amounts have been combined to conform with the current period presentation. This change in presentation had no effect on our prior year consolidated results of operations, financial condition, or cash flows.
USE OF ESTIMATES	USE OF ESTIMATES. The preparation of financial statements, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities. We are also required to disclose contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Our ultimate results could differ from those estimates.
REVENUE RECOGNITION	REVENUE RECOGNITION. Total revenues consist of the total dollar value of goods and services purchased from us by customers. Our net revenues are our total revenues less purchased transportation and related services, including contracted motor carrier, rail, ocean, air, and other costs, and the purchase price and services related to the products we source. We act principally as the service provider for these transactions and recognize revenue as these services are rendered or goods are delivered. At that time, our obligations to the transactions are completed and collection of receivables is reasonably assured. Most transactions in our Transportation and Sourcing businesses are recorded at the gross amount we charge our customers for the service we provide and goods we sell. In these transactions, we are the primary obligor, we have credit risk, we have discretion to select the supplier, and we have latitude in pricing decisions. Additionally, in our Sourcing business, we take loss of inventory risk during shipment and have general inventory risk. Certain transactions in customs brokerage, managed services, freight forwarding, and sourcing are recorded at the net amount we charge our customers for the service we provide because many of the factors stated above are not present.
ALLOWANCE FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS	ALLOWANCE FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS. Accounts receivable are reduced by an allowance for amounts that may become uncollectible in the future. We continuously monitor payments from our customers and maintain a provision for uncollectible accounts based upon our customer aging trends, historical loss experience, and any specific customer collection issues that we have identified.
FOREIGN CURRENCY	FOREIGN CURRENCY. Most balance sheet accounts of foreign subsidiaries are translated or remeasured at the current exchange rate as of the end of the year. Statement of operations items are translated at average exchange rates during the year. The resulting translation adjustment is recorded net of tax as a separate component of comprehensive income in our statements of operations and comprehensive income.
SEGMENT REPORTING AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION	SEGMENT REPORTING AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION. We operate in the transportation and logistics industry. We provide a wide range of products and services to our customers and contract carriers, including transportation services, produce sourcing, freight consolidation, contract warehousing, and information services. Each of these is a significant component to optimizing logistics solutions for our customers. These services are performed throughout our network of offices, as an integrated offering for which our customers are typically provided a single invoice. Our network of offices work together to complete transactions and collectively meet the needs of our customers. For large multi-location customers, we often coordinate our efforts in one location and rely on multiple locations to deliver specific geographic or modal needs. As an example, approximately 49 percent of our truckload transactions are shared transactions between offices. In addition, our methodology of providing services is very similar across all locations. The majority of our global network operates on a common technology platform that is used to match customer needs with supplier capabilities, to collaborate with other locations, and to utilize centralized support resources to complete all facets of the transaction. Accordingly, our chief operating decision maker analyzes our business as a single segment, relying on net revenues and operating income across our network of offices as the primary performance measures.
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS. Cash and cash equivalents consist of bank deposits.
PREPAID EXPENSES AND OTHER	PREPAID EXPENSES AND OTHER. Prepaid expenses and other include such items as prepaid rent, software maintenance contracts, insurance premiums, other prepaid operating expenses, and inventories, consisting primarily of produce and related products held for resale.
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT	PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT. Property and equipment are recorded at cost. Maintenance and repair expenditures are charged to expense as incurred. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated lives of the assets of 3 to 30 years. Amortization of leasehold improvements is computed over the shorter of the lease term or the estimated useful lives of the improvements.
GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS	GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS. Goodwill is the difference between the purchase price of a company and the fair market value of the acquired company’s net identifiable assets. Other intangible assets include definite-lived customer lists, contract carrier lists, and non-competition agreements and indefinite-lived trademarks. The definite-lived intangible assets are being amortized using the straight-line method over their estimated lives, ranging from 3 to 8 years. The indefinite-lived trademarks are not amortized. Goodwill is not amortized, but is tested for impairment using a fair value approach. Goodwill is tested for impairment annually or more frequently if events warrant. Intangible assets are evaluated for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable.
OTHER ASSETS	OTHER ASSETS. Other assets include such items as purchased and internally developed software, and the investments related to our nonqualified deferred compensation plan. We amortize software using the straight-line method over 3 years.
INCOME TAXES	INCOME TAXES. Income taxes are accounted for using the asset and liability method. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences of temporary differences between the carrying amounts and tax bases of assets and liabilities using enacted rates. Annual tax provisions include amounts considered sufficient to pay assessments that may result from examination of prior year tax returns; however, the amount ultimately paid upon resolution of issues raised may differ from the amounts accrued. The financial statement benefits of an uncertain income tax position are recognized when more likely than not, based on the technical merits, the position will be sustained upon examination. Unrecognized tax benefits are, more likely than not, owed to a taxing authority, and the amount of the contingency can be reasonably estimated. Uncertain income tax positions are included in “Noncurrent income taxes payable” in the consolidated balance sheets. Provisions are made for U.S. taxes on undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries and related companies.
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME	COMPREHENSIVE INCOME. Comprehensive income includes any changes in the equity of an enterprise from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources. Our only component of other comprehensive income is foreign currency translation adjustment. It is presented on our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION	STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION. We issue stock awards, including stock options, performance shares, and restricted stock units, to key employees and outside directors. In general, the awards vest over five years , either based on the company’s earnings growth or the passage of time. The fair value of each share-based payment award is established on the date of grant. For grants of performance shares and restricted stock units, the fair value is established based on the market price on the date of the grant, discounted for post-vesting holding restrictions. The discounts on outstanding grants vary from 17 percent to 22 percent and are calculated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. Changes in measured stock volatility and interest rates are the primary reason for changes in the discount. For grants of options, we use the Black-Scholes option pricing model to estimate the fair value of share-based payment awards. The determination of the fair value of share-based awards is affected by our stock price and a number of assumptions, including expected volatility, expected life, risk-free interest rate, and expected dividends.
RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRNOUNCEMENTS	In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued a final standard on revenue recognition from contracts with customers. The new standard sets forth a single comprehensive model for recognizing and reporting revenue. The new standard is effective for annual reporting periods after December 15, 2017, and permits the use of either a retrospective or a cumulative effect transition method. We are evaluating the effect of the new standard on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures, and have not yet selected a transition method or determined the impact of this standard on our consolidated financial statements. In November 2015, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2015-17, “ Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes .” ASU 2015-17 requires that deferred tax liabilities and assets be classified as noncurrent in a classified statement of financial position. ASU 2015-17 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. We are evaluating the effect of the new standard on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures, and have not yet selected a transition method or determined the impact of this standard on our consolidated financial statements.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUN22

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Schedule Of Revenues From External Customers And Long Lived Assets By Geographical Areas Table	The following table presents our total revenues (based on location of the customer) and long-lived assets (including intangible and other assets) by geographic regions (in thousands): For the year ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 Total revenues United States $ 12,097,633 $ 11,800,140 $ 11,140,163 Other locations 1,378,451 1,669,927 1,611,913 Total revenues $ 13,476,084 $ 13,470,067 $ 12,752,076 December 31, 2015 2014 2013 Long-lived assets United States $ 320,445 $ 257,587 $ 284,693 Other locations 24,878 26,254 24,567 Total long-lived assets $ 345,323 $ 283,841 $ 309,260
Schedule of Depreciation Expense	We recognized the following depreciation expense (in thousands): 2015 $ 32,412 2014 29,340 2013 27,757
Property, Plant and Equipment	A summary of our property and equipment as of December 31 is as follows (in thousands): 2015 2014 Furniture, fixtures, and equipment $ 200,215 $ 180,233 Buildings 110,056 79,981 Corporate aircraft 11,334 11,334 Leasehold improvements 28,178 25,545 Land 23,759 14,983 Construction in progress 5,597 1,612 Less accumulated depreciation (188,265 ) (161,217 ) Net property and equipment $ 190,874 $ 152,471
Schedule of Amortization Expense of Software	We recognized the following amortization expense of purchased and internally developed software (in thousands): 2015 $ 9,624 2014 8,921 2013 8,759
Software and Software Development Costs
Schedule of Other Assets, Noncurrent	A summary of our purchased and internally developed software as of December 31 is as follows (in thousands): 2015 2014 Purchased software $ 23,569 $ 21,872 Internally developed software 40,796 27,429 Less accumulated amortization (42,930 ) (35,369 ) Net software $ 21,435 $ 13,932

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE23

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Goodwill	The change in the carrying amount of goodwill is as follows (in thousands): 2015 2014 Balance, beginning of year $ 825,038 $ 829,073 Acquisitions 287,220 — Translation (3,921 ) (4,035 ) Balance, end of year $ 1,108,337 $ 825,038
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets by Major Class	A summary of our other intangible assets, with finite lives, which include primarily customer relationships and non-competition agreements, as of December 31 is as follows (in thousands): 2015 2014 Gross $ 171,172 $ 133,372 Accumulated amortization (61,405 ) (36,917 ) Net $ 109,767 $ 96,455
Schedule of Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets by Major Class	Other intangible assets, with indefinite lives, as of December 31 is as follows (in thousands): 2015 2014 Trademarks $ 10,475 $ 1,875
Schedule of Amortization Expense	Amortization expense for other intangible assets was (in thousands): 2015 $ 24,373 2014 18,748 2013 20,128
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense	Intangible assets at December 31, 2015 , will be amortized over the next five years, and that expense is as follows (in thousands): 2016 $ 24,368 2017 24,309 2018 23,785 2019 23,785 2020 13,520 Thereafter — Total $ 109,767

INCOME TAXES (Tables)

INCOME TAXES (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Summary of Income Tax Contingencies	A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits, excluding interest and penalties, is as follows (in thousands): 2015 2014 2013 Unrecognized tax benefits, beginning of period $ 18,274 $ 16,897 $ 16,788 Additions based on tax positions related to the current year 1,520 2,002 1,572 Additions for tax positions of prior years — 839 1,105 Reductions for tax positions of prior years (810 ) (183 ) (1,464 ) Lapse in statute of limitations (5,188 ) (1,281 ) (238 ) Settlements (525 ) — (866 ) Unrecognized tax benefits, end of the period $ 13,271 $ 18,274 $ 16,897
Schedule of Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	The components of the provision for income taxes consist of the following for the years ended December 31 (in thousands): 2015 2014 2013 Tax provision: Federal $ 259,793 $ 224,468 $ 180,351 State 37,129 32,110 26,351 Foreign 33,255 20,259 25,529 330,177 276,837 232,231 Deferred provision (benefit): Federal (14,559 ) (5,302 ) 24,877 State (2,074 ) (755 ) 3,623 Foreign (462 ) 2,940 (3,274 ) (17,095 ) (3,117 ) 25,226 Total provision $ 313,082 $ 273,720 $ 257,457
Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation	A reconciliation of the provision for income taxes using the statutory federal income tax rate to our effective income tax rate for the years ended December 31 is as follows: 2015 2014 2013 Federal statutory rate 35.0 % 35.0 % 35.0 % State income taxes, net of federal benefit 2.8 2.8 2.9 Other 0.3 — 0.3 38.1 % 37.8 % 38.2 %
Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities	Deferred tax assets (liabilities) are comprised of the following at December 31 (in thousands): 2015 2014 Deferred tax assets: Compensation $ 91,729 $ 78,516 Receivables 16,243 13,397 Other 9,242 8,103 Deferred tax liabilities: Intangible assets (133,375 ) (115,761 ) Prepaid assets (13,418 ) (10,808 ) Long-lived assets (18,666 ) (19,018 ) Undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries — (13,616 ) Other (427 ) (28 ) Net deferred tax (liabilities) assets $ (48,672 ) $ (59,215 )

CAPITAL STOCK AND STOCK AWARD25

CAPITAL STOCK AND STOCK AWARD PLANS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Schedule of Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs	A summary of our total compensation expense recognized in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income for stock-based compensation is as follows (in thousands): 2015 2014 2013 Stock options $ 14,607 $ 9,243 $ 5 Stock awards 40,785 36,510 6,808 Company expense on ESPP discount 2,269 2,108 2,281 Total stock-based compensation expense $ 57,661 $ 47,861 $ 9,094
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Stock Options, Activity	The following schedule summarizes stock option activity in the plans. All outstanding unvested options as of December 31, 2015 , relate to the performance-based grants from 2011 through 2015 . Options Weighted Average Exercise Price Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in thousands) Average Remaining Life (years) Outstanding at December 31, 2014 4,704,620 $ 65.40 $ 44,644 8.1 Grants 1,493,388 63.80 Exercised (40,337 ) 62.30 Terminated (6,810 ) 66.99 Outstanding at December 31, 2015 6,150,861 $ 65.03 $ — 8.1 Vested at December 31, 2015 1,991,263 $ 64.49 $ — 7.3 Exercisable at December 31, 2015 1,991,263 $ 64.49 $ — 7.3
Schedule of Intrinsic Value of Options Exercised	Information on the intrinsic value of options exercised is as follows (in thousands): 2015 $ 400 2014 4 2013 7,640
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Activity	The following table summarizes performance-based options by year of grant: Year of grant First vesting date Last vesting date Options Weighted Unvested options 2011 December 31, 2012 December 31, 2016 894,254 $ 15.72 352,850 2012 December 31, 2013 December 31, 2017 1,143,939 13.15 725,564 2013 December 31, 2014 December 31, 2018 1,405,906 11.83 702,953 2014 December 31, 2015 December 31, 2019 1,278,231 14.17 958,674 4,722,330 $ 13.52 2,740,041 The following table summarizes performance shares and restricted stock units by year of grant: Year of grant First vesting date Last vesting date Performance shares and stock units granted, net of forfeitures Weighted average grant date fair value (1) Unvested performance shares and restricted stock units 2011 December 31, 2012 December 31, 2016 569,854 $ 53.72 222,243 2012 December 31, 2013 December 31, 2017 331,780 48.65 209,022 2013 December 31, 2014 December 31, 2018 395,016 46.45 197,510 2014 December 31, 2015 December 31, 2019 337,154 60.56 252,866 2015 December 31, 2016 December 31, 2020 390,400 51.88 390,400 2,024,204 $ 52.56 1,272,041 ________________________ (1) Amount shown is the weighted average grant date fair value of performance shares and restricted stock units granted, net of forfeitures. The following table summarizes these unvested stock option grants as of December 31, 2015 : Year of grant First vesting date Last vesting date Options Weighted Unvested options 2015 December 31, 2016 December 31, 2020 1,428,531 $ 12.66 1,428,531
Schedule of Share-based Payment Award, Stock Options, Valuation Assumptions	The fair value per option was estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following assumptions: 2015 Grants 2014 Grants 2013 Grants Risk-free interest rate 1.95-1.96% 1.93-1.96% .18-1.94% Dividend per share (quarterly amounts) $0.38-0.43 $0.35-0.38 $0.35 Expected volatility factor 22.0-24.0% 22.0-25.0% 25.0-27.5% Expected option term 6.29 years 6.3 years .01-6.3 years Weighted average fair value per option $ 12.68 $ 14.23 $ 11.73
Schedule of Nonvested Restricted Stock Units Activity	The following table summarizes our unvested performance shares and restricted stock unit grants as of December 31, 2015 : Number of Performance Shares and Restricted Stock Units Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Unvested at December 31, 2014 1,536,154 $ 54.67 Granted 407,019 52.08 Vested (492,129 ) 55.27 Forfeitures (179,004 ) 62.13 Unvested at December 31, 2015 1,272,040 $ 52.56
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units Activity	The following table summarizes these unvested restricted share and restricted stock unit grants as of December 31, 2015 : Number of Restricted Shares and Stock Units Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Unvested at December 31, 2014 954,124 $ 52.12 Granted 482,222 51.93 Vested (237,563 ) 48.87 Forfeitures (71,261 ) 52.62 Unvested at December 31, 2015 1,127,522 $ 52.69
Schedule Of Fair Value Stock Awards Vested	A summary of the fair value of full value awards vested (in thousands): 2015 $ 40,785 2014 36,510 2013 6,808
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Employee Stock Purchase Plan, Activity	The following is a summary of the employee stock purchase plan activity (dollar amounts in thousands): Shares purchased by employees Aggregate cost to employees Expense recognized by the company 2015 228,103 $ 13,045 $ 2,269 2014 231,564 11,943 2,108 2013 259,730 12,928 2,281
Share Repurchase Program Disclosure	The activity under this authorization is as follows (dollar amounts in thousands): Shares repurchased Total value of shares 2013 Program 2013 Purchases 930,075 $ 57,689 2014 Purchases 3,763,583 239,037 2015 Purchases 3,420,681 232,113 The activity under that program for each of the periods reported is as follows (dollar amounts in thousands): Shares repurchased Total value of shares repurchased 2012 Program 2013 Purchases 10,000,000 $ 579,853

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Costs of Retirement Plans	Defined contribution plan expense, including matching contributions, was approximately (in thousands): 2015 $ 46,507 2014 30,112 2013 19,907
Schedule of Lease Expenses	Information regarding our lease expense is as follows (in thousands): 2015 $ 56,210 2014 56,871 2013 54,753
Operating Leases of Lessee Disclosure	Minimum future lease commitments under noncancelable lease agreements in excess of one year as of December 31, 2015 , are as follows (in thousands): 2016 $ 43,888 2017 39,108 2018 31,349 2019 27,842 2020 22,437 Thereafter 108,845 Total $ 273,469

ACQUISITIONS (Tables)

ACQUISITIONS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Schedule of Recognized Identified Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed	The following is a summary of the allocation of purchase consideration to the estimated fair value of net assets for the acquisition of Freightquote (in thousands): Cash and cash equivalents $ 29,302 Receivables 56,228 Other current assets 2,395 Property and equipment 43,687 Identifiable intangible assets 37,800 Goodwill 287,220 Trademarks 8,600 Other noncurrent assets 3,421 Total assets 468,653 Accounts payable (44,622 ) Accrued expenses (5,485 ) Other liabilities (19,939 ) Net assets acquired $ 398,607 Following are the details of the purchase price allocated to the intangible assets acquired (dollars in thousands): Estimated Life (years) Customer relationships 5 $ 37,500 Noncompete agreements 5 300 Total identifiable intangible assets $ 37,800
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information	On an unaudited pro forma basis, assuming the Freightquote acquisition had closed on January 1, 2014, the results of C.H. Robinson including Freightquote, would have resulted in the following (in thousands): Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2014 C.H. Robinson Freightquote Combined As Reported Operations Pro Forma Total revenues $ 13,470,067 $ 623,245 $ 14,093,312 Income from operations 748,418 24,131 772,549
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information, Adjustments	Freightquote pro forma financial information includes the following adjustments for the twelve months ended December 31, 2014 (in thousands): Additional amortization expense on identifiable intangible assets $ (7,560 ) Contractual changes in compensation 1,973 Additional compensation paid by sellers 2,627 Accounting policy changes 1,303 Third party advisory fees paid by sellers 5,355 Other 2,196

SUPPLEMENTARY DATA (Tables)

SUPPLEMENTARY DATA (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Quarterly Financial Information	Our unaudited results of operations for each of the quarters in the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 , are summarized below (in thousands, except per share data). 2015 March 31 June 30 September 30 December 31 Revenues: Transportation (1) $ 2,947,257 $ 3,130,722 $ 3,044,500 $ 2,867,301 Sourcing 353,633 414,366 374,753 343,552 Total revenues 3,300,890 3,545,088 3,419,253 3,210,853 Costs and expenses: Purchased transportation and related services (1) 2,452,112 2,582,374 2,484,409 2,323,376 Purchased products sourced for resale 323,668 378,696 346,269 316,700 Personnel expenses 255,144 263,999 264,077 268,190 Other selling, general, and administrative expenses 88,041 90,924 91,787 88,008 Total costs and expenses 3,118,965 3,315,993 3,186,542 2,996,274 Income from operations 181,925 229,095 232,711 214,579 Net income $ 106,476 $ 137,208 $ 139,432 $ 126,583 Basic net income per share $ 0.73 $ 0.94 $ 0.96 $ 0.88 Diluted net income per share $ 0.73 $ 0.94 $ 0.96 $ 0.88 Basic weighted average shares outstanding 146,204 145,515 144,578 143,484 Dilutive effect of outstanding stock awards 179 164 204 660 Diluted weighted average shares outstanding 146,383 145,679 144,782 144,144 Market price range of common stock: High $ 76.18 $ 73.09 $ 71.50 $ 73.34 Low $ 67.11 $ 61.46 $ 61.64 $ 59.71 2014 March 31 June 30 September 30 December 31 Revenues: Transportation (1) $ 2,806,777 $ 3,042,102 $ 3,073,382 $ 3,014,251 Sourcing 335,808 460,816 393,980 342,951 Total revenues 3,142,585 3,502,918 3,467,362 3,357,202 Costs and expenses: Purchased transportation and related services (1) 2,376,388 2,555,959 2,575,619 2,536,440 Purchased products sourced for resale 308,962 425,922 364,179 318,946 Personnel expenses 220,297 238,986 244,621 235,117 Other selling, general, and administrative expenses 79,967 81,669 79,606 78,971 Total costs and expenses 2,985,614 3,302,536 3,264,025 3,169,474 Income from operations 156,971 200,382 203,337 187,728 Net income $ 93,187 $ 118,596 $ 124,981 $ 112,947 Basic net income per share $ 0.63 $ 0.80 $ 0.85 $ 0.77 Diluted net income per share $ 0.63 $ 0.80 $ 0.85 $ 0.77 Basic weighted average shares outstanding 148,517 147,826 146,646 145,856 Dilutive effect of outstanding stock awards 491 148 210 794 Diluted weighted average shares outstanding 149,008 147,974 146,856 146,650 Market price range of common stock: High $ 60.31 $ 64.09 $ 69.50 $ 77.49 Low $ 50.21 $ 51.10 $ 63.09 $ 63.42 (1) We previously reported revenues and costs from the fees we earn from our cash advance option offered to our contract carriers separately from Transportation revenues. Starting in the first quarter of 2015, on a retrospective basis, we report these payment services revenues and costs as a part of Transportation total revenues and costs.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUN29

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Restricted cash		$ (359,388)	$ 359,388	$ 0
Property and equipment, depreciation method		Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated lives of the assets of 3 to 30 years.
Software
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Intangible assets, estimated lives (in years)		3 years
Intangible assets, amortization method		We amortize software using the straight-line method over 3 years.
Minimum
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Property and equipment, estimated lives (in years)		3 years
Intangible assets, estimated lives (in years)		3 years
Restricted shares and restricted units grants, discount for post-vesting holding restrictions (percent)		17.00%
Maximum
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Property and equipment, estimated lives (in years)		30 years
Intangible assets, estimated lives (in years)		8 years
Restricted shares and restricted units grants, discount for post-vesting holding restrictions (percent)		22.00%
Freightquote
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Restricted cash	$ 359,400
Truckload Transactions
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Percentage of truckload transactions that are shared transactions between branches		49.00%
Stock Option
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Stock award, vesting period (in years)		5 years

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUN30

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Total Revenues Based on Location of the Customer and Long-Lived Assets by Geographic Regions (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Total revenues	$ 3,210,853	$ 3,419,253	$ 3,545,088	$ 3,300,890	$ 3,357,202	$ 3,467,362	$ 3,502,918	$ 3,142,585	$ 13,476,084	$ 13,470,067	$ 12,752,076
Total long-lived assets	345,323				283,841				345,323	283,841	309,260
United States
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Total revenues									12,097,633	11,800,140	11,140,163
Total long-lived assets	320,445				257,587				320,445	257,587	284,693
Other Locations
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Total revenues									1,378,451	1,669,927	1,611,913
Total long-lived assets	$ 24,878				$ 26,254				$ 24,878	$ 26,254	$ 24,567

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUN31

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Depreciation Expense (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Depreciation expense	$ 32,412	$ 29,340	$ 27,757

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUN32

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Summary of Property and Equipment (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Furniture, fixtures, and equipment	$ 200,215	$ 180,233
Buildings	110,056	79,981
Corporate aircraft	11,334	11,334
Leasehold improvements	28,178	25,545
Land	23,759	14,983
Construction in progress	5,597	1,612
Less accumulated depreciation	(188,265)	(161,217)
Net property and equipment	$ 190,874	$ 152,471

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUN33

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Amortization Expense of Purchased and Internally Developed Software (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Software
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortization expense	$ 9,624	$ 8,921	$ 8,759

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUN34

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Summary of Purchased and Internally Developed Software (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Less accumulated amortization	$ (61,405)	$ (36,917)
Net software	109,767
Software
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Less accumulated amortization	(42,930)	(35,369)
Net software	21,435	13,932
Software | Purchased software
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Software	23,569	21,872
Software | Internally developed software
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Software	$ 40,796	$ 27,429

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE35

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS Change in the Carrying Amount of Goodwill (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of year	$ 825,038	$ 829,073
Acquisitions	287,220	0
Translation	(3,921)	(4,035)
Balance, end of year	$ 1,108,337	$ 825,038

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE36

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS Summary of Other Intangible Assets, with Finite Lives (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Accumulated amortization	$ (61,405)	$ (36,917)
Net	109,767
Other Intangible Assets
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross	171,172	133,372
Accumulated amortization	(61,405)	(36,917)
Net	$ 109,767	$ 96,455

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE37

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS Other Intangible Assets, with Indefinite Lives (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Trademarks	$ 10,475	$ 1,875

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE38

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS Amortization Expense of Other Intangible Assets (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Other Intangible Assets
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortization expense	$ 24,373	$ 18,748	$ 20,128

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE39

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS Estimated Amortization Expense on Intangible Assets (Detail) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)
Estimated amortization expense
2,016	$ 24,368
2,017	24,309
2,018	23,785
2,019	23,785
2,020	13,520
Thereafter	0
Net	$ 109,767

FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS Addition

FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS Additional Information (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)	Feb. 28, 2015	Aug. 23, 2013USD ($)	Oct. 29, 2012USD ($)
Level 2
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt fair value	$ 522,200,000	$ 500,000,000
Unsecured Debt | Senior Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility 2017 Term Loan
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity		$ 900,000,000			$ 500,000,000
Additional borrowing capacity credit facility					$ 500,000,000
Debt instrument, interest rate during period	1.30%	1.70%
Debt, weighted average interest rate	1.60%	1.30%
Debt instrument, covenant, leverage ratio, minimum	0.65
Debt instrument, covenant, leverage ratio, maximum	1
Debt instrument, covenant, leverage debt to EBITDA ratio, maximum			3
Debt instrument, covenant, leverage debt to EBITDA ratio, minimum			1
Unsecured Debt | Senior Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility 2017 Term Loan | Federal Funds Rate
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, basis spread on variable rate	0.50%
Unsecured Debt | Senior Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility 2017 Term Loan | LIBOR Rate Option
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, description of variable rate basis	One-month LIBOR
Unsecured Debt | Senior Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility 2017 Term Loan | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, basis spread on variable rate	1.125%
Unsecured Debt | Senior Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility 2017 Term Loan | Current Liability
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Borrowing outstanding	$ 450,000,000	$ 605,000,000
Senior Notes | Series A Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount				$ 175,000,000
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage				3.97%
Senior Notes | Series B Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount				$ 150,000,000
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage				4.26%
Senior Notes | Series C Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount				$ 175,000,000
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage				4.60%
Senior Notes | Note Purchase Agreement
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, covenant, leverage ratio, minimum	0.65
Debt instrument, covenant, leverage ratio, maximum	1
Debt instrument, covenant, leverage debt to EBITDA ratio, maximum			3
Debt instrument, covenant, leverage debt to EBITDA ratio, minimum			1
Debt instrument, interest expense ratio, maximum	2
Debt instrument, interest expense ratio, minimum	1
Debt instrument, priority debt, percentage	15.00%
Debt instrument, redemption price, percentage	100.00%

INCOME TAXES Reconciliation of

INCOME TAXES Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Excluding Interest and Penalties (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Excluding Amounts Pertaining to Examined Tax Returns [Roll Forward]
Unrecognized tax benefits, beginning of period	$ 18,274	$ 16,897	$ 16,788
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year	1,520	2,002	1,572
Additions for tax positions of prior years	0	839	1,105
Reductions for tax positions of prior years	(810)	(183)	(1,464)
Lapse in statute of limitations	(5,188)	(1,281)	(238)
Settlements	(525)	0	(866)
Unrecognized tax benefits, end of the period	$ 13,271	$ 18,274	$ 16,897

INCOME TAXES Components of the

INCOME TAXES Components of the Provision for Income Taxes (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Tax provision:
Federal	$ 259,793	$ 224,468	$ 180,351
State	37,129	32,110	26,351
Foreign	33,255	20,259	25,529
Current income tax expense (benefit), total	330,177	276,837	232,231
Deferred provision (benefit):
Federal	(14,559)	(5,302)	24,877
State	(2,074)	(755)	3,623
Foreign	(462)	2,940	(3,274)
Deferred provision (benefit):	(17,095)	(3,117)	25,226
Total provision	$ 313,082	$ 273,720	$ 257,457

INCOME TAXES Reconciliation o43

INCOME TAXES Reconciliation of the Provision for Income Taxes using Statutory Federal Income Tax Rate to the Effective Income Tax Rate (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Federal statutory rate	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
State income taxes, net of federal benefit	2.80%	2.80%	2.90%
Other	0.30%	0.00%	0.30%
Effective income tax rate, continuing operations, total	38.10%	37.80%	38.20%

INCOME TAXES Deferred Tax Asset

INCOME TAXES Deferred Tax Assets (Liabilities) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Deferred tax assets:
Compensation	$ 91,729	$ 78,516
Receivables	16,243	13,397
Other	9,242	8,103
Deferred tax liabilities:
Intangible assets	(133,375)	(115,761)
Prepaid assets	(13,418)	(10,808)
Long-lived assets	(18,666)	(19,018)
Undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries	0	(13,616)
Other	(427)	(28)
Net deferred tax (liabilities) assets	$ (48,672)	$ (59,215)

INCOME TAXES - Additional Infor

INCOME TAXES - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Unrecognized tax benefits and related interest and penalties, all of which would affect our effective tax rate if recognized	$ 19.6
Interest and penalties recognized	1.2	$ 1.5	$ 1.2
Interest and penalties accrued	6.4	5.7
Foreign net operating loss carryforwards tax effect	$ 8	$ 8.3

CAPITAL STOCK AND STOCK AWARD46

CAPITAL STOCK AND STOCK AWARD PLANS - Additional Information (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)Vote$ / sharesshares	Dec. 31, 2013shares	Dec. 31, 2014$ / sharesshares
Compensation Related Costs Share Based Payments Disclosure [Line Items]
Preferred stock, shares authorized	20,000,000		20,000,000
Preferred stock, par value | $ / shares	$ 0.10		$ 0.10
Common stock, shares authorized	480,000,000		480,000,000
Common stock, par value | $ / shares	$ 0.10		$ 0.10
Entitled vote for each share of Common Stock | Vote	1
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share, amount	125,797	218,932
Maximum employee contribution to purchase company stock | $	$ 10,000
Discount rate used to determine the purchase price	15.00%
Stock award, vesting rights	These options are subject to certain vesting requirements over a five-year period, based on the company’s earnings growth.
2012 Program
Compensation Related Costs Share Based Payments Disclosure [Line Items]
Repurchase program, number of additional shares authorized for repurchase (up to)	10,000,000
Shares remaining for repurchase under authorization		0
2013 Program
Compensation Related Costs Share Based Payments Disclosure [Line Items]
Number of shares authorized to be repurchased		15,000,000
Shares remaining for repurchase under authorization	6,885,661
Stock Option
Compensation Related Costs Share Based Payments Disclosure [Line Items]
Maximum shares that can be granted under stock plan	3,400,000
Shares available for stock awards	715,064
Stock award, vesting period (in years)	5 years
Unrecognized compensation expense | $	$ 55,100,000
Full Value Awards
Compensation Related Costs Share Based Payments Disclosure [Line Items]
Stock award, vesting period (in years)	5 years
Unrecognized compensation expense | $	$ 127,400,000
Restricted stock awards, discount for post-vesting holding restriction, lower limit	17.00%
Restricted stock awards, discount for post-vesting holding restriction, upper limit	22.00%

CAPITAL STOCK AND STOCK AWARD47

CAPITAL STOCK AND STOCK AWARD PLANS Summary of Total Compensation Expense Recognized in Statements of Operations for Stock-Based Compensation (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	$ 57,661	$ 47,861	$ 9,094
Stock options
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	14,607	9,243	5
Stock awards
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	40,785	36,510	6,808
Company expense on ESPP discount
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	$ 2,269	$ 2,108	$ 2,281

CAPITAL STOCK AND STOCK AWARD48

CAPITAL STOCK AND STOCK AWARD PLANS Summary of Stock Option Activity (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Options Outstanding - Number of Shares [Roll Forward]
Outstanding, Beginning Balance (in shares)	4,704,620
Grants (in shares)	1,493,388
Exercised (in shares)	(40,337)
Terminated (in shares)	(6,810)
Outstanding, Ending Balance (in shares)	6,150,861	4,704,620
Vested (in shares)	1,991,263
Exercisable (in shares)	1,991,263
Options Outstanding - Weighted Average Exercise Price [Roll Forward]
Outstanding, Beginning Balance (in dollars per share)	$ 65.40
Grants (in dollars per share)	63.80
Exercised (in dollars per share)	62.30
Terminated (in dollars per share)	66.99
Outstanding, Ending Balance (in dollars per share)	65.03	$ 65.40
Vested (in dollars per share)	64.49
Exercisable (in dollars per share)	$ 64.49
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Aggregate Intrinsic Value [Roll Forward]
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, outstanding options	$ 0	$ 44,644
Vested at December 31, 2015	0
Exercisable at December 31, 2015	$ 0
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term [Roll Forward]
Average Remaining Life, outstanding options (in years)	8 years 1 month 6 days	8 years 1 month 6 days
Vested (in years)	7 years 3 months 18 days
Exercisable (in years)	7 years 3 months 18 days

CAPITAL STOCK AND STOCK AWARD49

CAPITAL STOCK AND STOCK AWARD PLANS Intrinsic Value of Options Exercised (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Intrinsic value	$ 400	$ 4	$ 7,640

CAPITAL STOCK AND STOCK AWARD50

CAPITAL STOCK AND STOCK AWARD PLANS Summary of Stock Options Grants by Year of Grant (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015$ / sharesshares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Options granted, net of forfeitures	4,722,330
Weighted average grant date fair value | $ / shares	$ 13.52
Unvested options	2,740,041
2,011
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Options granted, net of forfeitures	894,254
Weighted average grant date fair value | $ / shares	$ 15.72
Unvested options	352,850
2,012
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Options granted, net of forfeitures	1,143,939
Weighted average grant date fair value | $ / shares	$ 13.15
Unvested options	725,564
2,013
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Options granted, net of forfeitures	1,405,906
Weighted average grant date fair value | $ / shares	$ 11.83
Unvested options	702,953
2,014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Options granted, net of forfeitures	1,278,231
Weighted average grant date fair value | $ / shares	$ 14.17
Unvested options	958,674
2,015
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Options granted, net of forfeitures	1,428,531
Weighted average grant date fair value | $ / shares	$ 12.66
Unvested options	1,428,531

CAPITAL STOCK AND STOCK AWARD51

CAPITAL STOCK AND STOCK AWARD PLANS Assumptions Used in Estimating the Fair Value Per Option (Detail) - $ / shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Risk-free interest rate, minimum	1.95%	1.93%	0.18%
Risk-free interest rate, maximum	1.96%	1.96%	1.94%
Dividend per share (quarterly amounts)			$ 0.35
Expected volatilty factor, minimum	22.00%	22.00%	25.00%
Expected volatility factor maximum	24.00%	25.00%	27.50%
Expected option term	6 years 3 months 15 days	6 years 3 months 18 days
Weighted average fair value per option	$ 12.68	$ 14.23	$ 11.73
Minimum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Dividend per share (quarterly amounts)	0.38	0.35
Expected option term			4 days
Maximum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Dividend per share (quarterly amounts)	$ 0.43	$ 0.38
Expected option term			6 years 3 months 18 days

CAPITAL STOCK AND STOCK AWARD52

CAPITAL STOCK AND STOCK AWARD PLANS Summary of Nonvested Performance-Based Restricted Stock Grants (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015$ / sharesshares
Nonvested Restricted Shares and Units - Number of Shares and Units [Roll Forward]
Unvested, Ending Balance (in shares) | shares	1,272,041
Nonvested Restricted Shares and Units - Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Roll Forward]
Unvested, Ending Balance (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 52.56	[1]
Performance Based Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units
Nonvested Restricted Shares and Units - Number of Shares and Units [Roll Forward]
Unvested, Beginning Balance (in shares) | shares	1,536,154
Granted (in shares) | shares	407,019
Vested (in shares) | shares	(492,129)
Forfeitures (in shares) | shares	(179,004)
Unvested, Ending Balance (in shares) | shares	1,272,040
Nonvested Restricted Shares and Units - Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Roll Forward]
Unvested, Beginning Balance (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 54.67
Granted (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	52.08
Vested (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	55.27
Forfeitures (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	62.13
Unvested, Ending Balance (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 52.56
[1]	Amount shown is the weighted average grant date fair value of performance shares and restricted stock units granted, net of forfeitures.

CAPITAL STOCK AND STOCK AWARD53

CAPITAL STOCK AND STOCK AWARD PLANS Summary of Performance Based Shares and Units by Year of Grant (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015$ / sharesshares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Performance shares and stock units granted, net of forfeitures	2,024,204
Weighted average grant date fair value (1) | $ / shares	$ 52.56	[1]
Unvested performance shares and restricted stock units	1,272,041
2,011
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Performance shares and stock units granted, net of forfeitures	569,854
Weighted average grant date fair value (1) | $ / shares	$ 53.72	[1]
Unvested performance shares and restricted stock units	222,243
2,012
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Performance shares and stock units granted, net of forfeitures	331,780
Weighted average grant date fair value (1) | $ / shares	$ 48.65	[1]
Unvested performance shares and restricted stock units	209,022
2,013
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Performance shares and stock units granted, net of forfeitures	395,016
Weighted average grant date fair value (1) | $ / shares	$ 46.45	[1]
Unvested performance shares and restricted stock units	197,510
2,014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Performance shares and stock units granted, net of forfeitures	337,154
Weighted average grant date fair value (1) | $ / shares	$ 60.56	[1]
Unvested performance shares and restricted stock units	252,866
2,015
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Performance shares and stock units granted, net of forfeitures	390,400
Weighted average grant date fair value (1) | $ / shares	$ 51.88
Unvested performance shares and restricted stock units	390,400
[1]	Amount shown is the weighted average grant date fair value of performance shares and restricted stock units granted, net of forfeitures.

CAPITAL STOCK AND STOCK AWARD54

CAPITAL STOCK AND STOCK AWARD PLANS Summary of Nonvested Restricted Stock Grants (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015$ / sharesshares
Nonvested Restricted Shares and Units - Number of Shares and Units [Roll Forward]
Unvested, Ending Balance (in shares) | shares	1,272,041
Nonvested Restricted Shares and Units - Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Roll Forward]
Unvested, Ending Balance (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 52.56	[1]
Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units
Nonvested Restricted Shares and Units - Number of Shares and Units [Roll Forward]
Unvested, Beginning Balance (in shares) | shares	954,124
Granted (in shares) | shares	482,222
Vested (in shares) | shares	(237,563)
Forfeitures (in shares) | shares	(71,261)
Unvested, Ending Balance (in shares) | shares	1,127,522
Nonvested Restricted Shares and Units - Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Roll Forward]
Unvested, Beginning Balance (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 52.12
Granted (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	51.93
Vested (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	48.87
Forfeitures (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	52.62
Unvested, Ending Balance (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 52.69
[1]	Amount shown is the weighted average grant date fair value of performance shares and restricted stock units granted, net of forfeitures.

CAPITAL STOCK AND STOCK AWARD55

CAPITAL STOCK AND STOCK AWARD PLANS Summary of Fair Value of Full Value Stock Vested (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Full Value Awards
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Fair value	$ 40,785	$ 36,510	$ 6,808

CAPITAL STOCK AND STOCK AWARD56

CAPITAL STOCK AND STOCK AWARD PLANS Summary of Employee Stock Purchase Plan Activity (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares purchased by employees	228,103	231,564	259,730
Aggregate cost to employees	$ 13,045	$ 11,943	$ 12,928
Expense recognized by the company	57,661	47,861	9,094
Company expense on ESPP discount
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Expense recognized by the company	$ 2,269	$ 2,108	$ 2,281

CAPITAL STOCK AND STOCK AWARD57

CAPITAL STOCK AND STOCK AWARD PLANS Share Repurchase Programs Activity (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Compensation Related Costs Share Based Payments Disclosure [Line Items]
Total value of shares repurchased	$ 232,113	$ 164,037	$ 760,304
2012 Program
Compensation Related Costs Share Based Payments Disclosure [Line Items]
Shares repurchased			10,000,000
Total value of shares repurchased			$ 579,853
2013 Program
Compensation Related Costs Share Based Payments Disclosure [Line Items]
Shares repurchased	3,420,681	3,763,583	930,075
Total value of shares repurchased	$ 232,113	$ 239,037	$ 57,689

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES P

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES Profit-Sharing Plan Expense, Including Matching Contributions (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Profit-sharing plan expense	$ 46,507	$ 30,112	$ 19,907

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES L

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES Lease Expense (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Lease expense	$ 56,210	$ 56,871	$ 54,753

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES M

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES Minimum Future Lease Commitments Under Noncancelable Lease Agreements (Detail) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
2,016	$ 43,888
2,017	39,108
2,018	31,349
2,019	27,842
2,020	22,437
Thereafter	108,845
Total	$ 273,469

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES -

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES - Additional Information (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015case
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Defined contribution match	4.00%
Pending litigation claims, number	26

ACQUISITIONS - Additional Info

ACQUISITIONS - Additional Information (Detail) - Freightquote $ in Millions	Jan. 01, 2015USD ($)
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Payments to acquire business	$ 398.6
Trademarks
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets Acquired	$ 8.6

ACQUISITIONS Identifiable Intan

ACQUISITIONS Identifiable Intangible Assets and Estimated Useful Lives (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jan. 01, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill		$ 1,108,337	$ 825,038	$ 829,073
Freightquote
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 29,302
Receivables	56,228
Other current assets	2,395
Property and equipment	43,687
Identifiable intangible assets	37,800
Goodwill	287,220
Trademarks	8,600
Other noncurrent assets	3,421
Total assets	468,653
Accounts payable	(44,622)
Accrued expenses	(5,485)
Other liabilities	(19,939)
Net assets acquired	398,607
Total identifiable intangible assets	$ 37,800
Customer Relationships | Freightquote
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Estimated Life (years)	5 years
Finite-lived intangible assets acquired	$ 37,500
Noncompete Agreements | Freightquote
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Estimated Life (years)	5 years
Finite-lived intangible assets acquired	$ 300

ACQUISITIONS - Business Acquisi

ACQUISITIONS - Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Infomration (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 3,210,853	$ 3,419,253	$ 3,545,088	$ 3,300,890	$ 3,357,202	$ 3,467,362	$ 3,502,918	$ 3,142,585	$ 13,476,084	$ 13,470,067	$ 12,752,076
Revenue, pro forma										14,093,312
Income from operations	$ 214,579	$ 232,711	$ 229,095	$ 181,925	$ 187,728	$ 203,337	$ 200,382	$ 156,971	$ 858,310	748,418	$ 682,650
Income from operations, pro forma										772,549
Freightquote
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Revenues										623,245
Income from operations										$ 24,131

ACQUISITIONS - Business Acqui65

ACQUISITIONS - Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Infomration, Adjustments (Details) - Freightquote $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Additional amortization expense on identifiable intangible assets	$ (7,560)
Contractual changes in compensation	1,973
Additional compensation paid by sellers	2,627
Accounting policy changes	1,303
Third party advisory fees paid by sellers	5,355
Other	$ 2,196

ACCELERATED SHARE REPURCHASE (D

ACCELERATED SHARE REPURCHASE (Details) $ in Thousands, shares in Millions	Dec. 13, 2013shares	Aug. 24, 2013USD ($)agreement	Feb. 28, 2014shares	Mar. 31, 2014USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2013USD ($)shares	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)shares	Dec. 31, 2013USD ($)shares
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Number of letter agreements | agreement		2
Treasury stock value						$ 232,113	$ 164,037	$ 760,304
Accelerated Share Repurchase
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Accelerated share repurchases, settlement payment		$ 500,000
Accelerated share repurchases, pursuant discount percentage		0.94%
Shares repurchased | shares	1.2		1.2		6.1		7.3	7.3
Treasury stock value					$ 350,000			$ 425,000
Value of stock repurchased as percentage of total amount of shares estimated under accelerated share repurchase agreement					70.00%
Accelerated share repurchase program adjustment				$ 75,000				$ 75,000

CHANGES IN ACCUMULATED OTHER 67

CHANGES IN ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Accumulated other comprehensive loss [Abstract]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	$ (37,946)	$ (28,610)

SUPPLEMENTARY DATA (UNAUDITED)

SUPPLEMENTARY DATA (UNAUDITED) Summary of Unaudited Results of Operations for Each Quarter (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Revenues:
Transportation	$ 2,867,301	$ 3,044,500	$ 3,130,722	$ 2,947,257	$ 3,014,251	$ 3,073,382	$ 3,042,102	$ 2,806,777	$ 11,989,780	$ 11,936,512	$ 11,082,942
Sourcing	343,552	374,753	414,366	353,633	342,951	393,980	460,816	335,808	1,486,304	1,533,555	1,669,134
Total revenues	3,210,853	3,419,253	3,545,088	3,300,890	3,357,202	3,467,362	3,502,918	3,142,585	13,476,084	13,470,067	12,752,076
Costs and expenses:
Purchased transportation and related services	2,323,376	2,484,409	2,582,374	2,452,112	2,536,440	2,575,619	2,555,959	2,376,388	9,842,271	10,044,406	9,373,797
Purchased products sourced for resale	316,700	346,269	378,696	323,668	318,946	364,179	425,922	308,962	1,365,333	1,418,009	1,542,184
Personnel expenses	268,190	264,077	263,999	255,144	235,117	244,621	238,986	220,297	1,051,410	939,021	826,661
Other selling, general, and administrative expenses	88,008	91,787	90,924	88,041	78,971	79,606	81,669	79,967	358,760	320,213	326,784
Total costs and expenses	2,996,274	3,186,542	3,315,993	3,118,965	3,169,474	3,264,025	3,302,536	2,985,614	12,617,774	12,721,649	12,069,426
Income from operations	214,579	232,711	229,095	181,925	187,728	203,337	200,382	156,971	858,310	748,418	682,650
Net income	$ 126,583	$ 139,432	$ 137,208	$ 106,476	$ 112,947	$ 124,981	$ 118,596	$ 93,187	$ 509,699	$ 449,711	$ 415,904
Basic net income per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.88	$ 0.96	$ 0.94	$ 0.73	$ 0.77	$ 0.85	$ 0.80	$ 0.63	$ 3.52	$ 3.06	$ 2.65
Diluted net income per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.88	$ 0.96	$ 0.94	$ 0.73	$ 0.77	$ 0.85	$ 0.80	$ 0.63	$ 3.51	$ 3.05	$ 2.65
Basic weighted average shares outstanding (in shares)	143,484	144,578	145,515	146,204	145,856	146,646	147,826	148,517	144,967	147,202	156,915
Dilutive effect of outstanding stock awards (in shares)	660	204	164	179	794	210	148	491	382	340	165
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding (in shares)	144,144	144,782	145,679	146,383	146,650	146,856	147,974	149,008	145,349	147,542	157,080
Market price range of common stock:
High (in dollars per share)	$ 73.34	$ 71.50	$ 73.09	$ 76.18	$ 77.49	$ 69.50	$ 64.09	$ 60.31
Low (in dollars per share)	$ 59.71	$ 61.64	$ 61.46	$ 67.11	$ 63.42	$ 63.09	$ 51.10	$ 50.21

SCHEDULE II. VALUATION AND QU69

SCHEDULE II. VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS Transactions in the Allowance for Doubtful Accounts (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of year	$ 41,051	$ 39,292	$ 34,560
Provision	11,538	15,092	15,587
Write-offs	(9,134)	(13,333)	(10,855)
Balance, end of year	$ 43,455	$ 41,051	$ 39,292