IQVIA (IQV) 10-K 16 Feb 18 2017 FY Annual report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Feb. 12, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2017
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,017
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Trading Symbol	IQV
Entity Registrant Name	IQVIA Holdings Inc.
Entity Central Index Key	1,478,242
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		208,251,468
Entity Public Float			$ 12,189,011,444

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCO

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 8,060	$ 5,364	$ 4,326
Reimbursed expenses	1,679	1,514	1,411
Total revenues	9,739	6,878	5,737
Costs of revenue, exclusive of depreciation and amortization	4,622	3,236	2,705
Costs of revenue, reimbursed expenses	1,679	1,514	1,411
Selling, general and administrative expenses	1,605	1,011	815
Depreciation and amortization	1,011	289	128
Restructuring costs	63	71	30
Merger related costs		87
Impairment charges	40	28	2
Income from operations	719	642	646
Interest income	(7)	(4)	(4)
Interest expense	346	144	101
Loss on extinguishment of debt	19	31	8
Other expense (income), net	30	(8)	2
Income before income taxes and equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated affiliates	331	479	539
Income tax (benefit) expense	(987)	345	159
Income before equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated affiliates	1,318	134	380
Equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated affiliates	10	(4)	8
Net income	1,328	130	388
Net income attributable to non-controlling interests	(19)	(15)	(1)
Net income attributable to IQVIA Holdings Inc.	$ 1,309	$ 115	$ 387
Earnings per share attributable to common stockholders:
Basic	$ 6.01	$ 0.77	$ 3.15
Diluted	$ 5.88	$ 0.76	$ 3.08
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic	217.8	149.1	123
Diluted	222.6	152	125.6

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMP

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 1,328	$ 130	$ 388
Comprehensive income (loss) adjustments:
Unrealized gains (losses) on derivative instruments, net of income tax expense (benefit) of $1, $3 and ($4)	4	(7)	(9)
Defined benefit plan adjustments, net of income tax expense of $3, $11 and $—	5	23
Foreign currency translation, net of income tax benefit of ($201), ($9) and ($5)	614	(513)	(60)
Reclassification adjustments:
(Gains) losses on derivative instruments included in net income, net of income tax expense of $—, $7 and $6	(1)	21	12
Amortization of actuarial losses and prior service costs included in net income	1	1	1
Comprehensive income (loss)	1,951	(345)	332
Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to non-controlling interests	(26)	1	3
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to IQVIA Holdings Inc.	$ 1,925	$ (344)	$ 335

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COM4

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Unrealized gains (losses) on derivative instruments, income tax expense (benefit)	$ 1	$ 3	$ (4)
Defined benefit plan adjustments, income tax expense	3	11
Foreign currency translation, income tax benefit	$ (201)	(9)	(5)
(Gain) losses on derivative instruments included in net income, income tax expense		$ 7	$ 6

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 959	$ 1,198
Trade accounts receivable and unbilled services, net	1,993	1,707
Prepaid expenses	146	123
Income taxes receivable	47	34
Investments in debt, equity and other securities	46	40
Other current assets and receivables	259	235
Total current assets	3,450	3,337
Property and equipment, net	440	406
Investments in debt, equity and other securities	8	13
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates	70	69
Goodwill	11,850	10,727
Other identifiable intangibles, net	6,591	6,390
Deferred income taxes	98	89
Deposits and other assets	235	177
Total assets	22,742	21,208
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	322	250
Accrued expenses	1,664	1,493
Unearned income	733	774
Income taxes payable	72	76
Current portion of long-term debt	103	92
Other current liabilities	10	20
Total current liabilities	2,904	2,705
Long-term debt, less current portion	10,122	7,108
Deferred income taxes	918	2,133
Other liabilities	440	402
Total liabilities	14,384	12,348
Commitments and contingencies (Note 1)
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock and additional paid-in capital, 400.0 shares authorized at December 31, 2017 and 2016, $0.01 par value, 249.5 and 248.3 shares issued at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively	10,782	10,602
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)	655	(399)
Treasury stock, at cost, 41.4 and 12.9 shares at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively	(3,374)	(1,000)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	46	(570)
Equity attributable to IQVIA Holdings Inc.’s stockholders	8,109	8,633
Non-controlling interests	249	227
Total stockholders’ equity	8,358	8,860
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$ 22,742	$ 21,208

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Pa

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Statement Of Financial Position [Abstract]
Common stock, shares authorized	400,000,000	400,000,000
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares issued	249,500,000	248,300,000
Treasury stock, shares	41,400,000	12,900,000

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Operating activities:
Net income	$ 1,328	$ 130	$ 388
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	1,011	289	128
Amortization of debt issuance costs and discount	9	30	9
Amortization of accumulated other comprehensive loss on terminated interest rate swaps	3	3	8
Stock-based compensation	106	80	38
Impairment charges	40	28	2
Gain on disposals of property and equipment, net	(1)	(1)	(1)
(Earnings) loss from unconsolidated affiliates	(10)	8	(8)
(Gain) loss on investments, net	(8)	(13)	1
(Benefit from) provision for deferred income taxes	(1,216)	135	18
Excess income tax benefits from stock-based award activities		(41)	(39)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable and unbilled services	(142)	(62)	(246)
Prepaid expenses and other assets	(54)	(8)	15
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	90	160	104
Unearned income	(104)	52	54
Income taxes payable and other liabilities	(82)	70	5
Net cash provided by operating activities	970	860	476
Investing activities:
Acquisition of property, equipment and software	(369)	(164)	(78)
Net cash (paid for) assumed from acquisition of businesses	(854)	1,887	32
Disposition of business, net of cash disposed	12
Sales (purchases) of trading securities, net	2	(40)
Proceeds from corporate owned life insurance policies		21
Proceeds from sale of equity securities		41
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates, net of payments received	15	(17)	(12)
Termination of interest rate swaps			(11)
Other	4	3	2
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities	(1,190)	1,731	(67)
Financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of debt	5,242	466	2,249
Payment of debt issuance costs	(50)	(7)	(22)
Repayment of debt	(2,883)	(1,949)	(2,057)
Proceeds from revolving credit facility	1,921	172
Repayment of revolving credit facility	(1,767)
Principal payments on capital lease obligations	(2)	(2)	(4)
Payment of contingent consideration	(4)	(5)	(3)
Stock issued under employee stock purchase and option plans	91	97	64
Repurchase of common stock	(2,620)	(1,097)	(515)
Excess income tax benefits from stock-based award activities		41	39
Net cash used in financing activities	(72)	(2,284)	(249)
Effect of foreign currency exchange rate changes on cash	53	(86)	(50)
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(239)	221	110
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	1,198	977	867
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 959	$ 1,198	$ 977

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT) - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-In Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2014	$ (703)	$ 1		$ 143	$ (788)	$ (59)
Beginning Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2014		124.1
Issuance of common stock	65			65
Issuance of common stock, Shares		3.1
Repurchase of common stock	(516)			(455)	(61)
Repurchase of common stock, Shares		(7.8)
Stock-based compensation	31			31
Income tax benefits from stock-based award activities	39			39
Q2 Solutions business combination	423			423
Non-controlling interest related to Q2 Solutions transaction				(231)			$ 231
Deferred tax impact of the Q2 Solutions transaction	(7)			(7)
Net income	388				387		1
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative instruments, net of tax	(9)					(9)
Foreign currency translation, net of tax	(60)					(56)	(4)
Reclassification adjustments, net of tax	13					13
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2015	(336)	$ 1		8	(462)	(111)	228
Ending Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2015		119.4
Issuance of common stock	10,523	$ 1		10,522
Issuance of common stock, Shares		130.4
Repurchase of common stock	(98)			(46)	(52)
Repurchase of common stock, Shares		(1.5)
Repurchase of common stock on or after October 3, 2016	(1,000)		$ (1,000)
Repurchase of common stock on or after October 3, 2016, Shares			(12.9)
Stock-based compensation	76			76
Income tax benefits from stock-based award activities	41			41
Investment by non-controlling interest	(1)			(1)
Net income	130				115		15
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative instruments, net of tax	(7)					(7)
Defined benefit plan adjustments, net of tax	23					23
Foreign currency translation, net of tax	(513)					(497)	(16)
Reclassification adjustments, net of tax	22					22
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2016	8,860	$ 2	$ (1,000)	10,600	(399)	(570)	227
Ending Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2016		248.3
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2016			(12.9)
Issuance of common stock, Shares		3.7
Repurchase of common stock	(2,374)		$ (2,374)
Repurchase of common stock on or after October 3, 2016, Shares			(28.5)
Repurchase and retirement of common stock	(255)				(255)
Repurchase and retirement of common stock, Shares		(2.5)
Stock-based compensation	180			180
Distribution to non-controlling interest	(4)						(4)
Net income	1,328				1,309		19
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative instruments, net of tax	4					4
Defined benefit plan adjustments, net of tax	5					5
Foreign currency translation, net of tax	614					607	7
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2017	$ 8,358	$ 2	$ (3,374)	$ 10,780	$ 655	$ 46	$ 249
Ending Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2017		249.5
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2017			(41.4)

Summary of Significant Accounti

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies The Company Conducting business in more than 100 countries with over 55,000 employees, IQVIA Holdings Inc. (together with its subsidiaries, the “Company” or “IQVIA”) is a leading integrated information and technology-enabled healthcare service provider worldwide, dedicated to helping its clients improve their clinical, scientific and commercial results. On October 3, 2016, Quintiles Transnational Holdings Inc. (“Quintiles”) completed its previously announced merger of equals transaction (the “Merger”) with IMS Health Holdings, Inc. (“IMS Health”). Pursuant to the terms of the merger agreement dated as of May 3, 2016 between Quintiles and IMS Health (the “Merger Agreement”), IMS Health was merged with and into Quintiles, and the separate corporate existence of IMS Health ceased, with Quintiles continuing as the surviving corporation (the “Surviving Corporation”). Immediately prior to the completion of the Merger, Quintiles reincorporated as a Delaware corporation. The Surviving Corporation changed its name to Quintiles IMS Holdings, Inc (“QuintilesIMS”). At the effective time of the Merger, each issued and outstanding share of IMS Health common stock, par value $0.01 per share (“IMS Health common stock”), was automatically converted into 0.3840 of a share of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share. In addition, immediately following the effective time of the Merger, Quintiles Transnational Corp (“Quintiles Corp.”), a direct subsidiary of Quintiles, was merged with and into IMS Health Incorporated, following which IMS Health Incorporated will continue as a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of the Surviving Corporation. See Note 15 for additional information regarding the Merger. On November 6, 2017, the Company filed a Certificate of Amendment to its Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “Certificate of Amendment”) to effect a change of the Company’s name from “Quintiles IMS Holdings, Inc.” to “IQVIA Holdings Inc.” (the “Name Change”). On November 15, 2017, shares of the Company commenced trading under an updated New York Stock Exchange ticker symbol, “IQV” (formerly the shares traded under the ticker symbol “Q”). Principles of Consolidation The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts and operations of the Company, its subsidiaries and investments in which the Company has control. Amounts pertaining to the non-controlling ownership interests held by third parties in the operating results and financial position of the Company’s majority-owned subsidiaries are reported as non-controlling interests. Intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, at the date of the financial statements, as well as the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the period. These estimates are based on historical experience and various other assumptions believed reasonable under the circumstances. The Company evaluates its estimates on an ongoing basis and makes changes to the estimates and related disclosures as experience develops or new information becomes known. Actual results may differ from those estimates. IQVIA HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued Foreign Currencies The Company’s financial statements are reported in United States dollars and, accordingly, the Company’s results of operations are impacted by fluctuations in exchange rates that affect the translation of its revenues and expenses denominated in foreign currencies into United States dollars for purposes of reporting its consolidated financial results. Assets and liabilities recorded in foreign currencies on the books of foreign subsidiaries are translated at the exchange rate on the balance sheet date. Revenues, costs and expenses are translated at average rates of exchange during the year. Translation adjustments resulting from this process are charged or credited to the accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (“AOCI”) component of stockholders’ equity (deficit). The Company is subject to foreign currency transaction risk for fluctuations in exchange rates during the period of time between the consummation and cash settlement of a transaction. The Company earns revenue from its service contracts over a period of several months and, in some cases, over a period of several years. Accordingly, exchange rate fluctuations during this period may affect the Company’s profitability with respect to such contracts. For operations outside the United States that are considered to be highly inflationary or where the United States dollar is designated as the functional currency, monetary assets and liabilities are remeasured using end-of-period exchange rates, whereas non-monetary accounts are remeasured using historical exchange rates, and all remeasurement and transaction adjustments are recognized in other expense (income), net. Other expense (income), net, includes foreign currency net losses (gains) for 2017, 2016 and 2015 of approximately $40 million, $6 million and ($5) million, respectively. The foreign currency losses in 2017 were primarily the result of the combination of changes in intercompany loan balances from corporate legal entity integration and a weaker U.S. dollar. Cash Equivalents The Company considers all highly liquid investments with an initial maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. Investments in Marketable Securities Investments in marketable securities are classified as either trading or available-for-sale and measured at fair market value. Realized and unrealized gains and losses on trading securities are included in other expense (income), net, on the accompanying consolidated statements of income. Realized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities are included in other expense (income), net, on the accompanying consolidated statements of income. Unrealized gains and losses, net of deferred income taxes, on available-for-sale securities are included in the AOCI component of stockholders’ equity (deficit) until realized. Any gains or losses from the sales of investments or other-than-temporary declines in fair value are computed by specific identification. Equity Method Investments The Company’s investments in and advances to unconsolidated affiliates are accounted for under the equity method if the Company exercises significant influence or has an investment in a limited partnership that is considered to be greater than minor. These investments and advances are classified as investments in and advances to unconsolidated affiliates on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The Company records its pro rata share of the earnings, adjusted for accretion of basis difference, of these investments in equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates on the accompanying consolidated statements of income. The Company reviews its investments in and advances to unconsolidated affiliates for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts may not be recoverable. IQVIA HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued Derivatives The Company uses derivative instruments to manage exposures to interest rates and foreign currencies. Derivatives are recorded on the balance sheet at fair value at each balance sheet date utilizing pricing models for non-exchange-traded contracts. At inception, the Company designates whether or not the derivative instrument is an effective hedge of an asset, liability or firm commitment which is then classified as either a cash flow hedge or a fair value hedge. If determined to be an effective cash flow hedge, changes in the fair value of the derivative instrument are recorded as a component of AOCI until realized. The Company includes the impact from these hedges in the same line item as the hedged item on the consolidated statements of cash flows. Changes in fair value of effective fair value hedges are recorded in earnings as an offset to the changes in the fair value of the related hedged item. Hedge ineffectiveness, if any, is immediately recognized in earnings. Changes in the fair values of derivative instruments that are not an effective hedge are recognized in earnings. When it is probable that a hedged forecasted transaction will not occur, the Company discontinues hedge accounting for the affected portion of the forecasted transaction, and reclassifies gains or losses that were accumulated in AOCI to earnings in other expense (income), net for foreign exchange derivatives and interest expense for interest rate derivatives on the consolidated statements of income. Cash flows are classified consistent with the underlying hedged item. The Company has entered, and may in the future enter, into derivative contracts (caps, swaps, forwards, calls or puts, warrants, for example) related to its debt, investments in marketable equity securities and forecasted foreign currency transactions. Accrued Loyalty The Company owns businesses that manage co-pay reimbursements on behalf of its pharmaceutical customers. These customers prefund the reimbursements and the Company includes this cash on its balance sheet. The Company draws on this cash to pay pharmacies as consumers use these programs. Accrued loyalty was $143 million and $131 million, as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and expenses on the consolidated balance sheet. Billed and Unbilled Services and Unearned Income In general, prerequisites for billings and payments are established by contractual provisions including predetermined payment schedules, which may or may not correspond to the timing of the performance of services under the contract. Unbilled services arise when services have been rendered for which revenue has been recognized but the clients have not been billed. In some cases, payments received are in excess of revenue recognized. Payments received in advance of services being provided are deferred as unearned income on the consolidated balance sheet. As the contracted services are subsequently performed and the associated revenue is recognized, the unearned income balance is reduced by the amount of the revenue recognized during the period. Allowance for Doubtful Accounts The Company’s allowance for doubtful accounts is determined based on a variety of factors that affect the potential collectability of the related receivables, including length of time the receivables are past due, client credit ratings, financial stability of the client, specific one-time events and client payment history. In addition, in circumstances where the Company is made aware of a specific client’s inability to meet its financial obligations, a specific allowance is established. The accounts are individually evaluated on a regular basis and reserves are established as deemed appropriate based on the above criteria. Receivables Financing Facility Advances received under the Company’s receivables financing facility are accounted for as borrowings secured by the receivables and included in net cash provided by financing activities. The Company services the collateralized accounts receivables and the cash flows for the underlying receivables are included in cash provided by operating activities. The collateralized accounts receivables are included in trade accounts receivable and unbilled services, net. IQVIA HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued Business Combinations Business combinations are accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting. The identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any non-controlling interest in the acquiree are recorded at their estimated fair values on the date of the acquisition. Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair value of the net assets acquired, including the amount assigned to identifiable intangible assets. When a business combination involves contingent consideration, the Company recognizes a liability equal to the estimated fair value of the contingent consideration obligation at the date of the acquisition. Subsequent changes in the estimated fair value of the contingent consideration are recognized in earnings in the period of the change. Acquisition-related costs are expensed as incurred. The consolidated financial statements include the results of operations of business combinations since the acquisition date. Long-Lived Assets Property and equipment are stated at cost and are depreciated using the straight-line method over the shorter of the asset’s estimated useful life or the lease term, if related to leased property, as follows: Buildings and leasehold improvements 3 - 40 years Equipment 3 - 10 years Furniture and fixtures 5 - 10 years Transportation equipment 3 - 20 years Definite-lived identifiable intangible assets are amortized primarily using an accelerated method that reflects the pattern in which the Company expects to benefit from the use of the asset over its estimated remaining useful life as follows: Trademarks and trade names 1 - 17 years Contract backlog and client relationships 1 - 25 years Software and related assets 1 - 9 years Databases 1 - 9 years Non-compete agreements and other 1 - 5 years Goodwill and indefinite-lived identifiable intangible assets, which consist of a trade name, are not amortized but evaluated for impairment annually, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate an impairment. Included in software and related items is the capitalized cost of internal-use software used in supporting the Company’s business. Qualifying costs incurred during the application development stage are capitalized and amortized over their estimated useful lives. Costs are capitalized from completion of the preliminary project stage and when it is considered probable that the software will be used to perform its intended function, up until the time the software is placed into service. The Company recognized $134 million, $44 million and $38 million of amortization expense in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively, related to software and related assets. The carrying values of property, equipment and intangible and other long-lived assets are reviewed for recoverability if the facts and circumstances suggest that a potential impairment may have occurred. If this review indicates that carrying values will not be recoverable, as determined based on undiscounted cash flow projections, the Company will record an impairment charge to reduce carrying values to estimated fair value. See Note 17 for information regarding the impairment charges recognized in 2017 and 2016. During 2015, the Company recognized a $2 million impairment charge for long-lived assets related to a facility closure in Japan. IQVIA HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued Revenue Recognition The Company recognizes revenue when all of the following conditions are satisfied: (1) there is persuasive evidence of an arrangement; (2) the service offering has been delivered to the client; (3) the collection of the fees is probable; and (4) the arrangement consideration is fixed or determinable. The Company’s arrangements are primarily service contracts that range in duration from a few months to several years. In some cases, contracts provide for consideration that is contingent upon the occurrence of uncertain future events. The Company recognizes contingent revenue when the contingency has been resolved and all other criteria for revenue recognition have been met. Cash payments made to clients as incentives to induce the clients to enter into service agreements with the Company are amortized as a reduction of revenue over the period the services are performed. The Company records revenues net of any tax assessments by governmental authorities, such as value added taxes, that are imposed on and concurrent with specific revenue generating transactions. The Company does not recognize revenue with respect to start-up activities including contract and scope negotiation, feasibility analysis and conflict of interest review associated with contracts. The costs for these activities are expensed as incurred. For the arrangements that include multiple elements, arrangement consideration is allocated to units of accounting based on the relative selling price. The best evidence of selling price of a unit of accounting is vendor-specific objective evidence (“VSOE”), which is the price the Company charges when the deliverable is sold separately. When VSOE is not available to determine selling price, management uses relevant third-party evidence (“TPE”) of selling price, if available. When neither VSOE nor TPE of selling price exists, management uses its best estimate of selling price considering all relevant information that is available without undue cost and effort. The Company derives the majority of its revenues in the Commercial Solutions segment from various information and technology service offerings. A typical information offerings arrangement (primarily under fixed-price contracts) may include an ongoing subscription-based deliverable for which revenue is recognized ratably as earned over the contract period, and/or a one-time delivery of data offerings for which revenue is recognized upon delivery, assuming all other criteria are met. The Company’s subscription arrangements typically have terms ranging from one to three years and are generally non-cancelable and do not contain refund-type provisions. Technology services offerings consist of a mix of small and large-scale services and consulting projects, multi-year outsourcing contracts and Software-as-a-Service (“SaaS”) licenses. These arrangements typically have terms ranging from several weeks to three years, with a majority having terms of one year or less. Revenues for services engagements where deliverables occur ratably over time are recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the arrangement. Revenues from time and material contracts are recognized as the services are provided. Revenues from fixed price ad hoc services and consulting contracts are recognized either over the contract term based on the ratio of the number of hours incurred for services provided during the period compared to the total estimated hours to be incurred over the entire arrangement (efforts based), or upon delivery (completed contract). The majority of the Company’s contracts within the Research & Development Solutions segment are service contracts for clinical research that represent a single unit of accounting. The Company recognizes revenue on its clinical research services contracts as services are performed primarily on a proportional performance basis, generally using output measures that are specific to the service provided. Examples of output measures include among others, number of investigators enrolled, number of site initiation visits and number of monitoring visits completed. Revenue is determined by dividing the actual units of work completed by the total units of work required under the contract and multiplying that ratio by the total contract value. The total contract value, or total contractual payments, represents the aggregate contracted price for each of the agreed upon services to be provided. Changes in the scope of work are common, especially under long-term contracts, and generally result in a change in contract value. Once the client has agreed to the changes in scope and renegotiated pricing terms, the contract value is amended and revenue is recognized, as described above. To the extent that contracts involve multiple elements, the Company follows the allocation methodology described above and recognizes revenue for each unit of accounting on a proportional performance basis. Most contracts may be terminated upon 30 to 90 days notice by the client, however, in the event of termination, contract provisions typically require payment for services rendered through the date of termination, as well as for subsequent services rendered to close out the contract. IQVIA HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued The Company derives the majority of its revenues in its Integrated Engagement Services segment on a fee-for-service basis to clients within the biopharmaceutical industry. Fees on these arrangements are billed based on a contractual per-diem or hourly rate basis and revenue is recognized primarily on a time and materials basis. Some of the Company’s Integrated Engagement Services contracts are multiple element arrangements, with elements including recruiting, training and deployment of sales representatives. The nature of the terms of these multiple element arrangements will vary based on the customized needs of the Company’s clients. For contracts that have multiple elements, the Company follows the allocation methodology described above and recognizes revenue for each unit of accounting on a time and materials basis. The Company’s Integrated Engagement Services contracts sometimes include variable fees that are based on a percentage of service sales (royalty payments). The Company recognizes revenue on royalty payments when the variable components become fixed or determinable and all other revenue recognition criteria have been met, which generally only occurs upon the sale of the underlying service(s) and upon the Company’s receipt of information necessary to make a reasonable estimate. Reimbursed Expenses The Company includes reimbursed expenses in total revenues and costs of revenue as the Company is deemed to be the primary obligor in the applicable arrangements. These costs include such items as payments to investigators and travel expenses for the Company’s clinical monitors and sales representatives. The Company has collection risk on contractually reimbursable expenses, and, from time to time, is unable to obtain reimbursement from the client for costs incurred. When such an expense is not reimbursed, it is classified as costs of revenue on the consolidated statements of income. Expenses The Company’s costs and expenses are comprised primarily of costs of revenue, reimbursed expenses and selling, general and administrative expenses. Costs of revenue include compensation and benefits for billable employees and personnel involved in production, data management and delivery, and the costs of acquiring and processing data for the Company’s information offerings; costs of staff directly involved with delivering technology-related services offerings and engagements, related accommodations and the costs of data purchased specifically for technology services engagements; and other expenses directly related to service contracts such as courier fees, laboratory supplies, professional services and travel expenses. As noted above, reimbursed expenses are comprised principally of payments to investigators who oversee clinical trials and travel expenses for the Company’s clinical monitors and sales representatives. Selling, general and administrative expenses include costs related to sales, marketing, and administrative functions (including human resources, legal, finance and general management) for compensation and benefits, travel, professional services, training and expenses for information technology (“IT”), facilities and depreciation and amortization. Concentration of Credit Risk Financial instruments that subject the Company to credit risk primarily consist of cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities and accounts receivable. The Company maintains its cash and cash equivalent balances with high-quality financial institutions and, consequently, the Company believes that such funds are subject to minimal credit risk. Investment policies have been implemented that limit purchases of marketable securities to investment grade securities. Substantially all revenues for Commercial Solutions, Research & Development Solutions and Integrated Engagement Services are earned by performing services under contracts with various pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device and healthcare companies. The concentration of credit risk is equal to the outstanding accounts receivable and unbilled services balances, less the unearned income related thereto, and such risk is subject to the financial and industry conditions of the Company’s clients. The Company does not require collateral or other securities to support client receivables. Credit losses have been immaterial and reasonably within management’s expectations. No client accounted for 10% or more of consolidated revenues in 2017, 2016 or 2015. Restructuring Costs Restructuring costs, which primarily include termination benefits and facility closure costs, are recorded at estimated fair value. Key assumptions in determining the restructuring costs include the terms and payments that may be negotiated to terminate certain contractual obligations and the timing of employees leaving the Company. IQVIA HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued Merger Related Costs Merger related costs include the direct and incremental costs associated with business combinations including (i) acquisition related costs such as investment banking, legal, accounting and consulting fees (see Footnote 15), (ii) incremental compensation costs triggered under change in control provisions in executive employment agreements, (iii) compensation and related costs of employees 100% dedicated to merger-related integration activities and (iv) severance and other termination costs associated with redundant employees. During 2016, the Company recognized $87 million of merger related costs, which includes $36 million of acquisition related costs. All of these costs are related to the Merger. Merger related costs for all other business combinations have been immaterial and are included within selling, general and administrative expenses on the consolidated statements of income. Legal Costs Legal costs are expensed as incurred. Debt Fees Fees incurred to issue debt are generally deferred and amortized as a component of interest expense over the estimated term of the related debt using the effective interest rate method. Contingencies The Company records accruals for claims, suits, investigations and proceedings when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. The Company reviews claims, suits, investigations and proceedings at least quarterly and records or adjusts accruals related to such matters to reflect the impact and status of any settlements, rulings, advice of counsel or other information pertinent to a particular matter. Legal costs associated with contingencies are charged to expense as incurred. The Company is party to legal proceedings incidental to its business. While the outcome of these matters could differ from management’s expectations, the Company does not believe the resolution of these matters will have a material adverse effect to the Company’s financial statements. Income Taxes Income tax expense includes United States federal, state and international income taxes. Certain items of income and expense are not reported in income tax returns and GAAP financial statements in the same year. The income tax effects of these differences are reported as deferred income taxes. Valuation allowances are provided to reduce the related deferred income tax assets to an amount which will, more likely than not, be realized. In light of the newly enacted Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”), the Company no longer considers the undistributed earnings of its foreign subsidiaries to be indefinitely reinvested and records deferred income taxes on these earnings. The Company has provisionally recorded their U.S. deferred taxes based on the Federal corporate income tax rate of 21%. We are continuing to analyze aspects of the Tax Act and, therefore, have not finalized our accounting policy with respect to whether to (1) recognize deferred taxes for basis differences expected to reverse as Global Low Taxed Intangible Income (“GILTI”) or (2) account for GILTI as period costs if and when incurred. We have not recognized any deferred tax impacts related to GILTI or the Base Erosion Anti Abuse Tax (“BEAT”) on a provisional basis. Interest and penalties related to unrecognized income tax benefits are recognized as a component of income tax expense as discussed further in Note 18. Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits The Company provides retirement benefits to certain employees, including defined benefit pension plans and postretirement medical plans. The determination of benefit obligations and expense is based on actuarial models. In order to measure benefit costs and obligations using these models, critical assumptions are made with regard to the discount rate, expected return on plan assets, cash balance crediting rate, lump sum conversion rate and the assumed rate of compensation increases. In addition, retiree medical care cost trend rates are a key assumption used exclusively in determining costs for the Company’s postretirement health care and life insurance benefit plans. Management reviews these critical assumptions at least annually. Other assumptions involve demographic factors such as turnover, retirement and mortality rates. Management reviews these assumptions periodically and updates them when their experience deems it appropriate to do so. IQVIA HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued The discount rate is the rate at which the benefit obligations could be effectively settled and is determined annually by management. For United States plans, the discount rate is based on results of a modeling process in which the plans’ expected cash flow (determined on a projected benefit obligation basis) is matched with spot rates developed from a yield curve comprised of high-grade (Moody’s Aa and above, or Standard and Poor’s AA and above) non-callable corporate bonds to develop the present value of the expected cash flow, and then determining the single rate (discount rate), which when applied to the expected cash flow derives that same present value. In the United Kingdom specifically, the discount rate is set based on the yields on a universe of high quality non-callable corporate bonds denominated in the British Pound, appropriate to the duration of plan liabilities. For the non-United States plans, the discount rate is based on the current yield of an index of high quality corporate bonds. The Company estimates the service and interest cost components of net periodic benefit cost for the Company’s United States and United Kingdom pension benefit plans by utilizing a full yield curve approach in the estimation of these components by applying the specific spot rates along the yield curve used in the determination of the benefit obligation to each of the underlying projected cash flows based on time until payment. Under the United States qualified retirement plan, participants have a notional retirement account that increases with pay and investment credits. The rate used to determine the investment credit (cash balance crediting rate) varies monthly. At retirement, the account is converted to a monthly retirement benefit. In selecting an expected return on plan asset assumption, the Company considers the returns being earned by each plan investment category in the fund, the rates of return expected to be available for reinvestment and long-term economic forecasts for the type of investments held by the plan. The actual return on plan assets will vary from year to year versus this assumption. The Company believes it is appropriate to use long-term expected forecasts in selecting the expected return on plan assets. As such, there can be no assurance that the Company’s actual return on plan assets will approximate the long-term expected forecasts. While the Company believes that the assumptions used are reasonable, differences in actual experience or changes in assumptions may materially affect its pension and postretirement benefit obligations and future expense. The Company’s estimated long-term rate of return on plan assets is

Accounts Receivable and Unbille

Accounts Receivable and Unbilled Services	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Receivables [Abstract]
Accounts Receivable and Unbilled Services	IQVIA HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued 2. Accounts Receivable and Unbilled Services Accounts receivable and unbilled services consist of the following (in millions): December 31, 2017 2016 Trade: Billed $ 1,229 $ 998 Unbilled services 779 723 Trade accounts receivable and unbilled services 2,008 1,721 Allowance for doubtful accounts (15 ) (14 ) Trade accounts receivable and unbilled services, net $ 1,993 $ 1,707

Investments-Debt, Equity and Ot

Investments-Debt, Equity and Other Securities	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Investments Debt And Equity Securities [Abstract]
Investments-Debt, Equity and Other Securities	3. Investments – Debt, Equity and Other Securities Current The Company’s short-term investments in debt, equity and other securities consist primarily of trading investments in mutual funds that are measured at fair value with realized and unrealized gains and losses recorded in other expense (income), net, on the accompanying consolidated statements of income. Long-term The Company’s long-term investments in debt, equity and other securities consist primarily of cost method investments. The Company reviews the carrying value of each individual investment at each balance sheet date to determine whether or not an other-than-temporary decline in fair value has occurred. The Company employs alternative valuation techniques including the following: (i) the review of financial statements, including assessments of liquidity, (ii) the review of valuations available to the Company prepared by independent third parties used in raising capital, (iii) the review of publicly available information including press releases and (iv) direct communications with the investee’s management, as appropriate. If the review indicates that such a decline in fair value has occurred, the Company adjusts the carrying value to the estimated fair value of the investment and recognizes a loss for the amount of the adjustment.

Investments in and Advances to

Investments in and Advances to Unconsolidated Affiliates	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Financial Support For Nonconsolidated Legal Entity [Abstract]
Investments in and Advances to Unconsolidated Affiliates	4. Investments in and Advances to Unconsolidated Affiliates The Company accounts for its investments in and advances to unconsolidated affiliates under the equity method of accounting and records its pro rata share of its losses or earnings from these investments in equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated affiliates. The following is a summary of the Company’s investments in and advances to unconsolidated affiliates (in millions): December 31, 2017 2016 NovaQuest Pharma Opportunities Fund III, L.P. $ 33 $ 43 NovaQuest Pharma Opportunities Fund IV, L.P. 7 6 Cenduit TM 14 11 NostraData Pty Ltd. 8 8 Other 8 1 $ 70 $ 69 NovaQuest Pharma Opportunities Funds The Company has committed to invest up to $50 million as a limited partner in NovaQuest Pharma Opportunities Fund III, L.P. (“Fund III”). As of December 31, 2017, the Company has funded approximately $43 million and has approximately $7 million of remaining funding commitments. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company had a 10.9% ownership interest in Fund III. IQVIA HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued The Company has committed to invest up to $20 million as a limited partner in NovaQuest Pharma Opportunities Fund IV, L.P. (“Fund IV”). As of December 31, 2017, the Company has funded approximately $11 million and has approximately $9 million of remaining funding commitments. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company had a 2.3% ownership interest in Fund IV. Cenduit™ In May 2007, the Company and Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (“Thermo Fisher”) completed the formation of a joint venture, Cenduit™. The Company contributed its Interactive Response Technology operations in India and the United States. Thermo Fisher contributed its Fisher Clinical Services Interactive Response Technology operations in three locations — the United Kingdom, the United States and Switzerland. Additionally, each company contributed $4 million in initial capital. The Company and Thermo Fisher each own 50% of Cenduit™. Cenduit provides project related services to the Company on an as needed basis. NostraData Pty Ltd. In November 2015, IMS Health made a 10.25 million AUD (approximately 9 million USD) investment in NostraData Pty Ltd. (“NostraData”) for a 24% equity interest. NostraData provides data to the Company on an as needed basis. See Note 20 for information regarding related party transactions.

Variable Interest Entities

Variable Interest Entities	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Variable Interest Entities	5. Variable Interest Entities As of December 31, 2017, the Company’s investments in unconsolidated variable interest entities (“VIEs”) and its estimated maximum exposure to loss were as follows (in millions): Investments in Unconsolidated VIEs Maximum Exposure to Loss NovaQuest Pharma Opportunities Fund III, L.P. $ 33 $ 40 NovaQuest Pharma Opportunities Fund IV, L.P. 7 16 Pappas Life Science Ventures V, L.P. (“Pappas Fund V”) 1 5 $ 41 $ 61 The Company has determined that these funds are VIEs but that the Company is not the primary beneficiary as it does not have a controlling financial interest in these funds. However, because the Company has the ability to exercise significant influence, it accounts for its investments in these funds under the equity method of accounting and records its pro rata share of earnings and losses in equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated affiliates on the accompanying consolidated statements of income. The investment assets of unconsolidated VIEs are included in investments in and advances to unconsolidated affiliates on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

Derivatives

Derivatives	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Derivatives	6. Derivatives Foreign Exchange Risk Management The Company transacts business in more than 100 countries and is subject to risks associated with fluctuating foreign exchange rates. The Company’s objective is to reduce earnings and cash flow volatility associated with foreign exchange rate movements. Accordingly, the Company enters into foreign currency forward contracts to (i) hedge certain forecasted foreign exchange cash flows arising from service contracts (“Service Contract Hedging”) and (ii) hedge non-United States dollar anticipated intercompany royalties (“Royalty Hedging”). It is the Company’s policy to enter into foreign currency transactions only to the extent necessary to meet its objectives as stated above. The Company does not enter into foreign currency transactions for investment or speculative purposes. The principal currencies hedged are the Euro, the British Pound, the Japanese Yen, the Swiss Franc and the Canadian dollar. IQVIA HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued Service Contract Hedging and Royalty Hedging contracts are designated as hedges and are carried at fair value, with changes in the fair value recorded to AOCI. The change in fair value is reclassified from AOCI to earnings in the period in which the hedged transaction occurs. These contracts have various expiration dates through November 2018. As of December 31, 2017, the Company had 57 open Service Contract Hedging and Royalty Hedging contracts to hedge certain forecasted foreign currency cash flow transactions occurring in 2018 with notional amounts totaling $282 million. As of December 31, 2016, the Company had 62 open Service Contract Hedging and Royalty Hedging contracts to hedge certain forecasted foreign currency cash flow transactions occurring in 2017. For accounting purposes, these hedges are deemed to be highly effective. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company had recorded gross unrealized gains (losses) of $5 million and ($4) million $11 million and ($9) million Interest Rate Risk Management The Company purchases interest rate caps and has entered into interest rate swap agreements for purposes of managing its risk in interest rate fluctuations. On June 9, 2011, the Company entered into six interest rate swaps that expired between September 30, 2013 and March 31, 2016, in an effort to limit its exposure to changes in the variable interest rate on its senior secured credit facilities. During May 2015, in conjunction with the debt refinancing described in Note 11, the Company terminated the remaining open interest rate swaps for a cash payment to the counterparty of $12 million, which includes $1 million of accrued interest. Since the hedged forecasted cash transactions continued to be probable of occurring, the accumulated loss ($3 million at December 31, 2015) related to the terminated interest rate swaps in AOCI was reclassified to earnings as a component of interest expense in the same periods as the hedged forecasted transactions occurred over the first three months of 2016. In April 2014, IMS Health purchased United States dollar denominated interest rate caps (“2014 Caps”) with a total notional value of $1 billion at strike rates ranging between 2% and 3%. These caps were effective at various times between April 2014 and April 2016, and expire at various times between April 2017 and April 2019. The total premiums were $21 million, which were paid in 2014. The 2014 Caps are designated as cash flow hedges. IMS Health also entered into United States dollar and Euro denominated interest rate swap agreements in April 2014 (“2014 Swaps”) to hedge interest rate exposure on notional amounts of approximately $600 million of its borrowings. The 2014 Swaps were effective between April and June 2014, and expire at various times from March 2017 through March 2021. On these agreements, the Company pays a fixed rate ranging from 1.4% to 2.1% and receives a variable rate of interest equal to the greater of three-month United States dollar London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) or three-month Euro Interbank Offered Rate (“EURIBOR”), and 1%. The 2014 Swaps are designated as cash flow hedges. On June 3, 2015, the Company entered into seven forward starting interest rate swaps (“2015 Swaps”) in an effort to limit its exposure to changes in the variable interest rate on its senior secured credit facilities. Interest on the swaps began accruing on June 30, 2016 and the interest rate swaps currently outstanding expire between March 31, 2018 and March 31, 2020. The Company pays a fixed rate ranging from 1.6% to 2.1% and receives a variable rate of interest equal to the three-month LIBOR on these agreements IQVIA HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued The critical terms of the 2015 Swaps are substantially the same as the underlying borrowings. These interest rate swaps are being accounted for as cash flow hedges as these transactions were executed to hedge the Company’s interest payments and for accounting purposes these hedges are highly effective. As such, the effective portion of the hedges is recorded as unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives included in AOCI and the ineffective portion of the hedges is recognized in earnings. The 2014 EUR Swap (notional value $347 million) ceased to be considered a highly effective hedge for accounting purposes when the underlying debt was refinanced on March 7, 2017. As such, the Company discontinued hedge accounting on that date and prospective changes in the fair value of the 2014 EUR Swap are recognized in earnings. The 2014 USD Swap (notional value $100 million) ceased to be considered a highly effective hedge for accounting purposes during the third quarter of 2017 and as such, the Company has discontinued hedge accounting and prospective changes in the fair value of the 2014 USD Swap are recognized in earnings. The fair value of these interest rate swaps represents the present value of the anticipated net payments the Company will make to the counterparty, which, when they occur, are reflected as interest expense on the consolidated statements of income. These interest rate swaps will result in a total debt mix of approximately 55% fixed rate debt and 45% variable rate debt, before the additional protection arising from the interest rate caps. Net Investment Risk Management Beginning in 2016, the Company designated its foreign currency denominated debt as a hedge of its net investment in foreign subsidiaries to reduce the volatility in stockholders’ equity caused by changes in the Euro exchange rate with respect to the United States dollar. As of December 31, 2017, these borrowings (net of original issue discount) were €4,036 million ($4,835 million). The effective portion of foreign exchange gains or losses on the remeasurement of the debt is recognized in the cumulative translation adjustment component of AOCI with the related offset in long-term debt. Those amounts would be reclassified from AOCI to earnings upon the sale or substantial liquidation of these net investments. The amount of foreign exchange losses related to the net investment hedge included in cumulative translation adjustment for the year ended December 31, 2017 was $557 million. The fair values of the Company’s derivative instruments and the line items on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets to which they were recorded are summarized in the following table (in millions): December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Balance Sheet Classification Assets Liabilities Notional Assets Liabilities Notional Derivatives designated as hedging instruments: Foreign exchange forward contracts Other current assets and liabilities $ 5 $ 4 $ 282 $ 11 $ 9 $ 300 Interest rate swaps Other current liabilities — 1 405 — 15 945 Interest rate caps Deposits and other assets 1 — 700 1 — 1,000 Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments: Interest rate swaps Other current liabilities — 8 447 — — — Foreign exchange forward contracts Other current liabilities — — — — 1 189 Total derivatives $ 6 $ 13 $ 12 $ 25 The effect of the Company’s cash flow hedging instruments on other comprehensive income (loss) is summarized in the following table (in millions): Year Ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 Foreign exchange forward contracts $ (5 ) $ 16 $ (1 ) Interest rate derivatives 9 8 6 Total $ 4 $ 24 $ 5 IQVIA HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued The Company expects $1 million of pre-tax unrealized losses related to its foreign exchange contracts and interest rate derivatives included in AOCI at December 31, 2017 to be reclassified into earnings within the next twelve months.

Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurements	7. Fair Value Measurements The Company records certain assets and liabilities at fair value. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. A three-level fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value is described below. This hierarchy requires entities to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. The three levels of inputs used to measure fair value are as follows: • Level 1—Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. • Level 2—Observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1, such as quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data. • Level 3—Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity. This includes certain pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies and similar techniques that use significant unobservable inputs. The carrying values of cash, cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximated their fair values at December 31, 2017 and 2016 due to their short-term nature. At December 31, 2017 and 2016, the fair value of total debt approximated $10,432 million and $7,298 million, respectively, as determined under Level 2 measurements based on quoted prices for these financial instruments. Recurring Fair Value Measurements The following table summarizes the fair value of the Company’s financial assets and liabilities that are measured on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2017 (in millions): Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Assets: Marketable securities $ 46 $ — $ — $ 46 Derivatives — 6 — 6 Total $ 46 $ 6 $ — $ 52 Liabilities: Derivatives $ — $ 13 $ — $ 13 Contingent consideration — — 69 69 Total $ — $ 13 $ 69 $ 82 The following table summarizes the fair value of the Company’s financial assets and liabilities that are measured on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2016 (in millions): Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Assets: Marketable securities $ 40 $ — $ — $ 40 Derivatives — 12 — 12 Total $ 40 $ 12 $ — $ 52 Liabilities: Derivatives $ — $ 25 $ — $ 25 Contingent consideration — — 18 18 Total $ — $ 25 $ 18 $ 43 IQVIA HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued Below is a summary of the valuation techniques used in determining fair value: Marketable securities —The Company values trading and available-for-sale securities using the quoted market value of the securities held. Derivatives —Derivatives consist of foreign exchange contracts and interest rate caps and swaps. The fair value of foreign exchange contracts is based on observable market inputs of spot and forward rates or using other observable inputs. The fair value of the interest rate caps and swaps is the estimated amount that the Company would receive or pay to terminate such agreements, taking into account market interest rates and the remaining time to maturities or using market inputs with mid-market pricing as a practical expedient for bid-ask spread. Contingent consideration —The Company values contingent consideration related to business combinations using a weighted probability calculation of potential payment scenarios discounted at rates reflective of the risks associated with the expected future cash flows. Key assumptions used to estimate the fair value of contingent consideration include revenue, net new business and operating forecasts and the probability of achieving the specific targets. The following table summarizes the changes in Level 3 financial assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis for the year ended December 31 (in millions): Contingent Consideration – Accrued Expenses 2017 2016 2015 Balance as of January 1 $ 18 $ 4 $ 1 Business combinations 57 19 — Contingent consideration paid (4 ) (4 ) (3 ) Revaluations included in earnings and foreign currency translation adjustments (2 ) (1 ) 6 Balance as of December 31 $ 69 $ 18 $ 4 The revaluation for the contingent consideration is recognized in other expense (income), net on the accompanying consolidated statements of income. Non-recurring Fair Value Measurements Certain assets are carried on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets at cost and are not remeasured to fair value on a recurring basis. These assets include cost and equity method investments and loans that are written down to fair value for declines that are deemed to be other-than-temporary, and goodwill and identifiable intangible assets that are tested for impairment annually and when a triggering event occurs. See Note 17 for additional information. As of December 31, 2017, assets carried on the balance sheet and not remeasured to fair value on a recurring basis totaled approximately $18,519 million and were identified as Level 3. These assets are comprised of cost and equity method investments of $78 million, goodwill of $11,850 million and other identifiable intangibles, net of $6,591 million. Cost and Equity Method Investments —The inputs available for valuing investments in non-public portfolio companies are generally not easily observable. The valuation of non-public investments requires significant judgment by the Company due to the absence of quoted market values, inherent lack of liquidity and the long-term nature of such assets. When a triggering event occurs, the Company considers a wide range of available market data when assessing the estimated fair value. Such market data includes observations of the trading multiples of public companies considered comparable to the private companies being valued as well as publicly disclosed merger transactions involving comparable private companies. In addition, valuations are adjusted to account for company-specific issues, the lack of liquidity inherent in a non-public investment and the fact that comparable public companies are not identical to the companies being valued. Such valuation adjustments are necessary because in the absence of a committed buyer and completion of due diligence similar to that performed in an actual negotiated sale process, there may be company-specific issues that are not fully known that may affect value. Further, a variety of additional factors are reviewed by the Company, including, but not limited to, financing and sales transactions with third parties, current operating performance and future expectations of the particular investment, changes in market outlook and the third-party financing environment. Because of the inherent uncertainty of valuations, estimated valuations may differ significantly from the values that would have been used had a ready market for the securities existed, and the differences could be material. IQVIA HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued Goodwill —Goodwill represents the difference between the purchase price and the fair value of the identifiable tangible and intangible net assets resulting from business combinations. The Company performs a qualitative analysis to determine whether it is more likely than not that the estimated fair value of a reporting unit is less than its book value. This includes a qualitative analysis of macroeconomic conditions, industry and market considerations, internal cost factors, financial performance, fair value history and other company specific events. If this qualitative analysis indicates that it is more likely than not that the estimated fair value is less than the book value for the respective reporting unit, the Company applies a two-step impairment test in which the Company determines whether the estimated fair value of the reporting unit is in excess of its carrying value. If the carrying value of the net assets assigned to the reporting unit exceeds the estimated fair value of the reporting unit, the Company performs the second step of the impairment test to determine the implied estimated fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill. The Company determines the implied estimated fair value of goodwill by determining the present value of the estimated future cash flows for each reporting unit and comparing the reporting unit’s risk profile and growth prospects to selected, reasonably similar publicly traded companies. See Note 17 for additional information. Definite-lived Intangible Assets —If a triggering event occurs, the Company determines the estimated fair value of definite-lived intangible assets by determining the present value of the expected cash flows. See Note 17 for additional information. Indefinite-lived Intangible Asset —If a qualitative analysis indicates that it is more likely than not that the estimated fair value is less than the carrying value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset, the Company determines the estimated fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible asset (trade name) by determining the present value of the estimated royalty payments on an after-tax basis that it would be required to pay the owner for the right to use such trade name. If the carrying amount exceeds the estimated fair value, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to the excess.

Property and Equipment

Property and Equipment	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Property Plant And Equipment [Abstract]
Property and Equipment	8. Property and Equipment The major classes of property and equipment were as follows (in millions): December 31, 2017 2016 Land, buildings and leasehold improvements $ 324 $ 333 Equipment 446 338 Furniture and fixtures 81 72 Transportation equipment 72 26 Property and equipment, gross 923 769 Less accumulated depreciation (483 ) (363 ) Property and equipment, net $ 440 $ 406 Property and equipment depreciation expense was as follows (in millions): Year Ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 Depreciation expense $ 125 $ 79 $ 61

Goodwill and Identifiable Intan

Goodwill and Identifiable Intangible Assets	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill and Identifiable Intangible Assets	9. Goodwill and Identifiable Intangible Assets As of December 31, 2017, the Company has approximately $6,591 million of identifiable intangible assets, of which approximately $18 million, relating to a trade name, is deemed to be indefinite-lived and, accordingly, is not being amortized. Amortization expense associated with identifiable definite-lived intangible assets was as follows (in millions): Year Ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 Amortization expense $ 886 $ 210 $ 67 Estimated amortization expense for existing identifiable intangible assets is expected to be approximately $983 million, $988 million, $917 million, $765 million and $407 million for the years ending December 31, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022, respectively. Estimated amortization expense can be affected by various factors, including future acquisitions or divestitures of service and/or licensing and distribution rights or impairments. The following is a summary of identifiable intangible assets (in millions): As of December 31, 2017 As of December 31, 2016 Gross Amount Accumulated Amortization Net Amount Gross Amount Accumulated Amortization Net Amount Definite-lived identifiable intangible assets: Client relationships and backlog $ 4,604 $ (474 ) $ 4,130 $ 3,983 $ (125 ) $ 3,858 Trademarks, trade names and other 528 (59 ) 469 384 (15 ) 369 Databases 1,876 (468 ) 1,408 1,742 (87 ) 1,655 Software and related assets 927 (382 ) 545 619 (247 ) 372 Non-compete agreements 24 (3 ) 21 9 — 9 $ 7,959 $ (1,386 ) $ 6,573 $ 6,737 $ (474 ) $ 6,263 Indefinite-lived identifiable intangible assets: Trade names (1) $ 18 $ — $ 18 $ 127 $ — $ 127 (1) Company’s name change from QuintilesIMS to IQVIA, the classification of the Quintiles trade name changed from an indefinite-lived intangible asset to a definite-lived intangible asset. The following is a summary of goodwill by segment for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 (in millions): Commercial Solutions Research & Development Solutions Integrated Engagement Services Consolidated Balance as of December 31, 2015 $ 70 $ 602 $ 48 $ 720 Business combinations 9,698 611 67 10,376 Impairment (23 ) — — (23 ) Impact of foreign currency fluctuations and other (330 ) (17 ) 1 (346 ) Balance as of December 31, 2016 9,415 1,196 116 10,727 Business combinations 403 178 — 581 Impairment (40 ) — — (40 ) Impact of foreign currency fluctuations and other 570 11 1 582 Balance as of December 31, 2017 $ 10,348 $ 1,385 $ 117 $ 11,850 IQVIA HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued During the second quarter of 2017, the Company determined there was sufficient indication that the carrying value of Encore Health Resources LLC (“Encore”) should be reviewed for further impairment due to its continued decline in performance. The Company performed an impairment assessment that resulted in the recognition of a goodwill impairment of $39.6 million, which represented the remaining amount of goodwill associated with Encore, and an intangible asset impairment of $0.4 million for declines in fair value. On July 12, 2017, the Company completed the sale of Encore to an unrelated third party. As of December 31, 2017, accumulated goodwill impairment losses were $63 million, solely related to Encore. During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company recorded impairment losses of $28 million. See Note 17 for additional information.

Accrued Expenses

Accrued Expenses	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Payables And Accruals [Abstract]
Accrued Expenses	10. Accrued Expenses December 31, (in millions) 2017 2016 Compensation, including bonuses, fringe benefits and payroll taxes $ 656 $ 610 Restructuring 84 102 Interest 45 42 Client contract related 565 502 Professional fees 76 69 Contingent consideration and deferred purchase price 59 22 Other 179 146 $ 1,664 $ 1,493

Credit Arrangements

Credit Arrangements	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Credit Arrangements	11. Credit Arrangements The following is a summary of the Company’s revolving credit facilities at December 31, 2017: Facility Interest Rates $1,000 million (revolving credit facility) LIBOR in the relevant currency borrowed plus a margin (margin of 2.00% at December 31, 2017) $25 million (receivables financing facility) LIBOR Market Index Rate (1.56% at December 31, 2017) plus 0.90% £10 million (approximately $13 million) general banking facility with a European headquartered bank Bank’s base rate (0.50% at December 31, 2017) plus 1% IQVIA HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued The following table summarizes the Company’s debt at the dates indicated (dollars in millions): December 31, 2017 2016 Senior Secured Credit Facilities: Term A Loan due 2021—U.S. Dollar LIBOR at average floating rates of 3.69% $ 844 $ 888 Term A Loan due 2021—Euro LIBOR at average floating rates of 2.00% 453 419 Term B Loan due 2025—U.S. Dollar LIBOR at average floating rates of 3.69% 748 — Term B Loan due 2024—U.S. Dollar LIBOR at average floating rates of 3.69% 1,188 — Term B Loan due 2024—Euro LIBOR at average floating rates of 2.75% 1,423 — Term B Loan due 2021—U.S. Dollar LIBOR at average floating rates of 3.50% — 1,700 Term B Loan due 2021—Euro LIBOR at average floating rates of 3.75% — 765 Revolving Credit Facility due 2021: U.S. Dollar denominated borrowings—U.S. Dollar LIBOR at average floating rates of 3.47% 529 375 5.0% Senior Notes due 2026—U.S. Dollar denominated 1,050 1,050 2.875% Senior Notes due 2025—Euro denominated 503 — 3.25% Senior Notes due 2025—Euro denominated 1,707 — 3.5% Senior Notes due 2024—Euro denominated 749 658 4.125% Senior Notes due 2023—Euro denominated — 289 4.875% Senior Notes due 2023—U.S. Dollar denominated 800 800 Receivables financing facility due 2020—U.S. Dollar LIBOR at average floating rate of 2.46% 275 275 Principal amount of debt 10,269 7,219 Less: unamortized discount and debt issuance costs (44 ) (19 ) Less: current portion (103 ) (92 ) Long-term debt $ 10,122 $ 7,108 Contractual maturities of long-term debt at December 31, 2017 are as follows (in millions): 2018 $ 103 2019 103 2020 378 2021 1,652 2022 34 Thereafter 7,999 $ 10,269 At December 31, 2017, there were bank guarantees totaling approximately £3 million (approximately $4 million) issued against the availability of the general banking facility with a European headquartered bank through their operations in the United Kingdom. Senior Secured Credit Agreement and Senior Notes 2017 Financing Transactions At December 31, 2017, the Company’s senior credit facility provided financing of up to approximately $5,656 million, which consisted of $5,185 million principal amount of debt outstanding (as detailed in the table above) and $471 million of available borrowing capacity on the $1.0 billion revolving credit facility that expires in 2021. IQVIA HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued On September 14, 2017, the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, Quintiles IMS Incorporated (the “Issuer”), issued €420 million (approximately $501 million) aggregate principal amount of 2.875% senior notes due 2025 (the “2025 Notes”). The 2025 Notes, which are unsecured obligations of the Issuer, mature on September 15, 2025 and bear an interest rate of 2.875%, which is paid semi-annually on March 15 and September 15 of each year, beginning on March 15, 2018. The 2025 Notes may be redeemed prior to their final stated maturity, subject to a customary make-whole premium at any time prior to September 15, 2020 (subject to a certain customary “equity claw” redemption right) and thereafter subject to a redemption premium declining from 1.438% to 0%. On March 7, 2017, the Company refinanced all of its term B loans due 2021—U.S. dollar denominated (approximately $1,700 million) and its term B loans due 2021—Euro denominated (approximately $765 million) with an extended and repriced term B loan facility due in 2024 for an aggregate principal amount of approximately $2,479 million comprised of $1,200 million U.S. dollar denominated term B loans and €1,200 million ($1,279 million) Euro denominated term B loans. The U.S. dollar denominated term B loans bear interest based on the U.S. Dollar LIBOR with a floor of 0.75%, plus a margin of 2.00% for an all-in interest rate of 3.69% as of December 31, 2017. The Euro denominated term B loans bear interest based on the Euro LIBOR with a floor of 0.75%, plus a margin of 2.00% for an all-in interest rate of 2.75% as of December 31, 2017. In connection with this refinancing, the Company recognized a $3 million loss on extinguishment of debt, which includes fees and related expenses. On February 28, 2017, the Issuer issued €1,425 million (approximately $1,522 million) aggregate principal amount of 3.25% senior notes due 2025 (the “2017 Notes”). The 2017 Notes, which are unsecured obligations of the Issuer, mature on March 15, 2025 and bear an interest rate of 3.25%, which is paid semi-annually on March 15 and September 15 of each year, beginning on September 15, 2017. The 2017 Notes may be redeemed prior to their final stated maturity, subject to a customary make-whole premium at any time prior to March 15, 2020 (subject to a certain customary “equity claw” redemption right) and thereafter subject to annually declining redemption premiums at any time prior to March 15, 2022. During March 2017, the proceeds of the 2017 Notes were used to pay fees and expenses related to the notes offering and the refinancing referenced above and other general corporate purposes, including the repurchase of the Company’s common stock. The net proceeds from the offering of the 2025 Notes and the Amendment referenced above were used to refinance certain indebtedness, including the redemption of the outstanding 4.125% Euro denominated senior notes due 2023 (the “4.125% Notes”), to pay down the revolving credit facility, to pay fees and expenses related to the offering of the 2025 Notes and the Amendment and for other general corporate purposes, including the repurchase of the Company’s common stock and acquisitions. In connection with this refinancing, the Company recognized a $16 million loss on 2016 Financing Transactions On October 3, 2016, the Company refinanced the term A loans due 2019 (approximately $884 million) assumed in the Merger with a term A loan facility due in 2021 for an aggregate principal amount of approximately $1,350 million comprised of both U.S. dollar denominated term A loans and Euro denominated term A loans. Additionally, the revolving credit facility was refinanced to an aggregate principal amount equal to $1.0 billion. The additional proceeds were used, in part, to fund the redemption on November 1, 2016 of $500 million of 6% Senior Notes due 2020 assumed in the Merger, at a redemption price equal to 101.5% of the aggregate outstanding principal amount plus accrued interest to the redemption date. The Company incurred a loss on extinguishment of debt of approximately $8 million related to the aggregate payments for make-whole premiums. IQVIA HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued On September 28, 2016, IMS Health issued senior unsecured notes totaling principal amount of $1,750 million, which consisted of (i) $1,050 million of 5% senior notes due October 2026 (the “5% Dollar Notes”) and (ii) €625 million of 3.5% senior notes due October 2024 (the “3.5% Euro Notes” and, together with the 5% Dollar Notes, the “2016 Notes”). The proceeds of the 2016 Notes, which the Company assumed upon closing of the Merger, were used on October 3, 2016 to repay in full ($1,389 million) the term loans outstanding under the Quintiles Transnational senior secured credit facilities. Interest on the 2016 Notes is payable semi-annually, beginning on April 15, 2017. The notes are guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by the Company’s wholly-owned domestic restricted subsidiaries (excluding IMS Japan K.K.) and, subject to certain exceptions, each of the Company’s future domestic subsidiaries that guarantees the Company’s other indebtedness or indebtedness of any of the guarantors. The 5% Dollar Notes and the 3.5% Euro Notes may be redeemed, either together or separately, prior to their final stated maturity, subject to a customary make-whole premium, at any time prior to October 15, 2021 with respect to the 5% Dollar Notes and October 15, 2019 with respect to the 3.5% Euro Notes (in each case subject to a customary “equity claw” redemption right) and thereafter subject to annually declining redemption premiums at any time prior to October 15, 2024 with respect to the 5% Dollar Notes and October 15, 2021 with respect to the 3.5% Euro Notes. The Company also assumed in the Merger €275 million of 4.125% Senior Notes due in April 2023 (the “4.125% Senior Notes”). As noted above, during the third quarter of 2017 the 4.125% Senior Notes were redeemed. Interest on the 4.125% Senior Notes was payable semi-annually each year and commenced on October 1, 2015. Receivables Financing Facility On December 15, 2017, the Company amended its Receivables Financing Agreement to extend the original term of its receivables financing facility to December 15, 2020. In addition, the applicable margin (over LIBOR) changed to 90 bps regardless of the Company’s credit rating. Prior to the amendment, the margin was based on the Company’s credit rating and could range from 85 bps to 135 bps. On December 5, 2014, the Company entered into a four-year arrangement to securitize certain of its accounts receivable. Under the receivables financing facility, certain of the Company’s accounts receivable are sold on a non-recourse basis by certain of its consolidated subsidiaries to another of its consolidated subsidiaries, a bankruptcy-remote special purpose entity (“SPE”). The SPE obtained a term loan and revolving loan commitment from a third-party lender, secured by liens on the assets of the SPE, to finance the purchase of the accounts receivable, which includes a $275 million term loan and a $25 million revolving loan commitment. The revolving loan commitment may be increased by an additional $35 million as amounts are repaid under the term loan. The Company has guaranteed the performance of the obligations of existing and future subsidiaries that sell and service the accounts receivable under the receivables financing facility. The assets of the SPE are not available to satisfy any of the Company’s obligations or any obligations of its subsidiaries. As of December 31, 2017, $25 million of revolving loans were available under the receivables financing facility. Restrictive Covenants The Company’s debt agreements provide for certain covenants and events of default customary for similar instruments, including a covenant not to exceed a specified ratio of consolidated senior secured net indebtedness to Consolidated EBITDA, as defined in the Company’s senior secured credit facility and a covenant to maintain a specified minimum interest coverage ratio. If an event of default occurs under any of the Company’s or the Company’s subsidiaries’ financing arrangements, the creditors under such financing arrangements will be entitled to take various actions, including the acceleration of amounts due under such arrangements, and in the case of the lenders under the revolving credit facility and New Term Loans, other actions permitted to be taken by a secured creditor. The Company’s long-term debt arrangements contain usual and customary restrictive covenants that, among other things, place limitations on the Company’s ability to declare dividends. For additional information regarding these restrictive covenants, see Part II, Item 5 “Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities—Dividend Policy” and Part II, Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Liquidity and Capital Resources” included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. At December 31, 2017, the Company was in compliance in all material respects with the financial covenants under the Company’s financing arrangements.

Leases

Leases	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Leases [Abstract]
Leases	12. Leases The Company leases facilities under operating leases, many of which contain renewal and escalation clauses. The Company also leases certain equipment and motor vehicles under operating leases. The leases expire at various dates through 2029 with options to cancel certain leases at various intervals. Rental expenses under these agreements were $197 million, $127 million and $109 million in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The following is a summary of future minimum payments under operating leases that have initial or remaining non-cancelable lease terms in excess of one year at December 31, 2017 (in millions): Operating Leases 2018 $ 169 2019 135 2020 115 2021 94 2022 75 Thereafter 157 Total minimum lease payments $ 745

Contingencies

Contingencies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Contingencies	13. Contingencies The Company and its subsidiaries are involved in legal and tax proceedings, claims and litigation arising in the ordinary course of business. Management periodically assesses the Company’s liabilities and contingencies in connection with these matters based upon the latest information available. For those matters where management currently believes it is probable that the Company will incur a loss and that the probable loss or range of loss can be reasonably estimated, the Company has recorded reserves in the consolidated financial statements based on its best estimates of such loss. In other instances, because of the uncertainties related to either the probable outcome or the amount or range of loss, management is unable to make a reasonable estimate of a liability, if any. However, even in many instances where the Company has recorded an estimated liability, the Company is unable to predict with certainty the final outcome of the matter or whether resolution of the matter will materially affect the Company’s results of operations, financial position or cash flows. As additional information becomes available, the Company adjusts its assessments and estimates of such liabilities accordingly. The Company routinely enters into agreements with its suppliers to acquire data and with its clients to sell data, all in the normal course of business. In these agreements, the Company sometimes agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the other party for any damages such other party may suffer as a result of potential intellectual property infringement and other claims related to the use of the data. The Company has not accrued a liability with respect to these matters, as the exposure is considered remote. Based on its review of the latest information available, management does not expect the impact of pending legal and tax proceedings, claims and litigation, either individually or in the aggregate, to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations, cash flows or financial position. However, one or more unfavorable outcomes in any claim or litigation against the Company could have a material adverse effect for the period in which it is resolved. The following is a summary of certain legal matters involving the Company. IQVIA HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued The Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, IMS Government Solutions Inc. (“IMS Government Solutions”), is primarily engaged in providing services under contracts with the United States government. United States government contracts are subject to extensive legal and regulatory requirements and, from time to time, agencies of the United States government have the ability to investigate whether contractors’ operations are being conducted in accordance with such requirements. IMS Government Solutions discovered potential noncompliance with various contract clauses and requirements under its General Services Administration Contract (the “GSA Contract”), which was awarded in 2002 to its predecessor company, Synchronous Knowledge Inc. (Synchronous Knowledge Inc. was acquired by IMS Health in May 2005). The potential noncompliance arose from two primary areas: first, at the direction of the government, work performed under one task order was invoiced under another task order without the appropriate modifications to the orders being made; and second, personnel who did not meet strict compliance with the labor categories component of the qualification requirements of the GSA Contract were assigned to contracts. The Company is currently unable to determine the outcome of all of these matters pending the resolution of the Voluntary Disclosure Program process and the ultimate liability arising from these matters could exceed the Company’s current reserves. On February 13, 2014, a group of approximately 1,200 medical doctors and 900 private individuals filed a civil lawsuit with the Seoul Central District Court against IMS Korea and two other defendants, KPA and the Korean Pharmaceutical Information Center (“KPIC”). The civil lawsuit alleges KPA and KPIC collected their personal information in violation of applicable privacy laws without the necessary consent through a software system installed on pharmacy computer systems in Korea, and that personal information was transferred to IMS Korea and sold to pharmaceutical companies. On September 11, 2017, the District Court issued a final decision that the encryption in use by the defendants since June 2014 was adequate to meet the requirements of the Korean Personal Information Privacy Act (“PIPA”) and the sharing of non-identified information for market research purposes was allowed under PIPA. The District Court also found an earlier version of encryption was insufficient to meet PIPA requirements, but no personal data had been leaked or re-identified. The District Court did not award any damages to plaintiffs. Approximately 280 medical doctors and 200 private individuals appealed the District Court decision. The Company believes the appeal is without merit and intends to vigorously defend its position. On July 23, 2015, indictments were issued by the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office in South Korea against 24 individuals and companies alleging improper handling of sensitive health information in violation of, among others, South Korea’s Personal Information Protection Act. IMS Korea and two of its employees were among the individuals and organizations indicted. Although there is no assertion that IMS Korea used patient identified health information in any of its offerings, prosecutors allege that certain of IMS Korea’s data suppliers should have obtained patient consent when they converted sensitive patient information into non-identified data and that IMS Korea had not taken adequate precautions to reduce the risk of re-identification. The Company believes the indictment is without merit as it acted in compliance with all applicable laws at all times and intends to vigorously defend its position. On January 10, 2017, IQVIA Inc., IMS Health Incorporated and IMS Software Services, Inc. (collectively “IQVIA Parties”) filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey against Veeva Systems, Inc. (“Veeva”) alleging Veeva unlawfully used IQVIA Parties intellectual property to improve Veeva data offerings, to promote and market Veeva data offerings and to improve Veeva technology offerings. IQVIA Parties seek injunctive relief, appointment of a monitor, the award of compensatory and punitive damages and reimbursement of all litigation expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs. On March 13, 2017, Veeva filed counterclaims alleging anticompetitive business practices in violation of the Sherman Act and state laws. Veeva claims damages in excess of $200 million, and is seeking punitive damages and litigation costs, including attorneys’ fees. The Company believes the counterclaims are without merit, reject all counterclaims raised by Veeva and intend to vigorously defend IQVIA Parties’ position and pursue the Company’s claims against Veeva.

Stockholders_ Equity

Stockholders’ Equity	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Equity [Abstract]
Stockholders’ Equity	IQVIA HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued 14. Stockholders’ Equity Preferred Stock The Company is authorized to issue 1.0 million shares of preferred stock, $0.01 per share par value. No shares of preferred stock were issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2017 or 2016. Equity Repurchase Program and Secondary Public Offerings On October 30, 2013, the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) approved an equity repurchase program (the “Repurchase Program”) authorizing the repurchase of up to $125 million of either the Company’s common stock or vested in-the-money employee stock options, or a combination thereof. The Board increased the stock repurchase authorization under the Repurchase Program with respect to the repurchase of its common stock by $600 million, $1.5 billion, $1 billion and $1 billion in 2015, November 2016, February 2017 and May 2017, respectively, which increased the total amount that has been authorized under the Repurchase Program to $4.225 billion. The Repurchase Program does not obligate the Company to repurchase any particular amount of common stock or vested in-the-money employee stock options, and it could be modified, extended, suspended or discontinued at any time. During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company repurchased 30,896,313 shares of its common stock, including repurchases both under and outside of the Repurchase Program at an average market price per share of $84.80 for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $2.6 billion. These amounts include shares of the Company’s common stock that it repurchased from certain of its principal stockholders in a private transaction and directly In February 2017, the Company entered into a share repurchase agreement with certain of the Company’s principal stockholders under the Repurchase Program. Pursuant to that agreement, the Company purchased an aggregate of 9,677,420 shares of the Company’s common stock in a private transaction for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $750 million. This transaction was consummated on February 28, 2017. On May 24, 2017, an automatic shelf registration statement (including a prospectus) relating to the offering of an unspecified amount of common stock was filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission and became effective upon filing. The registration statement will expire three years after the date of filing. Additionally, in May, the Company completed an underwritten secondary public offering of 10,571,003 shares of its common stock held by certain of the Company’s principal stockholders (the “May Selling Stockholders”), of which the Company repurchased 3,571,003 shares for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $300 million. The Company did not offer any stock in this transaction and did not receive any proceeds from the sale of the shares by the May Selling Stockholders. Pursuant to an agreement with the underwriter, the Company’s per-share purchase price for repurchased shares was the same as the per-share purchase price payable by the underwriter to the May Selling Stockholders. In September 2017, the Company completed an underwritten secondary public offering of 9,000,000 shares of its common stock held by certain of the Company’s principal stockholders (the “September Selling Stockholders”), of which the Company repurchased 4,000,000 shares for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $380 million. The Company did not offer any stock in this transaction and did not receive any proceeds from the sale of the shares by the September Selling Stockholders. Pursuant to an agreement with the underwriter, the Company’s per-share purchase price for repurchased shares was the same as the per-share purchase price payable by the underwriter to the September Selling Stockholders. In November 2017, the Company completed an underwritten secondary public offering of 10,000,000 shares of its common stock held by certain of the Company’s principal stockholders (the “November Selling Stockholders”), of which the Company repurchased 2,500,000 shares for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $255 million. These shares were repurchased outside of the Company’s existing Repurchase Program. The Company did not offer any stock in this transaction and did not receive any proceeds from the sale of the shares by the November Selling Stockholders. Pursuant to an agreement with the underwriter, the Company’s per-share purchase price for repurchased shares was the same as the per-share purchase price payable by the underwriter to the November Selling Stockholders. IQVIA HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued As of December 31, 2017, the Company has remaining authorization to repurchase up to $182 million Repurchase Program. In February 2018, the Board authorized an increase of the share repurchase authorization by $1.5 billion. See Note 27 for additional information regarding this authorization increase. Below is a summary of the share repurchases made both under and outside of the Repurchase Program (in millions, except per share data): Year Ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 Number of shares of common stock repurchased 30.9 14.3 7.8 Aggregate purchase price $ 2,620 $ 1,098 $ 516 Average price per share $ 84.80 $ 76.57 $ 65.56 Non-controlling Interests As discussed further in Note 15, the Company contributed businesses to a joint venture with Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (“Quest”) that was recorded at book value (carryover basis) because the Company owns 60% of the joint venture and maintains control of these businesses. As a result, Quest’s non-controlling interest in the joint venture, referred to as Q 2

Business Combinations

Business Combinations	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Business Combinations	15. Business Combinations IMS Health On October 3, 2016, pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement, IMS Health merged with and into Quintiles, with Quintiles continuing as the Surviving Corporation. The combination of Quintiles and IMS Health capabilities and resources creates an information and technology enabled healthcare service provider with a full suite of end-to-end clinical and commercial offerings. The Merger was accounted for as a business combination with Quintiles considered the accounting and the legal acquirer. Immediately prior to the completion of the Merger, Quintiles reincorporated as a Delaware corporation. The Surviving Corporation changed its name to Quintiles IMS Holdings, Inc. At the effective time of the Merger, IMS Health common stock was automatically converted into 0.3840 of a share of the Company’s common stock. In addition, IMS Health equity awards held by current employees and certain members of the former IMS Health board of directors were converted into the Company’s equity awards after giving effect to the exchange ratio. The terms of these awards, including vesting provisions, are substantially consistent to those of the historical IMS Health equity awards. All of the Company’s and IMS Health’s performance units outstanding at the date of the Merger were converted into restricted stock units with service based vesting requirements. The merger consideration was approximately $10.4 billion (based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock on October 3, 2016), and consisted of the fair value of the Company’s common stock issued (approximately 126.6 million shares) in exchange for the IMS Health common stock as well as the fair value of the vested portion of the converted IMS Health equity awards. The Merger-date value of former IMS Health stock-based awards was valued using the Black-Scholes-Merton model and apportioned between Merger consideration (purchase price) and unearned compensation to be recognized in expense as earned in future periods based on remaining service periods. In connection with the IMS Health acquisition, the Company recorded goodwill, primarily attributable to the assembled workforce of IMS Health and the expected synergies, which was assigned to the Commercial Solutions segment ($9,688 million), the Research & Development Solutions segment ($533 million) and the Integrated Engagement Services segment ($67 million). The goodwill is not deductible for income tax purposes. IQVIA HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued Quest On July 1, 2015, the Company and Quest closed on a joint venture transaction that resulted in the combination of their respective global clinical trials laboratory operations. The joint venture transaction was effected through the creation of two primary new legal entities that the Company controls. Both the Company’s and Quest’s clinical trials laboratory operations were contributed to these new legal entities. The Company accounted for the contribution of the Quest businesses as a business combination. Quest was issued a 40% equity interest in the legal entities, the fair value of which was $423 million on July 1, 2015 (40% of the fair value of all operations contributed by both parties) and represents the purchase price paid by the Company for the clinical trials laboratory operations that Quest contributed to the joint venture transaction. The resulting combined capabilities are designed to provide its clients with globally scaled end-to-end clinical trials laboratory services and the combined business is referred to and marketed as Q 2 The following table summarizes the estimated fair value of the net assets acquired at the date of the acquisitions (in millions): IMS Health Quest Assets acquired: Cash and cash equivalents $ 2,031 $ 32 Accounts receivable and unbilled services 528 6 Prepaid expenses 85 1 Other current assets 145 4 Property and equipment 247 16 Goodwill 10,288 262 Other identifiable intangibles 6,435 126 Deferred income tax asset – long-term 25 — Other long-term assets 71 — Liabilities assumed: Accounts payable and accrued expenses (700 ) (13 ) Unearned income (175 ) — Current portion of long-term debt (88 ) — Other current liabilities (45 ) — Long-term debt, less current portion (6,070 ) — Deferred income tax liability – long-term (2,104 ) (10 ) Other long-term liabilities (248 ) (1 ) Net assets acquired $ 10,425 $ 423 The other identifiable intangible assets consisted of the following (in millions): IMS Health Quest Client relationships $ 3,960 $ 74 Backlog — 33 Trade names 385 19 Databases 1,820 — Software 270 — Total other identifiable intangibles $ 6,435 $ 126 Amortized over a weighted average useful life (in years) 18 9 The acquired Quest trade name is an indefinite-lived intangible asset that is not amortized. IQVIA HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued Acquisition Related Costs Acquisition related costs include the direct and incremental costs associated with mergers and acquisitions such as investment banking, legal, accounting and consulting fees. The Company recognized approximately $36 million of acquisition related costs associated with the IMS Health merger during the year ended December 31, 2016, which are included with merger related costs on the consolidated statement of income. Acquisition related costs for all other acquisitions were immaterial and are not presented. Unaudited Pro Forma Information The following unaudited pro forma information presents the financial results as if the acquisition of IMS Health had occurred on January 1, 2015 with pro forma adjustments to give effect to (i) an increase in depreciation and amortization expense for fair value adjustments of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets, (ii) an increase in stock-based compensation expense resulting from the exchange of the vested IMS Health equity awards for the Company’s equity awards and (iii) the related income tax effects. The pro forma results do not include any cost synergies, costs or other effects pertaining to the integration of IMS Health. Accordingly, such pro forma amounts are not necessarily indicative of the results that actually would have occurred for the periods presented below had the IMS Health acquisition been completed on January 1, 2015, nor are they indicative of the future operating results of the Company. The following table summarizes the pro forma results (in millions, except earnings per share): Year Ended December 31, 2016 2015 Revenues $ 7,784 $ 7,180 Reimbursed expenses 1,514 1,411 Total revenues $ 9,298 $ 8,591 Net income attributable to IQVIA Holdings Inc. $ 42 $ 450 Earnings per share attributable to common stockholders: Basic $ 0.17 $ 1.80 Diluted $ 0.17 $ 1.76 Pro forma information is not presented for any other acquisitions as the aggregate operations of the acquired businesses were not significant to the overall operations of the Company. The Company’s consolidated statements of income for the year ended December 31, 2016 includes $806 million of revenues related to the IMS Health acquisition. Following the closing of the IMS Health acquisition, the Company began integrating IMS Health’s operations. As a result, computing a separate measure of IMS Health’s stand-alone profitability for periods after the acquisition date is impracticable. Other Acquisitions The Company also completed a number of individually immaterial acquisitions during the year ended December 31, 2017. The Company’s assessment of fair value and the purchase price allocation related to these acquisitions is preliminary and subject to change upon completion. Further adjustments may be necessary as additional information related to the fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed is assessed during the measurement period (up to one year from the acquisition date). In addition to the merger with IMS Health in October 2016, the Company completed a few unrelated individually immaterial acquisitions during the fourth quarter of 2016. The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the results of the acquisitions subsequent to each respective closing date. IQVIA HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued The following table provides certain financial information for these individually immaterial acquisitions, including the preliminary allocations of the purchase prices to certain tangible and intangible assets acquired and goodwill (in millions): Amortization Period 2017 2016 Total cost of acquisitions, net of cash acquired (1) $ 923 $ 136 Amounts recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheets: Goodwill $ 581 $ 88 Portion of goodwill deductible for income tax purposes 235 — Intangible assets: Client relationships 6-16 years $ 285 $ 31 Backlog 1-4 years 15 7 Non-compete agreements 2-5 years 14 9 Software 2-9 years 61 1 Trade names 1-17 years 17 — Total intangible assets $ 392 $ 48 (1) Total cost of acquisitions, net of cash acquired, includes contingent consideration and deferred purchase payments of $69 million.

Restructuring

Restructuring	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Restructuring And Related Activities [Abstract]
Restructuring	16. Restructuring From time to time, the Company takes restructuring actions to adapt to changing market conditions. These actions include closing facilities, consolidating functional activities, eliminating redundant positions, aligning resources with customer requirements and taking actions to improve process efficiencies. There were restructuring plans approved in each of 2017, 2016 and 2015 for these activities. Additionally, in 2016, the Company also acquired certain restructuring. The 2017 management approved plans resulted in approximately $61 million of restructuring expense, net of reversals, which consisted of severance, facility closure costs and other exit-related costs. The 2016 management approved plans resulted in approximately $33 million of restructuring expense, net of reversals, which consisted of severance, facility closure costs and other exit-related costs. The 2015 management approved plans resulted in approximately $23 million of restructuring expense, net of reversals, which consisted of severance, facility closure costs and other exit-related costs. Also during 2015, in connection with consummating the joint venture transaction with Quest, a restructuring plan was approved to reduce facility overcapacity and eliminate redundant roles. Since the start of this plan in 2015, the Company has recognized approximately $12 million of restructuring costs related to this plan. The following amounts were recorded for the restructuring plans (in millions): Severance and Related Costs Exit Costs Total Balance at December 31, 2015 $ 12 $ 2 $ 14 Expense, net of reversals 60 3 63 Acquisitions 80 — 80 Payments (48 ) (2 ) (50 ) Foreign currency translation and other (5 ) — (5 ) Balance at December 31, 2016 99 3 102 Expense, net of reversals 59 4 63 Payments (77 ) (4 ) (81 ) Foreign currency translation and other (1 ) 1 — Balance at December 31, 2017 $ 80 $ 4 $ 84 The reversals were due to changes in estimates primarily resulting from the redeployment of staff and higher than expected voluntary terminations. Restructuring costs are not allocated to the Company’s reportable segments as they are not part of the segment performance measures regularly reviewed by management. The Company expects the majority of the restructuring accruals at December 31, 2017 will be paid in 2018.

Impairment Charges

Impairment Charges	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Impairment Charges	17. Impairment Charges During 2017 and 2016, the Company performed impairment assessments of Encore that resulted in the impairment of goodwill of $39.6 million and $23 million, respectively. These impairments represented the entire amount of goodwill associated with Encore. Encore had certain strategic initiatives not performing as expected, resulting in a decline in revenues. Additionally, as part of the respective impairment assessment, intangible asset impairments of $0.4 million and $5 million were recorded in 2017 and 2016, respectively. On July 12, 2017, the Company completed the sale of Encore to an unrelated third party.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	18. Income Taxes On December 22, 2017, the U.S. government enacted the Tax Act. The Tax Act is comprehensive legislation that includes provisions that lower the federal corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21% beginning in 2018 and impose a one-time transition tax on undistributed foreign earnings. ASC 740 “Income Taxes” The components of income before income taxes and equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated affiliates are as follows (in millions): Year Ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 Domestic $ (495 ) $ (85 ) $ 68 Foreign 826 564 471 $ 331 $ 479 $ 539 The components of income tax expense attributable to continuing operations are as follows (in millions): Year Ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 Current expense: Federal and state $ (3 ) $ 64 $ 51 Foreign 222 129 109 219 193 160 Deferred (benefit) expense: Federal and state (1,165 ) 166 5 Foreign (41 ) (14 ) (6 ) (1,206 ) 152 (1 ) $ (987 ) $ 345 $ 159 As a result of the Tax Act, the Company recorded a provisional deferred tax benefit of $977 million related to the revaluation of deferred taxes at the newly enacted 21% rate and reversal of the deferred tax liability on undistributed earnings net of the newly enacted transition tax. IQVIA HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued The differences between the Company’s consolidated income tax expense attributable to continuing operations and the expense computed at the 35% United States statutory income tax rate were as follows (in millions): Year Ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 Federal income tax expense at statutory rate $ 116 $ 167 $ 189 State and local income taxes, net of federal effect (13 ) — 2 Research and development (9 ) (11 ) (13 ) Foreign nontaxable interest income (7 ) (8 ) (9 ) United States taxes recorded on foreign earnings 6 252 38 Tax contingencies 17 2 (8 ) Foreign rate differential (95 ) (60 ) (49 ) Equity compensation (19 ) — — Provisional Tax Act impact (977 ) — — Other (6 ) 3 9 $ (987 ) $ 345 $ 159 In 2016, due to the Merger, the Company reevaluated its indefinite reinvestment assertion based on the need for cash in the United States, including funding the Repurchase Program and potential acquisitions. Accordingly, the Company changed its assertion with respect to $2,801 million of foreign earnings, including $1,865 million of IMS Health’s previously undistributed historical foreign earnings. Deferred income taxes of $625 million were recorded in 2016 related to non-indefinitely reinvested foreign earnings. Of that amount, $373 million was recorded through purchase accounting related to IMS Health’s historical foreign earnings and the remainder of $252 million was recorded through deferred income tax expense. Undistributed earnings of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries amounted to approximately $3,134 million at December 31, 2017. With the enactment of the Tax Act, the Company does not consider any of its foreign earnings as indefinitely reinvested. The Company has recorded a provisional estimate of the deferred income tax liability for the transition tax, net of foreign tax credits, of $186 million as of December 31, 2017. The income tax effects of temporary differences from continuing operations that give rise to significant portions of deferred income tax assets (liabilities) are presented below (in millions): December 31, 2017 2016 Deferred income tax assets: Net operating loss and capital loss carryforwards $ 278 $ 242 Tax credit carryforwards 170 267 Accrued expenses and unearned income 46 75 Employee benefits 189 273 Other 82 32 765 889 Valuation allowance for deferred income tax assets (200 ) (153 ) Total deferred income tax assets 565 736 Deferred income tax liabilities: Undistributed foreign earnings (21 ) (590 ) Amortization and depreciation (1,334 ) (2,026 ) Other (30 ) (164 ) Total deferred income tax liabilities (1,385 ) (2,780 ) Net deferred income tax liabilities $ (820 ) $ (2,044 ) IQVIA HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued Due to the U.S. income tax rate decreasing from 35% to 21% per the Tax Act, the Company recorded a provisional reduction to its net deferred tax liabilities of $606 million, which includes a $753 million reduction to deferred tax liabilities that related to intangible amortization that was recorded through purchase accounting upon the Merger. In response to the Tax Act, the Company also reversed most of its deferred tax liability related to undistributed foreign earnings The Company had federal, state and local, and foreign tax loss carryforwards and tax credits, the tax effect of which was $469 million as of December 31, 2017. Of this amount, $34 million has an indefinite carryforward period, and the remaining $435 million expires at various times beginning in 2018. Some of these losses are subject to limitations under the Internal Revenue Code, however, management expects all losses to be utilized during the carryforward periods. In 2017, the Company increased its valuation allowance by $47 million to $200 million at December 31, 2017 from $153 million at December 31, 2016. The valuation allowance increase is primarily related to an increase in the value of the U.S. state net operating losses as a result of the U.S. federal tax rate decreasing with the Tax Act. A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of gross unrecognized income tax benefits is presented below (in millions): Year Ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 Balance at January 1 $ 64 $ 30 $ 41 IMS Health balance as of Merger — 37 — Additions based on tax positions related to the current year 11 3 2 Additions for income tax positions of prior years 13 7 9 Impact of changes in exchange rates 4 (3 ) (1 ) Settlements with tax authorities (2 ) — — Reductions for income tax positions of prior years (2 ) (1 ) (2 ) Reductions due to the lapse of the applicable statute of limitations (6 ) (9 ) (19 ) Balance at December 31 $ 82 $ 64 $ 30 As of December 31, 2017, the Company had total gross unrecognized income tax benefits of $82 million associated with over 100 jurisdictions in which the Company conducts business that, if recognized, would reduce the Company’s effective income tax rate. The Company’s policy for recording interest and penalties relating to uncertain income tax positions is to record them as a component of income tax expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of income. In 2017, 2016 and 2015, the amount of interest and penalties recorded as an addition/(reduction) to income tax expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of income was $3 million, $2 million and ($2) million, respectively. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company had accrued approximately $18 million and $11 million, respectively, of interest and penalties. The Company believes that it is reasonably possible that a decrease of up to $10 million in gross unrecognized income tax benefits for federal, state and foreign exposure items may be necessary within the next 12 months due to lapse of statutes of limitations or uncertain tax positions being effectively settled. The Company believes that it is reasonably possible that a decrease of up to $1 million in gross unrecognized income tax benefits for foreign items may be necessary within the next 12 months due to payments. For the remaining uncertain income tax positions, it is difficult at this time to estimate the timing of the resolution. IQVIA HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued The Company conducts business globally and, as a result, files income tax returns in the United States federal jurisdiction and various state and foreign jurisdictions. In the normal course of business, the Company is subject to examination by taxing authorities throughout the world. The following table summarizes the tax years that remain open for examination by tax authorities in the most significant jurisdictions in which the Company operates: United States 2014-2016 India 2006-2017 Japan 2012-2016 United Kingdom 2016 Switzerland 2013-2016 In certain of the jurisdictions noted above, the Company operates through more than one legal entity, each of which has different open years subject to examination. The table above presents the open years subject to examination for the most material of the legal entities in each jurisdiction. Additionally, it is important to note that tax years are technically not closed until the statute of limitations in each jurisdiction expires. In the jurisdictions noted above, the statute of limitations can extend beyond the open years subject to examination. Due to the geographic breadth of the Company’s operations, numerous tax audits may be ongoing throughout the world at any point in time. Income tax liabilities are recorded based on estimates of additional income taxes that may be due upon the conclusion of these audits. Estimates of these income tax liabilities are made based upon prior experience and are updated in light of changes in facts and circumstances. However, due to the uncertain and complex application of income tax regulations, it is possible that the ultimate resolution of audits may result in liabilities that could be materially different from these estimates. In such an event, the Company will record additional income tax expense or income tax benefit in the period in which such resolution occurs. The Company had a tax holiday for Quintiles East Asia Pte. Ltd. in Singapore through June 2015. The income tax benefit of this holiday was approximately $2 million in 2015. The tax holiday increased earnings per share by approximately $0.02 in 2015.

Employee Benefit Plans

Employee Benefit Plans	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Postemployment Benefits [Abstract]
Employee Benefit Plans	IQVIA HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued 19. Employee Benefit Plans Pension and Postretirement Benefit Plans The Company sponsors both funded and unfunded defined benefit pension plans. These plans provide benefits based on various criteria, including, but not limited to, years of service and salary. The Company also sponsors an unfunded postretirement benefit plan in the United States that provides health and prescription drug benefits to retirees who meet the eligibility requirements. The Company uses a December 31 measurement date for all pension and postretirement benefit plans. The following table summarizes changes in the benefit obligation, the plan assets and the funded status of the pension benefit plans (in millions): Pension Benefits United States Plans Non-United States Plans December 31 2017 2016 2017 2016 Obligation and funded status: Change in benefit obligation Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year $ 308 $ — $ 508 $ 154 Service costs 13 4 26 18 Interest cost 11 3 9 5 Expected return on plan assets — — — — Actuarial gains 25 (30 ) (2 ) (8 ) Business combinations — 333 — 377 Benefits paid (8 ) (2 ) (21 ) (9 ) Contributions — — 1 — Settlements — — (4 ) — Foreign currency fluctuations and other — — 42 (29 ) Projected benefit obligation at end of year 349 308 559 508 Change in plan assets Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year 312 — 348 87 Actual return on plan assets 53 5 17 4 Contributions 3 1 21 9 Business combinations — 308 — 284 Benefits paid (8 ) (2 ) (21 ) (9 ) Settlements — — (4 ) — Foreign currency fluctuations and other — — 30 (27 ) Fair value of plan assets at end of year 360 312 391 348 Funded status $ 11 $ 4 $ (168 ) $ (160 ) The following table summarizes the amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets related to the pension benefit plans (in millions): Pension Benefits United Non-United States Plans December 31 2017 2016 2017 2016 Deposits and other assets $ 55 $ 45 $ 15 $ 13 Accrued expenses 2 1 8 9 Other long-term liabilities 42 40 175 164 AOCI 33 29 (3 ) (8 ) IQVIA HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued The following table summarizes the accumulated benefit obligation for all pension benefit plans (in millions): Pension Benefits United Non-United States Plans December 31 2017 2016 2017 2016 Accumulated benefit obligation $ 343 $ 303 $ 507 $ 469 At December 31, 2017, the benefit obligation for other postretirement benefits was $3 million, with $1 million recorded in accrued expenses and $2 million included within other long-term liabilities. The following table provides the information for pension plans with an accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets and projected benefit obligations in excess of plan assets (in millions): Pension Benefits United Non-United States Plans December 31 2017 2016 2017 2016 Plans with accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets: Accumulated benefit obligation $ 45 $ 43 $ 442 $ 409 Fair value of plan assets 3 2 301 271 Plans with projected benefit obligation in excess of plan assets: Projected benefit obligation $ 46 $ 44 $ 492 $ 444 Fair value of plan assets 3 2 309 271 The components of net periodic benefit cost changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive loss were as follows (in millions): Pension Benefits United Non-United States Plans Year Ended December 31, 2017 2016 2017 2016 2015 Service cost $ 13 $ 4 $ 26 $ 18 $ 15 Interest cost 11 3 9 5 3 Expected return on plan assets (24 ) (6 ) (14 ) (6 ) (3 ) Amortization of actuarial losses — — 1 1 1 Net periodic benefit cost — 1 22 18 16 Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive loss: Actuarial loss (gain) – current years (4 ) (29 ) (4 ) (5 ) — Amortization of actuarial losses — — (1 ) (1 ) (1 ) Total recognized in other comprehensive income (4 ) (29 ) (5 ) (6 ) (1 ) Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other comprehensive loss $ (4 ) $ (28 ) $ 17 $ 12 $ 15 IQVIA HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued The components of other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive loss related to the other postretirement benefits plan are de minimis. In addition, the amounts in AOCI that are expected to be recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost (credit) during 2018 for pension and other postretirement benefit plans are de minimis. Assumptions The weighted average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost were as follows for the years ended December 31: Pension Benefits Other Postretirement Benefits United Non-United States Plans 2017 2016 2017 2016 2015 2017 2016 Discount rate 4.17 % 3.62 % 1.89 % 1.88 % 2.46 % 2.90 % 2.40 % Rate of compensation increases 3.00 % 3.00 % 5.17 % 5.27 % 4.32 % — — Expected return on plan assets 7.94 % 7.94 % 4.16 % 4.26 % 4.05 % — — The weighted average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations were as follows at December 31: Pension Benefits Other Postretirement Benefits United Non-United States Plans 2017 2016 2017 2016 2017 2016 Discount rate 3.69 % 4.17 % 1.90 % 1.68 % 2.90 % 2.90 % Rate of compensation increases 3.00 % 3.00 % 4.54 % 5.17 % — — The discount rate represents the interest rate used to determine the present value of the future cash flows currently expected to be required to settle the Company’s defined benefit plan obligations. The discount rates are derived using weighted average yield curves on AA-rated corporate bonds. The cash flows from the Company’s expected benefit obligation payments are then matched to the yield curve to derive the discount rates. At December 31, 2017, the discount rate ranged from 2.90% to 3.73% for the Company’s United States pension plan and postretirement benefit plan. At December 31, 2017, the discount rate ranged from 2.22% to 2.53% for the Company’s United Kingdom pension plans. The United States and United Kingdom plans represent approximately 76% of the consolidated benefit obligation as of December 31, 2017. The discount rates in other non-U.S. countries ranged from 0.40% to 11.60% at December 31, 2017. The Company’s assumption for the expected return on plan assets was determined by the weighted average of the long-term expected rate of return on each of the asset classes invested as of the balance sheet date. For plan assets invested in government bonds, the expected return was based on the yields on the relevant indices as of the balance sheet date. There is considerable uncertainty for the expected return on plan assets invested in equity and diversified growth funds. The expected rate of return on plan assets for the United States pension plans was 7.75% at January 1, 2018. Outside the United States, the range of applicable expected rates of return was 1.0% to 6.46% as of January 1, 2018, compared to 0.8% to 9.0% as of January 1, 2017. The expected return on assets (“EROA”) was $38 million and $13 million and the actual return on assets was $70 million and $10 million for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. IQVIA HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued Under the Company’s United States qualified retirement plan, participants have a notional retirement account that increases with pay and investment credits. The rate used to determine the investment credit (cash balance crediting rate) varies monthly and is equal to 1/12th of the yield on 30-year U.S. Government Treasury Bonds, with a minimum of 0.25%. At retirement, the account is converted to a monthly retirement benefit. At December 31, 2017, the Company’s health care cost trend rate for the next seven years was assumed to be 6.5% and the assumed ultimate cost trend rate was 5%. The Company assumed that ultimate cost trend rate is reached in 2021. Assumed health care cost trend rates could have a significant effect on the amounts reported for the health care plans. A one-percentage-point change in assumed health care cost trend rates at December 31, 2017 would have a de minimis effect on the total of service and interest cost and on the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation. Plan Assets The Company’s pension plan weighted average asset allocations, by asset category, were as follows: Plan Assets at December 31, United Non-United States Plans Total Asset Category 2017 2016 2017 2016 2017 2016 Equity securities 69.86 % 70.09 % 47.92 % 46.09 % 58.44 % 57.43 % Debt securities 25.21 24.94 14.65 14.42 19.71 19.39 Real estate 4.93 4.97 — — 2.36 2.35 Other — — 37.43 39.49 19.49 20.83 Total 100.00 % 100.00 % 100.00 % 100.00 % 100.00 % 100.00 % The target asset allocation for the Company’s pension plans were as follows: Asset Category United Plans Non-United States Plans Total Equity securities 60-80% 35-50% 45-65% Debt securities 20-30% 10-20% 10-30% Real estate 0-10% —% 0-5% Other —% 30-45% 10-30% The following table summarizes United States plan assets measured at fair value (in millions): December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Asset Category Level 1 Level 2 Total Level 1 Level 2 Total Domestic equities $ 37 $ — $ 37 $ 32 $ — $ 32 International equities 23 — 23 20 — 20 Corporate bonds 53 — 53 46 — 46 Real estate 18 — 18 15 — 15 Total assets in the fair value hierarchy 131 — 131 113 — 113 Common/collective trusts measured at net asset value (“NAV”) (1) — — 229 — — 199 Total $ 131 $ — $ 360 $ 113 $ — $ 312 IQVIA HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued The following table summarizes non-United States plan assets measured at fair value (in millions): December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Asset Category Level 1 Level 2 Total Level 1 Level 2 Total International equities $ — $ 66 $ 66 $ — $ 57 $ 57 Debt issued by national, state or local government 2 55 57 2 48 50 Diversified growth fund — 17 17 — 14 14 Investments funds — 7 7 — 7 7 Insurance contracts — 141 141 — 133 133 Other — 7 7 — 6 6 Total assets in the fair value hierarchy 2 293 295 2 265 267 Assets measured at NAV (1) — — 96 — — 81 Total $ 2 $ 293 $ 391 $ 2 $ 265 $ 348 (1) Certain investments that are measured at fair value using the net asset value per share (or its equivalent) practical expedient have not been classified in the fair value hierarchy. The fair value amounts presented in the above plan asset tables are intended to permit reconciliation of the fair value of plan assets in the fair value hierarchy to the plan asset amounts presented in the above funded status table as of December 31, 2017 and 2016. Investments in mutual funds are valued at quoted market prices. Investments in common/collective trusts and pooled funds are valued at the NAV as reported by the trust. The NAV is based on the fair value of the underlying investments held by the fund less its liabilities. Insurance contracts are valued at the amount of the benefit liability. The Company has no Level 3 assets that rely on unobservable inputs to measure fair value. Investment Policies and Strategies The Company invests primarily in a diversified portfolio of equity and debt securities that provide for long-term growth within reasonable and prudent levels of risk. The asset allocation targets established by the Company are strategic and applicable to the plan’s long-term investing horizon. The portfolio is constructed and maintained to provide adequate liquidity to meet associated liabilities and minimize long-term expense and provide prudent diversification among asset classes in accordance with the principles of modern portfolio theory. The plan employs a diversified mix of actively managed investments around a core of passively managed index exposures in each asset class. Within each asset class, rapid market shifts, changes in economic conditions or an individual fund manager’s outlook may cause the asset allocation to fall outside the prescribed targets. The majority of the Company’s plan assets are measured quarterly against benchmarks established by the Company’s investment advisors and the Company’s Asset Management Committee, who review actual plan performance and have the authority to recommend changes as deemed appropriate. Assets are rebalanced periodically to their strategic targets to maintain the plan’s strategic risk/reward characteristics. The Company periodically conducts asset liability modeling studies to ensure that the investment strategy is aligned with the obligations of the plans and that the assets will generate income and capital growth to meet the cost of current and future benefits that the plans provide. The pension plans do not have investments in Company stock at December 31, 2017 or 2016. The portfolio for the Company’s United Kingdom pension plans seek to invest in a range of suitable assets of appropriate liquidity that will generate in the most effective manner possible, income and capital growth to ensure that there are sufficient assets to meet benefit payments when they fall due, while controlling the long-term costs of the plans and avoiding short-term volatility of investment returns. The plans seek to achieve these objectives by investing in a mixture of real (equities) and monetary (fixed interest) assets. It recognizes that the returns on real assets, while expected to be greater over the long-term than those on monetary assets, are likely to be more volatile. A mixture across asset classes should nevertheless provide the level of returns required by the plans. The trustee periodically conducts asset liability modeling exercises to ensure the investments are aligned with the appropriate benchmark to better reflect the plans’ liabilities. The trustee also undertakes to review this benchmark on a regular basis. IQVIA HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued Cash Flows Contributions The Company expects to contribute approximately $22 million in required contributions to its pension and postretirement benefit plans during 2018. The Company may make additional contributions into its pension plans in 2018 depending on, among other factors, how the funded status of those plans change or in order to meet minimum funding requirements as set forth in employee benefit and tax laws, plus additional amounts the Company may deem to be appropriate. Estimated future benefit payments and subsidy receipts The following benefit payments (net of expected participant contributions) for pension benefits are expected to be paid as follows (in millions): Pension Benefits 2018 $ 29 2019 30 2020 32 2021 35 2022 37 Years 2023 through 2027 218 $ 381 Benefit payments (net of expected participant contributions) for other postretirement benefits are expected to be de minimis over the periods presented. Defined Contribution Plans Defined contribution or profit sharing plans are offered in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Ireland, Israel, Japan, Malaysia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Slovakia, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, the United States and the United Kingdom. In some cases, these plans are required by local laws or regulations. In the United States, the Company has 401(k) plans under which the Company matches employee deferrals at varying percentages and specified limits of the employee’s salary. In 2017, 2016 and 2015, the Company expensed $47 million, $39 million and $36 million, respectively, related to matching contributions. Certain key executives of the Company participate in an unfunded defined contribution executive retirement plan, assumed in the Merger, which was frozen to additional accruals for future service contributions in 2012. Participants continue to receive an annual investment credit based on the average of the annual yields at the end of each month on the AA-AAA rated 10 plus year maturity component of the Merrill Lynch United States Corporate Bond Master Index. Plans Accounted for as Postretirement Benefits The Company provides certain executives with postretirement medical, dental and life insurance benefits. These benefits are individually negotiated arrangements in accordance with their individual employment arrangements. The above tables do not include the Company’s expense or obligation associated with providing these benefits. The obligation related to these benefits was approximately $12 million for the year ended December 31, 2017, and the Company’s expense for the year then ended was de minimis. IQVIA HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued Stock Incentive Plans Stock incentive plans provide incentives to eligible employees, officers and directors in the form of non-qualified stock options, incentive stock options, stock appreciation rights (“SARs”), restricted stock awards (“RSAs”), restricted stock units (“RSUs”), performance awards, covered annual incentive awards, cash-based awards and other stock-based awards, in each case subject to the terms of the stock incentive plans. In April 2017, the Company’s 2017 Incentive and Stock Award Plan (the “2017 Plan”) was approved by the Company’s stockholders. The 2017 Plan consolidates the unused share pools under the Company’s 2014 Incentive and Stock Award Plan (the “2014 Plan”), the Company’s 2013 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2013 Plan”), the Company’s 2010 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2010 Plan”) and the Company’s 2008 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2008 Plan”), and together with the 2010 Plan, the 2013 Plan and the 2014 Plan, the “Prior Plans,” and makes shares underlying outstanding awards granted under (but not ultimately delivered) the Prior Plans eligible for use in connection with new awards under the 2017 Plan. The 2017 Plan provides for the grant of stock options, SARs, restricted and deferred stock (including RSUs), performance awards, dividend equivalents, other stock-based awards and cash-based awards. The fair value of stock options and SARs is estimated using the Black-Scholes-Merton option-pricing model. The fair value of restricted stock and RSUs is based on the closing market price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. The fair value of the performance shares is determined separately for the portion of the award based on compound annual earnings per share (“EPS”) growth and the portion of the award based on relative total shareholder return (“TSR”). The fair value of the compound annual EPS growth portion of the award is equal to the closing market price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. The fair value of the TSR portion of the award is determined based on a Monte Carlo simulation model. The Company recognized stock-based compensation expense of $106 million, $80 million and $38 million in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Stock-based compensation expense is included in selling, general and administrative expenses on the accompanying consolidated statements of income. The associated future income tax benefit recognized was $21 million, $24 million and $9 million in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. As of December 31, 2017, there was approximately $103 million of total unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to outstanding non-vested stock-based compensation arrangements, which the Company expects to recognize over a weighted average period of 1.16 years. As of December 31, 2017, there were 13.4 million The Company used the following assumptions when estimating the value of the stock-based compensation for stock options and SARs issued as follows: Year Ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 Expected volatility 22 – 25% 20 – 30% 26 – 41% Weighted average expected volatility 24% 28% 34% Expected dividends 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Expected term (in years) 1.0 – 6.9 0.3 – 6.6 3.7 – 6.7 Risk-free interest rate 1.16 – 2.32% 0.32 – 2.19% 1.06 – 2.04% IQVIA HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued Stock Options The option price is determined by the Board at the date of grant and the options expire 10 years from the date of grant. The vesting schedule for options granted to employees is either (i) 25% per year beginning on the first anniversary of the date of grant; or (ii) 33% on the third anniversary of the date of grant and 67% on the fourth anniversary of the date of grant. The Company’s stock option activity in 2017 is as follows (in millions, except number of options and exercise price): Number of Options Weighted Average Exercise Price Aggregate Intrinsic Value Outstanding at December 31, 2016 7,251,339 $ 34.83 $ 299 Exercised (2,957,816 ) 34.43 Canceled (212,891 ) 57.03 Outstanding at December 31, 2017 4,080,632 $ 33.97 $ 261 The weighted average fair value per share of the options granted in 2016 and 2015 was $17.91 and $21.96, respectively. The total intrinsic value of options exercised was approximately $157 million, $155 million and $144 million in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The Company received cash of approximately $102 million, $101 million and $59 million in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively, from options exercised. Selected information regarding the Company’s stock options as of December 31, 2017 is as follows: Options Outstanding Options Exercisable Number of Options Exercise Price Range Weighted Average Exercise Price Weighted Average Remaining Life (in Years) Number of Options Weighted Average Exercise Price 827,775 $ 8.34 — $ 18.23 $ 11.15 2.54 827,775 $ 11.15 1,219,780 18.40 — 26.05 24.21 3.09 1,219,780 24.21 823,189 28.13 — 42.74 33.07 4.59 751,032 33.52 839,003 44.45 — 64.67 57.72 6.99 431,827 56.09 370,885 $ 64.86 — $ 77.11 $ 65.28 7.12 172,635 $ 65.31 The weighted average remaining contractual life of the options outstanding and exercisable as of December 31, 2017 is 4.5 years and 3.9 years, respectively. The total aggregate intrinsic value of the exercisable stock options and the stock options expected to vest as of December 31, 2017 was approximately $260 million. Stock Appreciation Rights – Stock Settled The exercise price of the stock-settled SARs (“SSRs”) is equal to the closing market price of the Company’s common stock as of the grant date and expire on the tenth anniversary of the date of grant. The SSRs are eligible to vest either (i) in equal increments of 25% on each of the first four anniversaries of the date of grant or (ii) in three equal annual installments on each of the first three anniversaries of the date of grant. IQVIA HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued The Company’s SSR activity in 2017 is as follows (in millions, except number of SSRs and exercise price): Number of Options Weighted Average Exercise Price Aggregate Intrinsic Value Outstanding at December 31, 2016 1,313,322 $ 62.13 $ 18 Granted 1,971,768 78.96 Exercised (123,342 ) 63.24 Canceled (236,978 ) 74.00 Outstanding at December 31, 2017 2,924,770 $ 72.47 $ 74 The total intrinsic value of SSRs exercised was approximately $2.9 million in 2017. The weighted average remaining contractual life of the SSRs outstanding and exercisable as of December 31, 2017 is 8.5 years and 6.8 years, respectively. The total aggregate intrinsic value of the exercisable SSRs and the SSRs expected to vest as of December 31, 2017 was approximately $72 million. Stock Appreciation Rights – Cash Settled The Company’s cash settled SARs (“CSRs”) require the Company to settle in cash an amount equal to the difference between the fair value of the Company’s common stock on the date of exercise and the grant price, multiplied by the number of CSRs being exercised. These awards either (i) vest 25% per year or (ii) vest 33% on the third anniversary of the date of grant and 67% on the fourth anniversary of the date of grant; or (iii) one-third per year beginning on the first anniversary of the date of grant. The Company’s CSR activity in 2017 is as follows (in millions, except number of CSRs and grant price): Number of CSRs Weighted Average Grant Price Aggregate Intrinsic Value Outstanding at December 31, 2016 479,176 $ 52.42 $ 11 Granted 15,227 78.21 Exercised (117,813 ) 50.26 Canceled (39,475 ) 56.52 Outstanding at December 31, 2017 337,115 $ 53.87 $ 15 As of December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, the weighted average fair value per share of the CSRs granted was $52.53, $34.25 and $29.79, respectively. The Company paid approximately $4 million, $2 million and $1 million to settle exercised CSRs in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The weighted average remaining contractual life of the CSRs outstanding and exercisable as of December 31, 2017 is 6.5 years and 5.9 years, respectively. The total aggregate intrinsic value of the exercisable CSRs and the CSRs expected to vest as of December 31, 2017 was approximately $15 million. Restricted Stock Units – Stock Settled The Company’s RSUs will settle in shares of the Company’s common stock within 45 days of the applicable vesting date. RSUs granted to employees vest either (i) 25% per year beginning on the first anniversary of the date of grant; (ii) one-third per year beginning on the first anniversary of the grant date; (iii) 33% on the third anniversary of the date of grant and 67% on the fourth anniversary of the date of grant or (iv) 100% at the end of the three-year period following the grant date. Members of the Company’s board of directors receive RSUs that are fully vested when granted. IQVIA HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued The Company’s RSU activity in 2017 is as follows: Number of RSUs Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value Outstanding at December 31, 2016 1,720,817 $ 74.40 Granted 57,699 97.03 Vested (563,435 ) 72.90 Canceled (117,373 ) 71.11 Outstanding at December 31, 2017 1,097,708 $ 76.71 As of December 31, 2017, there are 1.1 million RSUs outstanding with an intrinsic value of approximately $107 million. Restricted Stock Units – Cash Settled The Company’s cash settled RSUs (“Cash RSUs”) require the Company to settle in cash an amount equal to the fair value of the Company’s common stock on the vest date multiplied by the number of vested Cash RSUs. These awards vest 100% at the end of the three-year period following the date of grant. The Company’s Cash RSU activity in 2017 is as follows: Number of Cash RSUs Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value Outstanding at December 31, 2016 — $ — Granted 9,015 95.98 Outstanding at December 31, 2017 9,015 $ 95.98 As of December 31, 2017, there are 9,015 Cash RSUs outstanding with an intrinsic value of approximately $0.9 million. Restricted Stock Awards Restricted stock awards (“RSAs”) vest either (i) in equal increments of 50% on each of the second and fourth anniversaries of the grant date; (ii) one-third per year beginning on the first anniversary of the date of grant; or (iii) 25% on each of the second and third anniversaries of the grant date and 50% on the fourth anniversary of the date of grant. The Company’s RSA activity in 2017 is as follows: Number of RSAs Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value Outstanding at December 31, 2016 367,053 $ 80.20 Granted 254,582 78.21 Vested (181,484 ) 80.20 Outstanding at December 31, 2017 440,151 $ 79.05 As of December 31, 2017, there are 440,151 RSAs outstanding with an intrinsic value of approximately $43 million. IQVIA HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued Performance Awards The Company awarded performance awards that contain both service and performance based vesting criteria. Vesting occurs if the recipient remains employed and depends on the degree to which the Company achieves certain compound annual EPS growth and relative TSR goals during a three-year performance period (as defined in the award agreements). The Company’s performance award activity in 2017 is as follows: Number of Performance Awards Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value Outstanding at December 31, 2016 — $ — Granted 519,206 85.76 Canceled (42,874 ) 84.90 Outstanding at December 31, 2017 476,332 $ 85.84 As of December 31, 2017, there are 476,332 performance awards outstanding with an intrinsic value of approximately $47 million. Employee Stock Purchase Plan Prior to December 31, 2016, the Company sponsored an Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”) that allowed eligible employees to authorize payroll deductions of up to 10% of their base salary to be applied toward the purchase of full shares of the Company’s common stock on the last day of the offering period. During 2016 and 2015, the Company issued 0.1 million shares of common stock for purchases under the ESPP. Effective as of December 31, 2016, the ESPP was discontinued and participant contributions under the ESPP ceased. The final purchase of shares under the ESPP occurred on December 31, 2016. Other The Company sponsors a supplemental non-qualified deferred compensation plan, covering certain management employees, and maintains other statutory indemnity plans as required by local laws or regulations.

Related Party Transactions

Related Party Transactions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Related Party Transactions	20. Related Party Transactions During 2017, 2016 and 2015, the Company entered into a number of contracts with HUYA Bioscience International, LLC, primarily in Asia, in which the Company will provide up to approximately $5 million, $(8 million) net cancellations and $32 million, respectively, of services on a fee for services basis at arm’s length and at market rates. In 2017, 2016 and 2015, the Company recognized revenue of approximately $8 million, $6 million and $7 million, respectively, for services under these agreements. The Company has entered into other transactions with related parties including investments in and advances to unconsolidated affiliates that are discussed in Note 4.

Operations by Geographic Locati

Operations by Geographic Location	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Text Block [Abstract]
Operations by Geographic Location	IQVIA HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued 21. Operations by Geographic Location The table below presents the Company’s operations by geographical location. The Company attributes revenues to geographical locations based upon where the services are performed. The Company’s operations within each geographical region are further broken down to show each country that accounts for 10% or more of the totals (in millions): Year Ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 Revenues: Americas: United States $ 3,282 $ 2,145 $ 1,788 Other 325 233 185 Americas 3,607 2,378 1,973 Europe and Africa: United Kingdom 586 461 410 Other 2,532 1,594 1,237 Europe and Africa 3,118 2,055 1,647 Asia-Pacific: Japan 763 587 443 Other 572 344 263 Asia-Pacific 1,335 931 706 Revenues 8,060 5,364 4,326 Reimbursed expenses 1,679 1,514 1,411 Total revenues $ 9,739 $ 6,878 $ 5,737 As of December 31, (in millions) 2017 2016 Property, equipment and software, net: Americas: United States $ 623 $ 430 Other 27 25 Americas 650 455 Europe and Africa: United Kingdom 51 40 Other 208 214 Europe and Africa 259 254 Asia-Pacific: Japan 39 36 Other 37 34 Asia-Pacific 76 70 Total property, equipment and software, net $ 985 $ 779

Segments

Segments	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segments	IQVIA HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued 22. Segments The following table presents the Company’s operations by reportable segment. The Company is managed through three reportable segments, Commercial Solutions, Research & Development Solutions and Integrated Engagement Services. Commercial Solutions provides mission critical information, technology solutions and real-world insights and services to the Company’s life science clients. Research & Development Solutions, which primarily serves biopharmaceutical clients, is engaged in research and development and provides clinical research and clinical trial services. Integrated Engagement Services provides contract sales to both biopharmaceutical clients and the broader healthcare market. Prior period segment results have been recast to conform to immaterial changes to management reporting in 2017. The recast only impacts the fourth quarter of 2016 as the management reporting changes relate to IMS Health and these results are only reflected in our results since the date of the Merger on October 3, 2016. Certain costs are not allocated to the Company’s segments and are reported as general corporate and unallocated expenses. These costs primarily consist of stock-based compensation and expenses for corporate overhead functions such as senior leadership, finance, human resources, information technology, facilities and legal. The Company does not allocate depreciation and amortization, restructuring costs, merger related costs or impairment charges to its segments. Revenues and costs for reimbursed expenses are not allocated to the Company’s segments. Asset information by segment is not presented, as this measure is not used by the chief operating decision maker to assess the performance of the Company. Information presented below is in millions: Year Ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 Revenues Commercial Solutions $ 3,630 $ 1,089 $ 323 Research & Development Solutions 3,647 3,478 3,159 Integrated Engagement Services 783 797 844 Total revenues 8,060 5,364 4,326 Costs of revenue Commercial Solutions 1,917 641 239 Research & Development Solutions 2,068 1,956 1,779 Integrated Engagement Services 637 639 687 Total costs of revenue 4,622 3,236 2,705 Selling, general and administrative expenses Commercial Solutions 703 214 65 Research & Development Solutions 582 579 556 Integrated Engagement Services 73 82 79 General corporate and unallocated 247 136 115 Total selling, general and administrative expenses 1,605 1,011 815 Segment profit Commercial Solutions 1,010 234 19 Research & Development Solutions 997 943 824 Integrated Engagement Services 73 76 78 Total segment profit 2,080 1,253 921 General corporate and unallocated (247 ) (136 ) (115 ) Depreciation and amortization (1,011 ) (289 ) (128 ) Restructuring costs (63 ) (71 ) (30 ) Merger related costs — (87 ) — Impairment charges (40 ) (28 ) (2 ) Total income from operations $ 719 $ 642 $ 646

Earnings Per Share

Earnings Per Share	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings Per Share	23. Earnings Per Share The following table reconciles the basic to diluted weighted average shares outstanding (in millions): Year Ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 Basic weighted average common shares outstanding 217.8 149.1 123.0 Effect of dilutive stock options and share awards 4.8 2.9 2.6 Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding 222.6 152.0 125.6 The following table presents the weighted average number of outstanding stock-based awards not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share if they are subject to performance conditions or if the effect of including such stock-based awards in the computation would be anti-dilutive (in millions): Year Ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 Shares subject to performance conditions 0.4 0.1 0.1 Shares subject to anti-dilutive stock-based awards 1.0 1.1 1.0 Total shares excluded from diluted earnings per share 1.4 1.2 1.1 The vesting of performance awards is contingent upon the achievement of certain performance targets. The performance awards are not included in diluted earnings per share until the performance targets have been met. Stock-based awards will have a dilutive effect under the treasury method when the respective period’s average market value of the Company’s common stock exceeds the exercise proceeds.

Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive Income	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Equity [Abstract]
Comprehensive Income	24. Comprehensive Income Below is a summary of the components of AOCI (in millions): Foreign Currency Translation Derivative Instruments Defined Benefit Plans Income Taxes Total Balance at December 31, 2014 $ (56 ) $ (19 ) $ (15 ) $ 31 $ (59 ) Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications (61 ) (13 ) — 9 (65 ) Reclassification adjustments — 18 1 (6 ) 13 Balance at December 31, 2015 (117 ) (14 ) (14 ) 34 (111 ) Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications (506 ) (4 ) 34 (5 ) (481 ) Reclassification adjustments — 28 1 (7 ) 22 Balance at December 31, 2016 (623 ) 10 21 22 (570 ) Other comprehensive income before reclassifications 406 5 8 197 616 Reclassification adjustments — (1 ) 1 — — Balance at December 31, 2017 $ (217 ) $ 14 $ 30 $ 219 $ 46 IQVIA HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued Below is a summary of the (gains) losses reclassified from AOCI into the consolidated statements of income and the affected financial statement line item (in millions): Year Ended December 31, Reclassification Adjustments Affected Financial Statement Line Item 2017 2016 2015 Derivative instruments: Interest rate swaps and caps Interest expense $ — $ 6 $ 12 Foreign exchange forward contracts Revenues 7 19 6 Foreign exchange forward contracts Other expense (income), net (8 ) 3 — Total before income taxes (1 ) 28 18 Income tax (benefit) expense — 7 6 Total net of income taxes $ (1 ) $ 21 $ 12 Defined benefit plans: Amortization of actuarial losses See Note 19 $ 1 $ 1 $ 1 Income tax (benefit) expense — — — Total net of income taxes $ 1 $ 1 $ 1

Supplemental Cash Flow Informat

Supplemental Cash Flow Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]
Supplemental Cash Flow Information	25. Supplemental Cash Flow Information The following table presents the Company’s supplemental cash flow information (in millions): Year Ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 Supplemental Cash Flow Information: Interest paid $ 320 $ 124 $ 82 Income taxes paid, net of refunds $ 195 $ 106 $ 121 Non-cash Investing Activities: Fair value of consideration transferred in connection with business combinations $ — $ 10,425 $ 423

Quarterly Financial Data (Unaud

Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)	26. Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) The following table summarizes the Company’s unaudited quarterly results of operations (in millions, except per share data): 2017 First Quarter Second Quarter Third Quarter Fourth Quarter Revenues $ 1,911 $ 1,969 $ 2,019 $ 2,161 Income from operations 168 151 197 203 Net income 76 79 89 1,084 Net income attributable to non-controlling interests (2 ) (4 ) (5 ) (8 ) Net income attributable to IQVIA Holdings Inc. (1) $ 74 $ 75 $ 84 $ 1,076 Basic earnings per share (2) $ 0.32 $ 0.35 $ 0.39 $ 5.14 Diluted earnings per share (2) $ 0.31 $ 0.34 $ 0.38 $ 5.02 2016 First Quarter Second Quarter Third Quarter Fourth Quarter (3) Revenues $ 1,108 $ 1,167 $ 1,136 $ 1,953 Income from operations 179 151 168 144 Net income (loss) 109 92 104 (175 ) Net income attributable to non-controlling interests (2 ) (5 ) (5 ) (3 ) Net income (loss) attributable to IQVIA Holdings Inc. $ 107 $ 87 $ 99 $ (178 ) Basic earnings (loss) per share (2) $ 0.89 $ 0.73 $ 0.83 $ (0.74 ) Diluted earnings (loss) per share (2) $ 0.88 $ 0.71 $ 0.82 $ (0.74 ) (1) The significant increase during the fourth quarter of 2017 is due to the enactment of the Tax Act. See Note 18 for additional details. (2) The sum of the quarterly per share amounts may not equal per share amounts reported for year-to-date periods. This is due to changes in the number of weighted average shares outstanding and the effects of rounding for each period. (3 ) The fourth quarter of 2016 includes the results of operations of IMS Health since the date of the Merger on October 3, 2016.

Subsequent Event

Subsequent Event	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Event	27. Subsequent Event On February 14, 2018, the IQVIA board authorized an increase in the post-merger share repurchase authorization by $1.5 billion to a total of $5.0 billion, with $1.7 billion authorization remaining.

Schedule I-Condensed Financial

Schedule I-Condensed Financial Information of Registrant	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Condensed Financial Information Of Parent Company Only Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule I-Condensed Financial Information of Registrant	(2) Financial Statement Schedules Schedule I—Condensed Financial Information of Registrant IQVIA HOLDINGS INC. (PARENT COMPANY ONLY) CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF INCOME Year Ended December 31, (in millions) 2017 2016 2015 Selling, general and administrative expenses $ 1 $ — $ 1 Merger related costs — 21 — Loss from operations (1 ) (21 ) (1 ) Interest income — — — Other expense, net — — — Loss before income taxes and equity in earnings of subsidiary (1 ) (21 ) (1 ) Income tax benefit (3 ) (4 ) (1 ) Income (loss) before equity in earnings of subsidiary 2 (17 ) — Equity in earnings of subsidiary 1,307 132 387 Net income $ 1,309 $ 115 $ 387 IQVIA HOLDINGS INC. (PARENT COMPANY ONLY) CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME Year Ended December 31, (in millions) 2017 2016 2015 Net income $ 1,309 $ 115 $ 387 Comprehensive income (loss) adjustments: Unrealized gains (losses) on derivative instruments, net of income tax expense (benefit) of $1, $3 and ($4) 4 (7 ) (9 ) Defined benefit plan adjustments, net of income tax expense of $3, $11 and $— 5 23 — Foreign currency translation, net of income tax benefit of ($201), ($9) and ($5) 607 (497 ) (56 ) Reclassification adjustments: Losses on derivative instruments included in net income, net of income tax expense of $—, $7 and $6 (1 ) 21 12 Amortization of actuarial losses and prior service costs included in net income 1 1 1 Comprehensive income (loss) $ 1,925 $ (344 ) $ 335 IQVIA HOLDINGS INC. (PARENT COMPANY ONLY) CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS December 31, (in millions, except per share data) 2017 2016 ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 1 $ 12 Income taxes receivable — 4 Other current assets and receivables 1 — Total current assets 2 16 Investment in subsidiary 9,659 8,631 Total assets $ 9,661 $ 8,647 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY Current liabilities: Accounts payable $ — $ — Income taxes payable — — Total current liabilities — — Investment in subsidiary 1,552 — Payable to subsidiary — 14 Total liabilities 1,552 14 Commitments and contingencies Stockholders’ equity: Common stock and additional paid-in capital, 400.0 shares authorized at December 31, 2017 and 2016, $0.01 par value, 249.5 and 248.3 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively 10,782 10,602 Accumulated deficit 655 (399 ) Treasury stock, at cost, 41.4 and 12.9 shares at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively (3,374 ) (1,000 ) Accumulated other comprehensive loss 46 (570 ) Total stockholders’ equity 8,109 8,633 Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 9,661 $ 8,647 IQVIA HOLDINGS INC. (PARENT COMPANY ONLY) CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS Year Ended December 31, (in millions) 2017 2016 2015 Operating activities: Net income $ 1,309 $ 115 $ 387 Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities: Subsidiary loss 91 91 56 Change in operating assets and liabilities: Accounts payable and accrued expenses (3 ) — — Income taxes payable and other liabilities 4 (5 ) — Net cash provided by operating activities 1,401 201 443 Investing activities: Investment in subsidiary, net of dividends received 1,150 791 — Net cash provided by investing activities 1,150 791 — Financing activities: Stock issued under employee stock purchase and option plans 91 97 64 Repurchase of common stock (2,620 ) (1,097 ) (515 ) Repurchase of stock options — — — Intercompany with subsidiary (31 ) 15 1 Net cash used in financing activities (2,560 ) (985 ) (450 ) Effect of foreign currency exchange rate changes on cash (2 ) — — (Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents (11 ) 7 (7 ) Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 12 5 12 Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 1 $ 12 $ 5 IQVIA HOLDINGS INC. (PARENT COMPANY ONLY) NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION The condensed parent company financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Rule 12-04, Schedule I of Regulation S-X as the restricted net assets of IQVIA Holdings Inc.’s (the “Company”) wholly-owned subsidiary, IQVIA Incorporated exceed 25% of the consolidated net assets of the Company. The ability of IQVIA Incorporated to pay dividends may be limited due to the restrictive covenants in the agreements governing its credit arrangements. These condensed parent company financial statements include the accounts of IQVIA Holdings Inc. on a standalone basis (the “Parent”) and the equity method of accounting is used to reflect ownership interest in its subsidiary. Refer to the consolidated financial statements and notes presented elsewhere herein for additional information and disclosures with respect to these financial statements. Since the Parent is part of a group that files a consolidated income tax return, in accordance with ASC 740, a portion of the consolidated amount of current and deferred income tax expense of the Company has been allocated to the Parent. The income tax benefit of $3 Below is a summary of the dividends paid to the Parent by IQVIA Incorporated in 2017, 2016 and 2015 (in millions): Amount Paid in December 2017 $ 22 Paid in November 2017 362 Paid in September 2017 373 Paid in August 2017 168 Paid in May 2017 356 Paid in March 2017 1,237 Paid in February 2017 45 Paid in January 2017 3 Total paid in 2017 $ 2,566 Paid in December 2016 $ 503 Paid in November 2016 422 Paid in June 2016 89 Total paid in 2016 $ 1,014 Paid in December 2015 $ 1 Paid in November 2015 223 Paid in May 2015 220 Total paid in 2015 $ 444

Schedule II-Valuation and Quali

Schedule II-Valuation and Qualifying Accounts	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Valuation And Qualifying Accounts [Abstract]
Schedule II-Valuation and Qualifying Accounts	Deferred Tax Asset Valuation Allowance Information presented below is in millions: Additions Balance at Beginning of Year Charged to Expenses Charged to Other Accounts (a) Deductions (b) Balance at End of Year December 31, 2017 $ 153 $ 52 $ — $ (5 ) $ 200 December 31, 2016 $ 22 $ 10 $ 129 $ (8 ) $ 153 December 31, 2015 $ 25 $ 2 $ — $ (5 ) $ 22 (a) Recorded through purchase accounting transaction. (b) Impact of reductions recorded to expense and translation adjustments.

Summary of Significant Accoun38

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Principles of Consolidation	Principles of Consolidation The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts and operations of the Company, its subsidiaries and investments in which the Company has control. Amounts pertaining to the non-controlling ownership interests held by third parties in the operating results and financial position of the Company’s majority-owned subsidiaries are reported as non-controlling interests. Intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Use of Estimates	Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, at the date of the financial statements, as well as the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the period. These estimates are based on historical experience and various other assumptions believed reasonable under the circumstances. The Company evaluates its estimates on an ongoing basis and makes changes to the estimates and related disclosures as experience develops or new information becomes known. Actual results may differ from those estimates.
Foreign Currencies	Foreign Currencies The Company’s financial statements are reported in United States dollars and, accordingly, the Company’s results of operations are impacted by fluctuations in exchange rates that affect the translation of its revenues and expenses denominated in foreign currencies into United States dollars for purposes of reporting its consolidated financial results. Assets and liabilities recorded in foreign currencies on the books of foreign subsidiaries are translated at the exchange rate on the balance sheet date. Revenues, costs and expenses are translated at average rates of exchange during the year. Translation adjustments resulting from this process are charged or credited to the accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (“AOCI”) component of stockholders’ equity (deficit). The Company is subject to foreign currency transaction risk for fluctuations in exchange rates during the period of time between the consummation and cash settlement of a transaction. The Company earns revenue from its service contracts over a period of several months and, in some cases, over a period of several years. Accordingly, exchange rate fluctuations during this period may affect the Company’s profitability with respect to such contracts. For operations outside the United States that are considered to be highly inflationary or where the United States dollar is designated as the functional currency, monetary assets and liabilities are remeasured using end-of-period exchange rates, whereas non-monetary accounts are remeasured using historical exchange rates, and all remeasurement and transaction adjustments are recognized in other expense (income), net. Other expense (income), net, includes foreign currency net losses (gains) for 2017, 2016 and 2015 of approximately $40 million, $6 million and ($5) million, respectively. The foreign currency losses in 2017 were primarily the result of the combination of changes in intercompany loan balances from corporate legal entity integration and a weaker U.S. dollar.
Cash Equivalents	Cash Equivalents The Company considers all highly liquid investments with an initial maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents.
Investments in Marketable Securities	Investments in Marketable Securities Investments in marketable securities are classified as either trading or available-for-sale and measured at fair market value. Realized and unrealized gains and losses on trading securities are included in other expense (income), net, on the accompanying consolidated statements of income. Realized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities are included in other expense (income), net, on the accompanying consolidated statements of income. Unrealized gains and losses, net of deferred income taxes, on available-for-sale securities are included in the AOCI component of stockholders’ equity (deficit) until realized. Any gains or losses from the sales of investments or other-than-temporary declines in fair value are computed by specific identification.
Equity Method Investments	Equity Method Investments The Company’s investments in and advances to unconsolidated affiliates are accounted for under the equity method if the Company exercises significant influence or has an investment in a limited partnership that is considered to be greater than minor. These investments and advances are classified as investments in and advances to unconsolidated affiliates on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The Company records its pro rata share of the earnings, adjusted for accretion of basis difference, of these investments in equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates on the accompanying consolidated statements of income. The Company reviews its investments in and advances to unconsolidated affiliates for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts may not be recoverable.
Derivatives	Derivatives The Company uses derivative instruments to manage exposures to interest rates and foreign currencies. Derivatives are recorded on the balance sheet at fair value at each balance sheet date utilizing pricing models for non-exchange-traded contracts. At inception, the Company designates whether or not the derivative instrument is an effective hedge of an asset, liability or firm commitment which is then classified as either a cash flow hedge or a fair value hedge. If determined to be an effective cash flow hedge, changes in the fair value of the derivative instrument are recorded as a component of AOCI until realized. The Company includes the impact from these hedges in the same line item as the hedged item on the consolidated statements of cash flows. Changes in fair value of effective fair value hedges are recorded in earnings as an offset to the changes in the fair value of the related hedged item. Hedge ineffectiveness, if any, is immediately recognized in earnings. Changes in the fair values of derivative instruments that are not an effective hedge are recognized in earnings. When it is probable that a hedged forecasted transaction will not occur, the Company discontinues hedge accounting for the affected portion of the forecasted transaction, and reclassifies gains or losses that were accumulated in AOCI to earnings in other expense (income), net for foreign exchange derivatives and interest expense for interest rate derivatives on the consolidated statements of income. Cash flows are classified consistent with the underlying hedged item. The Company has entered, and may in the future enter, into derivative contracts (caps, swaps, forwards, calls or puts, warrants, for example) related to its debt, investments in marketable equity securities and forecasted foreign currency transactions.
Accrued Loyalty	Accrued Loyalty The Company owns businesses that manage co-pay reimbursements on behalf of its pharmaceutical customers. These customers prefund the reimbursements and the Company includes this cash on its balance sheet. The Company draws on this cash to pay pharmacies as consumers use these programs. Accrued loyalty was $143 million and $131 million, as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and expenses on the consolidated balance sheet.
Billed and Unbilled Services and Unearned Income	Billed and Unbilled Services and Unearned Income In general, prerequisites for billings and payments are established by contractual provisions including predetermined payment schedules, which may or may not correspond to the timing of the performance of services under the contract. Unbilled services arise when services have been rendered for which revenue has been recognized but the clients have not been billed. In some cases, payments received are in excess of revenue recognized. Payments received in advance of services being provided are deferred as unearned income on the consolidated balance sheet. As the contracted services are subsequently performed and the associated revenue is recognized, the unearned income balance is reduced by the amount of the revenue recognized during the period.
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts	Allowance for Doubtful Accounts The Company’s allowance for doubtful accounts is determined based on a variety of factors that affect the potential collectability of the related receivables, including length of time the receivables are past due, client credit ratings, financial stability of the client, specific one-time events and client payment history. In addition, in circumstances where the Company is made aware of a specific client’s inability to meet its financial obligations, a specific allowance is established. The accounts are individually evaluated on a regular basis and reserves are established as deemed appropriate based on the above criteria.
Receivables Financing Facility	Receivables Financing Facility Advances received under the Company’s receivables financing facility are accounted for as borrowings secured by the receivables and included in net cash provided by financing activities. The Company services the collateralized accounts receivables and the cash flows for the underlying receivables are included in cash provided by operating activities. The collateralized accounts receivables are included in trade accounts receivable and unbilled services, net.
Business Combinations	Business Combinations Business combinations are accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting. The identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any non-controlling interest in the acquiree are recorded at their estimated fair values on the date of the acquisition. Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair value of the net assets acquired, including the amount assigned to identifiable intangible assets. When a business combination involves contingent consideration, the Company recognizes a liability equal to the estimated fair value of the contingent consideration obligation at the date of the acquisition. Subsequent changes in the estimated fair value of the contingent consideration are recognized in earnings in the period of the change. Acquisition-related costs are expensed as incurred. The consolidated financial statements include the results of operations of business combinations since the acquisition date.
Long-Lived Assets	Long-Lived Assets Property and equipment are stated at cost and are depreciated using the straight-line method over the shorter of the asset’s estimated useful life or the lease term, if related to leased property, as follows: Buildings and leasehold improvements 3 - 40 years Equipment 3 - 10 years Furniture and fixtures 5 - 10 years Transportation equipment 3 - 20 years Definite-lived identifiable intangible assets are amortized primarily using an accelerated method that reflects the pattern in which the Company expects to benefit from the use of the asset over its estimated remaining useful life as follows: Trademarks and trade names 1 - 17 years Contract backlog and client relationships 1 - 25 years Software and related assets 1 - 9 years Databases 1 - 9 years Non-compete agreements and other 1 - 5 years Goodwill and indefinite-lived identifiable intangible assets, which consist of a trade name, are not amortized but evaluated for impairment annually, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate an impairment. Included in software and related items is the capitalized cost of internal-use software used in supporting the Company’s business. Qualifying costs incurred during the application development stage are capitalized and amortized over their estimated useful lives. Costs are capitalized from completion of the preliminary project stage and when it is considered probable that the software will be used to perform its intended function, up until the time the software is placed into service. The Company recognized $134 million, $44 million and $38 million of amortization expense in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively, related to software and related assets. The carrying values of property, equipment and intangible and other long-lived assets are reviewed for recoverability if the facts and circumstances suggest that a potential impairment may have occurred. If this review indicates that carrying values will not be recoverable, as determined based on undiscounted cash flow projections, the Company will record an impairment charge to reduce carrying values to estimated fair value. See Note 17 for information regarding the impairment charges recognized in 2017 and 2016. During 2015, the Company recognized a $2 million impairment charge for long-lived assets related to a facility closure in Japan.
Revenue Recognition	Revenue Recognition The Company recognizes revenue when all of the following conditions are satisfied: (1) there is persuasive evidence of an arrangement; (2) the service offering has been delivered to the client; (3) the collection of the fees is probable; and (4) the arrangement consideration is fixed or determinable. The Company’s arrangements are primarily service contracts that range in duration from a few months to several years. In some cases, contracts provide for consideration that is contingent upon the occurrence of uncertain future events. The Company recognizes contingent revenue when the contingency has been resolved and all other criteria for revenue recognition have been met. Cash payments made to clients as incentives to induce the clients to enter into service agreements with the Company are amortized as a reduction of revenue over the period the services are performed. The Company records revenues net of any tax assessments by governmental authorities, such as value added taxes, that are imposed on and concurrent with specific revenue generating transactions. The Company does not recognize revenue with respect to start-up activities including contract and scope negotiation, feasibility analysis and conflict of interest review associated with contracts. The costs for these activities are expensed as incurred. For the arrangements that include multiple elements, arrangement consideration is allocated to units of accounting based on the relative selling price. The best evidence of selling price of a unit of accounting is vendor-specific objective evidence (“VSOE”), which is the price the Company charges when the deliverable is sold separately. When VSOE is not available to determine selling price, management uses relevant third-party evidence (“TPE”) of selling price, if available. When neither VSOE nor TPE of selling price exists, management uses its best estimate of selling price considering all relevant information that is available without undue cost and effort. The Company derives the majority of its revenues in the Commercial Solutions segment from various information and technology service offerings. A typical information offerings arrangement (primarily under fixed-price contracts) may include an ongoing subscription-based deliverable for which revenue is recognized ratably as earned over the contract period, and/or a one-time delivery of data offerings for which revenue is recognized upon delivery, assuming all other criteria are met. The Company’s subscription arrangements typically have terms ranging from one to three years and are generally non-cancelable and do not contain refund-type provisions. Technology services offerings consist of a mix of small and large-scale services and consulting projects, multi-year outsourcing contracts and Software-as-a-Service (“SaaS”) licenses. These arrangements typically have terms ranging from several weeks to three years, with a majority having terms of one year or less. Revenues for services engagements where deliverables occur ratably over time are recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the arrangement. Revenues from time and material contracts are recognized as the services are provided. Revenues from fixed price ad hoc services and consulting contracts are recognized either over the contract term based on the ratio of the number of hours incurred for services provided during the period compared to the total estimated hours to be incurred over the entire arrangement (efforts based), or upon delivery (completed contract). The majority of the Company’s contracts within the Research & Development Solutions segment are service contracts for clinical research that represent a single unit of accounting. The Company recognizes revenue on its clinical research services contracts as services are performed primarily on a proportional performance basis, generally using output measures that are specific to the service provided. Examples of output measures include among others, number of investigators enrolled, number of site initiation visits and number of monitoring visits completed. Revenue is determined by dividing the actual units of work completed by the total units of work required under the contract and multiplying that ratio by the total contract value. The total contract value, or total contractual payments, represents the aggregate contracted price for each of the agreed upon services to be provided. Changes in the scope of work are common, especially under long-term contracts, and generally result in a change in contract value. Once the client has agreed to the changes in scope and renegotiated pricing terms, the contract value is amended and revenue is recognized, as described above. To the extent that contracts involve multiple elements, the Company follows the allocation methodology described above and recognizes revenue for each unit of accounting on a proportional performance basis. Most contracts may be terminated upon 30 to 90 days notice by the client, however, in the event of termination, contract provisions typically require payment for services rendered through the date of termination, as well as for subsequent services rendered to close out the contract. IQVIA HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued The Company derives the majority of its revenues in its Integrated Engagement Services segment on a fee-for-service basis to clients within the biopharmaceutical industry. Fees on these arrangements are billed based on a contractual per-diem or hourly rate basis and revenue is recognized primarily on a time and materials basis. Some of the Company’s Integrated Engagement Services contracts are multiple element arrangements, with elements including recruiting, training and deployment of sales representatives. The nature of the terms of these multiple element arrangements will vary based on the customized needs of the Company’s clients. For contracts that have multiple elements, the Company follows the allocation methodology described above and recognizes revenue for each unit of accounting on a time and materials basis. The Company’s Integrated Engagement Services contracts sometimes include variable fees that are based on a percentage of service sales (royalty payments). The Company recognizes revenue on royalty payments when the variable components become fixed or determinable and all other revenue recognition criteria have been met, which generally only occurs upon the sale of the underlying service(s) and upon the Company’s receipt of information necessary to make a reasonable estimate.
Reimbursed Expenses	Reimbursed Expenses The Company includes reimbursed expenses in total revenues and costs of revenue as the Company is deemed to be the primary obligor in the applicable arrangements. These costs include such items as payments to investigators and travel expenses for the Company’s clinical monitors and sales representatives. The Company has collection risk on contractually reimbursable expenses, and, from time to time, is unable to obtain reimbursement from the client for costs incurred. When such an expense is not reimbursed, it is classified as costs of revenue on the consolidated statements of income.
Expenses	Expenses The Company’s costs and expenses are comprised primarily of costs of revenue, reimbursed expenses and selling, general and administrative expenses. Costs of revenue include compensation and benefits for billable employees and personnel involved in production, data management and delivery, and the costs of acquiring and processing data for the Company’s information offerings; costs of staff directly involved with delivering technology-related services offerings and engagements, related accommodations and the costs of data purchased specifically for technology services engagements; and other expenses directly related to service contracts such as courier fees, laboratory supplies, professional services and travel expenses. As noted above, reimbursed expenses are comprised principally of payments to investigators who oversee clinical trials and travel expenses for the Company’s clinical monitors and sales representatives. Selling, general and administrative expenses include costs related to sales, marketing, and administrative functions (including human resources, legal, finance and general management) for compensation and benefits, travel, professional services, training and expenses for information technology (“IT”), facilities and depreciation and amortization.
Concentration of Credit Risk	Concentration of Credit Risk Financial instruments that subject the Company to credit risk primarily consist of cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities and accounts receivable. The Company maintains its cash and cash equivalent balances with high-quality financial institutions and, consequently, the Company believes that such funds are subject to minimal credit risk. Investment policies have been implemented that limit purchases of marketable securities to investment grade securities. Substantially all revenues for Commercial Solutions, Research & Development Solutions and Integrated Engagement Services are earned by performing services under contracts with various pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device and healthcare companies. The concentration of credit risk is equal to the outstanding accounts receivable and unbilled services balances, less the unearned income related thereto, and such risk is subject to the financial and industry conditions of the Company’s clients. The Company does not require collateral or other securities to support client receivables. Credit losses have been immaterial and reasonably within management’s expectations. No client accounted for 10% or more of consolidated revenues in 2017, 2016 or 2015.
Restructuring Costs	Restructuring Costs Restructuring costs, which primarily include termination benefits and facility closure costs, are recorded at estimated fair value. Key assumptions in determining the restructuring costs include the terms and payments that may be negotiated to terminate certain contractual obligations and the timing of employees leaving the Company.
Merger Related Costs	Merger Related Costs Merger related costs include the direct and incremental costs associated with business combinations including (i) acquisition related costs such as investment banking, legal, accounting and consulting fees (see Footnote 15), (ii) incremental compensation costs triggered under change in control provisions in executive employment agreements, (iii) compensation and related costs of employees 100% dedicated to merger-related integration activities and (iv) severance and other termination costs associated with redundant employees. During 2016, the Company recognized $87 million of merger related costs, which includes $36 million of acquisition related costs. All of these costs are related to the Merger. Merger related costs for all other business combinations have been immaterial and are included within selling, general and administrative expenses on the consolidated statements of income.
Legal Costs	Legal Costs Legal costs are expensed as incurred.
Debt Fees	Debt Fees Fees incurred to issue debt are generally deferred and amortized as a component of interest expense over the estimated term of the related debt using the effective interest rate method.
Contingencies	Contingencies The Company records accruals for claims, suits, investigations and proceedings when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. The Company reviews claims, suits, investigations and proceedings at least quarterly and records or adjusts accruals related to such matters to reflect the impact and status of any settlements, rulings, advice of counsel or other information pertinent to a particular matter. Legal costs associated with contingencies are charged to expense as incurred. The Company is party to legal proceedings incidental to its business. While the outcome of these matters could differ from management’s expectations, the Company does not believe the resolution of these matters will have a material adverse effect to the Company’s financial statements.
Income Taxes	Income Taxes Income tax expense includes United States federal, state and international income taxes. Certain items of income and expense are not reported in income tax returns and GAAP financial statements in the same year. The income tax effects of these differences are reported as deferred income taxes. Valuation allowances are provided to reduce the related deferred income tax assets to an amount which will, more likely than not, be realized. In light of the newly enacted Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”), the Company no longer considers the undistributed earnings of its foreign subsidiaries to be indefinitely reinvested and records deferred income taxes on these earnings. The Company has provisionally recorded their U.S. deferred taxes based on the Federal corporate income tax rate of 21%. We are continuing to analyze aspects of the Tax Act and, therefore, have not finalized our accounting policy with respect to whether to (1) recognize deferred taxes for basis differences expected to reverse as Global Low Taxed Intangible Income (“GILTI”) or (2) account for GILTI as period costs if and when incurred. We have not recognized any deferred tax impacts related to GILTI or the Base Erosion Anti Abuse Tax (“BEAT”) on a provisional basis. Interest and penalties related to unrecognized income tax benefits are recognized as a component of income tax expense as discussed further in Note 18.
Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits	Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits The Company provides retirement benefits to certain employees, including defined benefit pension plans and postretirement medical plans. The determination of benefit obligations and expense is based on actuarial models. In order to measure benefit costs and obligations using these models, critical assumptions are made with regard to the discount rate, expected return on plan assets, cash balance crediting rate, lump sum conversion rate and the assumed rate of compensation increases. In addition, retiree medical care cost trend rates are a key assumption used exclusively in determining costs for the Company’s postretirement health care and life insurance benefit plans. Management reviews these critical assumptions at least annually. Other assumptions involve demographic factors such as turnover, retirement and mortality rates. Management reviews these assumptions periodically and updates them when their experience deems it appropriate to do so. IQVIA HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued The discount rate is the rate at which the benefit obligations could be effectively settled and is determined annually by management. For United States plans, the discount rate is based on results of a modeling process in which the plans’ expected cash flow (determined on a projected benefit obligation basis) is matched with spot rates developed from a yield curve comprised of high-grade (Moody’s Aa and above, or Standard and Poor’s AA and above) non-callable corporate bonds to develop the present value of the expected cash flow, and then determining the single rate (discount rate), which when applied to the expected cash flow derives that same present value. In the United Kingdom specifically, the discount rate is set based on the yields on a universe of high quality non-callable corporate bonds denominated in the British Pound, appropriate to the duration of plan liabilities. For the non-United States plans, the discount rate is based on the current yield of an index of high quality corporate bonds. The Company estimates the service and interest cost components of net periodic benefit cost for the Company’s United States and United Kingdom pension benefit plans by utilizing a full yield curve approach in the estimation of these components by applying the specific spot rates along the yield curve used in the determination of the benefit obligation to each of the underlying projected cash flows based on time until payment. Under the United States qualified retirement plan, participants have a notional retirement account that increases with pay and investment credits. The rate used to determine the investment credit (cash balance crediting rate) varies monthly. At retirement, the account is converted to a monthly retirement benefit. In selecting an expected return on plan asset assumption, the Company considers the returns being earned by each plan investment category in the fund, the rates of return expected to be available for reinvestment and long-term economic forecasts for the type of investments held by the plan. The actual return on plan assets will vary from year to year versus this assumption. The Company believes it is appropriate to use long-term expected forecasts in selecting the expected return on plan assets. As such, there can be no assurance that the Company’s actual return on plan assets will approximate the long-term expected forecasts. While the Company believes that the assumptions used are reasonable, differences in actual experience or changes in assumptions may materially affect its pension and postretirement benefit obligations and future expense. The Company’s estimated long-term rate of return on plan assets is based on the principles of capital market theory that maintain that over the long run, prudent investment risk taking is rewarded with incremental returns and that combining non-correlated assets can maximize risk adjusted portfolio returns. Long-term return estimates are developed by asset category based on actual class return data, historical relationships between asset classes and risk factors and peer plan data. Long-term return estimates for the Company’s United Kingdom pension plans are developed by asset category based on actual class return data, historical relationships between asset classes and risk factors. The Company utilizes a corridor approach to amortizing unrecognized gains and losses in the pension and postretirement benefit plans. Amortization occurs when the accumulated unrecognized net gain or loss balance exceeds the criterion of 10% of the larger of the beginning balances of the projected benefit obligation or the market-related value of the plan assets. The excess unrecognized gain or loss balance is then amortized using the straight-line method over the average remaining service life of active employees expected to receive benefits.
Share-based Compensation	Stock-based Compensation The Company accounts for stock-based compensation for stock options and stock appreciation rights under the fair value method and uses the Black-Scholes-Merton model to estimate the value of such stock-based awards granted to its employees and non-executive directors. Expected volatility is based upon the historical volatility of a peer group for a period equal to the expected term, as the Company does not have adequate history to calculate its own volatility and believes the expected volatility will approximate the historical volatility of the peer group. The Company does not currently anticipate paying dividends. The expected term represents the period of time the grants are expected to be outstanding. The risk-free interest rate is based on the United States Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of the grant. The Company accounts for its stock-based compensation for restricted stock awards and restricted stock units based on the closing market price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. The Company accounts for its stock-based compensation for performance awards based on the closing market price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant and upon the Monte Carlo simulation model
Earnings Per Share	Earnings Per Share The calculation of earnings per share is based on the weighted average number of common shares or common stock equivalents outstanding during the applicable period. The dilutive effect of common stock equivalents is excluded from basic earnings per share and is included in the calculation of diluted earnings per share. Potentially dilutive securities include outstanding stock options and unvested restricted stock units, restricted stock and performance awards. Employee equity share options, restricted stock units, restricted stock, performance awards and similar equity instruments granted by the Company are treated as potential common shares outstanding in computing diluted earnings per share. Diluted shares outstanding are calculated based on the average share price for each fiscal period using the treasury stock method. Under the treasury stock method, the amount the employee must pay for exercising stock options, the amount of compensation cost for future service that the Company has not yet recognized, and the amount of benefits that would be recorded in additional paid-in capital when the award becomes deductible for tax purposes are assumed to be used to repurchase shares.
Treasury Stock	Treasury Stock The Company records treasury stock purchases under the cost method. Upon reissuance of treasury stock, amounts in excess of the acquisition cost are credited to additional paid in capital. If the Company reissues treasury stock at an amount below its acquisition cost and additional paid in capital associated with prior treasury stock transactions is insufficient to cover the difference between the acquisition cost and the reissue price, this difference is recorded in retained earnings.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards	Recently Issued Accounting Standards Accounting pronouncements adopted In August 2016, the United States Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued new accounting guidance that eliminates the diversity in practice related to the cash flow classification of certain cash receipts and payments including debt prepayment or extinguishment payments, payments upon maturity of a zero coupon bond, payment of contingent liabilities arising from a business combination, proceeds from insurance settlements, distributions received from certain equity method investees, and cash flows related to beneficial interests obtained in a financial asset securitization. The new guidance designates the appropriate cash flow statement classification, including requirements to allocate certain components of these cash receipts and payments among operating, investing and financing activities. In the absence of specific guidance, each separately identifiable cash source and use will be classified on the basis of the nature of the underlying cash flows. The Company adopted this new accounting guidance retrospectively on January 1, 2017. The adoption of this new accounting guidance did not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. In March 2016, the FASB issued new accounting guidance that simplifies several aspects of the accounting for employee stock-based compensation transactions, including the accounting for income taxes, forfeitures, statutory tax withholding requirements, and the classification of excess income tax benefits on the statement of cash flows. Under the new accounting guidance, excess income tax benefits related to stock-based awards are reflected as a reduction of income tax expense on the statements of income and as cash provided from operating activities on the statements of cash flows. In the prior periods, these tax benefits were reflected directly in additional paid in capital and as cash provided from financing activities. The Company adopted this new accounting guidance prospectively on January 1, 2017. The adoption of this new accounting guidance did not impact the Company’s recognition of its stock-based compensation expense or its presentation of cash flows related to employee taxes paid for withheld shares. Accounting pronouncements being evaluated In August 2017, the FASB issued new accounting guidance that will allow more financial and nonfinancial hedging strategies to be eligible for hedge accounting. It also amends the presentation and disclosure requirements and changes how companies assess hedge effectiveness. It is intended to more closely align hedge accounting with companies’ risk management strategies, simplify the application of hedge accounting, and increase transparency as to the scope and results of hedging programs. The new accounting guidance will be effective for the Company on January 1, 2019. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this new accounting guidance on its consolidated financial statements. IQVIA HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued In March 2017, the FASB issued new accounting guidance that requires the service cost component of net periodic benefit cost be presented in the same income statement line item as other employee compensation costs, and requires that the other components of net periodic benefit expense be recognized in the non-operating section of the income statement. In addition, only the service cost component of net periodic benefit expense is eligible for capitalization when applicable. The new standard requires retrospective application of the change in the income statement and prospective application for the capitalization of service cost in assets. The new standard permits previously disclosed components of net benefit costs as an estimation basis for applying the retrospective presentation as a practical expedient. Utilizing the practical expedient based on amounts disclosed in Note 19, the Company will reclassify non-service components of net periodic benefit cost of $17 million and $3 million for 2017 and 2016, respectively, from selling, general and administrative expenses into other income, net. In January 2017, the FASB issued new accounting guidance that changes the definition of a business to clarify when a set of assets does not constitute a business. Under the new definition, when substantially all of the fair value of gross assets acquired (or disposed of) is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or a group of similar identifiable assets, the set of assets is generally not a business. The new accounting guidance will be effective for the Company on January 1, 2018. The adoption of this new accounting guidance may result in more acquisitions being accounted for as asset acquisitions. In February 2016, the FASB issued new accounting guidance that requires lessees to recognize almost all leases on their balance sheet as a right-of-use asset and a lease liability. The income statement will reflect lease expense for operating leases, and amortization and interest expense for financing leases. The new accounting guidance will be effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this new accounting guidance on its consolidated financial statements. In January 2016, the FASB issued new accounting guidance that modifies how entities measure equity investments and present changes in the fair value of financial liabilities. The new accounting guidance will be effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption of the presentation guidance is permitted; however, early adoption of the recognition and measurement guidance is not permitted. The adoption of this new accounting guidance is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. In May 2014, the FASB and the International Accounting Standards Board issued a converged standard on the recognition of revenue from contracts with clients. The objective of the new standard is to establish a single comprehensive revenue recognition model that is designed to create greater comparability of financial statements across industries and jurisdictions. Under the new standard, companies will be required to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to clients in amounts that reflect the consideration to which the company will be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The Company has concluded that the majority of the clinical trial arrangements will represent a single performance obligation. The Company will account for revenue for this single performance obligation over time using project cost as an input method to measure progress. The Company will be required to use significant judgment in calculating its estimated costs at completion for each contract, and will be required to update these estimates on an ongoing basis, which may result in fluctuations in revenue recognized in any given period. The Company’s arrangements in the Commercial Solutions and Integrated Engagement Services segments are generally multiple element arrangements under which current rules require the deferral of revenue when payment on a delivered unit of accounting is contingent on performing on a future unit of accounting. Under the new standard these arrangements will consist of multiple performance obligations and such deferral of revenue will in some cases be lower (or zero) when management determines that it is probable that performance on the future performance obligation will occur. Service revenues and reimbursed expenses revenues will be treated consistently and presented as one line on the consolidated statements of income for all segments. The new standard will require expanded disclosures on revenue recognition, including information about changes in assets and liabilities that result from contracts with clients. The new standard will be effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company will adopt the new standard on January 1, 2018. The Company will use the full retrospective approach to transition upon adoption, which will require the Company to recast each prior reporting period presented. The adoption of the new standard is expected to result in a revenue reduction of less than 1% in 2017 and the cumulative impact through 2017 is not expected to be material to total stockholders’ equity. The revenue impact of the new standard will be finalized upon adoption in the first quarter of 2018 and is therefore subject to change.

Summary of Significant Accoun39

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Property and Equipment at Cost Using Straight-Line Method	Property and equipment are stated at cost and are depreciated using the straight-line method over the shorter of the asset’s estimated useful life or the lease term, if related to leased property, as follows: Buildings and leasehold improvements 3 - 40 years Equipment 3 - 10 years Furniture and fixtures 5 - 10 years Transportation equipment 3 - 20 years
Definite-Lived Identifiable Intangible Assets Amortized	Definite-lived identifiable intangible assets are amortized primarily using an accelerated method that reflects the pattern in which the Company expects to benefit from the use of the asset over its estimated remaining useful life as follows: Trademarks and trade names 1 - 17 years Contract backlog and client relationships 1 - 25 years Software and related assets 1 - 9 years Databases 1 - 9 years Non-compete agreements and other 1 - 5 years

Accounts Receivable and Unbil40

Accounts Receivable and Unbilled Services (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Receivables [Abstract]
Accounts Receivable and Unbilled Services	Accounts receivable and unbilled services consist of the following (in millions): December 31, 2017 2016 Trade: Billed $ 1,229 $ 998 Unbilled services 779 723 Trade accounts receivable and unbilled services 2,008 1,721 Allowance for doubtful accounts (15 ) (14 ) Trade accounts receivable and unbilled services, net $ 1,993 $ 1,707

Investments in and Advances t41

Investments in and Advances to Unconsolidated Affiliates (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Financial Support For Nonconsolidated Legal Entity [Abstract]
Investments in and Advances to Unconsolidated Affiliates	The following is a summary of the Company’s investments in and advances to unconsolidated affiliates (in millions): December 31, 2017 2016 NovaQuest Pharma Opportunities Fund III, L.P. $ 33 $ 43 NovaQuest Pharma Opportunities Fund IV, L.P. 7 6 Cenduit TM 14 11 NostraData Pty Ltd. 8 8 Other 8 1 $ 70 $ 69

Variable Interest Entities (Tab

Variable Interest Entities (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Summary of Investments in Unconsolidated Variable Interest Entities and Estimated Maximum Exposure to Loss	As of December 31, 2017, the Company’s investments in unconsolidated variable interest entities (“VIEs”) and its estimated maximum exposure to loss were as follows (in millions): Investments in Unconsolidated VIEs Maximum Exposure to Loss NovaQuest Pharma Opportunities Fund III, L.P. $ 33 $ 40 NovaQuest Pharma Opportunities Fund IV, L.P. 7 16 Pappas Life Science Ventures V, L.P. (“Pappas Fund V”) 1 5 $ 41 $ 61

Derivatives (Tables)

Derivatives (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Summary of Fair Values of Derivative Instruments Designated as Hedges	The fair values of the Company’s derivative instruments and the line items on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets to which they were recorded are summarized in the following table (in millions): December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Balance Sheet Classification Assets Liabilities Notional Assets Liabilities Notional Derivatives designated as hedging instruments: Foreign exchange forward contracts Other current assets and liabilities $ 5 $ 4 $ 282 $ 11 $ 9 $ 300 Interest rate swaps Other current liabilities — 1 405 — 15 945 Interest rate caps Deposits and other assets 1 — 700 1 — 1,000 Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments: Interest rate swaps Other current liabilities — 8 447 — — — Foreign exchange forward contracts Other current liabilities — — — — 1 189 Total derivatives $ 6 $ 13 $ 12 $ 25
Effect of Cash Flow Hedging Instruments on Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	The effect of the Company’s cash flow hedging instruments on other comprehensive income (loss) is summarized in the following table (in millions): Year Ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 Foreign exchange forward contracts $ (5 ) $ 16 $ (1 ) Interest rate derivatives 9 8 6 Total $ 4 $ 24 $ 5 IQVIA HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued

Fair Value Measurements (Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value of Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis	The following table summarizes the fair value of the Company’s financial assets and liabilities that are measured on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2017 (in millions): Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Assets: Marketable securities $ 46 $ — $ — $ 46 Derivatives — 6 — 6 Total $ 46 $ 6 $ — $ 52 Liabilities: Derivatives $ — $ 13 $ — $ 13 Contingent consideration — — 69 69 Total $ — $ 13 $ 69 $ 82 The following table summarizes the fair value of the Company’s financial assets and liabilities that are measured on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2016 (in millions): Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Assets: Marketable securities $ 40 $ — $ — $ 40 Derivatives — 12 — 12 Total $ 40 $ 12 $ — $ 52 Liabilities: Derivatives $ — $ 25 $ — $ 25 Contingent consideration — — 18 18 Total $ — $ 25 $ 18 $ 43
Changes in Level 3 Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis	The following table summarizes the changes in Level 3 financial assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis for the year ended December 31 (in millions): Contingent Consideration – Accrued Expenses 2017 2016 2015 Balance as of January 1 $ 18 $ 4 $ 1 Business combinations 57 19 — Contingent consideration paid (4 ) (4 ) (3 ) Revaluations included in earnings and foreign currency translation adjustments (2 ) (1 ) 6 Balance as of December 31 $ 69 $ 18 $ 4

Property and Equipment (Tables)

Property and Equipment (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Property Plant And Equipment [Abstract]
Summary of Major Classes of Property and Equipment	The major classes of property and equipment were as follows (in millions): December 31, 2017 2016 Land, buildings and leasehold improvements $ 324 $ 333 Equipment 446 338 Furniture and fixtures 81 72 Transportation equipment 72 26 Property and equipment, gross 923 769 Less accumulated depreciation (483 ) (363 ) Property and equipment, net $ 440 $ 406
Schedule of Property and Equipment Depreciation Expense	Property and equipment depreciation expense was as follows (in millions): Year Ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 Depreciation expense $ 125 $ 79 $ 61

Goodwill and Identifiable Int46

Goodwill and Identifiable Intangible Assets (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Amortization Expense Associated with Identifiable Definite-Lived Intangible Assets	Amortization expense associated with identifiable definite-lived intangible assets was as follows (in millions): Year Ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 Amortization expense $ 886 $ 210 $ 67
Summary of Identifiable Intangible Assets	The following is a summary of identifiable intangible assets (in millions): As of December 31, 2017 As of December 31, 2016 Gross Amount Accumulated Amortization Net Amount Gross Amount Accumulated Amortization Net Amount Definite-lived identifiable intangible assets: Client relationships and backlog $ 4,604 $ (474 ) $ 4,130 $ 3,983 $ (125 ) $ 3,858 Trademarks, trade names and other 528 (59 ) 469 384 (15 ) 369 Databases 1,876 (468 ) 1,408 1,742 (87 ) 1,655 Software and related assets 927 (382 ) 545 619 (247 ) 372 Non-compete agreements 24 (3 ) 21 9 — 9 $ 7,959 $ (1,386 ) $ 6,573 $ 6,737 $ (474 ) $ 6,263 Indefinite-lived identifiable intangible assets: Trade names (1) $ 18 $ — $ 18 $ 127 $ — $ 127 (1) Company’s name change from QuintilesIMS to IQVIA, the classification of the Quintiles trade name changed from an indefinite-lived intangible asset to a definite-lived intangible asset.
Summary of Goodwill by Segment	The following is a summary of goodwill by segment for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 (in millions): Commercial Solutions Research & Development Solutions Integrated Engagement Services Consolidated Balance as of December 31, 2015 $ 70 $ 602 $ 48 $ 720 Business combinations 9,698 611 67 10,376 Impairment (23 ) — — (23 ) Impact of foreign currency fluctuations and other (330 ) (17 ) 1 (346 ) Balance as of December 31, 2016 9,415 1,196 116 10,727 Business combinations 403 178 — 581 Impairment (40 ) — — (40 ) Impact of foreign currency fluctuations and other 570 11 1 582 Balance as of December 31, 2017 $ 10,348 $ 1,385 $ 117 $ 11,850

Accrued Expenses (Tables)

Accrued Expenses (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Payables And Accruals [Abstract]
Accrued Expenses	December 31, (in millions) 2017 2016 Compensation, including bonuses, fringe benefits and payroll taxes $ 656 $ 610 Restructuring 84 102 Interest 45 42 Client contract related 565 502 Professional fees 76 69 Contingent consideration and deferred purchase price 59 22 Other 179 146 $ 1,664 $ 1,493

Credit Arrangements (Tables)

Credit Arrangements (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Summary of Credit Facilities	The following is a summary of the Company’s revolving credit facilities at December 31, 2017: Facility Interest Rates $1,000 million (revolving credit facility) LIBOR in the relevant currency borrowed plus a margin (margin of 2.00% at December 31, 2017) $25 million (receivables financing facility) LIBOR Market Index Rate (1.56% at December 31, 2017) plus 0.90% £10 million (approximately $13 million) general banking facility with a European headquartered bank Bank’s base rate (0.50% at December 31, 2017) plus 1%
Summary of Debt	IQVIA HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued The following table summarizes the Company’s debt at the dates indicated (dollars in millions): December 31, 2017 2016 Senior Secured Credit Facilities: Term A Loan due 2021—U.S. Dollar LIBOR at average floating rates of 3.69% $ 844 $ 888 Term A Loan due 2021—Euro LIBOR at average floating rates of 2.00% 453 419 Term B Loan due 2025—U.S. Dollar LIBOR at average floating rates of 3.69% 748 — Term B Loan due 2024—U.S. Dollar LIBOR at average floating rates of 3.69% 1,188 — Term B Loan due 2024—Euro LIBOR at average floating rates of 2.75% 1,423 — Term B Loan due 2021—U.S. Dollar LIBOR at average floating rates of 3.50% — 1,700 Term B Loan due 2021—Euro LIBOR at average floating rates of 3.75% — 765 Revolving Credit Facility due 2021: U.S. Dollar denominated borrowings—U.S. Dollar LIBOR at average floating rates of 3.47% 529 375 5.0% Senior Notes due 2026—U.S. Dollar denominated 1,050 1,050 2.875% Senior Notes due 2025—Euro denominated 503 — 3.25% Senior Notes due 2025—Euro denominated 1,707 — 3.5% Senior Notes due 2024—Euro denominated 749 658 4.125% Senior Notes due 2023—Euro denominated — 289 4.875% Senior Notes due 2023—U.S. Dollar denominated 800 800 Receivables financing facility due 2020—U.S. Dollar LIBOR at average floating rate of 2.46% 275 275 Principal amount of debt 10,269 7,219 Less: unamortized discount and debt issuance costs (44 ) (19 ) Less: current portion (103 ) (92 ) Long-term debt $ 10,122 $ 7,108
Contractual Maturities of Long-term Debt	Contractual maturities of long-term debt at December 31, 2017 are as follows (in millions): 2018 $ 103 2019 103 2020 378 2021 1,652 2022 34 Thereafter 7,999 $ 10,269

Leases (Tables)

Leases (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Leases [Abstract]
Summary of Future Minimum Lease Payments Under Operating Leases	The following is a summary of future minimum payments under operating leases that have initial or remaining non-cancelable lease terms in excess of one year at December 31, 2017 (in millions): Operating Leases 2018 $ 169 2019 135 2020 115 2021 94 2022 75 Thereafter 157 Total minimum lease payments $ 745

Stockholders' Equity (Tables)

Stockholders' Equity (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Equity [Abstract]
Schedule of Share Repurchases Made Both Under and Outside of Repurchase Program	Below is a summary of the share repurchases made both under and outside of the Repurchase Program (in millions, except per share data): Year Ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 Number of shares of common stock repurchased 30.9 14.3 7.8 Aggregate purchase price $ 2,620 $ 1,098 $ 516 Average price per share $ 84.80 $ 76.57 $ 65.56

Business Combinations (Tables)

Business Combinations (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Summary of Estimated Fair Value of Net Assets Acquired at the Date of Acquisitions	The following table summarizes the estimated fair value of the net assets acquired at the date of the acquisitions (in millions): IMS Health Quest Assets acquired: Cash and cash equivalents $ 2,031 $ 32 Accounts receivable and unbilled services 528 6 Prepaid expenses 85 1 Other current assets 145 4 Property and equipment 247 16 Goodwill 10,288 262 Other identifiable intangibles 6,435 126 Deferred income tax asset – long-term 25 — Other long-term assets 71 — Liabilities assumed: Accounts payable and accrued expenses (700 ) (13 ) Unearned income (175 ) — Current portion of long-term debt (88 ) — Other current liabilities (45 ) — Long-term debt, less current portion (6,070 ) — Deferred income tax liability – long-term (2,104 ) (10 ) Other long-term liabilities (248 ) (1 ) Net assets acquired $ 10,425 $ 423
Summary of Identifiable Intangible Assets	The other identifiable intangible assets consisted of the following (in millions): IMS Health Quest Client relationships $ 3,960 $ 74 Backlog — 33 Trade names 385 19 Databases 1,820 — Software 270 — Total other identifiable intangibles $ 6,435 $ 126 Amortized over a weighted average useful life (in years) 18 9
Schedule of Preliminary Allocations of Purchase to Certain Tangible and Intangible Assets Acquired and Goodwill	IQVIA HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued The following table provides certain financial information for these individually immaterial acquisitions, including the preliminary allocations of the purchase prices to certain tangible and intangible assets acquired and goodwill (in millions): Amortization Period 2017 2016 Total cost of acquisitions, net of cash acquired (1) $ 923 $ 136 Amounts recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheets: Goodwill $ 581 $ 88 Portion of goodwill deductible for income tax purposes 235 — Intangible assets: Client relationships 6-16 years $ 285 $ 31 Backlog 1-4 years 15 7 Non-compete agreements 2-5 years 14 9 Software 2-9 years 61 1 Trade names 1-17 years 17 — Total intangible assets $ 392 $ 48 (1) Total cost of acquisitions, net of cash acquired, includes contingent consideration and deferred purchase payments of $69 million.
IMS Health Holdings, Inc. [Member]
Summary of Pro Forma Results	The following table summarizes the pro forma results (in millions, except earnings per share): Year Ended December 31, 2016 2015 Revenues $ 7,784 $ 7,180 Reimbursed expenses 1,514 1,411 Total revenues $ 9,298 $ 8,591 Net income attributable to IQVIA Holdings Inc. $ 42 $ 450 Earnings per share attributable to common stockholders: Basic $ 0.17 $ 1.80 Diluted $ 0.17 $ 1.76

Restructuring (Tables)

Restructuring (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Restructuring And Related Activities [Abstract]
Summary of Amounts Recorded for Restructuring Plans	The following amounts were recorded for the restructuring plans (in millions): Severance and Related Costs Exit Costs Total Balance at December 31, 2015 $ 12 $ 2 $ 14 Expense, net of reversals 60 3 63 Acquisitions 80 — 80 Payments (48 ) (2 ) (50 ) Foreign currency translation and other (5 ) — (5 ) Balance at December 31, 2016 99 3 102 Expense, net of reversals 59 4 63 Payments (77 ) (4 ) (81 ) Foreign currency translation and other (1 ) 1 — Balance at December 31, 2017 $ 80 $ 4 $ 84

Income Taxes (Tables)

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Components of Income Before Income Taxes and Equity in Earnings (Losses) of Unconsolidated Affiliates	The components of income before income taxes and equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated affiliates are as follows (in millions): Year Ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 Domestic $ (495 ) $ (85 ) $ 68 Foreign 826 564 471 $ 331 $ 479 $ 539
Components of Income Tax Expense Attributable to Continuing Operations	The components of income tax expense attributable to continuing operations are as follows (in millions): Year Ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 Current expense: Federal and state $ (3 ) $ 64 $ 51 Foreign 222 129 109 219 193 160 Deferred (benefit) expense: Federal and state (1,165 ) 166 5 Foreign (41 ) (14 ) (6 ) (1,206 ) 152 (1 ) $ (987 ) $ 345 $ 159 As a result of the Tax Act, the Company recorded a provisional deferred tax benefit of $977 million related to the revaluation of deferred taxes at the newly enacted 21% rate and reversal of the deferred tax liability on undistributed earnings net of the newly enacted transition tax. IQVIA HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation	The differences between the Company’s consolidated income tax expense attributable to continuing operations and the expense computed at the 35% United States statutory income tax rate were as follows (in millions): Year Ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 Federal income tax expense at statutory rate $ 116 $ 167 $ 189 State and local income taxes, net of federal effect (13 ) — 2 Research and development (9 ) (11 ) (13 ) Foreign nontaxable interest income (7 ) (8 ) (9 ) United States taxes recorded on foreign earnings 6 252 38 Tax contingencies 17 2 (8 ) Foreign rate differential (95 ) (60 ) (49 ) Equity compensation (19 ) — — Provisional Tax Act impact (977 ) — — Other (6 ) 3 9 $ (987 ) $ 345 $ 159
Income Tax Effects of Temporary Differences from Continuing Operations that Give Rise to Significant Portions of Deferred Income Tax Assets (Liabilities)	The income tax effects of temporary differences from continuing operations that give rise to significant portions of deferred income tax assets (liabilities) are presented below (in millions): December 31, 2017 2016 Deferred income tax assets: Net operating loss and capital loss carryforwards $ 278 $ 242 Tax credit carryforwards 170 267 Accrued expenses and unearned income 46 75 Employee benefits 189 273 Other 82 32 765 889 Valuation allowance for deferred income tax assets (200 ) (153 ) Total deferred income tax assets 565 736 Deferred income tax liabilities: Undistributed foreign earnings (21 ) (590 ) Amortization and depreciation (1,334 ) (2,026 ) Other (30 ) (164 ) Total deferred income tax liabilities (1,385 ) (2,780 ) Net deferred income tax liabilities $ (820 ) $ (2,044 )
Reconciliation of Beginning and Ending Amount of Gross Unrecognized Income Tax Benefits	A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of gross unrecognized income tax benefits is presented below (in millions): Year Ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 Balance at January 1 $ 64 $ 30 $ 41 IMS Health balance as of Merger — 37 — Additions based on tax positions related to the current year 11 3 2 Additions for income tax positions of prior years 13 7 9 Impact of changes in exchange rates 4 (3 ) (1 ) Settlements with tax authorities (2 ) — — Reductions for income tax positions of prior years (2 ) (1 ) (2 ) Reductions due to the lapse of the applicable statute of limitations (6 ) (9 ) (19 ) Balance at December 31 $ 82 $ 64 $ 30
Summary of Tax Years Open for Examination	The Company conducts business globally and, as a result, files income tax returns in the United States federal jurisdiction and various state and foreign jurisdictions. In the normal course of business, the Company is subject to examination by taxing authorities throughout the world. The following table summarizes the tax years that remain open for examination by tax authorities in the most significant jurisdictions in which the Company operates: United States 2014-2016 India 2006-2017 Japan 2012-2016 United Kingdom 2016 Switzerland 2013-2016

Employee Benefit Plans (Tables)

Employee Benefit Plans (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Summary of Changes in Benefit Obligation, Plan Assets and Funded Status of Pension Benefit Plans	The following table summarizes changes in the benefit obligation, the plan assets and the funded status of the pension benefit plans (in millions): Pension Benefits United States Plans Non-United States Plans December 31 2017 2016 2017 2016 Obligation and funded status: Change in benefit obligation Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year $ 308 $ — $ 508 $ 154 Service costs 13 4 26 18 Interest cost 11 3 9 5 Expected return on plan assets — — — — Actuarial gains 25 (30 ) (2 ) (8 ) Business combinations — 333 — 377 Benefits paid (8 ) (2 ) (21 ) (9 ) Contributions — — 1 — Settlements — — (4 ) — Foreign currency fluctuations and other — — 42 (29 ) Projected benefit obligation at end of year 349 308 559 508 Change in plan assets Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year 312 — 348 87 Actual return on plan assets 53 5 17 4 Contributions 3 1 21 9 Business combinations — 308 — 284 Benefits paid (8 ) (2 ) (21 ) (9 ) Settlements — — (4 ) — Foreign currency fluctuations and other — — 30 (27 ) Fair value of plan assets at end of year 360 312 391 348 Funded status $ 11 $ 4 $ (168 ) $ (160 )
Summary of Amounts Recognized in Consolidated Balance Sheets	The following table summarizes the amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets related to the pension benefit plans (in millions): Pension Benefits United Non-United States Plans December 31 2017 2016 2017 2016 Deposits and other assets $ 55 $ 45 $ 15 $ 13 Accrued expenses 2 1 8 9 Other long-term liabilities 42 40 175 164 AOCI 33 29 (3 ) (8 )
Summary of Accumulated Benefit Obligation for Pension Benefit Plans	The following table summarizes the accumulated benefit obligation for all pension benefit plans (in millions): Pension Benefits United Non-United States Plans December 31 2017 2016 2017 2016 Accumulated benefit obligation $ 343 $ 303 $ 507 $ 469
Summary of Pension Plans with Accumulated Benefit Obligation in Excess of Plan Assets and Projected Benefit Obligations in Excess of Plan Assets	The following table provides the information for pension plans with an accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets and projected benefit obligations in excess of plan assets (in millions): Pension Benefits United Non-United States Plans December 31 2017 2016 2017 2016 Plans with accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets: Accumulated benefit obligation $ 45 $ 43 $ 442 $ 409 Fair value of plan assets 3 2 301 271 Plans with projected benefit obligation in excess of plan assets: Projected benefit obligation $ 46 $ 44 $ 492 $ 444 Fair value of plan assets 3 2 309 271
Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost and Other Changes in Plan Assets and Benefit Obligations Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	The components of net periodic benefit cost changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive loss were as follows (in millions): Pension Benefits United Non-United States Plans Year Ended December 31, 2017 2016 2017 2016 2015 Service cost $ 13 $ 4 $ 26 $ 18 $ 15 Interest cost 11 3 9 5 3 Expected return on plan assets (24 ) (6 ) (14 ) (6 ) (3 ) Amortization of actuarial losses — — 1 1 1 Net periodic benefit cost — 1 22 18 16 Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive loss: Actuarial loss (gain) – current years (4 ) (29 ) (4 ) (5 ) — Amortization of actuarial losses — — (1 ) (1 ) (1 ) Total recognized in other comprehensive income (4 ) (29 ) (5 ) (6 ) (1 ) Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other comprehensive loss $ (4 ) $ (28 ) $ 17 $ 12 $ 15
Schedule of Weighted Average Assumptions Used to Determine Net Periodic Benefit Cost and Benefit Obligations	The weighted average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost were as follows for the years ended December 31: Pension Benefits Other Postretirement Benefits United Non-United States Plans 2017 2016 2017 2016 2015 2017 2016 Discount rate 4.17 % 3.62 % 1.89 % 1.88 % 2.46 % 2.90 % 2.40 % Rate of compensation increases 3.00 % 3.00 % 5.17 % 5.27 % 4.32 % — — Expected return on plan assets 7.94 % 7.94 % 4.16 % 4.26 % 4.05 % — — The weighted average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations were as follows at December 31: Pension Benefits Other Postretirement Benefits United Non-United States Plans 2017 2016 2017 2016 2017 2016 Discount rate 3.69 % 4.17 % 1.90 % 1.68 % 2.90 % 2.90 % Rate of compensation increases 3.00 % 3.00 % 4.54 % 5.17 % — —
Schedule of Allocation of Pension Plan Assets	The Company’s pension plan weighted average asset allocations, by asset category, were as follows: Plan Assets at December 31, United Non-United States Plans Total Asset Category 2017 2016 2017 2016 2017 2016 Equity securities 69.86 % 70.09 % 47.92 % 46.09 % 58.44 % 57.43 % Debt securities 25.21 24.94 14.65 14.42 19.71 19.39 Real estate 4.93 4.97 — — 2.36 2.35 Other — — 37.43 39.49 19.49 20.83 Total 100.00 % 100.00 % 100.00 % 100.00 % 100.00 % 100.00 % The target asset allocation for the Company’s pension plans were as follows: Asset Category United Plans Non-United States Plans Total Equity securities 60-80% 35-50% 45-65% Debt securities 20-30% 10-20% 10-30% Real estate 0-10% —% 0-5% Other —% 30-45% 10-30%
Summary of Plan Assets Measured at Fair Value	The following table summarizes United States plan assets measured at fair value (in millions): December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Asset Category Level 1 Level 2 Total Level 1 Level 2 Total Domestic equities $ 37 $ — $ 37 $ 32 $ — $ 32 International equities 23 — 23 20 — 20 Corporate bonds 53 — 53 46 — 46 Real estate 18 — 18 15 — 15 Total assets in the fair value hierarchy 131 — 131 113 — 113 Common/collective trusts measured at net asset value (“NAV”) (1) — — 229 — — 199 Total $ 131 $ — $ 360 $ 113 $ — $ 312 IQVIA HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued The following table summarizes non-United States plan assets measured at fair value (in millions): December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Asset Category Level 1 Level 2 Total Level 1 Level 2 Total International equities $ — $ 66 $ 66 $ — $ 57 $ 57 Debt issued by national, state or local government 2 55 57 2 48 50 Diversified growth fund — 17 17 — 14 14 Investments funds — 7 7 — 7 7 Insurance contracts — 141 141 — 133 133 Other — 7 7 — 6 6 Total assets in the fair value hierarchy 2 293 295 2 265 267 Assets measured at NAV (1) — — 96 — — 81 Total $ 2 $ 293 $ 391 $ 2 $ 265 $ 348 (1) Certain investments that are measured at fair value using the net asset value per share (or its equivalent) practical expedient have not been classified in the fair value hierarchy. The fair value amounts presented in the above plan asset tables are intended to permit reconciliation of the fair value of plan assets in the fair value hierarchy to the plan asset amounts presented in the above funded status table as of December 31, 2017 and 2016.
Schedule of Expected Benefit Payments, Net of Expected Participants Contributions for Pension Benefits	The following benefit payments (net of expected participant contributions) for pension benefits are expected to be paid as follows (in millions): Pension Benefits 2018 $ 29 2019 30 2020 32 2021 35 2022 37 Years 2023 through 2027 218 $ 381
Estimated Fair Value of Stock Options and SARs	The Company used the following assumptions when estimating the value of the stock-based compensation for stock options and SARs issued as follows: Year Ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 Expected volatility 22 – 25% 20 – 30% 26 – 41% Weighted average expected volatility 24% 28% 34% Expected dividends 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Expected term (in years) 1.0 – 6.9 0.3 – 6.6 3.7 – 6.7 Risk-free interest rate 1.16 – 2.32% 0.32 – 2.19% 1.06 – 2.04%
Summary of Stock Option Activity	The Company’s stock option activity in 2017 is as follows (in millions, except number of options and exercise price): Number of Options Weighted Average Exercise Price Aggregate Intrinsic Value Outstanding at December 31, 2016 7,251,339 $ 34.83 $ 299 Exercised (2,957,816 ) 34.43 Canceled (212,891 ) 57.03 Outstanding at December 31, 2017 4,080,632 $ 33.97 $ 261
Schedule of Stock Options Outstanding and Exercisable	Selected information regarding the Company’s stock options as of December 31, 2017 is as follows: Options Outstanding Options Exercisable Number of Options Exercise Price Range Weighted Average Exercise Price Weighted Average Remaining Life (in Years) Number of Options Weighted Average Exercise Price 827,775 $ 8.34 — $ 18.23 $ 11.15 2.54 827,775 $ 11.15 1,219,780 18.40 — 26.05 24.21 3.09 1,219,780 24.21 823,189 28.13 — 42.74 33.07 4.59 751,032 33.52 839,003 44.45 — 64.67 57.72 6.99 431,827 56.09 370,885 $ 64.86 — $ 77.11 $ 65.28 7.12 172,635 $ 65.31
Summary of Restricted Stock Awards	The Company’s RSA activity in 2017 is as follows: Number of RSAs Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value Outstanding at December 31, 2016 367,053 $ 80.20 Granted 254,582 78.21 Vested (181,484 ) 80.20 Outstanding at December 31, 2017 440,151 $ 79.05
Summary of Performance Award Activity	The Company’s performance award activity in 2017 is as follows: Number of Performance Awards Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value Outstanding at December 31, 2016 — $ — Granted 519,206 85.76 Canceled (42,874 ) 84.90 Outstanding at December 31, 2017 476,332 $ 85.84
Stock Appreciation Rights - Stock Settled [Member]
Schedule of Stock Appreciation Rights Activity	The Company’s SSR activity in 2017 is as follows (in millions, except number of SSRs and exercise price): Number of Options Weighted Average Exercise Price Aggregate Intrinsic Value Outstanding at December 31, 2016 1,313,322 $ 62.13 $ 18 Granted 1,971,768 78.96 Exercised (123,342 ) 63.24 Canceled (236,978 ) 74.00 Outstanding at December 31, 2017 2,924,770 $ 72.47 $ 74
Stock Appreciation Rights - Cash Settled [Member]
Schedule of Stock Appreciation Rights Activity	The Company’s CSR activity in 2017 is as follows (in millions, except number of CSRs and grant price): Number of CSRs Weighted Average Grant Price Aggregate Intrinsic Value Outstanding at December 31, 2016 479,176 $ 52.42 $ 11 Granted 15,227 78.21 Exercised (117,813 ) 50.26 Canceled (39,475 ) 56.52 Outstanding at December 31, 2017 337,115 $ 53.87 $ 15
Restricted Stock Units - Stock Settled [Member]
Schedule of Restricted Stock Units Activity	The Company’s RSU activity in 2017 is as follows: Number of RSUs Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value Outstanding at December 31, 2016 1,720,817 $ 74.40 Granted 57,699 97.03 Vested (563,435 ) 72.90 Canceled (117,373 ) 71.11 Outstanding at December 31, 2017 1,097,708 $ 76.71
Restricted Stock Units - Cash Settled [Member]
Schedule of Restricted Stock Units Activity	The Company’s Cash RSU activity in 2017 is as follows: Number of Cash RSUs Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value Outstanding at December 31, 2016 — $ — Granted 9,015 95.98 Outstanding at December 31, 2017 9,015 $ 95.98

Operations by Geographic Loca55

Operations by Geographic Location (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Text Block [Abstract]
Operations within Geographic Region	The table below presents the Company’s operations by geographical location. The Company attributes revenues to geographical locations based upon where the services are performed. The Company’s operations within each geographical region are further broken down to show each country that accounts for 10% or more of the totals (in millions): Year Ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 Revenues: Americas: United States $ 3,282 $ 2,145 $ 1,788 Other 325 233 185 Americas 3,607 2,378 1,973 Europe and Africa: United Kingdom 586 461 410 Other 2,532 1,594 1,237 Europe and Africa 3,118 2,055 1,647 Asia-Pacific: Japan 763 587 443 Other 572 344 263 Asia-Pacific 1,335 931 706 Revenues 8,060 5,364 4,326 Reimbursed expenses 1,679 1,514 1,411 Total revenues $ 9,739 $ 6,878 $ 5,737
Long Lived Assets	As of December 31, (in millions) 2017 2016 Property, equipment and software, net: Americas: United States $ 623 $ 430 Other 27 25 Americas 650 455 Europe and Africa: United Kingdom 51 40 Other 208 214 Europe and Africa 259 254 Asia-Pacific: Japan 39 36 Other 37 34 Asia-Pacific 76 70 Total property, equipment and software, net $ 985 $ 779

Segments (Tables)

Segments (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Reconciliation of Revenues and Income from Segments to Consolidated	Asset information by segment is not presented, as this measure is not used by the chief operating decision maker to assess the performance of the Company. Information presented below is in millions: Year Ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 Revenues Commercial Solutions $ 3,630 $ 1,089 $ 323 Research & Development Solutions 3,647 3,478 3,159 Integrated Engagement Services 783 797 844 Total revenues 8,060 5,364 4,326 Costs of revenue Commercial Solutions 1,917 641 239 Research & Development Solutions 2,068 1,956 1,779 Integrated Engagement Services 637 639 687 Total costs of revenue 4,622 3,236 2,705 Selling, general and administrative expenses Commercial Solutions 703 214 65 Research & Development Solutions 582 579 556 Integrated Engagement Services 73 82 79 General corporate and unallocated 247 136 115 Total selling, general and administrative expenses 1,605 1,011 815 Segment profit Commercial Solutions 1,010 234 19 Research & Development Solutions 997 943 824 Integrated Engagement Services 73 76 78 Total segment profit 2,080 1,253 921 General corporate and unallocated (247 ) (136 ) (115 ) Depreciation and amortization (1,011 ) (289 ) (128 ) Restructuring costs (63 ) (71 ) (30 ) Merger related costs — (87 ) — Impairment charges (40 ) (28 ) (2 ) Total income from operations $ 719 $ 642 $ 646

Earnings Per Share (Tables)

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Reconciles the Basic to Diluted Weighted Average Shares Outstanding	The following table reconciles the basic to diluted weighted average shares outstanding (in millions): Year Ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 Basic weighted average common shares outstanding 217.8 149.1 123.0 Effect of dilutive stock options and share awards 4.8 2.9 2.6 Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding 222.6 152.0 125.6
Summary of Weighted-Average Outstanding Stock Options Excluded from Computation of Diluted Earnings Per Share	The following table presents the weighted average number of outstanding stock-based awards not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share if they are subject to performance conditions or if the effect of including such stock-based awards in the computation would be anti-dilutive (in millions): Year Ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 Shares subject to performance conditions 0.4 0.1 0.1 Shares subject to anti-dilutive stock-based awards 1.0 1.1 1.0 Total shares excluded from diluted earnings per share 1.4 1.2 1.1

Comprehensive Income (Tables)

Comprehensive Income (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Equity [Abstract]
Summary of Components of AOCI	Below is a summary of the components of AOCI (in millions): Foreign Currency Translation Derivative Instruments Defined Benefit Plans Income Taxes Total Balance at December 31, 2014 $ (56 ) $ (19 ) $ (15 ) $ 31 $ (59 ) Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications (61 ) (13 ) — 9 (65 ) Reclassification adjustments — 18 1 (6 ) 13 Balance at December 31, 2015 (117 ) (14 ) (14 ) 34 (111 ) Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications (506 ) (4 ) 34 (5 ) (481 ) Reclassification adjustments — 28 1 (7 ) 22 Balance at December 31, 2016 (623 ) 10 21 22 (570 ) Other comprehensive income before reclassifications 406 5 8 197 616 Reclassification adjustments — (1 ) 1 — — Balance at December 31, 2017 $ (217 ) $ 14 $ 30 $ 219 $ 46
Summary of (Gains) Losses Reclassified from AOCI into Consolidated Statements of Income and Affected Financial Statement Line Item	Below is a summary of the (gains) losses reclassified from AOCI into the consolidated statements of income and the affected financial statement line item (in millions): Year Ended December 31, Reclassification Adjustments Affected Financial Statement Line Item 2017 2016 2015 Derivative instruments: Interest rate swaps and caps Interest expense $ — $ 6 $ 12 Foreign exchange forward contracts Revenues 7 19 6 Foreign exchange forward contracts Other expense (income), net (8 ) 3 — Total before income taxes (1 ) 28 18 Income tax (benefit) expense — 7 6 Total net of income taxes $ (1 ) $ 21 $ 12 Defined benefit plans: Amortization of actuarial losses See Note 19 $ 1 $ 1 $ 1 Income tax (benefit) expense — — — Total net of income taxes $ 1 $ 1 $ 1

Supplemental Cash Flow Inform59

Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]
Supplemental Cash Flow Information	The following table presents the Company’s supplemental cash flow information (in millions): Year Ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 Supplemental Cash Flow Information: Interest paid $ 320 $ 124 $ 82 Income taxes paid, net of refunds $ 195 $ 106 $ 121 Non-cash Investing Activities: Fair value of consideration transferred in connection with business combinations $ — $ 10,425 $ 423

Quarterly Financial Data (Una60

Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Unaudited Quarterly Results of Operations	The following table summarizes the Company’s unaudited quarterly results of operations (in millions, except per share data): 2017 First Quarter Second Quarter Third Quarter Fourth Quarter Revenues $ 1,911 $ 1,969 $ 2,019 $ 2,161 Income from operations 168 151 197 203 Net income 76 79 89 1,084 Net income attributable to non-controlling interests (2 ) (4 ) (5 ) (8 ) Net income attributable to IQVIA Holdings Inc. (1) $ 74 $ 75 $ 84 $ 1,076 Basic earnings per share (2) $ 0.32 $ 0.35 $ 0.39 $ 5.14 Diluted earnings per share (2) $ 0.31 $ 0.34 $ 0.38 $ 5.02 2016 First Quarter Second Quarter Third Quarter Fourth Quarter (3) Revenues $ 1,108 $ 1,167 $ 1,136 $ 1,953 Income from operations 179 151 168 144 Net income (loss) 109 92 104 (175 ) Net income attributable to non-controlling interests (2 ) (5 ) (5 ) (3 ) Net income (loss) attributable to IQVIA Holdings Inc. $ 107 $ 87 $ 99 $ (178 ) Basic earnings (loss) per share (2) $ 0.89 $ 0.73 $ 0.83 $ (0.74 ) Diluted earnings (loss) per share (2) $ 0.88 $ 0.71 $ 0.82 $ (0.74 ) (1) The significant increase during the fourth quarter of 2017 is due to the enactment of the Tax Act. See Note 18 for additional details. (2) The sum of the quarterly per share amounts may not equal per share amounts reported for year-to-date periods. This is due to changes in the number of weighted average shares outstanding and the effects of rounding for each period. (3 ) The fourth quarter of 2016 includes the results of operations of IMS Health since the date of the Merger on October 3, 2016.

Summary of Significant Accoun61

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	Oct. 03, 2016	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)EmployeeCountry$ / shares	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)$ / shares	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Number of employees | Employee			55,000
Common stock, par value | $ / shares			$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Foreign currency net losses (gains)			$ 40	$ 6	$ (5)
Capitalized and amortized expense related to software and related assets			134	44	38
Impairment charges			$ 40	28	$ 2
Contract termination period			Most contracts may be terminated upon 30 to 90 days notice by the client, however, in the event of termination, contract provisions typically require payment for services rendered through the date of termination, as well as for subsequent services rendered to close out the contract.
Percentage of employees compensation cost			100.00%
Merger related costs				87
Acquisition related costs				36
Federal corporate income tax rate			35.00%
Method used to amortize net gains and losses			The Company utilizes a corridor approach to amortizing unrecognized gains and losses in the pension and postretirement benefit plans. Amortization occurs when the accumulated unrecognized net gain or loss balance exceeds the criterion of 10% of the larger of the beginning balances of the projected benefit obligation or the market-related value of the plan assets. The excess unrecognized gain or loss balance is then amortized using the straight-line method over the average remaining service life of active employees expected to receive benefits.
Other Income [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Net periodic benefit cost, other income			$ 17	3
Scenario Forecast [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Federal corporate income tax rate		21.00%
Accrued Expenses [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Accrued loyalty			$ 143	131
IMS Health Holdings, Inc. [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Date of Acquisition	Oct. 3, 2016		Oct. 3, 2016
Business acquisition through merger, agreement date			May 3, 2016
Common stock, par value | $ / shares			$ 0.01
Acquisition related costs				$ 36
IMS Health Holdings, Inc. [Member] | Common Stock [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Merger agreement, stock for stock exchange ratio	38.40%
Minimum [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Number of countries | Country			100
Subscription arrangements terms			1 year
Maximum [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Subscription arrangements terms			3 years
Maximum [Member] | Accounting Standards Update 2014-09 [Member]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
New accounting pronouncement effect revenue reduction percentage			1.00%

Summary of Significant Accoun62

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Property and Equipment at Cost Using Straight-Line Method (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Buildings and leasehold improvements [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, Estimated useful life, Years	3 years
Buildings and leasehold improvements [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, Estimated useful life, Years	40 years
Equipment [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, Estimated useful life, Years	3 years
Equipment [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, Estimated useful life, Years	10 years
Furniture and fixtures [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, Estimated useful life, Years	5 years
Furniture and fixtures [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, Estimated useful life, Years	10 years
Transportation equipment [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, Estimated useful life, Years	3 years
Transportation equipment [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, Estimated useful life, Years	20 years

Summary of Significant Accoun63

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Definite-lived identifiable intangible assets amortized (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Trademarks and trade names [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Definite-lived intangible assets, Estimated useful life, Years	1 year
Trademarks and trade names [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Definite-lived intangible assets, Estimated useful life, Years	17 years
Contract backlog and client relationships [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Definite-lived intangible assets, Estimated useful life, Years	1 year
Contract backlog and client relationships [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Definite-lived intangible assets, Estimated useful life, Years	25 years
Software and related assets [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Definite-lived intangible assets, Estimated useful life, Years	1 year
Software and related assets [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Definite-lived intangible assets, Estimated useful life, Years	9 years
Databases [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Definite-lived intangible assets, Estimated useful life, Years	1 year
Databases [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Definite-lived intangible assets, Estimated useful life, Years	9 years
Non-compete agreements and other [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Definite-lived intangible assets, Estimated useful life, Years	1 year
Non-compete agreements and other [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Definite-lived intangible assets, Estimated useful life, Years	5 years

Accounts Receivable and Unbil64

Accounts Receivable and Unbilled Services - Accounts Receivable and Unbilled Services (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Trade:
Billed	$ 1,229	$ 998
Unbilled services	779	723
Trade accounts receivable and unbilled services	2,008	1,721
Allowance for doubtful accounts	(15)	(14)
Trade accounts receivable and unbilled services, net	$ 1,993	$ 1,707

Investments in and Advances t65

Investments in and Advances to Unconsolidated Affiliates - Investments in and Advances to Unconsolidated Affiliates (Detail) AUD in Thousands, $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)	Nov. 30, 2015USD ($)	Nov. 30, 2015AUD
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates [Line Items]
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates	$ 70	$ 69
NovaQuest Pharma Opportunities Fund lll, L.P [Member]
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates [Line Items]
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates	33	43
NovaQuest Pharma Opportunities Fund lV, L.P [Member]
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates [Line Items]
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates	7	6
Cenduit TM [Member]
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates [Line Items]
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates	14	11
NostraData Pty Ltd. [Member]
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates [Line Items]
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates	8	8	$ 9	AUD 10,250
Other [Member]
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates [Line Items]
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates	$ 8	$ 1

Investments in and Advances t66

Investments in and Advances to Unconsolidated Affiliates - Additional Information (Detail) AUD in Thousands, $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)	May 31, 2017USD ($)Location	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)	Nov. 30, 2015USD ($)	Nov. 30, 2015AUD
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates	$ 70		$ 69
NovaQuest Pharma Opportunities Fund lll, L.P [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Committed to invest fund	50
Commitment funded	43
Funding commitments	$ 7
Beneficial ownership in common stock	10.90%		10.90%
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates	$ 33		$ 43
NovaQuest Pharma Opportunities Fund lV, L.P [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Committed to invest fund	20
Commitment funded	11
Funding commitments	$ 9
Beneficial ownership in common stock	2.30%		2.30%
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates	$ 7		$ 6
Cenduit TM [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Number of locations | Location		3
Ownership interest		50.00%
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates	14		11
Cenduit TM [Member] | United Kingdom [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Amount of initial capital		$ 4
Cenduit TM [Member] | United States [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Amount of initial capital		4
Cenduit TM [Member] | Switzerland [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Amount of initial capital		$ 4
NostraData Pty Ltd. [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Beneficial ownership in common stock				24.00%	24.00%
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates	$ 8		$ 8	$ 9	AUD 10,250

Variable Interest Entities - Su

Variable Interest Entities - Summary of Investments in Unconsolidated Variable Interest Entities and Estimated Maximum Exposure to Loss (Detail)	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Maximum Exposure to Loss	$ 61,000,000
NovaQuest Pharma Opportunities Fund lll, L.P [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Investments in Unconsolidated VIEs	33,000,000
Maximum Exposure to Loss	40,000,000
NovaQuest Pharma Opportunities Fund lV, L.P [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Investments in Unconsolidated VIEs	7,000,000
Maximum Exposure to Loss	16,000,000
Pappas Life Science Ventures V, L.P. (“Pappas Fund V”)
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Investments in Unconsolidated VIEs	1,000,000
Maximum Exposure to Loss	5,000,000
Variable Interest Entity Primary Beneficiary [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Investments in Unconsolidated VIEs	$ 41,000,000

Derivatives - Additional Inform

Derivatives - Additional Information (Detail) € in Millions	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	May 31, 2015USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)CountryDerivative	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)Derivative	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017EUR (€)CountryDerivative	Jun. 03, 2015Agreement	Apr. 30, 2014USD ($)	Jun. 09, 2011Agreement
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Number of interest rate contracts | Agreement							7
Losses related to contracts		$ (1,000,000)
Interest swaps accrual beginning date		Jun. 30, 2016
Payment to terminate hedge accounting	$ 1,000,000
Interest rate cash flow hedge loss to be reclassified during first three months, net				$ 3,000,000
Borrowings, net of original issue discount		$ 10,269,000,000
Foreign exchange losses related to net investment hedge		557,000,000
Losses related to contracts		1,000,000
Foreign Currency Denominated Debt [Member]
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Borrowings, net of original issue discount		$ 4,835,000,000				€ 4,036
IMS Health Holdings, Inc. [Member] | Derivatives Designated As Cash Flow Hedges [Member] | LIBOR [Member]
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Derivative variable interest rates								1.00%
IMS Health Holdings, Inc. [Member] | Derivatives Designated As Cash Flow Hedges [Member] | EURIBOR [Member]
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Derivative variable interest rates								1.00%
Accrued Interest [Member]
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Payment to terminate hedge accounting	$ 12,000,000
Minimum [Member]
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Number of countries | Country		100				100
Interest rate swaps expiry date		Mar. 31, 2018
Maximum [Member]
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Interest rate swaps expiry date		Mar. 31, 2020
Foreign Exchange Risk Management [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Number of countries | Country		100				100
Service Contract Hedging and Royalty Hedging Contracts [Member]
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Number of interest rate contracts | Derivative		57	62			57
Notional amount		$ 282,000,000
Gains related to contracts		5,000,000	$ 11,000,000
Losses related to contracts		$ (4,000,000)	(9,000,000)
Expiration year of hedge instruments		2,018
Losses related to contracts		$ 4,000,000	$ 9,000,000
Service Contract Hedging and Royalty Hedging Contracts [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Interest rate swaps expiry date		Nov. 30, 2018
Six Interest Rate Swaps [Member]
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Number of interest rate contracts | Agreement									6
Interest swaps accrual beginning date		Jun. 9, 2011
Six Interest Rate Swaps [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Interest rate swaps expiry date		Sep. 30, 2013
Six Interest Rate Swaps [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Interest rate swaps expiry date		Mar. 31, 2016
Interest Rate Cap [Member] | IMS Health Holdings, Inc. [Member] | Derivatives Designated As Cash Flow Hedges [Member]
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Notional amount								$ 1,000,000,000
Effective description of interest rate swaps		effective at various times between April 2014 and April 2016
Expiration description of interest rate swaps		expire at various times between April 2017
Premiums paid for interest rate caps					$ 21,000,000
Interest Rate Cap [Member] | Minimum [Member] | IMS Health Holdings, Inc. [Member] | Derivatives Designated As Cash Flow Hedges [Member]
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Interest rate caps range of strike rates								2.00%
Interest Rate Cap [Member] | Maximum [Member] | IMS Health Holdings, Inc. [Member] | Derivatives Designated As Cash Flow Hedges [Member]
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Interest rate caps range of strike rates								3.00%
2014 Swaps [Member] | IMS Health Holdings, Inc. [Member] | Derivatives Designated As Cash Flow Hedges [Member]
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Notional amount								$ 600,000,000
Effective description of interest rate swaps		effective between April and June 2014
Expiration description of interest rate swaps		expire at various times from March 2017 through March 2021
2014 Swaps [Member] | Minimum [Member] | IMS Health Holdings, Inc. [Member] | Derivatives Designated As Cash Flow Hedges [Member]
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Derivative swap interest rate								1.40%
2014 Swaps [Member] | Maximum [Member] | IMS Health Holdings, Inc. [Member] | Derivatives Designated As Cash Flow Hedges [Member]
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Derivative swap interest rate								2.10%
2015 Swaps [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Derivative fixed interest rate		1.60%				1.60%
2015 Swaps [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Derivative fixed interest rate		2.10%				2.10%
2014 EUR Swaps [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Other Liabilities [Member]
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Notional amount		$ 347,000,000
2015 Swaps [Member] | Fixed Rate Debt [Member]
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Interest rate swaps effectively converted percent		55.00%				55.00%
2015 Swaps [Member] | Variable Rate Debt [Member]
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Interest rate swaps effectively converted percent		45.00%				45.00%
2014 USD Swaps [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Other Liabilities [Member]
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Notional amount		$ 100,000,000

Derivatives - Summary of Fair V

Derivatives - Summary of Fair Values of Derivative Instruments Designated as Hedges (Detail) - USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Derivatives Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative asset fair value	$ 6,000,000	$ 12,000,000
Derivative liability fair value	13,000,000	25,000,000
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Other Current Assets and Liabilities [Member] | Foreign Exchange Forward Contracts [Member]
Derivatives Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative asset fair value	5,000,000	11,000,000
Derivative liability fair value	4,000,000	9,000,000
Derivative notional amount	282,000,000	300,000,000
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Other Current Liabilities [Member] | 2014 Swaps [Member]
Derivatives Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative liability fair value	1,000,000	15,000,000
Derivative notional amount	405,000,000	945,000,000
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Deposits and Other Assets [Member] | Interest Rate Cap [Member]
Derivatives Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative asset fair value	1,000,000	1,000,000
Derivative notional amount	700,000,000	1,000,000,000
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Other Current Liabilities [Member] | Foreign Exchange Forward Contracts [Member]
Derivatives Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative liability fair value		1,000,000
Derivative notional amount		$ 189,000,000
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Other Current Liabilities [Member] | 2014 Swaps [Member]
Derivatives Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative liability fair value	8,000,000
Derivative notional amount	$ 447,000,000

Derivatives - Effect of Cash Fl

Derivatives - Effect of Cash Flow Hedging Instruments on Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Detail) - Derivatives Designated As Cash Flow Hedges [Member] - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Effect of cash flow hedging instruments on other comprehensive income (loss)	$ 4	$ 24	$ 5
Foreign Exchange Forward Contracts [Member]
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Effect of cash flow hedging instruments on other comprehensive income (loss)	(5)	16	(1)
Interest Rate Swaps [Member]
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Effect of cash flow hedging instruments on other comprehensive income (loss)	$ 9	$ 8	$ 6

Fair Value Measurements - Addit

Fair Value Measurements - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Other identifiable intangibles, net	$ 6,591	$ 6,390
Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of total debt	10,432		$ 7,298
Level 3 [Member] | Non-recurring Fair Value Measurements [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of assets	18,519
Cost and equity method investments	78
Goodwill	11,850
Other identifiable intangibles, net	$ 6,591

Fair Value Measurements - Fair

Fair Value Measurements - Fair Value of Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis (Detail) - Recurring Fair Value Measurements [Member] - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of assets	$ 52	$ 52
Fair value of liabilities	82	43
Derivatives [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of assets	6	12
Fair value of liabilities	13	25
Contingent Consideration [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of liabilities	69	18
Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of assets	46	40
Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of assets	6	12
Fair value of liabilities	13	25
Level 2 [Member] | Derivatives [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of assets	6	12
Fair value of liabilities	13	25
Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of liabilities	69	18
Level 3 [Member] | Contingent Consideration [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of liabilities	69	18
Marketable Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of assets	46	40
Marketable Securities [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of assets	$ 46	$ 40

Fair Value Measurements - Chang

Fair Value Measurements - Changes in Level 3 Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis (Detail) - Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses [Member] - Contingent Consideration [Member] - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Fair Value Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Beginning Balance, Contingent Consideration	$ 18	$ 4	$ 1
Business combinations	57	19	0
Contingent consideration paid	(4)	(4)	(3)
Revaluations included in earnings and foreign currency translation adjustments	(2)	(1)	6
Ending Balance, Contingent Consideration	$ 69	$ 18	$ 4

Property and Equipment - Summar

Property and Equipment - Summary of Major Classes of Property and Equipment (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	$ 923	$ 769
Less accumulated depreciation	(483)	(363)
Property and equipment, net	440	406
Land, buildings and leasehold improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	324	333
Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	446	338
Furniture and fixtures [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	81	72
Transportation equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	$ 72	$ 26

Property and Equipment -Schedul

Property and Equipment -Schedule of Property and Equipment Depreciation Expense (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Property Plant And Equipment Capitalized Interest Costs [Abstract]
Depreciation expense	$ 125	$ 79	$ 61

Goodwill and Identifiable Int76

Goodwill and Identifiable Intangible Assets - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Impairment Of Goodwill And Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Identifiable intangible assets		$ 6,591	$ 6,390
Identifiable intangible assets related to trade name		18
Estimated amortization expense, 2018		983
Estimated amortization expense, 2019		988
Estimated amortization expense, 2020		917
Estimated amortization expense, 2021		765
Estimated amortization expense, 2022		407
Goodwill impairment loss		40	28	$ 23
Encore [Member]
Impairment Of Goodwill And Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Goodwill impairment loss	$ 39.6	39.6	23
Intangible assets impairment loss	$ 0.4	0.4	$ 5
Accumulated goodwill impairment losses		$ 63

Goodwill and Identifiable Int77

Goodwill and Identifiable Intangible Assets - Summary of Amortization Expense Associated with Identifiable Definite-Lived Intangible Assets (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Amortization expense	$ 886	$ 210	$ 67

Goodwill and Identifiable Int78

Goodwill and Identifiable Intangible Assets - Summary of Identifiable Intangible Assets (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Identifiable Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Amount	$ 7,959	$ 6,737
Accumulated Amortization	(1,386)	(474)
Net Amount	6,573	6,263
Trade names [Member]
Identifiable Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Amount	18	127
Client relationships and backlog [Member]
Identifiable Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Amount	4,604	3,983
Accumulated Amortization	(474)	(125)
Net Amount	4,130	3,858
Trademarks and trade names [Member]
Identifiable Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Amount	528	384
Accumulated Amortization	(59)	(15)
Net Amount	469	369
Databases [Member]
Identifiable Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Amount	1,876	1,742
Accumulated Amortization	(468)	(87)
Net Amount	1,408	1,655
Software and related assets [Member]
Identifiable Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Amount	927	619
Accumulated Amortization	(382)	(247)
Net Amount	545	372
Non-compete agreements [Member]
Identifiable Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Amount	24	9
Accumulated Amortization	(3)
Net Amount	$ 21	$ 9

Goodwill and Identifiable Int79

Goodwill and Identifiable Intangible Assets - Summary of Goodwill by Segment (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Goodwill [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	$ 10,727	$ 720
Business combinations	581		$ 10,376
Impairment	(40)	(28)	(23)
Impact of foreign currency fluctuations and other	582		(346)
Ending Balance	11,850	10,727	720
Commercial Solutions [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	9,415	70
Business combinations	403		9,698
Impairment	(40)		(23)
Impact of foreign currency fluctuations and other	570		(330)
Ending Balance	10,348	9,415	70
Research & Development Solutions [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	1,196	602
Business combinations	178		611
Impact of foreign currency fluctuations and other	11		(17)
Ending Balance	1,385	1,196	602
Integrated Engagement Services [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	116	48
Business combinations			67
Impact of foreign currency fluctuations and other	1		1
Ending Balance	$ 117	$ 116	$ 48

Accrued Expenses - Accrued Expe

Accrued Expenses - Accrued Expenses (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]
Compensation, including bonuses, fringe benefits and payroll taxes	$ 656	$ 610
Restructuring	84	102
Interest	45	42
Client contract related	565	502
Professional fees	76	69
Contingent consideration and deferred purchase price	59	22
Other	179	146
Total	$ 1,664	$ 1,493

Credit Arrangements - Summary o

Credit Arrangements - Summary of Credit Facilities (Detail)	Dec. 15, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017GBP (£)
Revolving credit facility [Member]
Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Facility		$ 1,000,000,000
Interest Rate Description		LIBOR in the relevant currency borrowed plus a margin (margin of 2.00% at December 31, 2017)
Revolving credit facility [Member] | LIBOR [Member]
Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Rate		2.00%	2.00%
Receivables Financing Facility [Member]
Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Facility		$ 25,000,000
Interest Rate Description		LIBOR Market Index Rate (1.56% at December 31, 2017) plus 0.90%
Rate		1.56%	1.56%
Receivables Financing Facility [Member] | LIBOR [Member]
Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Interest Rate Description		In addition, the applicable margin (over LIBOR) changed to 90 bps regardless of the Company’s credit rating. Prior to the amendment, the margin was based on the Company’s credit rating and could range from 85 bps to 135 bps.
Interest Rate spread on base rate	0.90%	0.90%
General Banking Facility [Member]
Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Facility		$ 13,000,000	£ 10,000,000
Interest Rate Description		Bank’s base rate (0.50% at December 31, 2017) plus 1%
General Banking Facility [Member] | Base Rate [Member]
Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Rate		0.50%	0.50%
Interest Rate spread on base rate		1.00%

Credit Arrangements - Summary82

Credit Arrangements - Summary of Debt (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 18, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Senior Secured Credit Facilities:
Principal amount of debt	$ 10,269		$ 7,219
Less: unamortized discount and debt issuance costs	(44)		(19)
Less: current portion	(103)		(92)
Long-term debt	10,122		7,108
Due in 2025 [Member] | Senior Secured Term B Loan [Member]
Senior Secured Credit Facilities:
Principal amount of debt		$ 750
U.S Dollars [Member] | Due in 2021 [Member] | Revolving credit facility [Member] | LIBOR [Member]
Senior Secured Credit Facilities:
Principal amount of debt	529		375
U.S Dollars [Member] | Due in 2021 [Member] | Senior Secured Term A Loan [Member] | LIBOR [Member]
Senior Secured Credit Facilities:
Principal amount of debt	844		888
U.S Dollars [Member] | Due in 2021 [Member] | Senior Secured Term B Loan [Member] | LIBOR [Member]
Senior Secured Credit Facilities:
Principal amount of debt			1,700
U.S Dollars [Member] | Due in 2025 [Member] | Senior Secured Term B Loan [Member] | LIBOR [Member]
Senior Secured Credit Facilities:
Principal amount of debt	748
U.S Dollars [Member] | Due in 2024 [Member] | Senior Secured Term B Loan [Member] | LIBOR [Member]
Senior Secured Credit Facilities:
Principal amount of debt	1,188
U.S Dollars [Member] | Due in 2026 [Member] | 5.0% Senior Notes [Member]
Senior Secured Credit Facilities:
Principal amount of debt	1,050		1,050
U.S Dollars [Member] | Due in 2023 [Member] | 4.875% Senior Notes [Member]
Senior Secured Credit Facilities:
Principal amount of debt	800		800
U.S Dollars [Member] | Due in 2020 [Member] | Receivables Financing Facility [Member] | LIBOR [Member]
Senior Secured Credit Facilities:
Principal amount of debt	275		275
EUR Dollars [Member] | Due in 2021 [Member] | Senior Secured Term A Loan [Member] | LIBOR [Member]
Senior Secured Credit Facilities:
Principal amount of debt	453		419
EUR Dollars [Member] | Due in 2021 [Member] | Senior Secured Term B Loan [Member] | LIBOR [Member]
Senior Secured Credit Facilities:
Principal amount of debt			765
EUR Dollars [Member] | Due in 2025 [Member] | 2.875% Senior Notes [Member]
Senior Secured Credit Facilities:
Principal amount of debt	503
EUR Dollars [Member] | Due in 2025 [Member] | 3.25% Senior Notes [Member]
Senior Secured Credit Facilities:
Principal amount of debt	1,707
EUR Dollars [Member] | Due in 2024 [Member] | Senior Secured Term B Loan [Member] | LIBOR [Member]
Senior Secured Credit Facilities:
Principal amount of debt	1,423
EUR Dollars [Member] | Due in 2024 [Member] | 3.5% Senior Notes [Member]
Senior Secured Credit Facilities:
Principal amount of debt	$ 749		658
EUR Dollars [Member] | Due in 2023 [Member] | 4.125% Senior Notes [Member]
Senior Secured Credit Facilities:
Principal amount of debt			$ 289

Credit Arrangements - Summary83

Credit Arrangements - Summary of Debt (Parenthetical) (Detail)	Sep. 18, 2017	Mar. 07, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017
Senior Secured Term A Loan [Member] | Due in 2021 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt maturity year			2,021
Senior Secured Term B Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt maturity year		2,024
Senior Secured Term B Loan [Member] | Due in 2021 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt maturity year			2,021
Senior Secured Term B Loan [Member] | Due in 2025 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt maturity year	2,025		2,025
Senior Secured Term B Loan [Member] | Due in 2024 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt maturity year			2,024
Senior Secured Term B Loan [Member] | U.S Dollars [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument interest rate terms, Description			LIBOR with a floor of 0.75%, plus a margin of 2.00% for an all-in interest rate of 3.69%
Senior Secured Term B Loan [Member] | EUR Dollars [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument interest rate terms, Description			LIBOR with a floor of 0.75%, plus a margin of 2.00% for an all-in interest rate of 2.75%
5.0% Senior Notes [Member] | Due in 2026 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt maturity year			2,026
5.0% Senior Notes [Member] | U.S Dollars [Member] | Due in 2026 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Rate			5.00%
2.875% Senior Notes [Member] | Due in 2025 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt maturity year			2,025
2.875% Senior Notes [Member] | EUR Dollars [Member] | Due in 2025 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Rate			2.875%
3.25% Senior Notes [Member] | Due in 2025 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt maturity year			2,025
3.25% Senior Notes [Member] | EUR Dollars [Member] | Due in 2025 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Rate			3.25%
3.5% Senior Notes [Member] | Due in 2024 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt maturity year			2,024
3.5% Senior Notes [Member] | EUR Dollars [Member] | Due in 2024 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Rate			3.50%
4.125% Senior Notes [Member] | Due in 2023 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt maturity year			2,023
4.125% Senior Notes [Member] | EUR Dollars [Member] | Due in 2023 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Rate			4.125%
4.875% Senior Notes [Member] | Due in 2023 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt maturity year			2,023
4.875% Senior Notes [Member] | U.S Dollars [Member] | Due in 2023 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Rate			4.875%
Receivables Financing Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt maturity year			2,020
Rate			1.56%
Debt instrument interest rate terms, Description			LIBOR at average floating rate of 2.46%
Revolving credit facility [Member] | Due in 2021 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt maturity year			2,021
LIBOR [Member] | Senior Secured Term A Loan [Member] | U.S Dollars [Member] | Due in 2021 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Rate			3.69%
LIBOR [Member] | Senior Secured Term A Loan [Member] | EUR Dollars [Member] | Due in 2021 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Rate			2.00%
LIBOR [Member] | Senior Secured Term B Loan [Member] | U.S Dollars [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Rate			2.00%
LIBOR [Member] | Senior Secured Term B Loan [Member] | U.S Dollars [Member] | Due in 2021 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Rate			3.50%
LIBOR [Member] | Senior Secured Term B Loan [Member] | U.S Dollars [Member] | Due in 2025 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Rate			3.69%
LIBOR [Member] | Senior Secured Term B Loan [Member] | U.S Dollars [Member] | Due in 2024 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Rate			3.69%
LIBOR [Member] | Senior Secured Term B Loan [Member] | EUR Dollars [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Rate			2.00%
LIBOR [Member] | Senior Secured Term B Loan [Member] | EUR Dollars [Member] | Due in 2021 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Rate			3.75%
LIBOR [Member] | Senior Secured Term B Loan [Member] | EUR Dollars [Member] | Due in 2024 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Rate			2.75%
LIBOR [Member] | Receivables Financing Facility [Member] | U.S Dollars [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Rate			2.46%
LIBOR [Member] | Revolving credit facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Rate			2.00%
LIBOR [Member] | Revolving credit facility [Member] | U.S Dollars [Member] | Due in 2021 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Rate			3.47%

Credit Arrangements - Contractu

Credit Arrangements - Contractual Maturities of Long-term Debt (Detail) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
2,018	$ 103
2,019	103
2,020	378
2,021	1,652
2,022	34
Thereafter	7,999
Long-term debt	$ 10,269

Credit Arrangements - Senior Se

Credit Arrangements - Senior Secured Credit Agreement and Senior Notes - Additional Information (Detail)

Dec. 15, 2017

Sep. 18, 2017USD ($)

Sep. 14, 2017USD ($)

Mar. 07, 2017USD ($)

Nov. 01, 2016USD ($)

Oct. 03, 2016USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2017GBP (£)

Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2017EUR (€)

Dec. 31, 2017GBP (£)

Sep. 17, 2017

Sep. 14, 2017EUR (€)

Mar. 07, 2017EUR (€)

Feb. 28, 2017USD ($)

Feb. 28, 2017EUR (€)

Sep. 28, 2016USD ($)

Sep. 28, 2016EUR (€)

Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Outstanding borrowings

$ 10,269,000,000

$ 7,219,000,000

Loss on extinguishment of debt

(19,000,000)

(31,000,000)

$ (8,000,000)

Term A loans due 2019 [Member]

Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Debt instrument principal amount

$ 884,000,000

Term A loan facility due in 2021 [member]

Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Debt instrument principal amount

1,350,000,000

Revolving credit facility [Member]

Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Aggregate maximum principal amount

$ 1,000,000,000

Interest Rate Description

LIBOR in the relevant currency borrowed plus a margin (margin of 2.00% at December 31, 2017)

LIBOR in the relevant currency borrowed plus a margin (margin of 2.00% at December 31, 2017)

Revolving credit facility [Member] | LIBOR [Member]

Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Rate

2.00%

2.00%

2.00%

Revolving credit facility [Member] | Due in 2021 [Member]

Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Debt maturity year

2,021

2,021

Revolving credit facility [Member] | Due in 2021 [Member] | LIBOR [Member] | U.S Dollars [Member]

Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Outstanding borrowings

$ 529,000,000

375,000,000

Rate

3.47%

3.47%

3.47%

Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Debt instrument principal amount

1,000,000,000

General Banking Facility [Member]

Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Bank guarantees

$ 4,000,000

£ 3,000,000

Aggregate maximum principal amount

$ 13,000,000

£ 10,000,000

Interest Rate Description

Bank’s base rate (0.50% at December 31, 2017) plus 1%

Bank’s base rate (0.50% at December 31, 2017) plus 1%

Senior Secured Credit Facilities [Member]

Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Aggregate maximum principal amount

$ 5,656,000,000

Outstanding borrowings

5,185,000,000

Available borrowing capacity

471,000,000

Senior Secured Credit Facilities [Member] | Term Loans [Member] | IMS Health Holdings, Inc. [Member]

Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Repayments Of Long Term Debt

$ 1,389,000,000

Senior Secured Credit Facilities [Member] | Revolving credit facility [Member]

Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Current borrowing capacity

$ 1,000,000,000

Two Thousand And Twenty Five Notes | Quintiles IMS Incorporated [Member]

Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Debt instrument, maturity date

Sep. 15, 2025

Sep. 15, 2025

Two Thousand And Twenty Five Notes | Unsecured Debt | Quintiles IMS Incorporated [Member]

Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Debt instrument issuance date

Sep. 14, 2017

Sep. 14, 2017

Debt instrument interest payment terms

interest rate of 2.875%, which is paid semi-annually on March 15 and September 15 of each year, beginning on March 15, 2018

interest rate of 2.875%, which is paid semi-annually on March 15 and September 15 of each year, beginning on March 15, 2018

Debt instrument frequency of periodic interest payment

semi-annually

semi-annually

Two Thousand And Twenty Five Notes | Unsecured Debt | Prior to September 15, 2020 [Member] | Quintiles IMS Incorporated [Member]

Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Debt instrument, redemption premium percentage

1.438%

Two Thousand And Twenty Five Notes | Unsecured Debt | Thereafter September 15, 2020 [Member] | Quintiles IMS Incorporated [Member]

Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Debt instrument, redemption premium percentage

0.00%

2.875% Senior Notes [Member] | Due in 2025 [Member]

Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Debt maturity year

2,025

2,025

2.875% Senior Notes [Member] | Due in 2025 [Member] | EUR Dollars [Member]

Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Outstanding borrowings

$ 503,000,000

Rate

2.875%

2.875%

2.875%

2.875% Senior Notes [Member] | Unsecured Debt | Quintiles IMS Incorporated [Member]

Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Debt instrument principal amount

$ 501,000,000

€ 420,000,000

Rate

2.875%

2.875%

Senior Secured Term B Loan [Member]

Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Debt maturity year

2,024

Loss on extinguishment of debt

$ (3,000,000)

Senior Secured Term B Loan [Member] | U.S Dollars [Member]

Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Debt instrument interest rate terms, Description

LIBOR with a floor of 0.75%, plus a margin of 2.00% for an all-in interest rate of 3.69%

LIBOR with a floor of 0.75%, plus a margin of 2.00% for an all-in interest rate of 3.69%

Senior Secured Term B Loan [Member] | EUR Dollars [Member]

Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Debt instrument interest rate terms, Description

LIBOR with a floor of 0.75%, plus a margin of 2.00% for an all-in interest rate of 2.75%

LIBOR with a floor of 0.75%, plus a margin of 2.00% for an all-in interest rate of 2.75%

Senior Secured Term B Loan [Member] | LIBOR [Member] | U.S Dollars [Member]

Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Rate

2.00%

2.00%

2.00%

Average floating rate

3.69%

3.69%

Debt instrument floor rate

0.75%

0.75%

0.75%

Senior Secured Term B Loan [Member] | LIBOR [Member] | EUR Dollars [Member]

Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Rate

2.00%

2.00%

2.00%

Average floating rate

2.75%

2.75%

Debt instrument floor rate

0.75%

0.75%

0.75%

Senior Secured Term B Loan [Member] | Due in 2025 [Member]

Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Outstanding borrowings

$ 750,000,000

Unlimited restricted investments leverage ratio

450.00%

425.00%

Dividends and distributions leverage ratio

450.00%

400.00%

Debt maturity year

2,025

2,025

2,025

Senior Secured Term B Loan [Member] | Due in 2025 [Member] | LIBOR [Member]

Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Average floating rate

2.00%

Senior Secured Term B Loan [Member] | Due in 2025 [Member] | LIBOR [Member] | U.S Dollars [Member]

Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Outstanding borrowings

$ 748,000,000

Rate

3.69%

3.69%

3.69%

Senior Secured Term B Loan [Member] | Due in 2021 [Member]

Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Debt maturity year

2,021

2,021

Senior Secured Term B Loan [Member] | Due in 2021 [Member] | LIBOR [Member] | U.S Dollars [Member]

Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Outstanding borrowings

1,700,000,000

Rate

3.50%

3.50%

3.50%

Senior Secured Term B Loan [Member] | Due in 2021 [Member] | LIBOR [Member] | EUR Dollars [Member]

Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Outstanding borrowings

$ 765,000,000

Rate

3.75%

3.75%

3.75%

Senior Secured Term B Loan [Member] | Due in 2024 [Member]

Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Debt instrument principal amount

$ 2,479,000,000

Debt maturity year

2,024

2,024

Senior Secured Term B Loan [Member] | Due in 2024 [Member] | LIBOR [Member] | U.S Dollars [Member]

Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Outstanding borrowings

$ 1,188,000,000

Rate

3.69%

3.69%

3.69%

Senior Secured Term B Loan [Member] | Due in 2024 [Member] | LIBOR [Member] | EUR Dollars [Member]

Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Outstanding borrowings

$ 1,423,000,000

Rate

2.75%

2.75%

2.75%

Senior Secured Term B Loan [Member] | Term B loan due 2021 [Member] | Due in 2021 [Member] | U.S Dollars [Member]

Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Debt instrument principal amount

1,700,000,000

Senior Secured Term B Loan [Member] | Term B loan due 2021 [Member] | Due in 2021 [Member] | EUR Dollars [Member]

Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Debt instrument principal amount

765,000,000

Senior Secured Term B Loan [Member] | Term B Loan Facility Due Two Thousand Twenty Four | Due in 2024 [Member] | U.S Dollars [Member]

Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Debt instrument principal amount

1,200,000,000

Senior Secured Term B Loan [Member] | Term B Loan Facility Due Two Thousand Twenty Four | Due in 2024 [Member] | EUR Dollars [Member]

Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Debt instrument principal amount

$ 1,279,000,000

€ 1,200,000,000

2017 Notes [Member]

Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Debt instrument, maturity date

Mar. 15, 2025

Mar. 15, 2025

2017 Notes [Member] | Unsecured Debt

Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Debt instrument issuance date

Feb. 28, 2017

Feb. 28, 2017

Debt instrument interest payment terms

interest rate of 3.25%, which is paid semi-annually on March 15 and September 15 of each year, beginning on September 15, 2017

interest rate of 3.25%, which is paid semi-annually on March 15 and September 15 of each year, beginning on September 15, 2017

Debt instrument frequency of periodic interest payment

semi-annually

semi-annually

3.25% Senior Notes [Member] | Due in 2025 [Member]

Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Debt maturity year

2,025

2,025

3.25% Senior Notes [Member] | Due in 2025 [Member] | EUR Dollars [Member]

Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Outstanding borrowings

$ 1,707,000,000

Rate

3.25%

3.25%

3.25%

3.25% Senior Notes [Member] | Unsecured Debt

Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Debt instrument principal amount

$ 1,522,000,000

€ 1,425,000,000

Rate

3.25%

3.25%

4.125% Senior Notes Due 2023 [Member]

Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Loss on extinguishment of debt

$ (16,000,000)

4.125% Senior Notes Due 2023 [Member] | IMS Health Holdings, Inc. [Member]

Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Debt instrument principal amount | €

€ 275,000,000

Rate

4.125%

4.125%

4.125%

Debt instrument maturities month year

2023-04

2023-04

4.125% Senior Notes Due 2023 [Member] | Euro-Denominated [Member]

Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Debt instrument, redemption premium percentage

4.125%

4.125%

6% Senior Notes due 2020

Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Rate

6.00%

Loss on extinguishment of debt

$ (8,000,000)

Repayments Of Long Term Debt

$ 500,000,000

Percentage of principal amount redeemable

101.50%

2016 Notes [Member] | Unsecured Debt | IMS Health Holdings, Inc. [Member]

Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Debt instrument issuance date

Sep. 28, 2016

Sep. 28, 2016

Debt instrument principal amount

$ 1,750,000,000

Debt instrument interest payment terms

Interest on the 2016 Notes is payable semi-annually, beginning on April 15, 2017

Interest on the 2016 Notes is payable semi-annually, beginning on April 15, 2017

Debt instrument frequency of periodic interest payment

Semi-annually

Semi-annually

Debt instrument date of first interest payment

Apr. 15, 2017

Apr. 15, 2017

Debt instrument, redemption, description

The 5% Dollar Notes and the 3.5% Euro Notes may be redeemed, either together or separately, prior to their final stated maturity, subject to a customary make-whole premium, at any time prior to October 15, 2021 with respect to the 5% Dollar Notes and October 15, 2019 with respect to the 3.5% Euro Notes (in each case subject to a customary “equity claw” redemption right) and thereafter subject to annually declining redemption premiums at any time prior to October 15, 2024 with respect to the 5% Dollar Notes and October 15, 2021 with respect to the 3.5% Euro Notes.

The 5% Dollar Notes and the 3.5% Euro Notes may be redeemed, either together or separately, prior to their final stated maturity, subject to a customary make-whole premium, at any time prior to October 15, 2021 with respect to the 5% Dollar Notes and October 15, 2019 with respect to the 3.5% Euro Notes (in each case subject to a customary “equity claw” redemption right) and thereafter subject to annually declining redemption premiums at any time prior to October 15, 2024 with respect to the 5% Dollar Notes and October 15, 2021 with respect to the 3.5% Euro Notes.

5% Dollar Notes [Member] | Unsecured Debt | IMS Health Holdings, Inc. [Member]

Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Debt instrument principal amount

$ 1,050,000,000

Rate

5.00%

5.00%

Debt instrument maturities month year

2026-10

2026-10

3.5% Euro Notes [Member] | Unsecured Debt | IMS Health Holdings, Inc. [Member]

Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Debt instrument principal amount | €

€ 625,000,000

Rate

3.50%

3.50%

Debt instrument maturities month year

2024-10

2024-10

Receivables Financing Facility [Member]

Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Aggregate maximum principal amount

$ 25,000,000

Rate

1.56%

1.56%

1.56%

Debt maturity year

2,020

2,020

Debt instrument interest rate terms, Description

LIBOR at average floating rate of 2.46%

LIBOR at average floating rate of 2.46%

Interest Rate Description

LIBOR Market Index Rate (1.56% at December 31, 2017) plus 0.90%

LIBOR Market Index Rate (1.56% at December 31, 2017) plus 0.90%

Securitization arrangement initiation date

Dec. 5, 2014

Dec. 5, 2014

Credit facility maturity period

4 years

4 years

Receivables Financing Facility [Member] | LIBOR [Member]

Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Interest Rate Description

In addition, the applicable margin (over LIBOR) changed to 90 bps regardless of the Company’s credit rating. Prior to the amendment, the margin was based on the Company’s credit rating and could range from 85 bps to 135 bps.

In addition, the applicable margin (over LIBOR) changed to 90 bps regardless of the Company’s credit rating. Prior to the amendment, the margin was based on the Company’s credit rating and could range from 85 bps to 135 bps.

Interest Rate spread on base rate

0.90%

0.90%

0.90%

Receivables Financing Facility [Member] | LIBOR [Member] | Minimum [Member]

Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Interest Rate spread on base rate

0.85%

Receivables Financing Facility [Member] | LIBOR [Member] | Maximum [Member]

Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Interest Rate spread on base rate

1.35%

Receivables Financing Facility [Member] | LIBOR [Member] | U.S Dollars [Member]

Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Rate

2.46%

2.46%

2.46%

Receivables Financing Facility [Member] | Term Loans [Member]

Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Aggregate maximum principal amount

$ 275,000,000

Receivables Financing Facility [Member] | Revolving Loan Commitment [Member]

Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Aggregate maximum principal amount

25,000,000

Increase in revolving loan commitment

$ 35,000,000

Leases - Additional Information

Leases - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Leases [Abstract]
Rental expenses under agreement	$ 197	$ 127	$ 109
Operating lease year of expiry	2,029

Leases - Summary of Future Mini

Leases - Summary of Future Minimum Lease Payments Under Operating Leases (Detail) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)
Leases [Abstract]
Operating leases, future minimum payments due, 2018	$ 169
Operating leases, future minimum payments due, 2019	135
Operating leases, future minimum payments due, 2020	115
Operating leases, future minimum payments due, 2021	94
Operating leases, future minimum payments due, 2022	75
Operating leases, future minimum payments due, Thereafter	157
Operating leases, total minimum lease payments	$ 745

Contingencies - Additional Info

Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Millions	Sep. 11, 2017MedicalDoctor	Sep. 11, 2017PrivateIndividual	Mar. 13, 2017USD ($)	Feb. 13, 2014MedicalDoctor	Feb. 13, 2014PrivateIndividual	Feb. 13, 2014Defendant
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Number of plaintiffs	280	200		1,200	900
Number of defendants | Defendant						2
Minimum [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Amount of damages claimed | $			$ 200

Stockholders' Equity - Addition

Stockholders' Equity - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)

Feb. 14, 2018

Feb. 13, 2018

Nov. 30, 2017

Sep. 30, 2017

May 31, 2017

Feb. 28, 2017

Nov. 30, 2016

Dec. 31, 2017

Dec. 31, 2016

Dec. 31, 2015

Jul. 01, 2015

Oct. 30, 2013

Class Of Stock [Line Items]

Preferred stock, authorized

1,000,000

Preferred stock, par value

$ 0.01

Preferred stock, shares issued

0

0

Preferred stock, shares outstanding

0

0

Repurchase of stock, value

$ 1,000,000,000

Quest's non-controlling interest in Q2 Solutions

$ 1,000,000

Q2 Solutions [Member]

Class Of Stock [Line Items]

Percentage of Quest's non-controlling interest in Q2 Solutions

40.00%

Quest's non-controlling interest in Q2 Solutions

$ 249,000,000

Quest [Member]

Class Of Stock [Line Items]

Ownership percentage

60.00%

Subsequent Event [Member]

Class Of Stock [Line Items]

Equity repurchase program increase in authorized amount

$ 1,500,000,000

Equity available for repurchase under the repurchase program

$ 1,700,000,000

Secondary Public Offering [Member]

Class Of Stock [Line Items]

Repurchase of stock, shares

4,000,000

3,571,003

Repurchase of stock, value

$ 380,000,000

$ 300,000,000

Common stock held by Selling Stockholders underwritten

9,000,000

10,571,003

Registration statement expiration period after filing date

3 years

Equity Repurchase Under Repurchase Program [Member]

Class Of Stock [Line Items]

Equity repurchase program authorized amount

$ 4,225,000,000

$ 125,000,000

Equity repurchase program increase in authorized amount

$ 1,000,000,000

$ 1,000,000,000

$ 1,500,000,000

$ 600,000,000

Repurchase of stock, shares

9,677,420

Repurchase of stock, value

$ 750,000,000

Equity available for repurchase under the repurchase program

$ 182,000,000

Equity Repurchase Under Repurchase Program [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member]

Class Of Stock [Line Items]

Equity repurchase program increase in authorized amount

$ 1,500,000,000

Equity Reperchase Under and Outside of Repurchase Program [Member]

Class Of Stock [Line Items]

Repurchase of stock, shares

30,896,313

Repurchase of common stock, share price

$ 84.80

$ 76.57

$ 65.56

Repurchase of stock, value

$ 2,600,000,000

Equity Reperchase Outside of Repurchase Program [Member] | Secondary Public Offering [Member]

Class Of Stock [Line Items]

Repurchase of stock, shares

2,500,000

Repurchase of stock, value

$ 255,000,000

Common stock held by Selling Stockholders underwritten

10,000,000

Stockholders' Equity - Schedule

Stockholders' Equity - Schedule of Share Repurchases Made Both Under and Outside of Repurchase Program (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Millions, $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Class Of Stock [Line Items]
Aggregate purchase price	$ 2,374	$ 98	$ 516
Equity Reperchase Under and Outside of Repurchase Program [Member]
Class Of Stock [Line Items]
Number of shares of common stock repurchased	30.9	14.3	7.8
Aggregate purchase price	$ 2,620	$ 1,098	$ 516
Average price per share	$ 84.80	$ 76.57	$ 65.56

Business Combinations - Additio

Business Combinations - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions	Oct. 03, 2016	Jul. 02, 2015	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Jul. 01, 2015
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill			$ 11,850	$ 10,727	$ 720
Fair value of consideration transferred in connection with business combinations					423
Acquisition related costs				36
Commercial Solutions [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill			10,348	9,415	70
Research & Development Solutions [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill			1,385	1,196	602
Integrated Engagement Services [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill			$ 117	116	$ 48
IMS Health Holdings, Inc. [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Date of Acquisition	Oct. 3, 2016		Oct. 3, 2016
Goodwill	$ 10,288
Acquisition related costs				36
Revenues since acquisition				$ 806
IMS Health Holdings, Inc. [Member] | Commercial Solutions [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill			$ 9,688
IMS Health Holdings, Inc. [Member] | Research & Development Solutions [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill			533
IMS Health Holdings, Inc. [Member] | Integrated Engagement Services [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill			$ 67
IMS Health Holdings, Inc. [Member] | Common Stock [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Merger agreement, stock for stock exchange ratio	38.40%
Business acquisition through merger, consideration in stock	$ 10,400
Business acquisition through merger, consideration in stock, shares issued	126.6
Quest [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Date of Acquisition		Jul. 1, 2015
Goodwill						$ 262
Business acquisition, percentage of voting interests acquired		40.00%
Fair value of consideration transferred in connection with business combinations		$ 423

Business Combinations - Summary

Business Combinations - Summary of Estimated Fair Value of Net Assets Acquired at the Date of Acquisitions (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Oct. 03, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Jul. 01, 2015
Assets acquired:
Goodwill	$ 11,850	$ 10,727		$ 720
IMS Health Holdings, Inc. [Member]
Assets acquired:
Cash and cash equivalents			$ 2,031
Accounts receivable and unbilled services			528
Prepaid expenses			85
Other current assets			145
Property and equipment			247
Goodwill			10,288
Other identifiable intangibles			6,435
Deferred income tax asset – long-term			25
Other long-term assets			71
Liabilities assumed:
Accounts payable and accrued expenses			(700)
Unearned income			(175)
Current portion of long-term debt			(88)
Other current liabilities			(45)
Long-term debt, less current portion			(6,070)
Deferred income tax liability – long-term			(2,104)
Other long-term liabilities			(248)
Net assets acquired			$ 10,425
Quest [Member]
Assets acquired:
Cash and cash equivalents					$ 32
Accounts receivable and unbilled services					6
Prepaid expenses					1
Other current assets					4
Property and equipment					16
Goodwill					262
Other identifiable intangibles					126
Liabilities assumed:
Accounts payable and accrued expenses					(13)
Deferred income tax liability – long-term					(10)
Other long-term liabilities					(1)
Net assets acquired					$ 423

Business Combinations - Summa93

Business Combinations - Summary of Identifiable Intangible Assets (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Oct. 03, 2016	Jul. 01, 2015
IMS Health Holdings, Inc. [Member]
Acquired Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Other identifiable intangibles	$ 6,435
Amortized over a weighted average useful life (in years)	18 years
IMS Health Holdings, Inc. [Member] | Client Relationships [Member]
Acquired Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Other identifiable intangibles	$ 3,960
IMS Health Holdings, Inc. [Member] | Finite Lived Trade Name [Member]
Acquired Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Other identifiable intangibles	385
IMS Health Holdings, Inc. [Member] | Databases [Member]
Acquired Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Other identifiable intangibles	1,820
IMS Health Holdings, Inc. [Member] | Software [Member]
Acquired Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Other identifiable intangibles	$ 270
Quest [Member]
Acquired Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Other identifiable intangibles		$ 126
Amortized over a weighted average useful life (in years)		9 years
Quest [Member] | Client Relationships [Member]
Acquired Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Other identifiable intangibles		$ 74
Quest [Member] | Backlog [Member]
Acquired Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Other identifiable intangibles		33
Quest [Member] | Finite Lived Trade Name [Member]
Acquired Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Other identifiable intangibles		$ 19

Business Combinations - Summa94

Business Combinations - Summary of Pro Forma Results (Detail) - IMS Health Holdings, Inc. [Member] - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 7,784	$ 7,180
Reimbursed expenses	1,514	1,411
Total revenues	9,298	8,591
Net income attributable to IQVIA Holdings Inc.	$ 42	$ 450
Earnings per share attributable to common stockholders:
Basic	$ 0.17	$ 1.80
Diluted	$ 0.17	$ 1.76

Business Combinations - Schedul

Business Combinations - Schedule of Preliminary Allocations of Purchase to Certain Tangible and Intangible Assets Acquired and Goodwill (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Total cost of acquisitions, net of cash acquired	$ 854	$ (1,887)	$ (32)
Goodwill	11,850	10,727	$ 720
Several Individually Immaterial Acquisitions [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Total cost of acquisitions, net of cash acquired	923	136
Goodwill	581	88
Portion of goodwill deductible for income tax purposes	235
Total intangible assets	392	48
Several Individually Immaterial Acquisitions [Member] | Client Relationships [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Total intangible assets	$ 285	31
Several Individually Immaterial Acquisitions [Member] | Client Relationships [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Amortization Period	6 years
Several Individually Immaterial Acquisitions [Member] | Client Relationships [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Amortization Period	16 years
Several Individually Immaterial Acquisitions [Member] | Backlog [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Total intangible assets	$ 15	7
Several Individually Immaterial Acquisitions [Member] | Backlog [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Amortization Period	1 year
Several Individually Immaterial Acquisitions [Member] | Backlog [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Amortization Period	4 years
Several Individually Immaterial Acquisitions [Member] | Non-compete Agreements [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Total intangible assets	$ 14	9
Several Individually Immaterial Acquisitions [Member] | Non-compete Agreements [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Amortization Period	2 years
Several Individually Immaterial Acquisitions [Member] | Non-compete Agreements [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Amortization Period	5 years
Several Individually Immaterial Acquisitions [Member] | Software and related assets [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Total intangible assets	$ 61	$ 1
Several Individually Immaterial Acquisitions [Member] | Software and related assets [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Amortization Period	2 years
Several Individually Immaterial Acquisitions [Member] | Software and related assets [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Amortization Period	9 years
Several Individually Immaterial Acquisitions [Member] | Finite Lived Trade Name [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Total intangible assets	$ 17
Several Individually Immaterial Acquisitions [Member] | Finite Lived Trade Name [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Amortization Period	1 year
Several Individually Immaterial Acquisitions [Member] | Finite Lived Trade Name [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Amortization Period	17 years

Business Combinations - Sched96

Business Combinations - Schedule of Preliminary Allocations of Purchase to Certain Tangible and Intangible Assets Acquired and Goodwill (Parenthetical) (Detail) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)
Business Combination Increase Decrease To Reflect Liabilities Acquired At Fair Value [Abstract]
Payments for contingent consideration and deferred purchase	$ 69

Restructuring - Additional Info

Restructuring - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended			24 Months Ended	36 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring costs	$ 63	$ 71	$ 30
Quest [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring costs					$ 12
2017 Plan [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring costs	$ 61
2016 Plan [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring costs				$ 33
2015 Plan [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring costs					$ 23

Restructuring - Summary of Amou

Restructuring - Summary of Amounts Recorded for Restructuring Plans (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring reserves, beginning balance	$ 102	$ 14
Expense, net of reversals	63	63
Acquisitions		80
Payments	(81)	(50)
Foreign currency translation and other		(5)
Restructuring reserves, ending balance	84	102
Severance and Related Costs [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring reserves, beginning balance	99	12
Expense, net of reversals	59	60
Acquisitions		80
Payments	(77)	(48)
Foreign currency translation and other	(1)	(5)
Restructuring reserves, ending balance	80	99
Exit Costs [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring reserves, beginning balance	3	2
Expense, net of reversals	4	3
Payments	(4)	(2)
Foreign currency translation and other	1
Restructuring reserves, ending balance	$ 4	$ 3

Impairment Charges - Additional

Impairment Charges - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Impairment Of Goodwill And Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Goodwill impairment loss		$ 40	$ 28	$ 23
Encore [Member]
Impairment Of Goodwill And Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Goodwill impairment loss	$ 39.6	39.6	23
Intangible assets impairment loss	$ 0.4	$ 0.4	$ 5

Income Taxes - Additional Infor

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]
Federal corporate income tax rate		35.00%
Deferred tax benefit related to revaluation		$ 977
Foreign earnings			$ 2,801
Deferred income taxes			625
Deferred income tax assets, tax deferred expense			252
Undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries			3,134
Deferred income tax liability, transition tax net of foreign income tax credits		186
Provisional reduction in net deferred tax liabilities		(606)
Deferred tax liabilities related to intangible amortization		753
Tax credit and tax loss carryforwards, tax effect		469
Increase in valuation allowances		47
Valuation Allowance		200	153
Gross unrecognized income tax benefits		82	64	$ 30	$ 41
Addition/(Reduction) of interest and penalties recorded		3	2	(2)
Accrued interest and penalties		18	11
Income tax benefit		$ (987)	345	159
Quintiles East Asia [Member]
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]
Income tax benefit				$ 2
Income tax holiday period		through June 2015
Outcome Europe Sarl [Member]
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]
Earnings per share				$ 0.02
Federal State And Foreign Tax [Member]
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]
Gross unrecognized income tax benefits		$ 10
Foreign Tax [Member]
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]
Gross unrecognized income tax benefits		1
Indefinite Period [Member]
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]
Tax credit and tax loss carryforwards, tax effect		34
Earliest Tax Year [Member]
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]
Tax credit and tax loss carryforwards, tax effect		$ 435
IMS Health Holdings, Inc. [Member]
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]
Foreign earnings current			1,865
Deferred income taxes			$ 373
IMS Health Holdings, Inc. [Member] | Earliest Tax Year [Member]
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]
Tax credit and tax loss carryforwards expiration period		2,018
Scenario Forecast [Member]
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]
Federal corporate income tax rate	21.00%

Income Taxes - Components of In

Income Taxes - Components of Income Before Income Taxes and Equity in Earnings (Losses) of Unconsolidated Affiliates (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Income Before Income Taxes [Line Items]
Income before income taxes and equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated affiliates	$ 331	$ 479	$ 539
Domestic [Member]
Income Before Income Taxes [Line Items]
Income before income taxes and equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated affiliates	(495)	(85)	68
Foreign [Member]
Income Before Income Taxes [Line Items]
Income before income taxes and equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated affiliates	$ 826	$ 564	$ 471

Income Taxes - Components of102

Income Taxes - Components of Income Tax Expense Attributable to Continuing Operations (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Federal and state	$ (3)	$ 64	$ 51
Foreign	222	129	109
Current Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	219	193	160
Federal and state	(1,165)	166	5
Foreign	(41)	(14)	(6)
Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	(1,206)	152	(1)
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	$ (987)	$ 345	$ 159

Income Taxes - Effective Income

Income Taxes - Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Federal income tax expense at statutory rate	$ 116	$ 167	$ 189
State and local income taxes, net of federal effect	(13)		2
Research and development	(9)	(11)	(13)
Foreign nontaxable interest income	(7)	(8)	(9)
United States taxes recorded on foreign earnings	6	252	38
Tax contingencies	17	2	(8)
Foreign rate differential	(95)	(60)	(49)
Equity compensation	(19)
Provisional Tax Act impact	(977)
Other	(6)	3	9
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	$ (987)	$ 345	$ 159

Income Taxes - Income Tax Effec

Income Taxes - Income Tax Effects of Temporary Differences from Continuing Operations that Give Rise to Significant Portions of Deferred Income Tax Assets (Liabilities) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Deferred income tax assets:
Net operating loss and capital loss carryforwards	$ 278	$ 242
Tax credit carryforwards	170	267
Accrued expenses and unearned income	46	75
Employee benefits	189	273
Other	82	32
Deferred Tax Assets, Gross, Total	765	889
Valuation allowance for deferred income tax assets	(200)	(153)
Total deferred income tax assets	565	736
Deferred income tax liabilities:
Undistributed foreign earnings	(21)	(590)
Amortization and depreciation	(1,334)	(2,026)
Other	(30)	(164)
Total deferred income tax liabilities	(1,385)	(2,780)
Net deferred income tax liabilities	$ (820)	$ (2,044)

Income Taxes - Reconciliation o

Income Taxes - Reconciliation of Beginning and Ending Amount of Gross Unrecognized Income Tax Benefits (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Beginning balance	$ 64	$ 30	$ 41
IMS Health balance as of Merger		37
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year	11	3	2
Additions for income tax positions of prior years	13	7	9
Impact of changes in exchange rates	4	(3)	(1)
Settlements with tax authorities	(2)
Reductions for income tax positions of prior years	(2)	(1)	(2)
Reductions due to the lapse of the applicable statute of limitations	(6)	(9)	(19)
Ending balance	$ 82	$ 64	$ 30

Income Taxes - Summary of Tax Y

Income Taxes - Summary of Tax Years Open for Examination (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
United States [Member] | Earliest Tax Year [Member]
Schedule Of Income Taxes [Line Items]
Open tax year	2,014
United States [Member] | Latest Tax Year [Member]
Schedule Of Income Taxes [Line Items]
Open tax year	2,016
India [Member] | Earliest Tax Year [Member]
Schedule Of Income Taxes [Line Items]
Open tax year	2,006
India [Member] | Latest Tax Year [Member]
Schedule Of Income Taxes [Line Items]
Open tax year	2,017
Japan [Member] | Earliest Tax Year [Member]
Schedule Of Income Taxes [Line Items]
Open tax year	2,012
Japan [Member] | Latest Tax Year [Member]
Schedule Of Income Taxes [Line Items]
Open tax year	2,016
United Kingdom [Member] | Latest Tax Year [Member]
Schedule Of Income Taxes [Line Items]
Open tax year	2,016
Switzerland [Member] | Earliest Tax Year [Member]
Schedule Of Income Taxes [Line Items]
Open tax year	2,013
Switzerland [Member] | Latest Tax Year [Member]
Schedule Of Income Taxes [Line Items]
Open tax year	2,016

Employee Benefit Plans - Summar

Employee Benefit Plans - Summary of Changes in Benefit Obligation, Plan Assets and Funded Status of Pension Benefit Plans (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
United States [Member]
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	$ 312
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	360	$ 312
Non-United States Plans [Member]
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	348
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	391	348
Pension Benefits [Member]
Expected return on plan assets	38	13
Actual return on plan assets	70	10
Pension Benefits [Member] | United States [Member]
Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year	308
Service costs	13	4
Interest cost	11	3
Expected return on plan assets	24	6
Actuarial gains	25	(30)
Business combinations		333
Benefits paid	(8)	(2)
Projected benefit obligation at end of year	349	308
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	312
Actual return on plan assets	53	5
Contributions	3	1
Business combinations		308
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	360	312
Funded status	11	4
Pension Benefits [Member] | Non-United States Plans [Member]
Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year	508	154
Service costs	26	18	$ 15
Interest cost	9	5	3
Expected return on plan assets	14	6	3
Actuarial gains	(2)	(8)
Business combinations		377
Benefits paid	(21)	(9)
Contributions	1
Settlements	(4)
Foreign currency fluctuations and other	42	(29)
Projected benefit obligation at end of year	559	508	154
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	348	87
Actual return on plan assets	17	4
Contributions	21	9
Business combinations		284
Foreign currency fluctuations and other	30	(27)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	391	348	$ 87
Funded status	$ (168)	$ (160)

Employee Benefit Plans - Sum108

Employee Benefit Plans - Summary of Amounts Recognized in Consolidated Balance Sheets Related to the Pension Benefit Plans (Detail) - Pension Benefits [Member] - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
United States [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Deposits and other assets	$ 55	$ 45
Accrued expenses	2	1
Other long-term liabilities	42	40
United States [Member] | Actuarial Net (Gain) Loss [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
AOCI	33	29
Non-United States Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Deposits and other assets	15	13
Accrued expenses	8	9
Other long-term liabilities	175	164
Non-United States Plans [Member] | Actuarial Net (Gain) Loss [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
AOCI	$ (3)	$ (8)

Employee Benefit Plans - Accumu

Employee Benefit Plans - Accumulated Benefit Obligation For Pension Benefit Plans (Detail) - Pension Benefits [Member] - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
United States [Member]
Defined Contribution And Defined Benefit Plans [Line Items]
Accumulated benefit obligation	$ 343	$ 303
Non-United States Plans [Member]
Defined Contribution And Defined Benefit Plans [Line Items]
Accumulated benefit obligation	$ 507	$ 469

Employee Benefit Plans - Pensio

Employee Benefit Plans - Pension and Postretirement Benefit Plans - Additional Information (Detail) - Other Postretirement Benefits [Member] $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Other postretirement benefits liability	$ 3
Accrued expenses	1
Other long-term liabilities	$ 2

Employee Benefit Plans - Sum111

Employee Benefit Plans - Summary of Pension Plans with Accumulated Benefit Obligation in Excess of Plan Assets and Projected Benefit Obligations in Excess of Plan Assets (Detail) - Pension Benefits [Member] - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
United States [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Accumulated benefit obligation	$ 45	$ 43
Fair value of plan assets	3	2
Projected benefit obligation	46	44
Fair value of plan assets	3	2
Non-United States Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Accumulated benefit obligation	442	409
Fair value of plan assets	301	271
Projected benefit obligation	492	444
Fair value of plan assets	$ 309	$ 271

Employee Benefit Plans - Compon

Employee Benefit Plans - Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost and Other Changes in Plan Assets and Benefit Obligations Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive loss:
Amortization of actuarial losses	$ (1)	$ (1)	$ (1)
Pension Benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Expected return on plan assets	(38)	(13)
Pension Benefits [Member] | United States [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	13	4
Interest cost	11	3
Expected return on plan assets	(24)	(6)
Net periodic benefit cost		1
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive loss:
Actuarial loss (gain) – current years	(4)	(29)
Total recognized in other comprehensive income	(4)	(29)
Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other comprehensive loss	(4)	(28)
Pension Benefits [Member] | Non-United States Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	26	18	15
Interest cost	9	5	3
Expected return on plan assets	(14)	(6)	(3)
Amortization of actuarial losses	1	1	1
Net periodic benefit cost	22	18	16
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive loss:
Actuarial loss (gain) – current years	(4)	(5)
Amortization of actuarial losses	(1)	(1)	(1)
Total recognized in other comprehensive income	(5)	(6)	(1)
Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other comprehensive loss	$ 17	$ 12	$ 15

Employee Benefit Plans - Schedu

Employee Benefit Plans - Schedule of Weighted Average Assumptions Used to Determine Net Periodic Benefit Cost and Benefit Obligations (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Pension Benefits [Member] | United States [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Weighted Average Assumptions Used in Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost
Discount rate	4.17%	3.62%
Rate of compensation increases	3.00%	3.00%
Expected return on plan assets	7.94%	7.94%
Defined Benefit Plan, Weighted Average Assumptions Used in Calculating Benefit Obligation
Discount rate	3.69%	4.17%
Rate of compensation increases	3.00%	3.00%
Pension Benefits [Member] | Non-United States Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Weighted Average Assumptions Used in Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost
Discount rate	1.89%	1.88%	2.46%
Rate of compensation increases	5.17%	5.27%	4.32%
Expected return on plan assets	4.16%	4.26%	4.05%
Defined Benefit Plan, Weighted Average Assumptions Used in Calculating Benefit Obligation
Discount rate	1.90%	1.68%
Rate of compensation increases	4.54%	5.17%
Other Postretirement Benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Weighted Average Assumptions Used in Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost
Discount rate	2.90%	2.40%
Defined Benefit Plan, Weighted Average Assumptions Used in Calculating Benefit Obligation
Discount rate	2.90%	2.90%

Employee Benefit Plans - Define

Employee Benefit Plans - Defined Contribution Plans And Defined Benefit Plans - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Jan. 01, 2018	Jan. 01, 2017
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Company's assumed health care cost trend rate for the next seven years		6.50%
Company's assumed ultimate health care cost trend rate		5.00%
Year in which ultimate cost trend rate is assumed to reach		2,021
Expenses related to matching contributions		$ 47	$ 39	$ 36
Scenario Forecast [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Pension and postretirement benefit contributions	$ 22
U.S. Government Treasury Bonds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Cash balance crediting rate as a portion of yield		0.0833%
Investment credit term		30 years
Cash balance credit rate percentage		0.25%
Pension Benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit plan, expected rate of return on plan assets		$ 38	13
Actual return on plan assets		$ 70	$ 10
Pension Benefits [Member] | United States [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Discount rate		4.17%	3.62%
Defined benefit plan, expected rate of return on plan assets		$ 24	$ 6
Actual return on plan assets		$ 53	$ 5
Pension Benefits [Member] | United States [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit plan, percentage of expected rate of return on plan assets					7.75%
Pension Benefits [Member] | United States and United Kingdom pension plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Percentage of consolidated benefit obligation		76.00%
Pension Benefits [Member] | Non-United States Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Discount rate		1.89%	1.88%	2.46%
Defined benefit plan, expected rate of return on plan assets		$ 14	$ 6	$ 3
Actual return on plan assets		$ 17	$ 4
Minimum [Member] | Pension Benefits [Member] | United States [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Discount rate		2.90%
Minimum [Member] | Pension Benefits [Member] | United Kingdom Pension Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Discount rate		2.22%
Minimum [Member] | Pension Benefits [Member] | Non-United States Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Discount rate		0.40%
Defined benefit plan, percentage of expected rate of return on plan assets						0.80%
Minimum [Member] | Pension Benefits [Member] | Non-United States Plans [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit plan, percentage of expected rate of return on plan assets					1.00%
Maximum [Member] | Pension Benefits [Member] | United States [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Discount rate		3.73%
Maximum [Member] | Pension Benefits [Member] | United Kingdom Pension Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Discount rate		2.53%
Maximum [Member] | Pension Benefits [Member] | Non-United States Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Discount rate		11.60%
Defined benefit plan, percentage of expected rate of return on plan assets						9.00%
Maximum [Member] | Pension Benefits [Member] | Non-United States Plans [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit plan, percentage of expected rate of return on plan assets					6.46%

Employee Benefit Plans - Sch115

Employee Benefit Plans - Schedule of Pension Plan Weighted Average Asset Allocations (Detail) - Pension Benefits [Member]	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined pension plan weighted average asset allocations	100.00%	100.00%
United States [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined pension plan weighted average asset allocations	100.00%	100.00%
Non-United States Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined pension plan weighted average asset allocations	100.00%	100.00%
Equity Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined pension plan weighted average asset allocations	58.44%	57.43%
Equity Securities [Member] | United States [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined pension plan weighted average asset allocations	69.86%	70.09%
Equity Securities [Member] | Non-United States Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined pension plan weighted average asset allocations	47.92%	46.09%
Debt Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined pension plan weighted average asset allocations	19.71%	19.39%
Debt Securities [Member] | United States [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined pension plan weighted average asset allocations	25.21%	24.94%
Debt Securities [Member] | Non-United States Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined pension plan weighted average asset allocations	14.65%	14.42%
Real Estate [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined pension plan weighted average asset allocations	2.36%	2.35%
Real Estate [Member] | United States [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined pension plan weighted average asset allocations	4.93%	4.97%
Other [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined pension plan weighted average asset allocations	19.49%	20.83%
Other [Member] | Non-United States Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined pension plan weighted average asset allocations	37.43%	39.49%

Employee Benefit Plans - Sch116

Employee Benefit Plans - Schedule of Target Asset Allocation for Pension Plans (Detail) - Pension Benefits [Member]	Jan. 01, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Minimum [Member] | Non-United States Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit plan, target allocation percentage	0.80%
Minimum [Member] | Equity Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit plan, target allocation percentage		45.00%
Minimum [Member] | Equity Securities [Member] | United States [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit plan, target allocation percentage		60.00%
Minimum [Member] | Equity Securities [Member] | Non-United States Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit plan, target allocation percentage		35.00%
Minimum [Member] | Debt Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit plan, target allocation percentage		10.00%
Minimum [Member] | Debt Securities [Member] | United States [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit plan, target allocation percentage		20.00%
Minimum [Member] | Debt Securities [Member] | Non-United States Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit plan, target allocation percentage		10.00%
Minimum [Member] | Real Estate [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit plan, target allocation percentage		0.00%
Minimum [Member] | Real Estate [Member] | United States [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit plan, target allocation percentage		0.00%
Minimum [Member] | Other [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit plan, target allocation percentage		10.00%
Minimum [Member] | Other [Member] | Non-United States Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit plan, target allocation percentage		30.00%
Maximum [Member] | Non-United States Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit plan, target allocation percentage	9.00%
Maximum [Member] | Equity Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit plan, target allocation percentage		65.00%
Maximum [Member] | Equity Securities [Member] | United States [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit plan, target allocation percentage		80.00%
Maximum [Member] | Equity Securities [Member] | Non-United States Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit plan, target allocation percentage		50.00%
Maximum [Member] | Debt Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit plan, target allocation percentage		30.00%
Maximum [Member] | Debt Securities [Member] | United States [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit plan, target allocation percentage		30.00%
Maximum [Member] | Debt Securities [Member] | Non-United States Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit plan, target allocation percentage		20.00%
Maximum [Member] | Real Estate [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit plan, target allocation percentage		5.00%
Maximum [Member] | Real Estate [Member] | United States [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit plan, target allocation percentage		10.00%
Maximum [Member] | Other [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit plan, target allocation percentage		30.00%
Maximum [Member] | Other [Member] | Non-United States Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit plan, target allocation percentage		45.00%

Employee Benefit Plans - Sch117

Employee Benefit Plans - Schedule of Plan Assets Measured at Fair Value (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
United States [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets in the fair value hierarchy	$ 131	$ 113
Common/collective trusts measured at net asset value ("NAV")	229	199
Plan assets measured at fair value, Total	360	312
United States [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets in the fair value hierarchy	131	113
Plan assets measured at fair value, Total	131	113
United States [Member] | Domestic Equities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets in the fair value hierarchy	37	32
United States [Member] | Domestic Equities [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets in the fair value hierarchy	37	32
United States [Member] | International Equities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets in the fair value hierarchy	23	20
United States [Member] | International Equities [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets in the fair value hierarchy	23	20
United States [Member] | Corporate Bonds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets in the fair value hierarchy	53	46
United States [Member] | Corporate Bonds [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets in the fair value hierarchy	53	46
United States [Member] | Real Estate [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets in the fair value hierarchy	18	15
United States [Member] | Real Estate [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets in the fair value hierarchy	18	15
Non-United States Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets in the fair value hierarchy	295	267
Common/collective trusts measured at net asset value ("NAV")	96	81
Plan assets measured at fair value, Total	391	348
Non-United States Plans [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets in the fair value hierarchy	2	2
Plan assets measured at fair value, Total	2	2
Non-United States Plans [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets in the fair value hierarchy	293	265
Plan assets measured at fair value, Total	293	265
Non-United States Plans [Member] | International Equities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets in the fair value hierarchy	66	57
Non-United States Plans [Member] | International Equities [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets in the fair value hierarchy	66	57
Non-United States Plans [Member] | Debt Issued by National, State or Local Government [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets in the fair value hierarchy	57	50
Non-United States Plans [Member] | Debt Issued by National, State or Local Government [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets in the fair value hierarchy	2	2
Non-United States Plans [Member] | Debt Issued by National, State or Local Government [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets in the fair value hierarchy	55	48
Non-United States Plans [Member] | Diversified Growth Fund [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets in the fair value hierarchy	17	14
Non-United States Plans [Member] | Diversified Growth Fund [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets in the fair value hierarchy	17	14
Non-United States Plans [Member] | Investments Funds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets in the fair value hierarchy	7	7
Non-United States Plans [Member] | Investments Funds [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets in the fair value hierarchy	7	7
Non-United States Plans [Member] | Insurance Contracts [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets in the fair value hierarchy	141	133
Non-United States Plans [Member] | Insurance Contracts [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets in the fair value hierarchy	141	133
Non-United States Plans [Member] | Other [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets in the fair value hierarchy	7	6
Non-United States Plans [Member] | Other [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets in the fair value hierarchy	$ 7	$ 6

Employee Benefit Plans - Sch118

Employee Benefit Plans - Schedule of Expected Benefit Payments, Net of Expected Participants Contributions for Pension Benefits (Detail) - Pension Benefits [Member] $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
2,018	$ 29
2,019	30
2,020	32
2,021	35
2,022	37
Years 2023 through 2027	218
Defined Benefit Plan Expected Future Benefit Payments, Total	$ 381

Employee Benefit Plans - Other

Employee Benefit Plans - Other Plans - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)
Other Postretirement Benefits [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Obligation provides to certain executives	$ 12

Employee Benefit Plans - Stock

Employee Benefit Plans - Stock Incentive Plans - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation	$ 106	$ 80	$ 38
Recognized future income tax benefit	21	$ 24	$ 9
Unrecognized non-vested stock-based compensation	$ 103
Weighted average period of stock-based compensation	1 year 1 month 28 days
Expiry period of options from grant date	10 years
Weighted average remaining contractual life of the options outstanding	4 years 6 months
Weighted average remaining contractual life of the options exercisable	3 years 10 months 25 days
Aggregate intrinsic value of the exercisable stock options and the stock options expected to vest	$ 260
Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Weighted average fair value per share of options granted		$ 17.91	$ 21.96
Total intrinsic value of options exercised	157	$ 155	$ 144
Proceeds from options exercised	$ 102	$ 101	$ 59
Second Anniversary of Grant Date [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Percentage of options granted per annum	25.00%
Third Anniversary Of Grant Date [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Percentage of options granted per annum	33.00%
Fourth Anniversary Of Grant Date [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Percentage of options granted per annum	67.00%
At End Of Three-Year Period [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Percentage of options granted per annum	100.00%
Stock Incentive Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares available for future grant	13,400,000
Stock Appreciation Rights - Stock Settled [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total intrinsic value of options exercised	$ 2.9
Weighted average remaining contractual life of the options outstanding	8 years 6 months
Weighted average remaining contractual life of the options exercisable	6 years 9 months 18 days
Aggregate intrinsic value of the exercisable stock options and the stock options expected to vest	$ 72
Stock appreciation rights vesting description	The SSRs are eligible to vest either (i) in equal increments of 25% on each of the first four anniversaries of the date of grant or (ii) in three equal annual installments on each of the first three anniversaries of the date of grant.
Number of stock units outstanding	2,924,770	1,313,322
Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$ 74	$ 18
Stock Appreciation Rights - Stock Settled [Member] | Second Anniversary of Grant Date [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Percentage of options granted per annum	25.00%
Stock Appreciation Rights - Stock Settled [Member] | Third Anniversary Of Grant Date [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Percentage of options granted per annum	25.00%
Stock Appreciation Rights - Stock Settled [Member] | Fourth Anniversary Of Grant Date [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Percentage of options granted per annum	25.00%
Stock Appreciation Rights - Stock Settled [Member] | Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche One
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Percentage of options granted per annum	25.00%
Stock Appreciation Rights - Cash Settled [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock appreciation rights vesting description	These awards either (i) vest 25% per year or (ii) vest 33% on the third anniversary of the date of grant and 67% on the fourth anniversary of the date of grant; or (iii) one-third per year beginning on the first anniversary of the date of grant.
Fair value of Stock Appreciation Rights granted	$ 52.53	$ 34.25	$ 29.79
Cash paid to settle exercised SARs	$ 4	$ 2	$ 1
Weighted average remaining contractual life of SARs outstanding	6 years 6 months
Weighted average remaining contractual life of SARs exercisable	5 years 10 months 24 days
Aggregate intrinsic value of exercisable expected to vest	$ 15
Number of stock units outstanding	337,115	479,176
Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$ 15	$ 11
Stock Appreciation Rights - Cash Settled [Member] | Third Anniversary Of Grant Date [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Percentage of options granted per annum	33.00%
Stock Appreciation Rights - Cash Settled [Member] | Fourth Anniversary Of Grant Date [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Percentage of options granted per annum	67.00%
Stock Appreciation Rights - Cash Settled [Member] | 25% per year [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Percentage of options granted per annum	25.00%
Restricted Stock Units - Stock Settled [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Percentage of options granted per annum	25.00%
Fair value of Stock Appreciation Rights granted	$ 97.03
Number of days for stock units to settle in common stock from vesting date	45 days
Number of stock units outstanding	1,100,000
Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$ 107
Number of units	1,097,708	1,720,817
Restricted Stock Units - Stock Settled [Member] | Third Anniversary Of Grant Date [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Percentage of options granted per annum	33.00%
Restricted Stock Units - Stock Settled [Member] | Fourth Anniversary Of Grant Date [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Percentage of options granted per annum	67.00%
Restricted Stock Units - Cash Settled [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Fair value of Stock Appreciation Rights granted	$ 95.98
Number of stock units outstanding	9,015
Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$ 0.9
Number of units	9,015
Restricted Stock Units - Cash Settled [Member] | At End Of Three-Year Period [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Percentage of options granted per annum	100.00%
Restricted Stock Awards [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Fair value of Stock Appreciation Rights granted	$ 78.21
Number of stock units outstanding	440,151
Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$ 43
Number of units	440,151	367,053
Restricted Stock Awards [Member] | Second Anniversary of Grant Date [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Percentage of options granted per annum	25.00%
Restricted Stock Awards [Member] | Second Anniversary of Grant Date [Member] | Vesting Scenario One [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Percentage of options granted per annum	50.00%
Restricted Stock Awards [Member] | Third Anniversary Of Grant Date [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Percentage of options granted per annum	25.00%
Restricted Stock Awards [Member] | Fourth Anniversary Of Grant Date [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Percentage of options granted per annum	50.00%
Restricted Stock Awards [Member] | Fourth Anniversary Of Grant Date [Member] | Vesting Scenario One [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Percentage of options granted per annum	50.00%
Restricted Stock Awards [Member] | Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche One | Vesting Scenario Two [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Percentage of options granted per annum	33.33%
Performance Awards [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Fair value of Stock Appreciation Rights granted	$ 85.76
Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$ 47
Number of units	476,332

Employee Benefit Plans - Assump

Employee Benefit Plans - Assumptions Used to Estimate Value of Stock-Based Compensation for Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights Issued (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Share based Compensation Arrangement by Share based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Method Used [Line Items]
Expected volatility, Minimum	22.00%	20.00%	26.00%
Expected volatility, Maximum	25.00%	30.00%	41.00%
Weighted average expected volatility	24.00%	28.00%	34.00%
Expected dividends	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Risk-free interest rate, Minimum	1.16%	0.32%	1.06%
Risk-free interest rate, Maximum	2.32%	2.19%	2.04%
Minimum [Member]
Share based Compensation Arrangement by Share based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Method Used [Line Items]
Expected term (in years)	1 year	3 months 19 days	3 years 8 months 12 days
Maximum [Member]
Share based Compensation Arrangement by Share based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Method Used [Line Items]
Expected term (in years)	6 years 10 months 25 days	6 years 7 months 6 days	6 years 8 months 12 days

Employee Benefit Plans - Sum122

Employee Benefit Plans - Summary of Stock Option Activity (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Compensation And Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Number of Options Outstanding at Beginning Balance	7,251,339
Number of Options, Exercised	(2,957,816)
Number of Options, Canceled	(212,891)
Number of Options Outstanding at Ending Balance	4,080,632
Weighted Average Exercise Price Outstanding at Beginning Balance	$ 34.83
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Exercised	34.43
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Canceled	57.03
Weighted Average Exercise Price Outstanding at Ending Balance	$ 33.97
Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$ 261	$ 299

Employee Benefit Plans - Sch123

Employee Benefit Plans - Schedule of Stock Options Outstanding and Exercisable (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017$ / sharesshares
Exercise Price Range $8.34 - $18.23 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of Options Outstanding | shares	827,775
Exercise Price Lower Range Outstanding	$ 8.34
Exercise Price Upper Range Outstanding	18.23
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 11.15
Weighted Average Remaining Life Outstanding (in years)	2 years 6 months 14 days
Number of Options Exercisable | shares	827,775
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 11.15
Exercise Price Range $18.40 - $26.05 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of Options Outstanding | shares	1,219,780
Exercise Price Lower Range Outstanding	$ 18.40
Exercise Price Upper Range Outstanding	26.05
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 24.21
Weighted Average Remaining Life Outstanding (in years)	3 years 1 month 2 days
Number of Options Exercisable | shares	1,219,780
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 24.21
Exercise Price Range $28.13 - $42.74 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of Options Outstanding | shares	823,189
Exercise Price Lower Range Outstanding	$ 28.13
Exercise Price Upper Range Outstanding	42.74
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 33.07
Weighted Average Remaining Life Outstanding (in years)	4 years 7 months 2 days
Number of Options Exercisable | shares	751,032
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 33.52
Exercise Price Range $44.45 - $64.67 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of Options Outstanding | shares	839,003
Exercise Price Lower Range Outstanding	$ 44.45
Exercise Price Upper Range Outstanding	64.67
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 57.72
Weighted Average Remaining Life Outstanding (in years)	6 years 11 months 26 days
Number of Options Exercisable | shares	431,827
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 56.09
Exercise Price Range $64.86 - $77.11 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of Options Outstanding | shares	370,885
Exercise Price Lower Range Outstanding	$ 64.86
Exercise Price Upper Range Outstanding	77.11
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 65.28
Weighted Average Remaining Life Outstanding (in years)	7 years 1 month 13 days
Number of Options Exercisable | shares	172,635
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 65.31

Employee Benefit Plans - Sch124

Employee Benefit Plans - Schedule of Stock Appreciation Rights Activity (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Stock Appreciation Rights - Stock Settled [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of SARs Outstanding Beginning Balance	1,313,322
Number of SARs Granted	1,971,768
Number of SARs Exercised	(123,342)
Number of SARs Canceled	(236,978)
Number of SARs Outstanding Ending Balance	2,924,770
Weighted Average Exercise Price Outstanding Beginning Balance	$ 62.13
Weighted Average Exercise Price Granted	78.96
Weighted Average Exercise Price Exercised	63.24
Weighted Average Exercise Price Canceled	74
Weighted Average Exercise Price Outstanding Ending Balance	$ 72.47
Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$ 74	$ 18
Stock Appreciation Rights - Cash Settled [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of SARs Outstanding Beginning Balance	479,176
Number of SARs Granted	15,227
Number of SARs Exercised	(117,813)
Number of SARs Canceled	(39,475)
Number of SARs Outstanding Ending Balance	337,115
Weighted Average Exercise Price Outstanding Beginning Balance	$ 52.42
Weighted Average Exercise Price Granted	78.21
Weighted Average Exercise Price Exercised	50.26
Weighted Average Exercise Price Canceled	56.52
Weighted Average Exercise Price Outstanding Ending Balance	$ 53.87
Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$ 15	$ 11

Employee Benefit Plans - Sum125

Employee Benefit Plans - Summary of Company's RSU Activity (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017$ / sharesshares
Restricted Stock Units - Stock Settled [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of Units Non-vested Beginning Balance | shares	1,720,817
Number of Units Granted | shares	57,699
Number of Units Vested | shares	(563,435)
Number of Units Canceled | shares	(117,373)
Number of Units Non-vested Ending Balance | shares	1,097,708
Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value Non-vested Beginning Balance | $ / shares	$ 74.40
Fair value of Stock Appreciation Rights granted | $ / shares	97.03
Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value Vested | $ / shares	72.90
Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value Canceled | $ / shares	71.11
Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value Non-vested Ending Balance | $ / shares	$ 76.71
Restricted Stock Units - Cash Settled [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of Units Granted | shares	9,015
Number of Units Non-vested Ending Balance | shares	9,015
Fair value of Stock Appreciation Rights granted | $ / shares	$ 95.98
Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value Non-vested Ending Balance | $ / shares	$ 95.98

Employee Benefit Plans - Sum126

Employee Benefit Plans - Summary of Company's Restricted Stock Awards (Detail) - Restricted Stock [Member]	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017$ / sharesshares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of Units Non-vested Beginning Balance | shares	367,053
Number of Units Granted | shares	254,582
Number of Units Vested | shares	(181,484)
Number of Units Non-vested Ending Balance | shares	440,151
Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value Non-vested Beginning Balance | $ / shares	$ 80.20
Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value Granted | $ / shares	78.21
Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value Vested | $ / shares	80.20
Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value Non-vested Ending Balance | $ / shares	$ 79.05

Employee Benefit Plans - Sum127

Employee Benefit Plans - Summary of Company's Performance Award Activity (Detail) - Performance Awards [Member]	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017$ / sharesshares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of Units Granted | shares	519,206
Number of Units Canceled | shares	(42,874)
Number of Units Non-vested Ending Balance | shares	476,332
Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value Granted | $ / shares	$ 85.76
Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value Canceled | $ / shares	84.90
Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value Non-vested Ending Balance | $ / shares	$ 85.84

Employee Benefit Plans - Employ

Employee Benefit Plans - Employee Stock Purchase Plan and Other - Additional Information (Detail) - Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Member] - shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Employee Stock Purchase Plan And Cost Reduction Initiative Disclosure [Line Items]
Number of shares issued for purchases under ESPP	100,000	100,000
Employee stock purchase plan payroll deductions percent	10.00%

Related Party Transactions - Ad

Related Party Transactions - Additional Information (Detail) - HUYA Bioscience International, LLC [Member] - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Fee for services	$ 8	$ 6	$ 7
Maximum [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Fee for services	$ 5	$ 8	$ 32

Operations by Geographic Loc130

Operations by Geographic Location - Additional Information (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Operations By Geographic Location [Abstract]
Minimum percentage of revenue account for major country	10.00%

Operations by Geographic Loc131

Operations by Geographic Location - Operations Within Geographic Region (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Geographic Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 2,161	$ 2,019	$ 1,969	$ 1,911	$ 1,953	$ 1,136	$ 1,167	$ 1,108	$ 8,060	$ 5,364	$ 4,326
Reimbursed expenses									1,679	1,514	1,411
Total revenues									9,739	6,878	5,737
Americas [Member]
Geographic Information [Line Items]
Revenues									3,607	2,378	1,973
Americas [Member] | United States [Member]
Geographic Information [Line Items]
Revenues									3,282	2,145	1,788
Americas [Member] | Other [Member]
Geographic Information [Line Items]
Revenues									325	233	185
Europe and Africa [Member]
Geographic Information [Line Items]
Revenues									3,118	2,055	1,647
Europe and Africa [Member] | Other [Member]
Geographic Information [Line Items]
Revenues									2,532	1,594	1,237
Europe and Africa [Member] | United Kingdom [Member]
Geographic Information [Line Items]
Revenues									586	461	410
Asia-Pacific [Member]
Geographic Information [Line Items]
Revenues									1,335	931	706
Asia-Pacific [Member] | Other [Member]
Geographic Information [Line Items]
Revenues									572	344	263
Asia-Pacific [Member] | Japan [Member]
Geographic Information [Line Items]
Revenues									$ 763	$ 587	$ 443

Operations by Geographic Loc132

Operations by Geographic Location - Long Lived Assets (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Long Lived Assets Geographic [Line Items]
Property, equipment and software, net	$ 985	$ 779
Americas [Member]
Long Lived Assets Geographic [Line Items]
Property, equipment and software, net	650	455
Americas [Member] | United States [Member]
Long Lived Assets Geographic [Line Items]
Property, equipment and software, net	623	430
Americas [Member] | Other [Member]
Long Lived Assets Geographic [Line Items]
Property, equipment and software, net	27	25
Europe and Africa [Member]
Long Lived Assets Geographic [Line Items]
Property, equipment and software, net	259	254
Europe and Africa [Member] | Other [Member]
Long Lived Assets Geographic [Line Items]
Property, equipment and software, net	208	214
Europe and Africa [Member] | United Kingdom [Member]
Long Lived Assets Geographic [Line Items]
Property, equipment and software, net	51	40
Asia-Pacific [Member]
Long Lived Assets Geographic [Line Items]
Property, equipment and software, net	76	70
Asia-Pacific [Member] | Other [Member]
Long Lived Assets Geographic [Line Items]
Property, equipment and software, net	37	34
Asia-Pacific [Member] | Japan [Member]
Long Lived Assets Geographic [Line Items]
Property, equipment and software, net	$ 39	$ 36

Segments - Additional Informati

Segments - Additional Information (Detail) - Segment	Oct. 03, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of reportable segments		3
IMS Health Holdings, Inc. [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Date of Acquisition	Oct. 3, 2016	Oct. 3, 2016

Segments - Operations by Report

Segments - Operations by Reportable Segments (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 2,161	$ 2,019	$ 1,969	$ 1,911	$ 1,953	$ 1,136	$ 1,167	$ 1,108	$ 8,060	$ 5,364	$ 4,326
Costs of revenue									4,622	3,236	2,705
Selling, general and administrative expenses									1,605	1,011	815
Depreciation and amortization									(1,011)	(289)	(128)
Restructuring costs									(63)	(71)	(30)
Merger related costs										(87)
Impairment charges									(40)	(28)	(2)
Income from operations	$ 203	$ 197	$ 151	$ 168	$ 144	$ 168	$ 151	$ 179	719	642	646
Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment profit									2,080	1,253	921
Operating Segments [Member] | Commercial Solutions [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									3,630	1,089	323
Costs of revenue									1,917	641	239
Selling, general and administrative expenses									703	214	65
Segment profit									1,010	234	19
Operating Segments [Member] | Research & Development Solutions [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									3,647	3,478	3,159
Costs of revenue									2,068	1,956	1,779
Selling, general and administrative expenses									582	579	556
Segment profit									997	943	824
Operating Segments [Member] | Integrated Engagement Services [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									783	797	844
Costs of revenue									637	639	687
Selling, general and administrative expenses									73	82	79
Segment profit									73	76	78
Corporate, Non-Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Selling, general and administrative expenses									247	136	115
Segment profit									$ (247)	$ (136)	$ (115)

Earnings Per Share - Reconciles

Earnings Per Share - Reconciles the Basic to Diluted Weighted Average Shares Outstanding (Detail) - shares shares in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding	217.8	149.1	123
Effect of dilutive stock options and share awards	4.8	2.9	2.6
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding	222.6	152	125.6

Earnings Per Share - Summary of

Earnings Per Share - Summary of Weighted-Average Outstanding Stock-Based Awards Excluded from Computation of Diluted Earnings Per Share (Detail) - shares shares in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Total shares excluded from diluted earnings per share	1.4	1.2	1.1
Performance Shares [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Total shares excluded from diluted earnings per share	0.4	0.1	0.1
Share-Based Awards [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Total shares excluded from diluted earnings per share	1	1.1	1

Comprehensive Income - Summary

Comprehensive Income - Summary of Components of AOCI (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	$ 8,633
Ending Balance	8,109	$ 8,633
Beginning Balance	22	34	$ 31
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications, tax	197	(5)	9
Reclassification adjustments, tax		(7)	(6)
Ending Balance	219	22	34
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications, net of tax	616	(481)	(65)
Reclassification adjustments, net of tax		22	13
Foreign Currency Translation [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	(623)	(117)	(56)
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications, before tax	406	(506)	(61)
Ending Balance	(217)	(623)	(117)
Derivative Instruments [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	10	(14)	(19)
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications, before tax	5	(4)	(13)
Reclassification adjustments, before tax	(1)	28	18
Ending Balance	14	10	(14)
Defined Benefit Plans [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	21	(14)	(15)
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications, before tax	8	34
Reclassification adjustments, before tax	1	1	1
Ending Balance	30	21	(14)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	(570)	(111)	(59)
Ending Balance	$ 46	$ (570)	$ (111)

Comprehensive Income - Summa138

Comprehensive Income - Summary of (Gains) Losses Reclassified from AOCI into Consolidated Statements of Income and Affected Financial Statement Line Item (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Total before income taxes	$ (1)	$ 28	$ 18
Income tax (benefit) expense		7	6
Total net of income taxes	(1)	21	12
Amortization of actuarial losses	1	1	1
Total net of income taxes	1	1	1
Interest Rate Swaps and Caps [Member] | Interest Expense [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Total before income taxes		6	12
Foreign Exchange Forward Contracts [Member] | Revenues [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Total before income taxes	7	19	$ 6
Foreign Exchange Forward Contracts [Member] | Other Expense (Income), Net [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Total before income taxes	$ (8)	$ 3

Supplemental Cash Flow Infor139

Supplemental Cash Flow Information - Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Supplemental Cash Flow Information:
Interest paid	$ 320	$ 124	$ 82
Income taxes paid, net of refunds	$ 195	106	121
Non-cash Investing Activities:
Fair value of consideration transferred in connection with business combinations		$ 10,425	$ 423

Quarterly Financial Data - Unau

Quarterly Financial Data - Unaudited Quarterly Results of Operations (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 2,161	$ 2,019	$ 1,969	$ 1,911	$ 1,953	$ 1,136	$ 1,167	$ 1,108	$ 8,060	$ 5,364	$ 4,326
Income from operations	203	197	151	168	144	168	151	179	719	642	646
Net income	1,084	89	79	76	(175)	104	92	109	1,328	130	388
Net income attributable to non-controlling interests	(8)	(5)	(4)	(2)	(3)	(5)	(5)	(2)	(19)	(15)	(1)
Net income (loss) attributable to IQVIA Holdings Inc.	$ 1,076	$ 84	$ 75	$ 74	$ (178)	$ 99	$ 87	$ 107	$ 1,309	$ 115	$ 387
Basic earnings (loss) per share	$ 5.14	$ 0.39	$ 0.35	$ 0.32	$ (0.74)	$ 0.83	$ 0.73	$ 0.89	$ 6.01	$ 0.77	$ 3.15
Diluted earnings (loss) per share	$ 5.02	$ 0.38	$ 0.34	$ 0.31	$ (0.74)	$ 0.82	$ 0.71	$ 0.88	$ 5.88	$ 0.76	$ 3.08

Subsequent Event - Additional I

Subsequent Event - Additional Information (Detail) - Subsequent Event [Member] $ in Billions	Feb. 14, 2018USD ($)
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Equity repurchase program increase in authorized amount	$ 1.5
Equity available for repurchase under the repurchase program	1.7
Post Merger [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Equity repurchase program authorized amount	$ 5

Schedule I - Condensed Statemen

Schedule I - Condensed Statements of Income (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Selling, general and administrative expenses									$ 1,605	$ 1,011	$ 815
Merger related costs										87
Income from operations	$ 203	$ 197	$ 151	$ 168	$ 144	$ 168	$ 151	$ 179	719	642	646
Interest income									(7)	(4)	(4)
Other expense, net									30	(8)	2
Income before income taxes and equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated affiliates									331	479	539
Income tax benefit									(987)	345	159
Net income attributable to IQVIA Holdings Inc.	$ 1,076	$ 84	$ 75	$ 74	$ (178)	$ 99	$ 87	$ 107	1,309	115	387
Parent Company [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Selling, general and administrative expenses									1		1
Merger related costs										21
Income from operations									(1)	(21)	(1)
Income before income taxes and equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated affiliates									(1)	(21)	(1)
Income tax benefit									(3)	(4)	(1)
Income (loss) before equity in earnings of subsidiary									2	(17)
Equity in earnings of subsidiary									1,307	132	387
Net income attributable to IQVIA Holdings Inc.									$ 1,309	$ 115	$ 387

Schedule I - Condensed State143

Schedule I - Condensed Statements of Comprehensive Income (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income	$ 1,084	$ 89	$ 79	$ 76	$ (175)	$ 104	$ 92	$ 109	$ 1,328	$ 130	$ 388
Comprehensive income (loss) adjustments:
Unrealized gains (losses) on derivative instruments, net of income tax expense (benefit) of $1, $3 and ($4)									4	(7)	(9)
Defined benefit plan adjustments, net of income tax expense of $3, $11 and $—									5	23
Foreign currency translation, net of income tax benefit of ($201), ($9) and ($5)									614	(513)	(60)
Reclassification adjustments:
Losses on derivative instruments included in net income, net of income tax expense of $—, $7 and $6									(1)	21	12
Amortization of actuarial losses and prior service costs included in net income									1	1	1
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to IQVIA Holdings Inc.									1,925	(344)	335
Parent Company [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income									1,309	115	387
Comprehensive income (loss) adjustments:
Unrealized gains (losses) on derivative instruments, net of income tax expense (benefit) of $1, $3 and ($4)									4	(7)	(9)
Defined benefit plan adjustments, net of income tax expense of $3, $11 and $—									5	23
Foreign currency translation, net of income tax benefit of ($201), ($9) and ($5)									607	(497)	(56)
Reclassification adjustments:
Losses on derivative instruments included in net income, net of income tax expense of $—, $7 and $6									(1)	21	12
Amortization of actuarial losses and prior service costs included in net income									1	1	1
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to IQVIA Holdings Inc.									$ 1,925	$ (344)	$ 335

Schedule I - Condensed State144

Schedule I - Condensed Statements of Comprehensive Income (Parenthetical) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Unrealized gains (losses) on derivative instruments, income tax expense (benefit)	$ (1)	$ (3)	$ 4
Defined benefit plan adjustments, income tax expense	3	11
Foreign currency translation, income tax benefit	(201)	(9)	(5)
(Gain) losses on derivative instruments included in net income, income tax expense		7	6
Parent Company [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Unrealized gains (losses) on derivative instruments, income tax expense (benefit)	1	3	(4)
Defined benefit plan adjustments, income tax expense	3	11
Foreign currency translation, income tax benefit	$ (201)	(9)	(5)
(Gain) losses on derivative instruments included in net income, income tax expense		$ 7	$ 6

Schedule I - Condensed Balance

Schedule I - Condensed Balance Sheets (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 959	$ 1,198	$ 977	$ 867
Income taxes receivable	47	34
Other current assets and receivables	259	235
Total current assets	3,450	3,337
Total assets	22,742	21,208
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	322	250
Income taxes payable	72	76
Total current liabilities	2,904	2,705
Total liabilities	14,384	12,348
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock and additional paid-in capital, 400.0 shares authorized at December 31, 2017 and 2016, $0.01 par value, 249.5 and 248.3 shares issued at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively	10,782	10,602
Accumulated deficit	655	(399)
Treasury stock, at cost, 41.4 and 12.9 shares at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively	(3,374)	(1,000)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	46	(570)
Total stockholders’ equity	8,358	8,860	(336)	(703)
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	22,742	21,208
Parent Company [Member]
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	1	12	$ 5	$ 12
Income taxes receivable		4
Other current assets and receivables	1
Total current assets	2	16
Investment in subsidiary	9,659	8,631
Total assets	9,661	8,647
Current liabilities:
Investment in subsidiary	1,552
Payable to subsidiary		14
Total liabilities	1,552	14
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock and additional paid-in capital, 400.0 shares authorized at December 31, 2017 and 2016, $0.01 par value, 249.5 and 248.3 shares issued at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively	10,782	10,602
Accumulated deficit	655	(399)
Treasury stock, at cost, 41.4 and 12.9 shares at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively	(3,374)	(1,000)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	46	(570)
Total stockholders’ equity	8,109	8,633
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$ 9,661	$ 8,647

Schedule I - Condensed Balan146

Schedule I - Condensed Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (Detail) - $ / shares	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Condensed Balance Sheet Statements Captions [Line Items]
Common stock, shares authorized	400,000,000	400,000,000
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares issued	249,500,000	248,300,000
Treasury stock, shares	41,400,000	12,900,000
Parent Company [Member]
Condensed Balance Sheet Statements Captions [Line Items]
Common stock, shares authorized	400,000,000	400,000,000
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares issued	249,500,000	248,300,000
Common stock, shares outstanding	249,500,000	248,300,000
Treasury stock, shares	41,400,000	12,900,000

Schedule I - Condensed State147

Schedule I - Condensed Statements of Cash Flows (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Operating activities:
Net income	$ 1,084	$ 89	$ 79	$ 76	$ (175)	$ 104	$ 92	$ 109	$ 1,328	$ 130	$ 388
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued expenses									90	160	104
Net cash provided by operating activities									970	860	476
Investing activities:
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities									(1,190)	1,731	(67)
Financing activities:
Stock issued under employee stock purchase and option plans									91	97	64
Repurchase of common stock									(2,620)	(1,097)	(515)
Net cash used in financing activities									(72)	(2,284)	(249)
Effect of foreign currency exchange rate changes on cash									53	(86)	(50)
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents									(239)	221	110
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period				1,198				977	1,198	977	867
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	959				1,198				959	1,198	977
Parent Company [Member]
Operating activities:
Net income									1,309	115	387
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities:
Subsidiary loss									91	91	56
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued expenses									(3)
Income taxes payable and other liabilities									4	(5)
Net cash provided by operating activities									1,401	201	443
Investing activities:
Investment in subsidiary, net of dividends received									1,150	791
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities									1,150	791
Financing activities:
Stock issued under employee stock purchase and option plans									91	97	64
Repurchase of common stock									(2,620)	(1,097)	(515)
Intercompany with subsidiary									(31)	15	1
Net cash used in financing activities									(2,560)	(985)	(450)
Effect of foreign currency exchange rate changes on cash									(2)
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents									(11)	7	(7)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period				$ 12				$ 5	12	5	12
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 1				$ 12				$ 1	$ 12	$ 5

Schedule I - Additional Informa

Schedule I - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Condensed Financial Statements Captions [Line Items]
Income tax benefit	$ 987	$ (345)	$ (159)
Parent Company [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements Captions [Line Items]
Minimum percentage of restricted net assets of consolidated subsidiaries of consolidated net assets	25.00%
Income tax benefit	$ 3	$ 4	$ 1

Schedule I - Dividends Paid (De

Schedule I - Dividends Paid (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Cash dividend paid to parent company	$ 2,566	$ 1,014	$ 444
Paid in December 2017 [Member]
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Cash dividend paid to parent company	22
Paid in November 2017 [Member]
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Cash dividend paid to parent company	362
Paid in September 2017 [Member]
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Cash dividend paid to parent company	373
Paid in August 2017 [Member]
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Cash dividend paid to parent company	168
Paid in May 2017 [Member]
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Cash dividend paid to parent company	356
Paid in March 2017 [Member]
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Cash dividend paid to parent company	1,237
Paid in February 2017 [Member]
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Cash dividend paid to parent company	45
Paid in January 2017 [Member]
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Cash dividend paid to parent company	$ 3
Paid in December 2016 [Member]
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Cash dividend paid to parent company		503
Paid in November 2016 [Member]
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Cash dividend paid to parent company		422
Paid in June 2016 [Member]
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Cash dividend paid to parent company		$ 89
Paid in December 2015 [Member]
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Cash dividend paid to parent company			1
Paid in November 2015 [Member]
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Cash dividend paid to parent company			223
Paid in May 2015 [Member]
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Cash dividend paid to parent company			$ 220

Schedule II - Valuation and Qua

Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Detail) - Valuation Allowance of Deferred Tax Assets [Member] - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]
Balance at Beginning of Year	$ 153	$ 22	$ 25
Addition Charged to Expenses	52	10	2
Addition Charged to Other Accounts		129
Deductions	(5)	(8)	(5)
Balance at End of Year	$ 200	$ 153	$ 22