IQVIA (IQV) 10-K 18 Feb 20 2019 FY Annual report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - USD ($) $ in Billions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Feb. 07, 2020	Jun. 28, 2019
Document And Entity Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2019
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Trading Symbol	IQV
Entity Registrant Name	IQVIA HOLDINGS INC.
Entity Central Index Key	0001478242
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity File Number	001-35907
Entity Tax Identification Number	27-1341991
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Address, Address Line One	4820 Emperor Blvd.
Entity Address, City or Town	Durham
Entity Address, State or Province	NC
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	27703
City Area Code	919
Local Phone Number	998-2000
Document Annual Report	true
Document Transition Report	false
Entity Common Stock Shares Outstanding		192,339,093
Entity Public Float			$ 28.6
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Documents Incorporated by Reference	Portions of the registrant’s Proxy Statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders are incorporated herein by reference in Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K to the extent stated herein. Such proxy statement will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days of the registrant’s fiscal year ended December 31, 2019.
Principal Executive Offices [Member]
Document And Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Address, Address Line One	83 Wooster Heights Road
Entity Address, City or Town	Danbury
Entity Address, State or Province	CT
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	06810
City Area Code	203
Local Phone Number	448-4600

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCO

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 11,088	$ 10,412	$ 9,702
Type of Revenue [Extensible List]	us-gaap:ServiceMember	us-gaap:ServiceMember	us-gaap:ServiceMember
Costs of revenue, exclusive of depreciation and amortization	$ 7,300	$ 6,746	$ 6,301
Type of Cost, Good or Service [Extensible List]	us-gaap:ServiceMember	us-gaap:ServiceMember	us-gaap:ServiceMember
Selling, general and administrative expenses	$ 1,734	$ 1,716	$ 1,622
Depreciation and amortization	1,202	1,141	1,011
Impairment charges		0	40
Restructuring costs	75	68	63
Income from operations	777	741	665
Interest income	(9)	(8)	(7)
Interest expense	447	414	346
Loss on extinguishment of debt	24	2	19
Other (income) expense, net	(37)	5	13
Income before income taxes and equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	352	328	294
Income tax expense (benefit)	116	59	(992)
Income before equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated affiliates	236	269	1,286
Equity in (losses) earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	(9)	15	10
Net income	227	284	1,296
Net income attributable to non-controlling interests	(36)	(25)	(19)
Net income attributable to IQVIA Holdings Inc.	$ 191	$ 259	$ 1,277
Earnings per share attributable to common stockholders:
Basic	$ 0.98	$ 1.27	$ 5.86
Diluted	$ 0.96	$ 1.24	$ 5.74
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic	195.1	203.7	217.8
Diluted	199.6	208.2	222.6

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMP

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 227	$ 284	$ 1,296
Comprehensive (loss) income adjustments:
Unrealized (losses) gains on derivative instruments, net of income tax expense (benefit) of $4, ($5) and $1	(15)	1	4
Defined benefit plan adjustments, net of income tax (benefit) expense of $5, ($4) and $3	(30)	(8)	5
Foreign currency translation, net of income tax (benefit) expense of ($30), $50 and ($201)	(39)	(258)	611
Reclassification adjustments:
(Gains) losses on derivative instruments included in net income, net of income tax expense of $—, $1 and $—	(1)	(12)	(1)
Amortization of actuarial losses and prior service costs included in net income		1	1
Comprehensive income (loss)	142	8	1,916
Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to non-controlling interests	(38)	(22)	(26)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to IQVIA Holdings Inc.	$ 104	$ (14)	$ 1,890

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CO_2

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Unrealized (losses) gains on derivative instruments, income tax expense {benefit)	$ 4	$ (5)	$ 1
Defined benefit plan adjustments, income tax (benefit) expense	5	(4)	3
Foreign currency translation, income tax (benefit) expense	$ (30)	50	$ (201)
(Gain) losses on derivative instruments included in net income, income tax expense		$ 1

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 837	$ 891
Trade accounts receivable and unbilled services, net	2,582	2,394
Prepaid expenses	138	151
Income taxes receivable	56	69
Investments in debt, equity and other securities	62	47
Other current assets and receivables	451	322
Total current assets	4,126	3,874
Property and equipment, net	458	434
Operating lease right-of-use assets	496
Investments in debt, equity and other securities	65	41
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates	87	101
Goodwill	12,159	11,800
Other identifiable intangibles, net	5,514	5,951
Deferred income taxes	119	109
Deposits and other assets	227	239
Total assets	23,251	22,549
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	2,512	2,295
Unearned income	1,014	1,007
Income taxes payable	108	100
Current portion of long-term debt	100	100
Other current liabilities	211	32
Total current liabilities	3,945	3,534
Long-term debt, less current portion	11,545	10,907
Deferred income taxes	646	736
Operating lease liabilities	396
Other liabilities	456	418
Total liabilities	16,988	15,595
Commitments and contingencies (Note 1)
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock and additional paid-in capital, 400.0 shares authorized at December 31, 2019 and 2018, $0.01 par value, 253.0 shares issued and 192.3 shares outstanding at December 31, 2019; 251.5 shares issued and 197.5 shares outstanding at December 31, 2018	11,049	10,901
Retained earnings	998	807
Treasury stock, at cost, 60.7 and 54.0 shares at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively	(5,733)	(4,770)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(311)	(224)
Equity attributable to IQVIA Holdings Inc.’s stockholders	6,003	6,714
Non-controlling interests	260	240
Total stockholders’ equity	6,263	6,954
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$ 23,251	$ 22,549

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Pa

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
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	253,000,000	251,500,000
Common stock, shares outstanding	192,300,000	197,500,000
Treasury stock, shares	60,700,000	54,000,000

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Operating activities:
Net income	$ 227	$ 284	$ 1,296
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	1,202	1,141	1,011
Amortization of debt issuance costs and discount	13	11	9
Amortization of accumulated other comprehensive loss on terminated interest rate swaps			3
Stock-based compensation	146	113	106
Impairment of goodwill and identifiable intangible assets		0	40
Loss (gain) on disposals of property and equipment, net	1		(1)
Loss (earnings) from unconsolidated affiliates	9	(15)	(10)
(Gain) loss on investments, net	(43)	3	(8)
Benefit from deferred income taxes	(157)	(177)	(1,221)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable and unbilled services	(122)	(297)	(141)
Prepaid expenses and other assets	(92)	(66)	(54)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	240	368	90
Unearned income	(2)	7	(68)
Income taxes payable and other liabilities	(5)	(118)	(82)
Net cash provided by operating activities	1,417	1,254	970
Investing activities:
Acquisition of property, equipment and software	(582)	(459)	(369)
Net cash paid for acquisition of businesses	(588)	(309)	(854)
Disposition of business, net of cash disposed			12
(Purchases) sales of marketable securities, net	(3)	(4)	2
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates, net of payments received		(17)	15
(Investments in) proceeds from sale of equity securities	(22)	(23)
Other	5	2	4
Net cash used in investing activities	(1,190)	(810)	(1,190)
Financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of debt	1,900	1,631	5,242
Payment of debt issuance costs	(47)	(22)	(50)
Repayment of debt	(899)	(732)	(2,883)
Proceeds from revolving credit facility	2,522	2,445	1,921
Repayment of revolving credit facility	(2,776)	(2,329)	(1,767)
Principal payments on capital lease obligations			(2)
Proceeds related to employee stock option plans	11	15	91
Repurchase of common stock	(949)	(1,405)	(2,620)
Distributions to non-controlling interest, net	(18)	(31)
Contingent consideration and deferred purchase price payments	(20)	(24)	(4)
Net cash used in financing activities	(276)	(452)	(72)
Effect of foreign currency exchange rate changes on cash	(5)	(60)	53
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(54)	(68)	(239)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	891	959	1,198
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 837	$ 891	$ 959

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 (Loss) Income [Member]	Non-controlling Interests [Member]
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2016	$ 8,781	$ 2	$ (1,000)	$ 10,600	$ (484)	$ (564)	$ 227
Beginning Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2016		248.3
Beginning Balance, Shares 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, 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	1,296				1,277		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	611					604	7
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2017	8,244	$ 2	$ (3,374)	10,780	538	49	249
Ending Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2017		249.5
Ending Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2017			(41.4)
Issuance of common stock	11	$ 1		10
Issuance of common stock, Shares		2
Repurchase of common stock	(1,396)		$ (1,396)
Repurchase of common stock, Shares			(12.6)
Stock-based compensation	108			108
Distribution to non-controlling interest	(31)						(31)
Net income	284				259		25
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative instruments, net of tax	1					1
Defined benefit plan adjustments, net of tax	(8)					(8)
Foreign currency translation, net of tax	(258)					(255)	(3)
Reclassification adjustments, net of tax	(11)					(11)
Other	10				10
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2018	$ 6,954	$ 3	$ (4,770)	10,898	807	(224)	240
Ending Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2018	197.5	251.5
Ending Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2018	54		(54)
Issuance of common stock	$ 11			11
Issuance of common stock, Shares		1.5
Repurchase of common stock	(963)		$ (963)
Repurchase of common stock, Shares			(6.7)
Stock-based compensation	137			137
Distribution to non-controlling interest	(18)						(18)
Net income	227				191		36
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative instruments, net of tax	(15)					(15)
Defined benefit plan adjustments, net of tax	(30)					(30)
Foreign currency translation, net of tax	(39)					(41)	2
Reclassification adjustments, net of tax	(1)					(1)
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2019	$ 6,263	$ 3	$ (5,733)	$ 11,046	$ 998	$ (311)	$ 260
Ending Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2019	192.3	253
Ending Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2019	60.7		(60.7)

Summary of Significant Accounti

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies The Company IQVIA Holdings Inc. (together with its subsidiaries, the “Company” or “IQVIA”) is a leading global provider of advanced analytics, technology solutions and contract research services to the life sciences industry. IQVIA applies human data science – leveraging the analytic rigor and clarity of data science to the ever-expanding scope of human science – to enable companies to reimagine and develop new approaches to clinical development and commercialization, speed innovation, and accelerate improvements in healthcare outcomes. Powered by the IQVIA CORE, the Company delivers unique and actionable insights at the intersection of large-scale analytics, transformative technology and extensive domain expertise, as well as execution capabilities to help biotech, medical device, and pharmaceutical companies, medical researchers, government agencies, payers and other healthcare stakeholders tap into a deeper understanding of diseases, human behaviors and scientific advances, in an effort to advance their path toward cures. With approximately 67,000 employees, the Company conducts business in more than 100 countries. 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. 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 (loss) income (“AOCI”) component of stockholders’ equity. 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 nonmonetary accounts are remeasured using historical exchange rates, and all remeasurement and transaction adjustments are recognized in other expense (income), net. Cash Equivalents The Company considers all highly liquid investments with an initial maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. 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 Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (“ 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 accumulat ed 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 and forecasted foreign currency transactions. Business Combinations The Company uses the acquisition method to account for business combinations, and accordingly, 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. The Company uses significant judgments, estimates and assumptions in determining the estimated fair value of assets acquired, liabilities assumed and non-controlling interest including expected future cash flows, discount rates that reflect the risk associated with the expected future cash flows and estimated useful lives. The Company records and allocates to its reporting units the excess of the cost over the fair value of the net assets acquired, known as goodwill. The recoverability of the goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are evaluated annually for impairment, or if and when events or circumstances indicate a possible impairment. The Company reviews the carrying values of other identifiable intangible assets if the facts and circumstances indicate a possible impairment. 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 - 10 years Databases 1 - 9 years Non-compete agreements and other 2 - 5 years Included in software and related assets 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 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. There were no impairments recognized in 2019 and 2018. Revenue Recognition The Company’s arrangements are primarily service contracts that range in duration from a few months to several years. The Company recognizes revenue when control of these services is transferred to the customer for an amount, referred to as the transaction price, that reflects the consideration to which the Company is expected to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The Company determines revenue recognition utilizing the following five steps: (1) identification of the contract with a customer, (2) identification of the performance obligations in the contract (promised goods or services that are distinct), (3) determination of the transaction price, (4) allocation of the transaction price to the performance obligations, and (5) recognition of revenue when, or as, the Company transfers control of the product or service for each performance obligation. Cash payments made to customers as incentives to induce customers 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 derives the majority of its revenues in the Technology & Analytics Solutions segment from various information and technology service offerings. Information offerings (primarily under fixed-price contracts) typically include multiple performance obligations including an ongoing subscription-based deliverable for which revenue is recognized ratably as earned over the contract period, and/or a one-time deliverable of data offerings for which revenue is recognized upon delivery. The customer is able to benefit from the provision of data as it is received. 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 may contain multiple performance obligations consisting of a mix of small and large-scale services and consulting projects, multi-year outsourcing contracts and Software-as-a- Service (“SaaS”) arrangements. These arrangements typically have terms ranging from several weeks to three years, with a majority having terms of one year or less. For arrangements that include multiple performance obligations, the transaction price is allocated to the identified performance obligations based on their relative standalone selling prices. For these contracts, the standalone selling prices are based on the Company’s normal pricing practices when sold separately with consideration of market conditions and other factors, including customer demographics and geographic location. Revenues for services engagements where the transfer of control occurs ratably over time are recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the arrangement. Revenues from time and material contracts are recognized based on hours as the services are provided. Revenues from fixed price ad hoc services and consulting contracts are recognized 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 (hours-based). Technology services offerings meet the over time criterion, as another party would not need to substantially re-perform the work already completed to satisfy the remaining obligations if the services were migrated. The majority of the Company’s contracts within the Research & Development Solutions segment are service contracts for clinical research that represent a single performance obligation. The Company provides a significant integration service resulting in a combined output, which is clinical trial data that meets the relevant regulatory standards and can be used by the customer to progress to the next phase of a clinical trial or solicit approval of a treatment by the applicable regulatory body. The performance obligation is satisfied over time as the output is captured in data and documentation that is available for the customer to consume over the course of the arrangement and furthers progress of the clinical trial. The Company recognizes revenue over time using a cost-based input method since there is no single output measure that would fairly depict the transfer of control over the life of the performance obligation. Progress on the performance obligation is measured by the proportion of actual costs incurred to the total costs expected to complete the contract. Costs included in the measure of progress include direct labor and third-party costs (such as payments to investigators and other pass through expenses for the Company’s clinical monitors). This cost-based method of revenue recognition requires the Company to make estimates of costs to complete its projects on an ongoing basis. Significant judgment is required to evaluate assumptions related to these estimates. The effect of revisions to estimates related to the transaction price or costs to complete a project are recorded in the period in which the estimate is revised. Most contracts may be terminated upon 30 to 90 days notice by the customer; however, in the event of termination, most contracts require payment for services rendered through the date of termination, as well as for subsequent services rendered to close out the contract. The majority of revenue in our Contract Sales & Medical Solutions segment is from contract sales to the biopharmaceutical industry and broader healthcare market and recognized over time using a single measure of progress dependent on the performance obligation. Some of our Contract Sales & Medical Solutions contracts contain multiple performance obligations with distinct promises including recruiting, sales force automation and deployment of sales representatives. The Company utilizes a single measure of progress for each performance obligation to recognize revenue, which includes deployment of sales representatives based on employee days worked; recruiting based on candidates recruited; sales force automation set-up based on hours worked; and sales force automation hosting and maintenance based on usage. These services meet the over time criterion as the customer consumes the benefit as activities are performed and another party would not need to substantially re-perform the work already completed to satisfy the remaining obligations if the services were migrated to another party. Variable Consideration In some cases, contracts provide for variable consideration that is contingent upon the occurrence of uncertain future events, such as performance incentives (including royalty payments or penalty clauses that can either increase or decrease the transaction price). Variable consideration is estimated at the expected value or at the most likely amount depending on the type of consideration. Estimated amounts are included in the transaction price to the extent it is probable that a significant reversal of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur when the uncertainty associated with the variable consideration is resolved. The estimate of variable consideration and determination of whether to include estimated amounts in the transaction price are based largely on an assessment of its anticipated performance and all information (historical, current and forecasted) that is reasonably available to the Company and reevaluated each reporting period. Reimbursed Expenses The Company includes reimbursed expenses in revenues and costs of revenue as the Company is primarily responsible for fulfilling the promise to provide the specified service, including the integration of the related services into a combined output to the customer, which are inseparable from the integrated service. These costs include such items as payments to investigators and travel expenses for the Company’s clinical monitors and sales representatives, over which the Company has discretion in establishing prices. The Company controls the good or service and has inventory risk on contractually reimbursable expenses, as sometimes the Company is unable to obtain reimbursement from the customer for costs incurred. Change Orders Changes in the scope of work are common, especially under long-term contracts, and generally result in a change in transaction price. Change orders are evaluated on a contract-by-contract basis to determine if they should be accounted for as a new contract or as part of the existing contract. Generally, services from change orders are not distinct from the original performance obligation. As a result, the effect that the contract modification has on the contract revenue, and measure of progress, is recognized as an adjustment to revenue when it occurs. Costs of Revenue Costs of revenue include (i) 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; (ii) costs of staff directly involved with delivering technology-related services offerings and engagements, and the costs of data purchased specifically for technology services engagements; (iii) reimbursed expenses that are comprised principally of payments to investigators who oversee clinical trials and travel expenses for the Company’s clinical monitors and sales representatives; and (iv) other expenses directly related to service contracts such as courier fees, laboratory supplies, professional services and travel expenses. Trade Receivables, Unbilled Services and Unearned Income In general, billings and payments are established by contractual provisions including predetermined payment schedules, which may or may not correspond to the timing of the transfer of control of the Company’s services under the contract. In general, the Company’s intention in its invoicing (payment terms) is to maintain cash neutrality over the life of the contract. Generally, the payment terms are 30 to 90 days based on contracts. Upfront payments, when they occur, are intended to cover certain expenses the Company incurs at the beginning of the contract. Neither the Company nor its customers view such upfront payments and contracted payment schedules as a means of financing. Unbilled services primarily arise from long-term contracts when a cost-based or hours-based input method of revenue recognition is utilized and revenue recognized exceeds the amount billed to the customer. Unearned income consists of advance payments and billings in excess of revenue recognized. 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. Unearned income is classified as a current liability on the condensed consolidated balance sheet as the Company expects to recognize the associated revenue in less than one year. 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. 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. Certain items of income and expense are not recognized on the Company’s income tax returns and financial statements in the same year, which creates timing differences. The income tax effect of these timing differences results in (1) deferred income tax assets that create a reduction in future income taxes and (2) deferred income tax liabilities that create an increase in future income taxes. Recognition of deferred income tax assets is based on management’s belief that it is more likely than not that the income tax benefit associated with certain temporary differences, income tax operating loss and capital loss carryforwards and income tax credits, would be realized. The Company recorded a valuation allowance to reduce its deferred income tax assets for those deferred income tax items for which it was more likely than not that realization would not occur. The Company determined the amount of the valuation allowance based, in part, on the Company’s assessment of future taxable income and in light of the Company’s ongoing income tax strategies. If the estimate of future taxable income or tax strategies changes at any time in the future, the Company would record an adjustment to our valuation allowance. Recording such an adjustment could have a material effect on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations. Income tax expense is based on the distribution of profit before income tax among the various taxing jurisdictions in which we operate, adjusted as required by the income tax laws of each taxing jurisdiction. Changes in the distribution of profits and losses among taxing jurisdictions may have a significant impact on our effective income tax rate. The Company does not consider the undistributed earnings of our foreign subsidiaries to be indefinitely reinvested outside of the United States. 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, 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. 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 values 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 for performance awards that include market conditions based upon the Monte Carlo simulation model. Leases The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at inception. Operating leases are included in operating lease right-of-use (“ROU”) assets, other current liabilities, and operating lease liabilities on our condensed consolidated balance sheets. Operating lease ROU assets and operating lease liabilities are recognized based on the present value of the future minimum lease payments over the lease term at commencement date. As most of the Company’s leases do not provide an implicit rate, the Company uses its incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at commencement date in determining the present value of future payments. The operating lease ROU asset also includes any lease payments made before lease commencement and initial direct costs and excludes lease incentives. The Company’s lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that we will exercise that option. Lease expense for minimum lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The Company has lease agreements with lease and non-lease components that the Company has elected to account for as single lease components. 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. 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 (losses) 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. 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 Accounting pronouncements adopted as of December 31, 2019 In February 2018, the FASB issued new accounting guidance that will allow a reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings for “stranded income tax effects” resulting from the Tax Act. Because the income statement impact related to the reduction of the historical corporate income tax rate under the Tax Act is required to be included in income tax expense, the guidance acknowledges that the income tax effects of items within accumulated other comprehensive income (“stranded income tax effects”) do not reflect the appropriate income tax rate. The Company adopted this new accounting guidance on January 1, 2019 using the aggregate portfolio approach. The Company elected the option to not reclassify accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings for “stranded income tax effects” resulting from the Tax Act. 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 risk management strategies, simplify the application of hedge accounting, and increase transparency as to the scope and results of hedging programs. The Company adopted this new accounting guidance on January 1, 2019. The adoption of this new accounting guidance did not have a materia l effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. 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 Company adopted this new accounting guidance on January 1, 2019 and elected the practical expedients upon transition that retained the lease classification, initial direct costs and determination of whether contracts are or contain a lease, for any leases that existed prior to adoption of the new guidance. The Company also elected the transition method which allows for disclosures to be updated prospectively and prior periods to be presented in accordance with previous guidance. The adoption of this standard had a material impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets but did not have a material impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated results of operations or cash flows. Accounting pronouncements issued but not adopted as of December 31, 2019 In January 2020, the FASB issued new accounting guidance that states , will be In December 2019, the FASB issued new accounting guidance to clarify and simplify the accounting for income taxes. Changes under the new guidance includes eliminating certain exceptions related to the approach for intraperiod tax allocation, the methodology for calculating income taxes in an interim period and the recognition of deferred tax liabilities for outside basis differences. The new accounting guidance will be effective for the Company on January 1, 2021. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this new accounting guidance on its consolidated financial statements. In August 2018, the FASB issued new accounting guidance that clarifies and aligns the accounting for implementation costs for hosting arrangements with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software. The new accounting guidance will be effective for the Company on January 1, 2020. The ado

Revenues by Geography, Concentr

Revenues by Geography, Concentration of Credit Risk and Remaining Performance Obligations	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Revenue From Contract With Customer [Abstract]
Revenues by Geography, Concentration of Credit Risk and Remaining Performance Obligations	2. The Company attributes revenues to geographical region based upon where the services are performed. The following tables represent revenues by geographical region and reportable segment for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017: Year Ended December 31, 2019 (in millions) Technology & Analytics Solutions Research & Development Solutions Contract Sales & Medical Solutions Total Revenues: Americas $ 2,370 $ 2,693 $ 399 $ 5,462 Europe and Africa 1,543 1,734 200 3,477 Asia-Pacific 573 1,361 215 2,149 Total revenues $ 4,486 $ 5,788 $ 814 $ 11,088 Year Ended December 31, 2018 (in millions) Technology & Analytics Solutions Research & Development Solutions Contract Sales & Medical Solutions Total Revenues: Americas $ 2,087 $ 2,553 $ 358 $ 4,998 Europe and Africa 1,520 1,693 235 3,448 Asia-Pacific 530 1,219 217 1,966 Total revenues $ 4,137 $ 5,465 $ 810 $ 10,412 Year Ended December 31, 2017 (in millions) Technology & Analytics Solutions Research & Development Solutions Contract Sales & Medical Solutions Total Revenues: Americas $ 1,801 $ 2,375 $ 430 $ 4,606 Europe and Africa 1,372 1,663 251 3,286 Asia-Pacific 509 1,067 234 1,810 Total revenues $ 3,682 $ 5,105 $ 915 $ 9,702 No individual country, except for the United States and the United Kingdom, accounted for 10% or more of total revenues for the year ended December 31, 2019 and 2018. For the year ended December 31, 2019, revenues in the United States and the United Kingdom accounted for 45% and 10% of total revenue, respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2018, revenues in the United States and the United Kingdom accounted for 43% and 11% of total revenue, respectively. No individual country, except for the United States, accounted for 10% or more of total revenues for the year ended December 31, 2017. For the year ended December 31, 2017, revenue in the United States accounted for 42% of total revenue. No individual customer represented 10% or more of total revenues for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 or 2017. Transaction Price Allocated to the Remaining Performance Obligations As of December 31, 2019, approximately $20.0 billion of revenue is expected to be recognized in the future from remaining performance obligations. The Company expects to recognize revenue on approximately 35% of these remaining performance obligations over the next twelve months, with the balance recognized thereafter. The customer contract transaction

Trade Accounts Receivable, Unbi

Trade Accounts Receivable, Unbilled Services and Unearned Income	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Receivables [Abstract]
Trade Accounts Receivable, Unbilled Services and Unearned Income	3. Trade Accounts Receivable, Unbilled Services and Unearned Income Trade accounts receivables and unbilled services consist of the following: December 31, (in millions) 2019 2018 Trade accounts receivable: Billed $ 1,312 $ 1,279 Unbilled services 1,286 1,130 Trade accounts receivable and unbilled services 2,598 2,409 Allowance for doubtful accounts (16 ) (15 ) Trade accounts receivable and unbilled services, net $ 2,582 $ 2,394 Unbilled services and unearned income was as follows: December 31, (in millions) 2019 2018 Change Unbilled services $ 1,286 $ 1,130 $ 156 Unearned income (1,014 ) (1,007 ) (7 ) Net balance $ 272 $ 123 $ 149 Unbilled services, which is comprised of approximately equal parts of unbilled receivables and contract assets as of December 31, 2019, increased by $156 million as compared to December 31, 2018. Contract assets are unbilled services for which invoicing is based on the timing of certain milestones related to service contracts for clinical research whereas unbilled receivables are billable upon the passage of time. Unearned income increased by $7 million over the same period resulting in an increase of $149 million in the net balance of unbilled services and unearned income between December 31, 2019 and 2018. Growth in the net balance is driven by the difference in timing of revenue recognition in accordance with ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, related to the Bad debt expense recognized on the Company’s receivables and unbilled services was de minimis for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017.

Investments

Investments	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Investments Debt And Equity Securities [Abstract]
Investments	4. 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 and 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 ASU 2016-01 became effective on January 1, 2018. ASU 2016-01 requires entities to measure equity investments (except those accounted for under the equity method, those that result in consolidation of the investee and certain other investments) at fair value and recognize any changes in fair value in net income at the end of each reporting period. Entities can no longer classify equity investments as trading or available for sale and can no longer recognize unrealized holding gains and losses on equity securities classified previously as available for sale in other comprehensive income (loss). Entities can no longer use the cost method of accounting as it was previously applied for equity securities that do not have readily determinable fair values. For equity investments that do not have readily determinable fair values and do not qualify for the existing practical expedient in Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 820 “Fair Value Measurement” (“ASC 820”) to estimate fair value using the net asset value per share of the investment, the guidance provides a new measurement alternative. Entities may choose to measure those investments at cost, less any impairment, plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for the identical or a similar investment of the same issuer at each reporting period. During the fourth quarter of 2018, the Company recorded the cumulative adoption of ASU 2016-01 within stockholders’ equity . 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: December 31, (in millions) 2019 2018 NovaQuest Pharma Opportunities Fund III, L.P. (“NQ Fund III”) $ 19 $ 30 NovaQuest Pharma Opportunities Fund IV, L.P. (“NQ Fund IV”) 8 13 NovaQuest Pharma Opportunities Fund V, L.P. (“NQ Fund V”) 13 14 NovaQuest Private Equity Fund I, L.P. (“NQ PE Fund I”) 4 4 Cenduit TM — 4 NostraData Pty Ltd. (“NostraData”) 8 7 Inteliquet (“Inteliquet”) 18 20 Helparound ("Helparound") 4 — Other 13 9 $ 87 $ 101 Variable Interest Entities As of December 31, 2019, 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 NQ Fund III $ 19 $ 25 NQ Fund IV 8 10 NQ Fund V 13 44 NQ PE Fund I 4 7 Pappas Life Science Ventures V, L.P. 2 5 $ 46 $ 91

Derivatives

Derivatives	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Derivatives	5. 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. 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 reduce earnings and cash flow volatility associated with foreign exchange rate movements. Service Contract Hedging and Royalty Hedging contracts are designated as cash flow 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 2020. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company had open Service Contract Hedging and Royalty Hedging contracts to hedge certain forecasted foreign currency cash flow transactions occurring in 2020 and 2019 with notional amounts totaling $148 million and $202 million, respectively. $5 million and ($3) million Interest Rate Risk Management The Company purchases interest rate caps and has entered into interest rate swap agreements for purposes of managing its exposure to interest rate fluctuations. In April 2014, IMS Health entered into United States dollar and Euro denominated interest rate swap agreements (“2014 Swaps”) to hedge interest rate exposure on notional amounts of approximately $600 million of its borrowings. The 2014 Swaps commenced between April and June 2014 and expire at various times through March 2021. As of December 31, 2019, only one of the 2014 Swaps remain unexpired, with a notional value of $325 million. On this agreement, the Company pays a fixed rate of 1.6% and receives a variable rate of interest equal to the greater of three-month Euro Interbank Offered Rate (“EURIBOR”) or the equivalent to LIBOR, and 1%. During 2017, the 2014 Swaps ceased to be considered highly effective for accounting purposes and as such, the Company discontinued hedge accounting and prospective changes in the fair value of the Swaps are recognized in earnings. 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 (as defined below). Interest on the swaps began accruing on June 30, 2016, and the interest rate swaps expire at various times through March 2020. As of December 31, 2019, only three of the 2015 Swaps were still outstanding. The Company pays a fixed rate of 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 are considered On July 19, 2018, the Company entered into two forward starting interest rate swaps (“2018 Swaps”) with a total notional value of $500 million in an effort to limit its exposure to changes in the variable interest rate on its Senior Secured Credit Facilities (as defined below) 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 59% fixed rate debt and 41% variable rate debt. Net Investment Risk Management The Company designates its foreign currency denominated debt as a hedge of its net investment in certain foreign subsidiaries to reduce the volatility in stockholders’ equity caused by changes in the Euro exchange rate with respect to the United States dollar, which is accounted for as a cash flow hedge. As of December 31, 2019, these borrowings (net of original issue discount) were €5,273 million ($5,915 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 gains related to the net investment hedge included in the cumulative translation adjustment component of AOCI for the year ended December 31, 2019 was $97 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: December 31, 2019 December 31, 2018 (in millions) Balance Sheet Classification Assets Liabilities Notional Assets Liabilities Notional Derivatives designated as hedging instruments: Foreign exchange forward contracts Other current assets and liabilities $ 4 — $ 148 $ 5 $ 3 $ 202 Interest rate swaps Other assets and liabilities — 27 875 3 9 890 Interest rate caps Deposits and other assets — — — 1 — 700 Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments: Interest rate swaps Other liabilities — 3 325 — 5 432 Total derivatives $ 4 $ 30 $ 9 $ 17 The pre-tax effect of the Company’s cash flow hedging instruments on other comprehensive (loss) income is summarized in the following table: Year Ended December 31, (in millions) 2019 2018 2017 Foreign exchange forward contracts $ 2 $ (9 ) $ (5 ) Interest rate derivatives (22 ) (6 ) 9 Total $ (20 ) $ (15 ) $ 4 The Company expects approximately $3 million of pre-tax unrealized losses related to its foreign exchange contracts and interest rate derivatives included in AOCI at December 31, 2019 to be reclassified into earnings within the next twelve months. The total amount of cash flow hedge effect on the income statement is immaterial for year ended December 31, 2019.

Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurements	6. 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, 2019 and 2018 due to their short-term nature. At December 31, 2019 and 2018, the fair value of total debt approximated $11,925 million and $10,850 million, respectively, as determined under Level 1 and Level 2 measurements 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 and reported at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2019: (in millions) Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Assets: Marketable securities $ 79 $ — $ — $ 79 Derivatives — 4 — 4 Total $ 79 $ 4 $ — $ 83 Liabilities: Derivatives $ — $ 30 $ — $ 30 Contingent consideration — — 113 113 Total $ — $ 30 $ 113 $ 143 The following table summarizes the fair value of the Company’s financial assets and liabilities that are measured and reported at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2018: (in millions) Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Assets: Marketable securities $ 63 $ — $ — $ 63 Derivatives — 9 — 9 Total $ 63 $ 9 $ — $ 72 Liabilities: Derivatives $ — $ 17 $ — $ 17 Contingent consideration — — 123 123 Total $ — $ 17 $ 123 $ 140 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 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 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. Assumptions used to estimate the fair value of contingent consideration include v arious financial metrics (revenue performance targets 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: Contingent Consideration (in millions) 2019 2018 2017 Balance as of January 1 $ 123 $ 69 $ 18 Business combinations 40 53 57 Contingent consideration paid (46 ) (24 ) (4 ) Revaluations included in earnings and foreign currency translation adjustments (4 ) 25 (2 ) Balance as of December 31 $ 113 $ 123 $ 69 The current portion of contingent consideration is included within accrued expenses and the long-term portion is included within other liabilities on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Revaluations of contingent consideration are 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 equity investments that do not have readily determinable fair values that are assessed for impairment quarterly or annually and when a triggering event occurs, and goodwill and identifiable intangible assets that are tested for impairment annually and when a triggering event occurs. See Note 4 and 8 for additional information. As of December 31, 2019, assets carried on the balance sheet and not remeasured to fair value on a recurring basis totaled approximately $17,808 million and were identified as Level 3. These assets are comprised of cost and equity method investments of $135 million, goodwill of $12,159 million and other identifiable intangibles, net of $5,514 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 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. 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 to the net book value of assets and liabilities exclusive of goodwill . See Note 8 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 8 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, 2019
Property Plant And Equipment [Abstract]
Property and Equipment	7. Property and Equipment The major classes of property and equipment were as follows: December 31, (in millions) 2019 2018 Land, buildings and leasehold improvements $ 331 $ 326 Equipment 570 521 Furniture and fixtures 81 82 Transportation equipment 73 72 Property and equipment, gross 1,055 1,001 Less accumulated depreciation (597 ) (567 ) Property and equipment, net $ 458 $ 434 Property and equipment depreciation expense was as follows: Year Ended December 31, (in millions) 2019 2018 2017 Depreciation expense $ 128 $ 125 $ 125

Goodwill and Identifiable Intan

Goodwill and Identifiable Intangible Assets	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill and Identifiable Intangible Assets	8. Goodwill and Identifiable Intangible Assets As of December 31, 2019, the Company has approximately $5,514 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: Year Ended December 31, (in millions) 2019 2018 2017 Amortization expense $ 1,074 $ 1,016 $ 886 Estimated amortization expense for existing identifiable intangible assets is expected to be approximately $1,072 million, $801 million, $462 million, $386 million and $317 million for the years ending December 31, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024, 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: As of December 31, 2019 As of December 31, 2018 (in millions) Gross Amount Accumulated Amortization Net Amount Gross Amount Accumulated Amortization Net Amount Definite-lived identifiable intangible assets: Client relationships and backlog $ 4,809 $ (1,303 ) $ 3,506 $ 4,620 $ (863 ) $ 3,757 Trademarks, trade names and other 528 (158 ) 370 526 (108 ) 418 Databases 1,836 (1,185 ) 651 1,828 (823 ) 1,005 Software and related assets 1,620 (665 ) 955 1,279 (543 ) 736 Non-compete agreements 32 (18 ) 14 27 (10 ) 17 $ 8,825 $ (3,329 ) $ 5,496 $ 8,280 $ (2,347 ) $ 5,933 Indefinite-lived identifiable intangible assets: Trade names $ 18 $ — $ 18 $ 18 $ — $ 18 The following is a summary of goodwill by segment for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018: (in millions) Technology & Analytics Solutions Research & Development Solutions Contract Sales & Medical Solutions Consolidated Balance as of December 31, 2017 10,348 1,385 117 11,850 Business combinations 135 49 18 202 Impact of foreign currency fluctuations and other (244 ) (7 ) (1 ) (252 ) Balance as of December 31, 2018 10,239 1,427 134 11,800 Business combinations 216 215 5 436 Impact of foreign currency fluctuations and other (81 ) 4 — (77 ) Balance as of December 31, 2019 $ 10,374 $ 1,646 $ 139 $ 12,159 There were no goodwill impairment losses as of December 31, 2019 or 2018.

Accrued Expenses

Accrued Expenses	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Payables And Accruals [Abstract]
Accrued Expenses	9. Accrued Expenses Accrued expenses consist of the following: December 31, (in millions) 2019 2018 Compensation, including bonuses, fringe benefits and payroll taxes $ 687 $ 660 Restructuring 67 74 Interest 53 45 Client contract related 763 678 Professional fees 80 91 Contingent consideration and deferred purchase price 52 90 Other 235 220 $ 1,937 $ 1,858

Credit Arrangements

Credit Arrangements	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Credit Arrangements	10. Credit Arrangements The following is a summary of the Company’s revolving credit facilities at December 31, 2019: Facility Interest Rates $1,500 million (revolving credit facility) LIBOR in the relevant currency borrowed plus a margin of 1.50% at December 31, 2019 $25 million (receivables financing facility) LIBOR Market Index Rate (1.76% at December 31, 2019) plus 0.90% £10 million (approximately $13 million) general banking facility Bank’s base rate of 0.75% at December 31, 2019 plus 1% The following table summarizes the Company’s debt at the dates indicated: December 31, (dollars in millions) 2019 2018 Senior Secured Credit Facilities: Term A Loan due 2023—U.S. Dollar LIBOR at average floating rates of 3.44% $ 770 $ 812 Term A Loan due 2023—Euro LIBOR at average floating rates of 1.50% 387 416 Term B Loan due 2024—U.S. Dollar LIBOR at average floating rates of 3.69% 535 535 Term B Loan due 2024—Euro LIBOR at average floating rates of 2.00% 1,306 1,346 Term B Loan due 2025—U.S. Dollar LIBOR at average floating rates of 3.69% 733 741 Term B Loan due 2025—U.S. Dollar LIBOR at average floating rates of 3.69% 936 945 Term B Loan due 2025—Euro LIBOR at average floating rates of 2.00% 644 664 Revolving Credit Facility due 2023: U.S. Dollar denominated borrowings — floating rates of 3.26% 154 620 Japanese Yen denominated borrowings—Japanese Yen LIBOR at average floating rates of 1.50% 212 — 5.0% Senior Notes due 2027—U.S. Dollar denominated 1,100 — 5.0% Senior Notes due 2026 — 1,050 1,050 2.875% Senior Notes due 2025—Euro denominated 471 481 3.25% Senior Notes due 2025 — 1,598 1,631 3.5% Senior Notes due 2024 — 701 715 4.875% Senior Notes due 2023—U.S. Dollar denominated — 800 2.25% Senior Notes due 2028—Euro denominated 808 — Receivables financing facility due 2022—U.S. Dollar LIBOR at average floating rates of 2.66% 300 300 Principal amount of debt 11,705 11,056 Less: unamortized discount and debt issuance costs (60 ) (49 ) Less: current portion (100 ) (100 ) Long-term debt $ 11,545 $ 10,907 Contractual maturities of long-term debt at December 31, 2019 are as follows: (in millions) 2020 $ 100 2021 100 2022 400 2023 1,372 2024 2,511 Thereafter 7,222 $ 11,705 At December 31, 2019, there were bank guarantees totaling approximately £0.8 million (approximately $1.1 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 2019 Financing Transactions At December 31, 2019, the Company’s senior credit facilities of approximately $6,811 million, which consisted of $5,677 million principal amounts of debt outstanding (as detailed in the table above), $3 million of issued standby letters of credit and $1,131 million of available borrowing capacity on the $1,500 million revolving credit facility. On December 18, 2019, the Company entered into Amendment No. 6 to the Credit Agreement; pursuant to the Amendment, that amended the interest rate applicable to the Issuer’s and was reduced to LIBOR plus 1.75% per annum and the LIBOR floor applicable to the Issuer’s Term B-1 Dollar Loans was reduced to 0% per annum. On August 9, 2019, the Company entered into Amendment No. 5 to the Credit Agreement that repriced the Euro LIBOR floor applicable to the Euro-denominated Term B Loan due 2024 and Term B Loan due 2025 to 0% On August 13, 2019, IQVIA Inc. (the “Issuer”), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, completed the issuance and sale of €720 million in gross proceeds of the Issuer’s 2.25% Senior Notes due 2028 (the “2.25% Notes”). The 2.25% Notes were issued pursuant to an Indenture, dated August 13, 2019, among the Issuer, U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee of the 2.25% Notes, and certain subsidiaries of the Issuer as guarantors. The net proceeds from the notes offering, together with available cash, were used to redeem the Issuer’s outstanding 4.875% senior notes due 2023 (the “4.875% Notes”), and to pay fees and expenses related to the notes offering. On July 29, 2019, the Issuer issued a conditional notice of redemption with respect to the 4.875% Notes, for a total redemption price equal to the sum of the principal amount of the 4.875% Notes, accrued and unpaid interest on the 4.875% Notes to the redemption date and the applicable redemption premium. The Issuer’s obligations with respect to the 4.875% Notes were discharged on August 13, 2019. The 2.25% Notes are unsecured obligations of the Issuer, will mature on January 15, 2028 and bear interest at the rate of 2.25% per annum, with interest payable semi-annually on January 15 and July 15 of each year, beginning on January 15, 2020. The Issuer may redeem the Notes prior to their final stated maturity, subject to a customary make-whole premium, at any time prior to July 15, 2022 (subject to a customary “equity claw” redemption right) and thereafter subject to a redemption premium declining from 101.125% to 0.000%. On May 10, 2019, the Issuer completed the issuance and sale of $1.1 billion in gross proceeds of the Issuer’s 5.00% Senior Notes due 2027 (the “5.00% Notes”). The 5.00% Notes were issued pursuant to an Indenture, dated May 10, 2019, among the Issuer, U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee of the 5.00% Notes, and certain subsidiaries of the Issuer as guarantors. The net proceeds from this notes offering were used to repay existing borrowings under the Issuer’s revolving credit facility, to pay fees and expenses related to the notes offering and for other general corporate purposes. The 5.00% Notes are unsecured obligations of the Issuer, will mature on May 15, 2027 and bear interest at the rate of 5.00% per annum, with interest payable semi-annually on May 15 and November 15 of each year, beginning on November 15, 2019. The Issuer may redeem the 5.00% Notes prior to their final stated maturity, subject to a customary make-whole premium, at any time prior to May 15, 2022 (subject to a customary “equity claw” redemption right) and thereafter subject to a redemption premium declining from 2.500% to 0.000%. 2018 Financing Transactions At December 31, 2018, the Company’s Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, as amended (the “Credit Agreement”) provided financing through several senior secured credit facilities (collectively, the “Senior Secured Credit Facilities”) of up to approximately $6,959 million, which consisted of $6,079 million principal amounts of debt outstanding (as detailed in the table above) and $880 million of available borrowing capacity on the $1,500 million revolving credit facility that expires in 2023. On June 11, 2018, the Company entered into Amendment No. 4 to the Credit Agreement (“Amendment No. 4”) that amended the terms of the existing term A loans and revolving credit facility to extend the maturity from 2021 to 2023 and reduce the applicable interest rate from LIBOR plus a margin ranging from 1.75% to 2.50% to LIBOR plus a margin ranging from 1.25% to 2.00%. The amendments with respect to the revolving credit facility and the term A loans became effective on June 13, 2018 . Under Amendment No. 4, the Company also placed additional term B loans. The additional term B loans will mature in 2025 and were comprised of $950 million of U.S. dollar denominated term B loans and . margin ranging from 1.75 % to 2.00 %. The Euro denominated term B loans bear interest based on the Euro LIBOR with a floor ranging from 0.50 % to 0.75 %, plus a margin of 2.00 %. The proceeds of the additional term B loans were used to pay down the revolving credit facility and $ 650 million of existing term B loans due 2024 and to pay fees and expenses in connection with the transactions . On April 6, 2018, the Company entered into Amendment No. 3 to the Credit Agreement that increased the amount of commitments available to the Company and certain of its subsidiaries to $1,500 million under the revolving credit facility. No other terms of the Credit Agreement were amended. Receivables Financing Facility On December 19, 2019, the Company amended its receivables financing facility to extend the term of the facility to December 19, 2022. On December 5, 2014, the Company entered into a four-year 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 Credit Agreement 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 Credit Agreement, 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. At December 31, 2019, 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, 2019
Leases [Abstract]
Leases	11. Leases The Company has operating leases for corporate offices, datacenters, motor vehicles and certain equipment, many of which contain renewal and escalation clauses. The leases expire at various dates through 2029 with options to cancel certain leases at various intervals. In determining the lease term at lease commencement, the Company includes the noncancellable term and the periods which the Company deems it is reasonably certain to exercise or not to exercise a renewal or cancellation option. As of December 31, 2019, the Company has additional operating leases, primarily for corporate offices, that have not yet commenced of $7 million. These operating leases will commence in the first quarter of 2020 with lease terms through 2025. The components of lease expense were as follows: Year Ended December 31, (in millions) Classification 2019 Operating lease cost (1) Selling, general and administrative expenses $ 193 Total lease cost $ 193 (1) Includes variable lease costs, which are immaterial. Rental expenses under lease agreements were $197 million and $197 million in 2018 and 2017, respectively. Other information related to leases was as follows: (in millions) Year Ended December 31, 2019 Supplemental Cash Flow: Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities: Operating cash flows from operating leases $ 195 Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations: Operating leases $ 96 Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term: Operating leases 5.01 years Weighted Average Discount Rate: Operating leases 4.22 % Future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable leases as of December 31, 2019 were as follows: (in millions) Operating Leases 2020 $ 160 2021 129 2022 105 2023 81 2024 54 Thereafter 86 Total future minimum lease payments 615 Less imputed interest (66 ) Total $ 549 Reported as of December 31, 2019: Other current liabilities $ 153 Operating lease liabilities 396 Total $ 549 The Company elected the alternative modified transition method and as such, included the following prior period information as previously disclosed in accordance with ASC 840. 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, 2018: (in millions) Operating Leases 2019 $ 167 2020 136 2021 108 2022 90 2023 69 Thereafter 119 Total minimum lease payments $ 689

Contingencies

Contingencies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Contingencies	12. 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 third parties, including our clients and suppliers, 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. The Company has not accrued a liability with respect to these matters generally, 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. 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. On May 3, 2019, the Appellate Court issued a final decision in which it concluded all of the non-identified information transferred by KPIC to IMS Korea for market research purposes violated PIPA, but did not award any damages to plaintiffs (affirming the District Court’s decision on this latter point). On May 24, 2019, approximately 247 plaintiffs appealed the Appellate Court’s decision to the Supreme Court. 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. On February 14, 2020, the Seoul Central District Court acquitted IMS Korea and its two employees of the charges of improper handling of sensitive health information. On January 10, 2017, Quintiles IMS Health Incorporated and IMS Software Services Ltd. (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. We believe the counterclaims are without merit, reject all counterclaims raised by Veeva and intend to vigorously defend IQVIA Parties’ position and pursue our claims against Veeva. Since the initial filings, the parties have filed additional litigations against each other, primarily concerning the use of IQVIA data with various other Veeva products. The parties are currently engaging in the discovery process.

Stockholders' Equity

Stockholders' Equity	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Equity [Abstract]
Stockholders' Equity	13. 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, 2019 or 2018. Equity Repurchase Program On February 13, 2019, the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) increased the stock repurchase authorization under a previously approved equity repurchase program (the “Repurchase Program”) by $2.0 billion, which increased the total amount that has been authorized under the Repurchase Program to $7.725 billion since the plan’s inception in October 2013. The Repurchase Program does not obligate the Company to repurchase any particular amount of common stock, and it may be modified, extended, suspended or discontinued at any time. On October 30, 2013, the Board first approved 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, $2 billion and $1.5 billion in 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018, respectively, which increased the total amount that has been authorized under the Repurchase Program to $5.725 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 may be modified, extended, suspended or discontinued at any time. As of December 31, 2019, the Company has remaining authorization to repurchase up to $1.3 Repurchase Program. In March 2019, the Company completed an underwritten secondary public offering of 5,000,000 shares of its common stock held by certain of the Company’s remaining private equity sponsors (the “Selling Stockholders”), of which the Company repurchased 1,000,000 shares for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $140.8 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 Selling Stockholders. Pursuant to an agreement with the underwriters, the Company’s per-share purchase price for repurchased shares was the same as the per share purchase price payable by the underwriters to the Selling Stockholders. 2018 Offerings In November 2018, the Company completed an underwritten secondary public offering of 6,000,000 shares of its common stock held by certain of the Company’s principal stockholders (the “November 2018 Selling Stockholders”), of which the Company repurchased 2,000,000 shares for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $247 million. The Company In June 2018, the Company completed an underwritten secondary public offering of 12,000,000 shares of its common stock held by certain of the Company’s principal stockholders (the “June Selling Stockholders”), of which the Company repurchased 4,000,000 shares for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $412 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 June 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 June Selling Stockholders. Other Equity Repurchases In August 2019, the Company agreed to purchase an aggregate of 1,000,000 shares of its common stock, par value $0.01 per share, in a private transaction from certain of its existing shareholders (the “Repurchase”) . In addition to the Repurchase, certain of the Company’s remaining private equity sponsors informed the Company that they have sold 4,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, for a total of 5,000,000 shares. 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. Summary Below is a summary of the share repurchases made both under and outside of the Repurchase Program: Year Ended December 31, (in millions, except per share data) 2019 2018 2017 Number of shares of common stock repurchased 6.6 12.6 30.9 Aggregate purchase price $ 945 $ 1,396 $ 2,620 Average price per share $ 143.02 $ 111.23 $ 84.80 Non-controlling Interests 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 During the year ended December 31, 2019, Q 2 Solutions distributed dividends of $18 million to Quest and did not receive a contribution from Quest to fund ongoing operational and strategic activities. Subsequent Events On February 13, 2020, the Company agreed to purchase at market price an aggregate of 1,000,000 shares of its common stock, par value $0.01 per share, in a private transaction from certain of its existing shareholders (the “February 2020 Repurchase”) . In addition to the Repurchase, certain of the Company’s remaining private equity sponsors informed the Company that they have sold 4,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, for a total of 5,000,000 shares

Business Combinations

Business Combinations	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Business Combinations	14. Business Combinations The Company completed several immaterial acquisitions during the year ended December 31, 2019 The following table provides certain financial information for these acquisitions, including the preliminary allocations of the purchase prices to certain intangible assets acquired and goodwill: (in millions) Amortization Period 2019 2018 Total cost of acquisitions, net of cash acquired (1) $ 667 $ 372 Amounts recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheets: Goodwill $ 437 $ 202 Portion of goodwill deductible for income tax purposes 186 15 Intangible assets: Customer relationships 6-18 years $ 216 $ 126 Backlog 2 years 11 10 Non-compete agreements 3-5 years 6 4 Software 3-8 years 35 44 Trade names 1-8 years 3 8 Total intangible assets $ 271 $ 192 (1) Total cost of acquisitions , net of cash acquired, includes contingent consideration and deferred purchase payments of $ million and $ million for the years ended December 31, 201 9 and 201 8 , respectively.

Restructuring

Restructuring	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Restructuring And Related Activities [Abstract]
Restructuring	15. Restructuring The Company has continued to take restructuring actions in 2019 to align its resources and reduce overcapacity to adapt to changing market conditions and integrate acquisitions. These actions include closing facilities, consolidating functional activities, eliminating redundant positions, and aligning resources with customer requirements. These restructuring actions are expected to continue into 2020. During the first quarter of 2019, there was also a decrease of $9 million in facility exit costs due to the reclassification of restructuring into a long-term operating lease liability related to the implementation of ASC 842, Leases. The management approved plans resulted in approximately $75 million, $68 million and $63 million of restructuring expense, net of reversals, which consisted of severance, facility closure costs and other exit-related costs in 2019, 2018, and 2017, respectively. The following amounts were recorded for the restructuring plans: (in millions) Severance and Related Costs Exit Costs Total Balance at December 31, 2017 $ 80 $ 4 $ 84 Expense, net of reversals 45 23 68 Payments (76 ) (6 ) (82 ) Foreign currency translation and other (2 ) 6 4 Balance at December 31, 2018 $ 47 $ 27 $ 74 Expense, net of reversals 75 — 75 Payments (57 ) (16 ) (73 ) Foreign currency translation and other (1 ) (8 ) (9 ) Balance at December 31, 2019 $ 64 $ 3 $ 67 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, 2019 will be paid in 2020.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	16. Income Taxes The components of income before income taxes and equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated affiliates are as follows: Year Ended December 31, (in millions) 2019 2018 2017 Domestic $ (504 ) $ (521 ) $ (527 ) Foreign 856 849 821 $ 352 $ 328 $ 294 The components of income tax expense attributable to continuing operations are as follows: Year Ended December 31, (in millions) 2019 2018 2017 Current expense: Federal and state $ 11 $ 17 $ (3 ) Foreign 248 233 222 259 250 219 Deferred (benefit) expense: Federal and state (109 ) (170 ) (1,167 ) Foreign (34 ) (21 ) (44 ) (143 ) (191 ) (1,211 ) $ 116 $ 59 $ (992 ) The differences between the Company’s consolidated income tax expense attributable to continuing operations and the expense computed at the United States statutory income tax rate of 21% in 2019, 21% in 2018 and 35% in 2017 were as follows: Year Ended December 31, (in millions) 2019 2018 2017 Federal income tax expense at statutory rate $ 74 $ 69 $ 103 State and local income taxes, net of federal effect — (2 ) (14 ) Research and development (21 ) (20 ) (9 ) Foreign nontaxable interest income — — (7 ) United States taxes recorded on foreign earnings (*) 9 40 6 Tax contingencies 27 16 17 Foreign Derived Intangible Income (“FDII”) 20 (25 ) — Foreign rate differential 26 27 (97 ) Equity compensation (14 ) (8 ) (19 ) Non-taxable gain on acquisition (5 ) — — Non-controlling interest (6 ) (3 ) (5 ) Tax Act impact — (35 ) (966 ) Other 6 — (1 ) $ 116 $ 59 $ (992 ) (*) Includes impact of GILTI, and other U.S. taxes on foreign earnings. In 2019 the U.S. Treasury Department issued final regulations on the transition tax and proposed regulations on FDII, which was introduced by the Tax Act described below. While the final regulations related to the transition tax did not have a material impact on the Company, the proposed guidance for FDII had an unfavorable impact. Although the proposed guidance for FDII is not authoritative and subject to change in the regulatory review process, the company reversed the tax benefit recorded in 2018 by recording a tax expense of $25 million for this impact. It is expected that during 2020 the U.S. Treasury Department will issue final regulations on FDII. 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 imposes a one-time transition tax on undistributed foreign earnings. ASC 740 “Income Taxes” generally requires the effects of the tax law change to be recorded in the period of enactment. Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 (“SAB 118”) address es situations when a registrant does not have the necessary information available, prepared, or analyzed (including computations) in reasonable detail to complete an accounting assessment and allows companies to record provisional amounts during a measurement period not to extend beyond one year. Subsequent changes to provisional amounts are reported in the period in which they are determined. In 2018 the Company recorded a $35 million benefit related to finalizing the accounting related to the Tax Act. Additionally, in 2018 the Company recorded a benefit of $25 million related to FDII, as well as a tax expense of $35 million related to GILTI, as a result of the new provisions of the Tax Act. In 2017, due to the Tax Act, the Company revalued its U.S. deferred tax assets and liabilities and recorded a benefit to deferred income taxes of $966 million. Undistributed earnings of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries amounted to approximately $2,997 million at December 31, 2019. With the enactment of the Tax Act, the Company does not consider any of its foreign earnings as indefinitely reinvested. 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: December 31, (in millions) 2019 2018 Deferred income tax assets: Net operating loss and capital loss carryforwards $ 246 $ 244 Tax credit carryforwards 332 300 Accrued expenses and unearned income 55 70 Employee benefits 168 181 Operating lease liability 119 — Other 79 51 999 846 Valuation allowance for deferred income tax assets (266 ) (226 ) Total deferred income tax assets 733 620 Deferred income tax liabilities: Amortization and depreciation (1,105 ) (1,209 ) Operating lease right-of-use assets (119 ) — Other (36 ) (38 ) Total deferred income tax liabilities (1,260 ) (1,247 ) Net deferred income tax liabilities $ (527 ) $ (627 ) During 2019 the net deferred tax liabilities decreased mainly due to amortization of intangibles related to the merger between Quintiles and IMS health (“Merger”). The Company had federal, state and local, and foreign tax loss carryforwards and tax credits, the tax effect of which was $622 million as of December 31, 2019. Of this amount, $31 million has an indefinite carryforward period, and the remaining $591 million expires at various times beginning in 2020. Some of the federal losses are subject to limitations under the Internal Revenue Code, however, management expects these losses to be utilized during the carryforward periods. In 2019, the Company increased its valuation allowance by $40 million to $266 million at December 31, 2019 from $226 million at December 31, 2018. The valuation allowance increased primarily due to current year branch basket foreign tax credits that the Company has determined are not more likely than not to be used before their expiration. The valuation allowance also increased due to an increase in the value of the U.S. state net operating losses. A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of gross unrecognized income tax benefits is presented below: Year Ended December 31, (in millions) 2019 2018 2017 Balance at January 1 $ 94 $ 82 $ 64 Additions based on tax positions related to the current year 5 4 11 Additions for income tax positions of prior years 33 26 13 Impact of changes in exchange rates — (2 ) 4 Settlements with tax authorities (1 ) (2 ) (2 ) Reductions for income tax positions of prior years (6 ) — (2 ) Reductions due to the lapse of the applicable statute of limitations (5 ) (14 ) (6 ) Balance at December 31 $ 120 $ 94 $ 82 As of December 31, 2019, the Company had total gross unrecognized income tax benefits of $120 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 2019, 2018 and 2017, the amount of interest and penalties recorded as an addition to income tax expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of income was $2 million, $0 million and $3 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company had accrued approximately $18 million and $16 million, respectively, of interest and penalties. The Company believes that it is reasonably possible that a decrease of up to $13 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 $23 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. 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 2015-2018 India 2006-2019 Japan 2013-2018 United Kingdom 2018 Switzerland 2014-2018 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.

Employee Benefit Plans

Employee Benefit Plans	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Postemployment Benefits [Abstract]
Employee Benefit Plans	17. 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: Pension Benefits United States Plans Non-United States Plans December 31 (in millions) 2019 2018 2019 2018 Obligation and funded status: Change in benefit obligation: Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year $ 335 $ 349 $ 513 $ 559 Service costs 12 13 25 26 Interest cost 14 12 9 9 Actuarial (gains) losses 50 (30 ) 55 (29 ) Business combinations — — — 1 Benefits paid (10 ) (9 ) (19 ) (21 ) Contributions — — 2 2 Amendments — — — 2 Curtailments — — (5 ) (3 ) Settlements — — (1 ) (12 ) Foreign currency fluctuations and other — — 12 (21 ) Projected benefit obligation at end of year 401 335 591 513 Change in plan assets: Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year 330 360 366 391 Actual return on plan assets 77 (24 ) 34 (2 ) Contributions 4 3 26 29 Benefits paid (10 ) (9 ) (19 ) (21 ) Settlements — — (1 ) (11 ) Foreign currency fluctuations and other — — 12 (20 ) Fair value of plan assets at end of year 401 330 418 366 Funded status $ — $ (5 ) $ (173 ) $ (147 ) The following table summarizes the amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets related to the pension benefit plans: Pension Benefits United Non-United States Plans December 31 (in millions) 2019 2018 2019 2018 Deposits and other assets $ 45 $ 36 $ 11 $ 17 Accrued expenses 2 2 13 11 Other long-term liabilities 42 38 171 153 AOCI 13 11 (30 ) 7 At December 31, 2019, the benefit obligation for other postretirement benefits was $2 million, with $1 million recorded in accrued expenses and $1 million included within other long-term liabilities; The following table summarizes the accumulated benefit obligation for all pension benefit plans: Pension Benefits United Non-United States Plans December 31 (in millions) 2019 2018 2019 2018 Accumulated benefit obligation $ 395 $ 330 $ 557 $ 476 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: Pension Benefits United Non-United States Plans December 31 (in millions) 2019 2018 2019 2018 Plans with accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets: Accumulated benefit obligation $ 47 $ 43 $ 485 $ 189 Fair value of plan assets 4 3 334 59 Plans with projected benefit obligation in excess of plan assets: Projected benefit obligation $ 49 $ 43 $ 519 $ 223 Fair value of plan assets 4 3 335 59 The components of net periodic benefit cost changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive loss were as follows: Pension Benefits United Non-United States Plans Year Ended December 31, (in millions) 2019 2018 2017 2019 2018 2017 Service cost $ 12 $ 13 $ 13 $ 25 $ 26 $ 26 Interest cost 14 12 11 9 9 9 Expected return on plan assets (25 ) (27 ) (24 ) (16 ) (15 ) (14 ) Amortization of actuarial losses — — — 0 1 1 Curtailment gain — — — (5 ) (3 ) — Settlement gain — — — 0 (1 ) — Net periodic benefit cost 1 (2 ) — 13 17 22 Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive loss: Actuarial loss (gain) – current years (2 ) 22 (4 ) 32 (15 ) (4 ) Prior service cost - current year — — — — 2 — Curtailment gain - current year — — — 5 3 — Settlement gain - current year — — — — 1 — Amortization of actuarial losses — — — — (1 ) (1 ) Total recognized in other comprehensive loss (income) (2 ) 22 (4 ) 37 (10 ) (5 ) Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other comprehensive loss (income) $ (1 ) $ 20 $ (4 ) $ 50 $ 7 $ 17 All components of net periodic benefit cost other than service cost are recorded in other expense (income), net on the accompanying consolidated statements of income. On October 26, 2018, the High Court of the United Kingdom issued a judgement relating to Guaranteed Minimum Pensions (“GMPs”) in the Lloyds case. The judgement concluded the schemes should be amended to equalize pension benefits for men and women in relation to guaranteed minimum pension benefits. A preliminary assessment by the Company’s actuarial advisors estimated an impact of approximately $1.7 million between the two United Kingdom pension schemes, which has been recognized in AOCI as a prior service cost in 2018. 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 2019 2018 2017 2019 2018 2017 2019 2018 2017 Discount rate 4.42 % 3.69 % 4.17 % 1.99 % 1.91 % 1.89 % 3.80 % 2.90 % 2.90 % Rate of compensation increases 3.00 % 3.00 % 3.00 % 4.54 % 4.54 % 5.17 % — — — Expected return on plan assets 7.67 % 7.69 % 7.94 % 4.02 % 4.17 % 4.16 % — — — 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 2019 2018 2019 2018 2019 2018 Discount rate 3.52 % 4.42 % 1.45 % 1.98 % 2.70 % 3.80 % Rate of compensation increases 3.00 % 3.00 % 2.78 % 3.20 % — — 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, 2019, the discount rate ranged from 2.70% to 3.58% for the Company’s United States pension plan and postretirement benefit plan. At December 31, 2019, the discount rate ranged from 1.68% to 2.10% for the Company’s United Kingdom pension plans. The United States and United Kingdom plans represent approximately 75% of the consolidated benefit obligation as of December 31, 2019. The discount rates in other non-U.S. countries ranged from 0.17% to 8.37% at December 31, 2019. 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, 2020. Outside the United States, the range of applicable expected rates of return was 1.0% to 5.00% as of January 1, 2020, compared to 1.0% to 7.22% as of January 1, 2019. The expected return on assets (“EROA”) was $41 million and $42 million and the actual return on assets was $108 million and $(26) million for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. 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 At December 31, 2019, the Company’s health care cost trend rate for the next seven years was assumed to be 6.0% and the assumed ultimate cost trend rate was 4.5%. The Company assumed that ultimate cost trend rate is reached in 2023. 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, 2019 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 2019 2018 2019 2018 2019 2018 Equity securities 70.82 % 67.58 % 42.88 % 45.22 % 56.56 % 55.83 % Debt securities 24.13 27.34 19.22 16.18 21.62 21.48 Real estate 5.05 5.08 — — 2.48 2.41 Other — — 37.00 38.60 19.33 20.28 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: December 31, 2019 December 31, 2018 Asset Category Level 1 Level 2 Total Level 1 Level 2 Total (in millions) Domestic equities $ 30 $ — $ 30 $ 31 $ — $ 31 International equities 16 — 16 13 — 13 Corporate bonds 58 — 58 54 — 54 Real estate 20 — 20 16 — 16 Total assets in the fair value hierarchy 124 — 124 114 — 114 Common/collective trusts measured at net asset value (“NAV”) (1) — — 277 — — 216 Total $ 124 $ — $ 401 $ 114 $ — $ 330 The following table summarizes non-United States plan assets measured at fair value: December 31, 2019 December 31, 2018 Asset Category Level 1 Level 2 Total Level 1 Level 2 Total (in millions) International equities $ 2 $ 56 $ 58 $ 2 $ 53 $ 55 Debt issued by national, state or local government 2 78 80 2 57 59 Diversified growth fund — — — — — — Investments funds — 9 9 — 8 8 Insurance contracts — 153 153 — 136 136 Other — 5 5 — 5 5 Total assets in the fair value hierarchy 4 301 305 4 259 263 Assets measured at NAV (1) — — 113 — — 103 Total $ 4 $ 301 $ 418 $ 4 $ 259 $ 366 (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, 2019 and 2018. 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 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, 2019 or 2018. 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. Cash Flows Contributions The Company expects to contribute approximately $29 million in required contributions to its pension and postretirement benefit plans during 2020. The Company may make additional contributions into its pension plans in 2020 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 2020 36 2021 37 2022 39 2023 41 2024 44 Years 2025 through 2029 246 $ 443 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 a 401(k) plan under which the Company matches employee deferrals at varying percentages and specified limits of the employee’s salary. In 2019, 2018, and 2017, the Company expensed $56 million, $49 million and $47 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 $10 million as of December 31, 2019, and the Company’s expense for the year then ended was de minimis. 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”), 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 related to compound annual earnings per share (“EPS”) growth and/or other internal performance measures is equal to the closing market price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. The fair value of performance shares related to relative total shareholder return (“TSR”) is determined based on a Monte Carlo simulation model. The Company recognized stock-based compensation expense of $146 million, $113 million and $106 million in 2019, 2018 and 2017, 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 $22 million, $19 million and $21 million in 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. As of December 31, 2019, there was approximately $82 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 0.80 years. As of December 31, 2019, there were 11.4 million shares available for future grants under all of the Company’s stock incentive plans. 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, 2019 2018 2017 Expected volatility 23 – 24% 22 – 24% 22 – 25% Weighted average expected volatility 23% 22% 24% Expected dividends 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Expected term (in years) 3.7 – 6.7 1.0 – 6.7 1.0 – 6.9 Risk-free interest rate 1.55 – 2.56% 2.05 – 3.00% 1.16 – 2.32% 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 2019 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, 2018 2,574,224 $ 34.09 $ 211 Exercised (1,099,428 ) 32.56 Canceled (16,455 ) 64.96 Outstanding at December 31, 2019 1,458,341 $ 34.90 $ 174 The total intrinsic value of options exercised was approximately $124 million, $117 million and $157 million in 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The Company received cash of approximately $36 million, $48 million and $102 million in 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively, from options exercised. Selected information regarding the Company’s stock options as of December 31, 2019 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 305,657 $ 8.34 — $ 8.34 $ 8.34 0.87 305,657 $ 8.34 319,740 11.46 — 24.59 17.81 1.27 319,740 17.81 347,341 25.53 — 47.87 36.04 3.15 347,341 36.04 335,343 50.79 — 64.67 60.76 5.07 281,443 60.01 150,260 $ 64.86 — $ 64.93 $ 64.92 4.73 150,260 $ 64.92 The weighted average remaining contractual life of the options outstanding and exercisable as of December 31, 2019 is 2.9 years and 2.7 years, respectively. The total aggregate intrinsic value of the exercisable stock options and the stock options expected to vest as of December 31, 2019 was approximately $174 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% The Company’s SSR activity in 2019 is as follows: (in millions, except number of SSRs and exercise price) Number of SSRs Weighted Average Exercise Price Aggregate Intrinsic Value Outstanding at December 31, 2018 4,155,528 $ 81.97 $ 142 Granted 1,076,560 132.13 Exercised (723,433 ) 78.25 Canceled (193,783 ) 98.55 Outstanding at December 31, 2019 4,314,872 $ 94.37 $ 260 The total intrinsic value of SSRs exercised was approximately $47 million in 2019. The weighted average remaining contractual life of the SSRs outstanding and exercisable as of December 31, 2019 is 7.6 years and 6.7 years, respectively. The total aggregate intrinsic value of the exercisable SSRs and the SSRs expected to vest as of December 31, 2019 was approximately $256 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 vest either (i) 25% per year or (ii) 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 2019 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, 2018 247,397 $ 57.98 $ 14 Granted 11,597 131.82 Exercised (76,885 ) 56.03 Canceled (10,269 ) 85.98 Outstanding at December 31, 2019 171,840 $ 62.15 $ 16 As of December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, the weighted average fair value per share of the CSRs granted was $99.27, $66.92 and $52.53, respectively. The Company paid approximately $7 million, $5 million and $4 million to settle exercised CSRs in 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The weighted average remaining contractual life of the CSRs outstanding and exercisable as of December 31, 2019 is 5.1 years and 4.5 years, respectively. The total aggregate intrinsic value of the exercisable CSRs and the CSRs expected to vest as of December 31, 2019 was approximately $16 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. In general, 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. The Company’s RSU activity in 2019 is as follows: Number of RSUs Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value Outstanding at December 31, 2018 385,458 $ 83.60 Granted (1) 262,630 133.59 Vested (189,847 ) 76.28 Canceled (37,675 ) 108.48 Outstanding at December 31, 2019 420,566 $ 115.90 (1) 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 either (i) 100% at the end of the three-year period following the date of grant, or (ii) one-third per year beginning on the first grant date anniversary. The Company’s Cash RSU activity in 2019 is as follows: Number of Cash RSUs Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value Outstanding at December 31, 2018 13,361 $ 96.70 Granted 13,085 131.82 Vested (2,953 ) 78.21 Canceled (2,786 ) 125.14 Outstanding at December 31, 2019 20,707 $ 117.71 As of December 31, 2019, there are 20,707 Cash RSUs outstanding with an intrinsic value of approximately $3.0 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 The Company’s RSA activity in 2019 is as follows: Number of RSAs Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value Outstanding at December 31, 2018 436,067 $ 79.04 Vested (245,130 ) 79.68 Outstanding at December 31, 2019 190,937 $ 78.21 As of December 31, 2019, there are 190,937 RSAs outstanding with an intrinsic value of approximately $29.5 million. Performance Awards The Company awarded performance awards that contain service, performance-based and/or market-based vesting criteria. Vesting occurs if the recipient remains employed and depends on the degree to which performance goals are achieved during the two-year or three-year performance period (as defined in the award agreements). The Company’s performance award activity in 2019 is as follows: Number of Performance Awards Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value Outstanding at December 31, 2018 850,576 $ 94.78 Granted 273,211 144.81 Canceled (67,980 ) 103.75 Outstanding at December 31, 2019 1,055,807 $ 107.18 As of December 31, 2019, there are 1,055,807 performance awards outstanding with an intrinsic value of approximately $163 million. 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, 2019
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Related Party Transactions	18. Related Party Transactions The Company has entered into other transactions with related parties that are not deemed to be material, including investments in and advances to unconsolidated affiliates that are discussed in Note 4.

Property, Equipment and Softwar

Property, Equipment and Software by Geography	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Property Equipment And Software By Geography [Abstract]
Property, Equipment and Software by Geography	19. Property, Equipment and Software by Geography The following table represents the Company’s property, equipment and software, net, by geographic region, which is further broken down to show each country that accounts for 10% or more of the totals: As of December 31, (in millions) 2019 2018 Property, equipment and software, net: Americas: United States $ 1,130 $ 856 Other 62 23 Americas 1,192 879 Europe and Africa 160 221 Asia-Pacific 61 70 Total property, equipment and software, net $ 1,413 $ 1,170

Segments

Segments	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segments	20. Segments The following table presents the Company’s operations by reportable segment. The Company is managed through three reportable segments, Technology & Analytics Solutions Contract Sales & Medical Solutions Technology & Analytics Solutions customers, provides outsourced clinical research and clinical trial related services Contract Sales & Medical Solutions health care provider (including contract sales) and patient engagement services to both biopharmaceutical customers and the broader healthcare market. Certain costs are not allocated to our segments and are reported as general corporate and unallocated expenses. These costs primarily consist of stock-based compensation and expenses to integration activities and acquisitions. We also do not allocate depreciation and amortization or impairment charges to our segments. Prior period segment results have been recast to conform to changes to management reporting in 2019. The recast impacts the allocation of selling, general and administrative expenses for 2018 and 2017. Asset information by segment is not presented, as this measure is not used by the chief operating decision maker to assess the Company’s performance. Year Ended December 31, (in millions) 2019 2018 2017 Revenues Technology & Analytics Solutions $ 4,486 $ 4,137 $ 3,682 Research & Development Solutions 5,788 5,465 5,105 Contract Sales & Medical Solutions 814 810 915 Total revenues 11,088 10,412 9,702 Costs of revenue Technology & Analytics Solutions 2,663 2,343 1,967 Research & Development Solutions 3,936 3,721 3,566 Contract Sales & Medical Solutions 701 682 768 Total costs of revenue 7,300 6,746 6,301 Selling, general and administrative expenses Technology & Analytics Solutions 722 753 717 Research & Development Solutions 711 689 678 Contract Sales & Medical Solutions 61 67 78 General corporate and unallocated 240 207 149 Total selling, general and administrative expenses 1,734 1,716 1,622 Segment profit Technology & Analytics Solutions 1,101 1,041 998 Research & Development Solutions 1,141 1,055 861 Contract Sales & Medical Solutions 52 61 69 Total segment profit 2,294 2,157 1,928 General corporate and unallocated (240 ) (207 ) (149 ) Depreciation and amortization (1,202 ) (1,141 ) (1,011 ) Impairment charges — 0 (40 ) Restructuring costs (75 ) (68 ) (63 ) Total income from operations $ 777 $ 741 $ 665

Earnings Per Share

Earnings Per Share	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings Per Share	21. Earnings Per Share The following table reconciles the basic to diluted weighted average shares outstanding: Year Ended December 31, (in millions) 2019 2018 2017 Basic weighted average common shares outstanding 195.1 203.7 217.8 Effect of dilutive stock options and share awards 4.5 4.5 4.8 Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding 199.6 208.2 222.6 The following table presents the weighted average number of outstanding stock-based awards not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because they are subject to performance conditions or the effect of including such stock-based awards in the computation would be anti-dilutive Year Ended December 31, (in millions) 2019 2018 2017 Shares subject to performance conditions 1.3 0.8 0.4 Shares subject to anti-dilutive stock-based awards 0.7 0.9 1.0 Total shares excluded from diluted earnings per share 2.0 1.7 1.4 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 are probable. 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, 2019
Equity [Abstract]
Comprehensive Income	22. 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, 2016 (617 ) 10 21 22 (564 ) Other comprehensive income before reclassifications 403 5 8 197 613 Reclassification adjustments — (1 ) 1 — — Balance at December 31, 2017 (214 ) 14 30 219 49 Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications (205 ) (4 ) (12 ) (41 ) (262 ) Reclassification adjustments — (11 ) 1 (1 ) (11 ) Balance at December 31, 2018 (419 ) (1 ) 19 177 (224 ) Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications (11 ) (19 ) (35 ) (21 ) (86 ) Reclassification adjustments — (1 ) — — (1 ) Balance at December 31, 2019 $ (430 ) $ (21 ) $ (16 ) $ 156 $ (311 ) Below is a summary of the adjustments for (gains) losses reclassified from AOCI into the consolidated statements of income and the affected financial statement line item: Year Ended December 31, (in millions) Affected Financial Statement Line Item 2019 2018 2017 Derivative instruments: Interest rate swaps and caps Interest expense $ — $ — $ — Foreign exchange forward contracts Revenues 5 1 7 Foreign exchange forward contracts Other expense (income), net (6 ) (12 ) (8 ) Total before income taxes (1 ) (11 ) (1 ) Income tax expense — 1 — Total net of income taxes $ (1 ) $ (12 ) $ (1 ) Defined benefit plans: Amortization of actuarial losses See Note 17 $ — $ 1 $ 1 Income tax expense — — — Total net of income taxes $ — $ 1 $ 1

Supplemental Cash Flow Informat

Supplemental Cash Flow Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]
Supplemental Cash Flow Information	23. Supplemental Cash Flow Information The following table presents the Company’s supplemental cash flow information: Year Ended December 31, (in millions) 2019 2018 2017 Supplemental Cash Flow Information: Interest paid $ 421 $ 398 $ 320 Income taxes paid, net of refunds $ 215 $ 211 $ 195

Quarterly Financial Data (Unaud

Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)	24. Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) The following table summarizes the Company’s unaudited quarterly results of operations: 2019 (in millions, except per share data) First Quarter Second Quarter Third Quarter Fourth Quarter Revenues $ 2,684 $ 2,740 $ 2,769 $ 2,895 Income from operations 210 197 204 166 Net income 67 71 69 20 Net income attributable to non-controlling interests (9 ) (11 ) (12 ) (4 ) Net income attributable to IQVIA Holdings Inc. $ 58 $ 60 $ 57 $ 16 Basic earnings per share (2) $ 0.29 $ 0.31 $ 0.29 $ 0.09 Diluted earnings per share (2) $ 0.29 $ 0.30 $ 0.29 $ 0.09 2018 (in millions, except per share data) First Quarter Second Quarter Third Quarter Fourth Quarter Revenues $ 2,563 $ 2,567 $ 2,594 $ 2,688 Income from operations 183 170 181 207 Net income 73 68 67 76 Net income attributable to non-controlling interests (4 ) (7 ) (7 ) (7 ) Net income attributable to IQVIA Holdings Inc. (1) $ 69 $ 61 $ 60 $ 69 Basic earnings per share (2) $ 0.33 $ 0.30 $ 0.30 $ 0.34 Diluted earnings per share (2) $ 0.32 $ 0.29 $ 0.29 $ 0.34 (1) During the fourth quarter of 2018, the Company identified and recorded certain adjustments related to prior periods and as a result increased pre-tax income by $22 million (net income by $15 million). The Company has evaluated the effects of the out of period adjustments and concluded they are not to the quarter 2018 financial results, nor to any of the previously issued annual or quarterly financial information. (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.

Schedule I-Condensed Financial

Schedule I-Condensed Financial Information of Registrant	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
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) 2019 2018 2017 Selling, general and administrative expenses $ — $ 2 $ 1 Merger related costs — — — Loss from operations — (2 ) (1 ) Interest income — — — Other expense, net — — — Loss before income taxes and equity in earnings of subsidiary — (2 ) (1 ) Income tax benefit — (1 ) (3 ) (Loss) income before equity in earnings of subsidiary — (1 ) 2 Equity in earnings of subsidiary 191 260 1,275 Net income $ 191 $ 259 $ 1,277 IQVIA HOLDINGS INC. (PARENT COMPANY ONLY) CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME Year Ended December 31, (in millions) 2019 2018 2017 Net income $ 191 $ 259 $ 1,277 Comprehensive (loss) income adjustments: Unrealized (losses) gains on derivative instruments, net of income tax expense (benefit) of $4, ($5) and $1 (15 ) 1 4 Defined benefit plan adjustments, net of income tax (benefit) expense of $5, ($4) and $3 (30 ) (8 ) 5 Foreign currency translation, net of income tax (benefit) expense of ($30), $50 and ($201) (41 ) (255 ) 604 Reclassification adjustments: (Gains) losses on derivative instruments included in net income, net of income tax expense of $—, $1 and $— (1 ) (12 ) (1 ) Amortization of actuarial losses and prior service costs included in net income — 1 1 Comprehensive (loss) income $ 104 $ (14 ) $ 1,890 IQVIA HOLDINGS INC. (PARENT COMPANY ONLY) CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS December 31, (in millions, except per share data) 2019 2018 ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 3 $ 1 Income taxes receivable — — Other current assets and receivables — — Total current assets 3 1 Investment in subsidiary 9,667 9,667 Receivable from parent company — — Total assets $ 9,670 $ 9,668 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY Current liabilities: Accounts payable $ — $ — Income taxes payable — — Total current liabilities — — Investment in subsidiary 3,664 2,954 Payable to subsidiary 3 — Total liabilities 3,667 2,954 Commitments and contingencies Stockholders’ equity: Common stock and additional paid-in capital, 400.0 shares authorized at December 31, 2019 and 2018, $0.01 par value, 253.0 shares issued and 192.3 shares outstanding at December 31, 2019; 251.5 shares issued and 197.5 shares outstanding at December 31, 2018 11,049 10,901 Retained earnings 998 807 Treasury stock, at cost, 60.7 and 54.0 shares at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively (5,733 ) (4,770 ) Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income (311 ) (224 ) Total stockholders’ equity 6,003 6,714 Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 9,670 $ 9,668 IQVIA HOLDINGS INC. (PARENT COMPANY ONLY) CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS Year Ended December 31, (in millions) 2019 2018 2017 Operating activities: Net income $ 191 $ 259 $ 1,277 Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities: Subsidiary loss — 143 91 Change in operating assets and liabilities: Accounts payable and accrued expenses — 2 (3 ) Income taxes payable and other liabilities — — 4 Net cash provided by operating activities 191 404 1,369 Investing activities: Investment in subsidiary, net of dividends received 760 983 1,182 Net cash provided by investing activities 760 983 1,182 Financing activities: Proceeds related to employee stock purchase and option plans — 15 91 Issuance of common stock 11 — — Repurchase of common stock (963 ) (1,405 ) (2,620 ) Intercompany with subsidiary 3 3 (31 ) Net cash used in financing activities (949 ) (1,387 ) (2,560 ) Effect of foreign currency exchange rate changes on cash — — (2 ) (Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents 2 — (11 ) Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 1 1 12 Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 3 $ 1 $ 1 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 $0 million, $1 million and $3 million in 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively, represents the income tax benefit that will be or were already utilized in the Company’s consolidated United States federal and state income tax returns. If the Parent was not part of these consolidated income tax returns, it would not be able to recognize any income tax benefit, as it generates no revenue against which the losses could be used on a separate filer basis. Below is a summary of the dividends paid to the Parent by IQVIA Incorporated in 2019, 2018 and 2017: (in millions) Amount Paid in December 2019 $ 13 Paid in November 2019 255 Paid in September 2019 74 Paid in August 2019 239 Paid in June 2019 94 Paid in May 2019 140 Paid in March 2019 141 Paid in February 2019 3 Total paid in 2019 $ 959 Paid in December 2018 $ 339 Paid in November 2018 146 Paid in October 2018 132 Paid in September 2018 118 Paid in June 2018 414 Paid in May 2018 154 Paid in March 2018 54 Paid in February 2018 37 Total paid in 2018 $ 1,394 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

Schedule II-Valuation and Quali

Schedule II-Valuation and Qualifying Accounts	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Valuation And Qualifying Accounts [Abstract]
Schedule II-Valuation and Qualifying Accounts	Deferred Tax Asset Valuation Allowance Additions (in millions) Balance at Beginning of Year Charged to Expenses Charged to Other Accounts (a) Additions (Deductions) (b) Balance at End of Year December 31, 2019 $ 226 $ 40 $ — $ — $ 266 December 31, 2018 $ 200 $ 23 $ — $ 3 $ 226 December 31, 2017 $ 153 $ 52 $ — $ (5 ) $ 200 (a) Recorded through purchase accounting transaction. (b) Impact of reductions recorded to expense and translation adjustments.

Summary of Significant Accoun_2

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
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 (loss) income (“AOCI”) component of stockholders’ equity. 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 nonmonetary accounts are remeasured using historical exchange rates, and all remeasurement and transaction adjustments are recognized in other expense (income), net.
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.
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 Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (“ 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 accumulat ed 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 and forecasted foreign currency transactions.
Business Combinations	Business Combinations The Company uses the acquisition method to account for business combinations, and accordingly, 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. The Company uses significant judgments, estimates and assumptions in determining the estimated fair value of assets acquired, liabilities assumed and non-controlling interest including expected future cash flows, discount rates that reflect the risk associated with the expected future cash flows and estimated useful lives. The Company records and allocates to its reporting units the excess of the cost over the fair value of the net assets acquired, known as goodwill. The recoverability of the goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are evaluated annually for impairment, or if and when events or circumstances indicate a possible impairment. The Company reviews the carrying values of other identifiable intangible assets if the facts and circumstances indicate a possible impairment.
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 - 10 years Databases 1 - 9 years Non-compete agreements and other 2 - 5 years Included in software and related assets 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 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. There were no impairments recognized in 2019 and 2018.
Revenue Recognition	Revenue Recognition The Company’s arrangements are primarily service contracts that range in duration from a few months to several years. The Company recognizes revenue when control of these services is transferred to the customer for an amount, referred to as the transaction price, that reflects the consideration to which the Company is expected to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The Company determines revenue recognition utilizing the following five steps: (1) identification of the contract with a customer, (2) identification of the performance obligations in the contract (promised goods or services that are distinct), (3) determination of the transaction price, (4) allocation of the transaction price to the performance obligations, and (5) recognition of revenue when, or as, the Company transfers control of the product or service for each performance obligation. Cash payments made to customers as incentives to induce customers 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 derives the majority of its revenues in the Technology & Analytics Solutions segment from various information and technology service offerings. Information offerings (primarily under fixed-price contracts) typically include multiple performance obligations including an ongoing subscription-based deliverable for which revenue is recognized ratably as earned over the contract period, and/or a one-time deliverable of data offerings for which revenue is recognized upon delivery. The customer is able to benefit from the provision of data as it is received. 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 may contain multiple performance obligations consisting of a mix of small and large-scale services and consulting projects, multi-year outsourcing contracts and Software-as-a- Service (“SaaS”) arrangements. These arrangements typically have terms ranging from several weeks to three years, with a majority having terms of one year or less. For arrangements that include multiple performance obligations, the transaction price is allocated to the identified performance obligations based on their relative standalone selling prices. For these contracts, the standalone selling prices are based on the Company’s normal pricing practices when sold separately with consideration of market conditions and other factors, including customer demographics and geographic location. Revenues for services engagements where the transfer of control occurs ratably over time are recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the arrangement. Revenues from time and material contracts are recognized based on hours as the services are provided. Revenues from fixed price ad hoc services and consulting contracts are recognized 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 (hours-based). Technology services offerings meet the over time criterion, as another party would not need to substantially re-perform the work already completed to satisfy the remaining obligations if the services were migrated. The majority of the Company’s contracts within the Research & Development Solutions segment are service contracts for clinical research that represent a single performance obligation. The Company provides a significant integration service resulting in a combined output, which is clinical trial data that meets the relevant regulatory standards and can be used by the customer to progress to the next phase of a clinical trial or solicit approval of a treatment by the applicable regulatory body. The performance obligation is satisfied over time as the output is captured in data and documentation that is available for the customer to consume over the course of the arrangement and furthers progress of the clinical trial. The Company recognizes revenue over time using a cost-based input method since there is no single output measure that would fairly depict the transfer of control over the life of the performance obligation. Progress on the performance obligation is measured by the proportion of actual costs incurred to the total costs expected to complete the contract. Costs included in the measure of progress include direct labor and third-party costs (such as payments to investigators and other pass through expenses for the Company’s clinical monitors). This cost-based method of revenue recognition requires the Company to make estimates of costs to complete its projects on an ongoing basis. Significant judgment is required to evaluate assumptions related to these estimates. The effect of revisions to estimates related to the transaction price or costs to complete a project are recorded in the period in which the estimate is revised. Most contracts may be terminated upon 30 to 90 days notice by the customer; however, in the event of termination, most contracts require payment for services rendered through the date of termination, as well as for subsequent services rendered to close out the contract. The majority of revenue in our Contract Sales & Medical Solutions segment is from contract sales to the biopharmaceutical industry and broader healthcare market and recognized over time using a single measure of progress dependent on the performance obligation. Some of our Contract Sales & Medical Solutions contracts contain multiple performance obligations with distinct promises including recruiting, sales force automation and deployment of sales representatives. The Company utilizes a single measure of progress for each performance obligation to recognize revenue, which includes deployment of sales representatives based on employee days worked; recruiting based on candidates recruited; sales force automation set-up based on hours worked; and sales force automation hosting and maintenance based on usage. These services meet the over time criterion as the customer consumes the benefit as activities are performed and another party would not need to substantially re-perform the work already completed to satisfy the remaining obligations if the services were migrated to another party. Variable Consideration In some cases, contracts provide for variable consideration that is contingent upon the occurrence of uncertain future events, such as performance incentives (including royalty payments or penalty clauses that can either increase or decrease the transaction price). Variable consideration is estimated at the expected value or at the most likely amount depending on the type of consideration. Estimated amounts are included in the transaction price to the extent it is probable that a significant reversal of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur when the uncertainty associated with the variable consideration is resolved. The estimate of variable consideration and determination of whether to include estimated amounts in the transaction price are based largely on an assessment of its anticipated performance and all information (historical, current and forecasted) that is reasonably available to the Company and reevaluated each reporting period. Reimbursed Expenses The Company includes reimbursed expenses in revenues and costs of revenue as the Company is primarily responsible for fulfilling the promise to provide the specified service, including the integration of the related services into a combined output to the customer, which are inseparable from the integrated service. These costs include such items as payments to investigators and travel expenses for the Company’s clinical monitors and sales representatives, over which the Company has discretion in establishing prices. The Company controls the good or service and has inventory risk on contractually reimbursable expenses, as sometimes the Company is unable to obtain reimbursement from the customer for costs incurred. Change Orders Changes in the scope of work are common, especially under long-term contracts, and generally result in a change in transaction price. Change orders are evaluated on a contract-by-contract basis to determine if they should be accounted for as a new contract or as part of the existing contract. Generally, services from change orders are not distinct from the original performance obligation. As a result, the effect that the contract modification has on the contract revenue, and measure of progress, is recognized as an adjustment to revenue when it occurs. Costs of Revenue Costs of revenue include (i) 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; (ii) costs of staff directly involved with delivering technology-related services offerings and engagements, and the costs of data purchased specifically for technology services engagements; (iii) reimbursed expenses that are comprised principally of payments to investigators who oversee clinical trials and travel expenses for the Company’s clinical monitors and sales representatives; and (iv) other expenses directly related to service contracts such as courier fees, laboratory supplies, professional services and travel expenses. Trade Receivables, Unbilled Services and Unearned Income In general, billings and payments are established by contractual provisions including predetermined payment schedules, which may or may not correspond to the timing of the transfer of control of the Company’s services under the contract. In general, the Company’s intention in its invoicing (payment terms) is to maintain cash neutrality over the life of the contract. Generally, the payment terms are 30 to 90 days based on contracts. Upfront payments, when they occur, are intended to cover certain expenses the Company incurs at the beginning of the contract. Neither the Company nor its customers view such upfront payments and contracted payment schedules as a means of financing. Unbilled services primarily arise from long-term contracts when a cost-based or hours-based input method of revenue recognition is utilized and revenue recognized exceeds the amount billed to the customer. Unearned income consists of advance payments and billings in excess of revenue recognized. 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. Unearned income is classified as a current liability on the condensed consolidated balance sheet as the Company expects to recognize the associated revenue in less than one year.
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.
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	Certain items of income and expense are not recognized on the Company’s income tax returns and financial statements in the same year, which creates timing differences. The income tax effect of these timing differences results in (1) deferred income tax assets that create a reduction in future income taxes and (2) deferred income tax liabilities that create an increase in future income taxes. Recognition of deferred income tax assets is based on management’s belief that it is more likely than not that the income tax benefit associated with certain temporary differences, income tax operating loss and capital loss carryforwards and income tax credits, would be realized. The Company recorded a valuation allowance to reduce its deferred income tax assets for those deferred income tax items for which it was more likely than not that realization would not occur. The Company determined the amount of the valuation allowance based, in part, on the Company’s assessment of future taxable income and in light of the Company’s ongoing income tax strategies. If the estimate of future taxable income or tax strategies changes at any time in the future, the Company would record an adjustment to our valuation allowance. Recording such an adjustment could have a material effect on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations. Income tax expense is based on the distribution of profit before income tax among the various taxing jurisdictions in which we operate, adjusted as required by the income tax laws of each taxing jurisdiction. Changes in the distribution of profits and losses among taxing jurisdictions may have a significant impact on our effective income tax rate. The Company does not consider the undistributed earnings of our foreign subsidiaries to be indefinitely reinvested outside of the United States.
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, 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.
Stock-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 values 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 for performance awards that include market conditions based upon the Monte Carlo simulation model.
Leases	Leases The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at inception. Operating leases are included in operating lease right-of-use (“ROU”) assets, other current liabilities, and operating lease liabilities on our condensed consolidated balance sheets. Operating lease ROU assets and operating lease liabilities are recognized based on the present value of the future minimum lease payments over the lease term at commencement date. As most of the Company’s leases do not provide an implicit rate, the Company uses its incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at commencement date in determining the present value of future payments. The operating lease ROU asset also includes any lease payments made before lease commencement and initial direct costs and excludes lease incentives. The Company’s lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that we will exercise that option. Lease expense for minimum lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The Company has lease agreements with lease and non-lease components that the Company has elected to account for as single lease components.
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.
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 (losses) 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.
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 as of December 31, 2019 In February 2018, the FASB issued new accounting guidance that will allow a reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings for “stranded income tax effects” resulting from the Tax Act. Because the income statement impact related to the reduction of the historical corporate income tax rate under the Tax Act is required to be included in income tax expense, the guidance acknowledges that the income tax effects of items within accumulated other comprehensive income (“stranded income tax effects”) do not reflect the appropriate income tax rate. The Company adopted this new accounting guidance on January 1, 2019 using the aggregate portfolio approach. The Company elected the option to not reclassify accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings for “stranded income tax effects” resulting from the Tax Act. 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 risk management strategies, simplify the application of hedge accounting, and increase transparency as to the scope and results of hedging programs. The Company adopted this new accounting guidance on January 1, 2019. The adoption of this new accounting guidance did not have a materia l effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. 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 Company adopted this new accounting guidance on January 1, 2019 and elected the practical expedients upon transition that retained the lease classification, initial direct costs and determination of whether contracts are or contain a lease, for any leases that existed prior to adoption of the new guidance. The Company also elected the transition method which allows for disclosures to be updated prospectively and prior periods to be presented in accordance with previous guidance. The adoption of this standard had a material impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets but did not have a material impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated results of operations or cash flows. Accounting pronouncements issued but not adopted as of December 31, 2019 In January 2020, the FASB issued new accounting guidance that states , will be In December 2019, the FASB issued new accounting guidance to clarify and simplify the accounting for income taxes. Changes under the new guidance includes eliminating certain exceptions related to the approach for intraperiod tax allocation, the methodology for calculating income taxes in an interim period and the recognition of deferred tax liabilities for outside basis differences. The new accounting guidance will be effective for the Company on January 1, 2021. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this new accounting guidance on its consolidated financial statements. In August 2018, the FASB issued new accounting guidance that clarifies and aligns the accounting for implementation costs for hosting arrangements with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software. The new accounting guidance will be effective for the Company on January 1, 2020. The adoption of this new accounting guidance is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. In August 2018, the FASB issued new accounting guidance that modifies the disclosure requirements for employers that sponsor defined benefit pension or other postretirement plans. The new accounting guidance will be effective for the Company on January 1, 2021. Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of this new accounting guidance is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. In August 2018, the FASB issued new accounting guidance that modifies the disclosure requirements in Topic 820, Fair Value Measurement, by removing certain disclosure requirements related to the fair value hierarchy, modifying existing disclosure requirements related to measurement uncertainty and adding new disclosure requirements, such as disclosing the changes in unrealized gains and losses for the period included in other comprehensive income for recurring Level 3 fair value measurements held at the end of the reporting period and disclosing the range and weighted average of significant unobservable inputs used to develop Level 3 fair value measurements. The new accounting guidance will be effective for the Company on January 1, 2020. The adoption of this new accounting guidance is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. In January 2017, the FASB issued new accounting guidance that simplifies the measurement of goodwill by eliminating the step two impairment test. Step two measures a goodwill impairment loss by comparing the implied fair value of goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill. The new guidance requires a comparison of the Company’s fair value of a reporting unit with the carrying amount and the Company is required to recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the fair value. The new accounting guidance will be effective for the Company on January 1, 2020. Based on current impairment test results, the Company does not expect a material effect on the Consolidated Financial Statements. However, the impact of the new accounting guidance will depend on the performance of the reporting units and the market conditions at the time of adoption. In June 2016, the FASB issued a new accounting standard intended to provide financial statement users with more decision-useful information about expected credit losses and other commitments to extend credit held by the reporting entity. The standard replaces the incurred loss impairment methodology in current GAAP with one that reflects expected credit losses and requires consideration of a broader range of reasonable and supportable information to inform credit loss estimates. The standard will be effective for the Company on January 1, 2020. The adoption of this new accounting guidance is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Summary of Significant Accoun_3

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
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 - 10 years Databases 1 - 9 years Non-compete agreements and other 2 - 5 years

Revenues by Geography, Concen_2

Revenues by Geography, Concentration of Credit Risk and Remaining Performance Obligations (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Revenue From Contract With Customer [Abstract]
Summary of Revenues by Geographical Region and Reportable Segment	The Company attributes revenues to geographical region based upon where the services are performed. The following tables represent revenues by geographical region and reportable segment for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017: Year Ended December 31, 2019 (in millions) Technology & Analytics Solutions Research & Development Solutions Contract Sales & Medical Solutions Total Revenues: Americas $ 2,370 $ 2,693 $ 399 $ 5,462 Europe and Africa 1,543 1,734 200 3,477 Asia-Pacific 573 1,361 215 2,149 Total revenues $ 4,486 $ 5,788 $ 814 $ 11,088 Year Ended December 31, 2018 (in millions) Technology & Analytics Solutions Research & Development Solutions Contract Sales & Medical Solutions Total Revenues: Americas $ 2,087 $ 2,553 $ 358 $ 4,998 Europe and Africa 1,520 1,693 235 3,448 Asia-Pacific 530 1,219 217 1,966 Total revenues $ 4,137 $ 5,465 $ 810 $ 10,412 Year Ended December 31, 2017 (in millions) Technology & Analytics Solutions Research & Development Solutions Contract Sales & Medical Solutions Total Revenues: Americas $ 1,801 $ 2,375 $ 430 $ 4,606 Europe and Africa 1,372 1,663 251 3,286 Asia-Pacific 509 1,067 234 1,810 Total revenues $ 3,682 $ 5,105 $ 915 $ 9,702

Trade Accounts Receivable, Un_2

Trade Accounts Receivable, Unbilled Services and Unearned Income (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Receivables [Abstract]
Trade Accounts Receivable and Unbilled Services	Trade accounts receivables and unbilled services consist of the following: December 31, (in millions) 2019 2018 Trade accounts receivable: Billed $ 1,312 $ 1,279 Unbilled services 1,286 1,130 Trade accounts receivable and unbilled services 2,598 2,409 Allowance for doubtful accounts (16 ) (15 ) Trade accounts receivable and unbilled services, net $ 2,582 $ 2,394
Schedule of Net Contract Assets (Liabilities)	Unbilled services and unearned income was as follows: December 31, (in millions) 2019 2018 Change Unbilled services $ 1,286 $ 1,130 $ 156 Unearned income (1,014 ) (1,007 ) (7 ) Net balance $ 272 $ 123 $ 149

Investments (Tables)

Investments (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
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: December 31, (in millions) 2019 2018 NovaQuest Pharma Opportunities Fund III, L.P. (“NQ Fund III”) $ 19 $ 30 NovaQuest Pharma Opportunities Fund IV, L.P. (“NQ Fund IV”) 8 13 NovaQuest Pharma Opportunities Fund V, L.P. (“NQ Fund V”) 13 14 NovaQuest Private Equity Fund I, L.P. (“NQ PE Fund I”) 4 4 Cenduit TM — 4 NostraData Pty Ltd. (“NostraData”) 8 7 Inteliquet (“Inteliquet”) 18 20 Helparound ("Helparound") 4 — Other 13 9 $ 87 $ 101
Summary of Investments in Unconsolidated Variable Interest Entities and Estimated Maximum Exposure to Loss	As of December 31, 2019, 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 NQ Fund III $ 19 $ 25 NQ Fund IV 8 10 NQ Fund V 13 44 NQ PE Fund I 4 7 Pappas Life Science Ventures V, L.P. 2 5 $ 46 $ 91

Derivatives (Tables)

Derivatives (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
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: December 31, 2019 December 31, 2018 (in millions) Balance Sheet Classification Assets Liabilities Notional Assets Liabilities Notional Derivatives designated as hedging instruments: Foreign exchange forward contracts Other current assets and liabilities $ 4 — $ 148 $ 5 $ 3 $ 202 Interest rate swaps Other assets and liabilities — 27 875 3 9 890 Interest rate caps Deposits and other assets — — — 1 — 700 Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments: Interest rate swaps Other liabilities — 3 325 — 5 432 Total derivatives $ 4 $ 30 $ 9 $ 17
Pre-tax Effect of Cash Flow Hedging Instruments on Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	The pre-tax effect of the Company’s cash flow hedging instruments on other comprehensive (loss) income is summarized in the following table: Year Ended December 31, (in millions) 2019 2018 2017 Foreign exchange forward contracts $ 2 $ (9 ) $ (5 ) Interest rate derivatives (22 ) (6 ) 9 Total $ (20 ) $ (15 ) $ 4

Fair Value Measurements (Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
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 and reported at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2019: (in millions) Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Assets: Marketable securities $ 79 $ — $ — $ 79 Derivatives — 4 — 4 Total $ 79 $ 4 $ — $ 83 Liabilities: Derivatives $ — $ 30 $ — $ 30 Contingent consideration — — 113 113 Total $ — $ 30 $ 113 $ 143 The following table summarizes the fair value of the Company’s financial assets and liabilities that are measured and reported at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2018: (in millions) Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Assets: Marketable securities $ 63 $ — $ — $ 63 Derivatives — 9 — 9 Total $ 63 $ 9 $ — $ 72 Liabilities: Derivatives $ — $ 17 $ — $ 17 Contingent consideration — — 123 123 Total $ — $ 17 $ 123 $ 140
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: Contingent Consideration (in millions) 2019 2018 2017 Balance as of January 1 $ 123 $ 69 $ 18 Business combinations 40 53 57 Contingent consideration paid (46 ) (24 ) (4 ) Revaluations included in earnings and foreign currency translation adjustments (4 ) 25 (2 ) Balance as of December 31 $ 113 $ 123 $ 69

Property and Equipment (Tables)

Property and Equipment (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Property Plant And Equipment [Abstract]
Summary of Major Classes of Property and Equipment	The major classes of property and equipment were as follows: December 31, (in millions) 2019 2018 Land, buildings and leasehold improvements $ 331 $ 326 Equipment 570 521 Furniture and fixtures 81 82 Transportation equipment 73 72 Property and equipment, gross 1,055 1,001 Less accumulated depreciation (597 ) (567 ) Property and equipment, net $ 458 $ 434
Schedule of Property and Equipment Depreciation Expense	Property and equipment depreciation expense was as follows: Year Ended December 31, (in millions) 2019 2018 2017 Depreciation expense $ 128 $ 125 $ 125

Goodwill and Identifiable Int_2

Goodwill and Identifiable Intangible Assets (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
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: Year Ended December 31, (in millions) 2019 2018 2017 Amortization expense $ 1,074 $ 1,016 $ 886
Summary of Identifiable Intangible Assets	The following is a summary of identifiable intangible assets: As of December 31, 2019 As of December 31, 2018 (in millions) Gross Amount Accumulated Amortization Net Amount Gross Amount Accumulated Amortization Net Amount Definite-lived identifiable intangible assets: Client relationships and backlog $ 4,809 $ (1,303 ) $ 3,506 $ 4,620 $ (863 ) $ 3,757 Trademarks, trade names and other 528 (158 ) 370 526 (108 ) 418 Databases 1,836 (1,185 ) 651 1,828 (823 ) 1,005 Software and related assets 1,620 (665 ) 955 1,279 (543 ) 736 Non-compete agreements 32 (18 ) 14 27 (10 ) 17 $ 8,825 $ (3,329 ) $ 5,496 $ 8,280 $ (2,347 ) $ 5,933 Indefinite-lived identifiable intangible assets: Trade names $ 18 $ — $ 18 $ 18 $ — $ 18
Summary of Goodwill by Segment	The following is a summary of goodwill by segment for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018: (in millions) Technology & Analytics Solutions Research & Development Solutions Contract Sales & Medical Solutions Consolidated Balance as of December 31, 2017 10,348 1,385 117 11,850 Business combinations 135 49 18 202 Impact of foreign currency fluctuations and other (244 ) (7 ) (1 ) (252 ) Balance as of December 31, 2018 10,239 1,427 134 11,800 Business combinations 216 215 5 436 Impact of foreign currency fluctuations and other (81 ) 4 — (77 ) Balance as of December 31, 2019 $ 10,374 $ 1,646 $ 139 $ 12,159

Accrued Expenses (Tables)

Accrued Expenses (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Payables And Accruals [Abstract]
Accrued Expenses	Accrued expenses consist of the following: December 31, (in millions) 2019 2018 Compensation, including bonuses, fringe benefits and payroll taxes $ 687 $ 660 Restructuring 67 74 Interest 53 45 Client contract related 763 678 Professional fees 80 91 Contingent consideration and deferred purchase price 52 90 Other 235 220 $ 1,937 $ 1,858

Credit Arrangements (Tables)

Credit Arrangements (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Summary of Credit Facilities	The following is a summary of the Company’s revolving credit facilities at December 31, 2019: Facility Interest Rates $1,500 million (revolving credit facility) LIBOR in the relevant currency borrowed plus a margin of 1.50% at December 31, 2019 $25 million (receivables financing facility) LIBOR Market Index Rate (1.76% at December 31, 2019) plus 0.90% £10 million (approximately $13 million) general banking facility Bank’s base rate of 0.75% at December 31, 2019 plus 1%
Summary of Debt	The following table summarizes the Company’s debt at the dates indicated: December 31, (dollars in millions) 2019 2018 Senior Secured Credit Facilities: Term A Loan due 2023—U.S. Dollar LIBOR at average floating rates of 3.44% $ 770 $ 812 Term A Loan due 2023—Euro LIBOR at average floating rates of 1.50% 387 416 Term B Loan due 2024—U.S. Dollar LIBOR at average floating rates of 3.69% 535 535 Term B Loan due 2024—Euro LIBOR at average floating rates of 2.00% 1,306 1,346 Term B Loan due 2025—U.S. Dollar LIBOR at average floating rates of 3.69% 733 741 Term B Loan due 2025—U.S. Dollar LIBOR at average floating rates of 3.69% 936 945 Term B Loan due 2025—Euro LIBOR at average floating rates of 2.00% 644 664 Revolving Credit Facility due 2023: U.S. Dollar denominated borrowings — floating rates of 3.26% 154 620 Japanese Yen denominated borrowings—Japanese Yen LIBOR at average floating rates of 1.50% 212 — 5.0% Senior Notes due 2027—U.S. Dollar denominated 1,100 — 5.0% Senior Notes due 2026 — 1,050 1,050 2.875% Senior Notes due 2025—Euro denominated 471 481 3.25% Senior Notes due 2025 — 1,598 1,631 3.5% Senior Notes due 2024 — 701 715 4.875% Senior Notes due 2023—U.S. Dollar denominated — 800 2.25% Senior Notes due 2028—Euro denominated 808 — Receivables financing facility due 2022—U.S. Dollar LIBOR at average floating rates of 2.66% 300 300 Principal amount of debt 11,705 11,056 Less: unamortized discount and debt issuance costs (60 ) (49 ) Less: current portion (100 ) (100 ) Long-term debt $ 11,545 $ 10,907
Contractual Maturities of Long-term Debt	Contractual maturities of long-term debt at December 31, 2019 are as follows: (in millions) 2020 $ 100 2021 100 2022 400 2023 1,372 2024 2,511 Thereafter 7,222 $ 11,705

Leases (Tables)

Leases (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Leases [Abstract]
Components of Lease Expense	The components of lease expense were as follows: Year Ended December 31, (in millions) Classification 2019 Operating lease cost (1) Selling, general and administrative expenses $ 193 Total lease cost $ 193 (1) Includes variable lease costs, which are immaterial.
Other Information Related to Leases	Other information related to leases was as follows: (in millions) Year Ended December 31, 2019 Supplemental Cash Flow: Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities: Operating cash flows from operating leases $ 195 Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations: Operating leases $ 96 Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term: Operating leases 5.01 years Weighted Average Discount Rate: Operating leases 4.22 %
Future Minimum Lease Payments Under Non-cancellable Leases	Future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable leases as of December 31, 2019 were as follows: (in millions) Operating Leases 2020 $ 160 2021 129 2022 105 2023 81 2024 54 Thereafter 86 Total future minimum lease payments 615 Less imputed interest (66 ) Total $ 549 Reported as of December 31, 2019: Other current liabilities $ 153 Operating lease liabilities 396 Total $ 549
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, 2018: (in millions) Operating Leases 2019 $ 167 2020 136 2021 108 2022 90 2023 69 Thereafter 119 Total minimum lease payments $ 689

Stockholders' Equity (Tables)

Stockholders' Equity (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
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: Year Ended December 31, (in millions, except per share data) 2019 2018 2017 Number of shares of common stock repurchased 6.6 12.6 30.9 Aggregate purchase price $ 945 $ 1,396 $ 2,620 Average price per share $ 143.02 $ 111.23 $ 84.80

Business Combinations (Tables)

Business Combinations (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Schedule of Preliminary Allocations of Purchase to Certain Intangible Assets Acquired and Goodwill	The following table provides certain financial information for these acquisitions, including the preliminary allocations of the purchase prices to certain intangible assets acquired and goodwill: (in millions) Amortization Period 2019 2018 Total cost of acquisitions, net of cash acquired (1) $ 667 $ 372 Amounts recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheets: Goodwill $ 437 $ 202 Portion of goodwill deductible for income tax purposes 186 15 Intangible assets: Customer relationships 6-18 years $ 216 $ 126 Backlog 2 years 11 10 Non-compete agreements 3-5 years 6 4 Software 3-8 years 35 44 Trade names 1-8 years 3 8 Total intangible assets $ 271 $ 192 (1) Total cost of acquisitions , net of cash acquired, includes contingent consideration and deferred purchase payments of $ million and $ million for the years ended December 31, 201 9 and 201 8 , respectively.

Restructuring (Tables)

Restructuring (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
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, 2017 $ 80 $ 4 $ 84 Expense, net of reversals 45 23 68 Payments (76 ) (6 ) (82 ) Foreign currency translation and other (2 ) 6 4 Balance at December 31, 2018 $ 47 $ 27 $ 74 Expense, net of reversals 75 — 75 Payments (57 ) (16 ) (73 ) Foreign currency translation and other (1 ) (8 ) (9 ) Balance at December 31, 2019 $ 64 $ 3 $ 67

Income Taxes (Tables)

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
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: Year Ended December 31, (in millions) 2019 2018 2017 Domestic $ (504 ) $ (521 ) $ (527 ) Foreign 856 849 821 $ 352 $ 328 $ 294
Components of Income Tax Expense Attributable to Continuing Operations	The components of income tax expense attributable to continuing operations are as follows: Year Ended December 31, (in millions) 2019 2018 2017 Current expense: Federal and state $ 11 $ 17 $ (3 ) Foreign 248 233 222 259 250 219 Deferred (benefit) expense: Federal and state (109 ) (170 ) (1,167 ) Foreign (34 ) (21 ) (44 ) (143 ) (191 ) (1,211 ) $ 116 $ 59 $ (992 )
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 United States statutory income tax rate of 21% in 2019, 21% in 2018 and 35% in 2017 were as follows: Year Ended December 31, (in millions) 2019 2018 2017 Federal income tax expense at statutory rate $ 74 $ 69 $ 103 State and local income taxes, net of federal effect — (2 ) (14 ) Research and development (21 ) (20 ) (9 ) Foreign nontaxable interest income — — (7 ) United States taxes recorded on foreign earnings (*) 9 40 6 Tax contingencies 27 16 17 Foreign Derived Intangible Income (“FDII”) 20 (25 ) — Foreign rate differential 26 27 (97 ) Equity compensation (14 ) (8 ) (19 ) Non-taxable gain on acquisition (5 ) — — Non-controlling interest (6 ) (3 ) (5 ) Tax Act impact — (35 ) (966 ) Other 6 — (1 ) $ 116 $ 59 $ (992 )
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: December 31, (in millions) 2019 2018 Deferred income tax assets: Net operating loss and capital loss carryforwards $ 246 $ 244 Tax credit carryforwards 332 300 Accrued expenses and unearned income 55 70 Employee benefits 168 181 Operating lease liability 119 — Other 79 51 999 846 Valuation allowance for deferred income tax assets (266 ) (226 ) Total deferred income tax assets 733 620 Deferred income tax liabilities: Amortization and depreciation (1,105 ) (1,209 ) Operating lease right-of-use assets (119 ) — Other (36 ) (38 ) Total deferred income tax liabilities (1,260 ) (1,247 ) Net deferred income tax liabilities $ (527 ) $ (627 )
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: Year Ended December 31, (in millions) 2019 2018 2017 Balance at January 1 $ 94 $ 82 $ 64 Additions based on tax positions related to the current year 5 4 11 Additions for income tax positions of prior years 33 26 13 Impact of changes in exchange rates — (2 ) 4 Settlements with tax authorities (1 ) (2 ) (2 ) Reductions for income tax positions of prior years (6 ) — (2 ) Reductions due to the lapse of the applicable statute of limitations (5 ) (14 ) (6 ) Balance at December 31 $ 120 $ 94 $ 82
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 2015-2018 India 2006-2019 Japan 2013-2018 United Kingdom 2018 Switzerland 2014-2018

Employee Benefit Plans (Tables)

Employee Benefit Plans (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
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: Pension Benefits United States Plans Non-United States Plans December 31 (in millions) 2019 2018 2019 2018 Obligation and funded status: Change in benefit obligation: Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year $ 335 $ 349 $ 513 $ 559 Service costs 12 13 25 26 Interest cost 14 12 9 9 Actuarial (gains) losses 50 (30 ) 55 (29 ) Business combinations — — — 1 Benefits paid (10 ) (9 ) (19 ) (21 ) Contributions — — 2 2 Amendments — — — 2 Curtailments — — (5 ) (3 ) Settlements — — (1 ) (12 ) Foreign currency fluctuations and other — — 12 (21 ) Projected benefit obligation at end of year 401 335 591 513 Change in plan assets: Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year 330 360 366 391 Actual return on plan assets 77 (24 ) 34 (2 ) Contributions 4 3 26 29 Benefits paid (10 ) (9 ) (19 ) (21 ) Settlements — — (1 ) (11 ) Foreign currency fluctuations and other — — 12 (20 ) Fair value of plan assets at end of year 401 330 418 366 Funded status $ — $ (5 ) $ (173 ) $ (147 )
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: Pension Benefits United Non-United States Plans December 31 (in millions) 2019 2018 2019 2018 Deposits and other assets $ 45 $ 36 $ 11 $ 17 Accrued expenses 2 2 13 11 Other long-term liabilities 42 38 171 153 AOCI 13 11 (30 ) 7
Summary of Accumulated Benefit Obligation for Pension Benefit Plans	The following table summarizes the accumulated benefit obligation for all pension benefit plans: Pension Benefits United Non-United States Plans December 31 (in millions) 2019 2018 2019 2018 Accumulated benefit obligation $ 395 $ 330 $ 557 $ 476
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: Pension Benefits United Non-United States Plans December 31 (in millions) 2019 2018 2019 2018 Plans with accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets: Accumulated benefit obligation $ 47 $ 43 $ 485 $ 189 Fair value of plan assets 4 3 334 59 Plans with projected benefit obligation in excess of plan assets: Projected benefit obligation $ 49 $ 43 $ 519 $ 223 Fair value of plan assets 4 3 335 59
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: Pension Benefits United Non-United States Plans Year Ended December 31, (in millions) 2019 2018 2017 2019 2018 2017 Service cost $ 12 $ 13 $ 13 $ 25 $ 26 $ 26 Interest cost 14 12 11 9 9 9 Expected return on plan assets (25 ) (27 ) (24 ) (16 ) (15 ) (14 ) Amortization of actuarial losses — — — 0 1 1 Curtailment gain — — — (5 ) (3 ) — Settlement gain — — — 0 (1 ) — Net periodic benefit cost 1 (2 ) — 13 17 22 Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive loss: Actuarial loss (gain) – current years (2 ) 22 (4 ) 32 (15 ) (4 ) Prior service cost - current year — — — — 2 — Curtailment gain - current year — — — 5 3 — Settlement gain - current year — — — — 1 — Amortization of actuarial losses — — — — (1 ) (1 ) Total recognized in other comprehensive loss (income) (2 ) 22 (4 ) 37 (10 ) (5 ) Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other comprehensive loss (income) $ (1 ) $ 20 $ (4 ) $ 50 $ 7 $ 17
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 2019 2018 2017 2019 2018 2017 2019 2018 2017 Discount rate 4.42 % 3.69 % 4.17 % 1.99 % 1.91 % 1.89 % 3.80 % 2.90 % 2.90 % Rate of compensation increases 3.00 % 3.00 % 3.00 % 4.54 % 4.54 % 5.17 % — — — Expected return on plan assets 7.67 % 7.69 % 7.94 % 4.02 % 4.17 % 4.16 % — — — 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 2019 2018 2019 2018 2019 2018 Discount rate 3.52 % 4.42 % 1.45 % 1.98 % 2.70 % 3.80 % Rate of compensation increases 3.00 % 3.00 % 2.78 % 3.20 % — —
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 2019 2018 2019 2018 2019 2018 Equity securities 70.82 % 67.58 % 42.88 % 45.22 % 56.56 % 55.83 % Debt securities 24.13 27.34 19.22 16.18 21.62 21.48 Real estate 5.05 5.08 — — 2.48 2.41 Other — — 37.00 38.60 19.33 20.28 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: December 31, 2019 December 31, 2018 Asset Category Level 1 Level 2 Total Level 1 Level 2 Total (in millions) Domestic equities $ 30 $ — $ 30 $ 31 $ — $ 31 International equities 16 — 16 13 — 13 Corporate bonds 58 — 58 54 — 54 Real estate 20 — 20 16 — 16 Total assets in the fair value hierarchy 124 — 124 114 — 114 Common/collective trusts measured at net asset value (“NAV”) (1) — — 277 — — 216 Total $ 124 $ — $ 401 $ 114 $ — $ 330 The following table summarizes non-United States plan assets measured at fair value: December 31, 2019 December 31, 2018 Asset Category Level 1 Level 2 Total Level 1 Level 2 Total (in millions) International equities $ 2 $ 56 $ 58 $ 2 $ 53 $ 55 Debt issued by national, state or local government 2 78 80 2 57 59 Diversified growth fund — — — — — — Investments funds — 9 9 — 8 8 Insurance contracts — 153 153 — 136 136 Other — 5 5 — 5 5 Total assets in the fair value hierarchy 4 301 305 4 259 263 Assets measured at NAV (1) — — 113 — — 103 Total $ 4 $ 301 $ 418 $ 4 $ 259 $ 366 (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, 2019 and 2018.
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 2020 36 2021 37 2022 39 2023 41 2024 44 Years 2025 through 2029 246 $ 443
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, 2019 2018 2017 Expected volatility 23 – 24% 22 – 24% 22 – 25% Weighted average expected volatility 23% 22% 24% Expected dividends 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Expected term (in years) 3.7 – 6.7 1.0 – 6.7 1.0 – 6.9 Risk-free interest rate 1.55 – 2.56% 2.05 – 3.00% 1.16 – 2.32%
Summary of Stock Option Activity	The Company’s stock option activity in 2019 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, 2018 2,574,224 $ 34.09 $ 211 Exercised (1,099,428 ) 32.56 Canceled (16,455 ) 64.96 Outstanding at December 31, 2019 1,458,341 $ 34.90 $ 174
Schedule of Stock Options Outstanding and Exercisable	Selected information regarding the Company’s stock options as of December 31, 2019 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 305,657 $ 8.34 — $ 8.34 $ 8.34 0.87 305,657 $ 8.34 319,740 11.46 — 24.59 17.81 1.27 319,740 17.81 347,341 25.53 — 47.87 36.04 3.15 347,341 36.04 335,343 50.79 — 64.67 60.76 5.07 281,443 60.01 150,260 $ 64.86 — $ 64.93 $ 64.92 4.73 150,260 $ 64.92
Summary of Restricted Stock Awards	The Company’s RSA activity in 2019 is as follows: Number of RSAs Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value Outstanding at December 31, 2018 436,067 $ 79.04 Vested (245,130 ) 79.68 Outstanding at December 31, 2019 190,937 $ 78.21
Summary of Performance Award Activity	The Company’s performance award activity in 2019 is as follows: Number of Performance Awards Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value Outstanding at December 31, 2018 850,576 $ 94.78 Granted 273,211 144.81 Canceled (67,980 ) 103.75 Outstanding at December 31, 2019 1,055,807 $ 107.18
Stock Appreciation Rights - Stock Settled [Member]
Schedule of Stock Appreciation Rights Activity	The Company’s SSR activity in 2019 is as follows: (in millions, except number of SSRs and exercise price) Number of SSRs Weighted Average Exercise Price Aggregate Intrinsic Value Outstanding at December 31, 2018 4,155,528 $ 81.97 $ 142 Granted 1,076,560 132.13 Exercised (723,433 ) 78.25 Canceled (193,783 ) 98.55 Outstanding at December 31, 2019 4,314,872 $ 94.37 $ 260
Stock Appreciation Rights - Cash Settled [Member]
Schedule of Stock Appreciation Rights Activity	The Company’s CSR activity in 2019 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, 2018 247,397 $ 57.98 $ 14 Granted 11,597 131.82 Exercised (76,885 ) 56.03 Canceled (10,269 ) 85.98 Outstanding at December 31, 2019 171,840 $ 62.15 $ 16
Restricted Stock Units - Stock Settled [Member]
Schedule of Restricted Stock Units Activity	The Company’s RSU activity in 2019 is as follows: Number of RSUs Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value Outstanding at December 31, 2018 385,458 $ 83.60 Granted (1) 262,630 133.59 Vested (189,847 ) 76.28 Canceled (37,675 ) 108.48 Outstanding at December 31, 2019 420,566 $ 115.90
Restricted Stock Units - Cash Settled [Member]
Schedule of Restricted Stock Units Activity	The Company’s Cash RSU activity in 2019 is as follows: Number of Cash RSUs Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value Outstanding at December 31, 2018 13,361 $ 96.70 Granted 13,085 131.82 Vested (2,953 ) 78.21 Canceled (2,786 ) 125.14 Outstanding at December 31, 2019 20,707 $ 117.71

Property, Equipment and Softw_2

Property, Equipment and Software by Geography (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Property Equipment And Software By Geography [Abstract]
Property, Equipment and Software, Net, by Geographic Region	The following table represents the Company’s property, equipment and software, net, by geographic region, which is further broken down to show each country that accounts for 10% or more of the totals: As of December 31, (in millions) 2019 2018 Property, equipment and software, net: Americas: United States $ 1,130 $ 856 Other 62 23 Americas 1,192 879 Europe and Africa 160 221 Asia-Pacific 61 70 Total property, equipment and software, net $ 1,413 $ 1,170

Segments (Tables)

Segments (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
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 Company’s performance. Year Ended December 31, (in millions) 2019 2018 2017 Revenues Technology & Analytics Solutions $ 4,486 $ 4,137 $ 3,682 Research & Development Solutions 5,788 5,465 5,105 Contract Sales & Medical Solutions 814 810 915 Total revenues 11,088 10,412 9,702 Costs of revenue Technology & Analytics Solutions 2,663 2,343 1,967 Research & Development Solutions 3,936 3,721 3,566 Contract Sales & Medical Solutions 701 682 768 Total costs of revenue 7,300 6,746 6,301 Selling, general and administrative expenses Technology & Analytics Solutions 722 753 717 Research & Development Solutions 711 689 678 Contract Sales & Medical Solutions 61 67 78 General corporate and unallocated 240 207 149 Total selling, general and administrative expenses 1,734 1,716 1,622 Segment profit Technology & Analytics Solutions 1,101 1,041 998 Research & Development Solutions 1,141 1,055 861 Contract Sales & Medical Solutions 52 61 69 Total segment profit 2,294 2,157 1,928 General corporate and unallocated (240 ) (207 ) (149 ) Depreciation and amortization (1,202 ) (1,141 ) (1,011 ) Impairment charges — 0 (40 ) Restructuring costs (75 ) (68 ) (63 ) Total income from operations $ 777 $ 741 $ 665

Earnings Per Share (Tables)

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
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: Year Ended December 31, (in millions) 2019 2018 2017 Basic weighted average common shares outstanding 195.1 203.7 217.8 Effect of dilutive stock options and share awards 4.5 4.5 4.8 Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding 199.6 208.2 222.6
Summary of Weighted-Average Outstanding Stock-Based Awards 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 because they are subject to performance conditions or the effect of including such stock-based awards in the computation would be anti-dilutive Year Ended December 31, (in millions) 2019 2018 2017 Shares subject to performance conditions 1.3 0.8 0.4 Shares subject to anti-dilutive stock-based awards 0.7 0.9 1.0 Total shares excluded from diluted earnings per share 2.0 1.7 1.4

Comprehensive Income (Tables)

Comprehensive Income (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
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, 2016 (617 ) 10 21 22 (564 ) Other comprehensive income before reclassifications 403 5 8 197 613 Reclassification adjustments — (1 ) 1 — — Balance at December 31, 2017 (214 ) 14 30 219 49 Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications (205 ) (4 ) (12 ) (41 ) (262 ) Reclassification adjustments — (11 ) 1 (1 ) (11 ) Balance at December 31, 2018 (419 ) (1 ) 19 177 (224 ) Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications (11 ) (19 ) (35 ) (21 ) (86 ) Reclassification adjustments — (1 ) — — (1 ) Balance at December 31, 2019 $ (430 ) $ (21 ) $ (16 ) $ 156 $ (311 )
Summary of Adjustments for (Gains) Losses Reclassified from AOCI into Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income and Affected Financial Statement Line Item	Below is a summary of the adjustments for (gains) losses reclassified from AOCI into the consolidated statements of income and the affected financial statement line item: Year Ended December 31, (in millions) Affected Financial Statement Line Item 2019 2018 2017 Derivative instruments: Interest rate swaps and caps Interest expense $ — $ — $ — Foreign exchange forward contracts Revenues 5 1 7 Foreign exchange forward contracts Other expense (income), net (6 ) (12 ) (8 ) Total before income taxes (1 ) (11 ) (1 ) Income tax expense — 1 — Total net of income taxes $ (1 ) $ (12 ) $ (1 ) Defined benefit plans: Amortization of actuarial losses See Note 17 $ — $ 1 $ 1 Income tax expense — — — Total net of income taxes $ — $ 1 $ 1

Supplemental Cash Flow Inform_2

Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]
Supplemental Cash Flow Information	The following table presents the Company’s supplemental cash flow information: Year Ended December 31, (in millions) 2019 2018 2017 Supplemental Cash Flow Information: Interest paid $ 421 $ 398 $ 320 Income taxes paid, net of refunds $ 215 $ 211 $ 195

Quarterly Financial Data (Una_2

Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Unaudited Quarterly Results of Operations	The following table summarizes the Company’s unaudited quarterly results of operations: 2019 (in millions, except per share data) First Quarter Second Quarter Third Quarter Fourth Quarter Revenues $ 2,684 $ 2,740 $ 2,769 $ 2,895 Income from operations 210 197 204 166 Net income 67 71 69 20 Net income attributable to non-controlling interests (9 ) (11 ) (12 ) (4 ) Net income attributable to IQVIA Holdings Inc. $ 58 $ 60 $ 57 $ 16 Basic earnings per share (2) $ 0.29 $ 0.31 $ 0.29 $ 0.09 Diluted earnings per share (2) $ 0.29 $ 0.30 $ 0.29 $ 0.09 2018 (in millions, except per share data) First Quarter Second Quarter Third Quarter Fourth Quarter Revenues $ 2,563 $ 2,567 $ 2,594 $ 2,688 Income from operations 183 170 181 207 Net income 73 68 67 76 Net income attributable to non-controlling interests (4 ) (7 ) (7 ) (7 ) Net income attributable to IQVIA Holdings Inc. (1) $ 69 $ 61 $ 60 $ 69 Basic earnings per share (2) $ 0.33 $ 0.30 $ 0.30 $ 0.34 Diluted earnings per share (2) $ 0.32 $ 0.29 $ 0.29 $ 0.34 (1) During the fourth quarter of 2018, the Company identified and recorded certain adjustments related to prior periods and as a result increased pre-tax income by $22 million (net income by $15 million). The Company has evaluated the effects of the out of period adjustments and concluded they are not to the quarter 2018 financial results, nor to any of the previously issued annual or quarterly financial information. (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.

Summary of Significant Accoun_4

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)EmployeeCountry	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Number of employees | Employee	67,000
Capitalized and amortized expense related to software and related assets	$ 196,000,000	$ 179,000,000	$ 134,000,000
Impairment charges recognized	$ 0	$ 0
Revenue, contract termination description	The effect of revisions to estimates related to the transaction price or costs to complete a project are recorded in the period in which the estimate is revised. Most contracts may be terminated upon 30 to 90 days notice by the customer; however, in the event of termination, most contracts require payment for services rendered through the date of termination, as well as for subsequent services rendered to close out the contract.
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

Summary of Significant Accoun_5

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Property and Equipment at Cost Using Straight-Line Method (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
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 Accoun_6

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Definite-lived identifiable intangible assets amortized (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
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	10 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	2 years
Non-compete agreements and other [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Definite-lived intangible assets, Estimated useful life, Years	5 years

Revenues by Geography, Concen_3

Revenues by Geography, Concentration of Credit Risk and Remaining Performance Obligations - Summary of Revenues by Geographical Region and Reportable Segment (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues	$ 2,895	$ 2,769	$ 2,740	$ 2,684	$ 2,688	$ 2,594	$ 2,567	$ 2,563	$ 11,088	$ 10,412	$ 9,702
Americas [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues									5,462	4,998	4,606
Europe and Africa [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues									3,477	3,448	3,286
Asia-Pacific [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues									2,149	1,966	1,810
Technology & Analytics Solutions [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues									4,486	4,137	3,682
Technology & Analytics Solutions [Member] | Americas [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues									2,370	2,087	1,801
Technology & Analytics Solutions [Member] | Europe and Africa [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues									1,543	1,520	1,372
Technology & Analytics Solutions [Member] | Asia-Pacific [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues									573	530	509
Research & Development Solutions [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues									5,788	5,465	5,105
Research & Development Solutions [Member] | Americas [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues									2,693	2,553	2,375
Research & Development Solutions [Member] | Europe and Africa [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues									1,734	1,693	1,663
Research & Development Solutions [Member] | Asia-Pacific [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues									1,361	1,219	1,067
Contract Sales & Medical Solutions [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues									814	810	915
Contract Sales & Medical Solutions [Member] | Americas [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues									399	358	430
Contract Sales & Medical Solutions [Member] | Europe and Africa [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues									200	235	251
Contract Sales & Medical Solutions [Member] | Asia-Pacific [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenues									$ 215	$ 217	$ 234

Revenues by Geography, Concen_4

Revenues by Geography, Concentration of Credit Risk and Remaining Performance Obligations - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Billions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)Customer	Dec. 31, 2018Customer	Dec. 31, 2017Customer
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue expected to be recognized in future from remaining performance obligations | $	$ 20
Number of major customer | Customer	0	0	0
United States [Member] | Geographic Concentration Risk [Member] | Revenue [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Concentration risk	45.00%	43.00%	42.00%
United Kingdom [Member] | Geographic Concentration Risk [Member] | Revenue [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Concentration risk	10.00%	11.00%

Revenues by Geography, Concen_5

Revenues by Geography, Concentration of Credit Risk and Remaining Performance Obligations - Additional Information 1 (Detail) - Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date: 2020-01-01	Dec. 31, 2019
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Percentage of remaining performance obligations on which revenue is expected to be recognized	35.00%
Unearned income recognition period	12 months

Trade Accounts Receivable, Un_3

Trade Accounts Receivable, Unbilled Services and Unearned Income - Trade Accounts Receivable and Unbilled Services (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Trade accounts receivable:
Billed	$ 1,312	$ 1,279
Unbilled services	1,286	1,130
Trade accounts receivable and unbilled services	2,598	2,409
Allowance for doubtful accounts	(16)	(15)
Trade accounts receivable and unbilled services, net	$ 2,582	$ 2,394

Trade Accounts Receivable, Un_4

Trade Accounts Receivable, Unbilled Services and Unearned Income - Schedule of Net Contract Assets (Liabilities) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Contract With Customer Asset And Liability [Abstract]
Unbilled services	$ 1,286	$ 1,130
Unearned income	(1,014)	(1,007)
Net balance	272	$ 123
Unbilled Services, Change	156
Unearned Income, Change	(7)
Net balance, Change	$ 149

Trade Accounts Receivable, Un_5

Trade Accounts Receivable, Unbilled Services and Unearned Income - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)
Receivables [Abstract]
Increase in unbilled services	$ 156
Increase in unearned income	7
Increase of net balance of unbilled services and unearned income	$ 149

Investments - Investments in an

Investments - Investments in and Advances to Unconsolidated Affiliates (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Investments In And Advances To Affiliates [Line Items]
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates	$ 87	$ 101
NovaQuest Pharma Opportunities Fund III, L.P. (“NQ Fund III”) [Member]
Investments In And Advances To Affiliates [Line Items]
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates	19	30
NovaQuest Pharma Opportunities Fund IV, L.P. (“NQ Fund IV”) [Member]
Investments In And Advances To Affiliates [Line Items]
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates	8	13
NovaQuest Pharma Opportunities Fund V, L.P. (“NQ Fund V”) [Member]
Investments In And Advances To Affiliates [Line Items]
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates	13	14
NovaQuest Private Equity Fund I, L.P. (“NQ PE Fund I”) [Member]
Investments In And Advances To Affiliates [Line Items]
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates	4	4
CenduitTM (“Cenduit”) [Member]
Investments In And Advances To Affiliates [Line Items]
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates		4
NostraData Pty Ltd. (“NostraData”) [Member]
Investments In And Advances To Affiliates [Line Items]
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates	8	7
Inteliquet (“Inteliquet”) [Member]
Investments In And Advances To Affiliates [Line Items]
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates	18	20
Helparound ("Helparound") [Member]
Investments In And Advances To Affiliates [Line Items]
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates	4
Other [Member]
Investments In And Advances To Affiliates [Line Items]
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates	$ 13	$ 9

Investments - Summary of Invest

Investments - Summary of Investments in Unconsolidated Variable Interest Entities and Estimated Maximum Exposure to Loss (Detail) - USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Maximum Exposure to Loss	$ 91,000,000
Investments in Unconsolidated VIEs	87,000,000	$ 101,000,000
NovaQuest Pharma Opportunities Fund III, L.P. (“NQ Fund III”) [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Investments in Unconsolidated VIEs	19,000,000
Maximum Exposure to Loss	25,000,000
NovaQuest Pharma Opportunities Fund IV, L.P. (“NQ Fund IV”) [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Investments in Unconsolidated VIEs	8,000,000
Maximum Exposure to Loss	10,000,000
NovaQuest Pharma Opportunities Fund V, L.P. (“NQ Fund V”) [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Investments in Unconsolidated VIEs	13,000,000
Maximum Exposure to Loss	44,000,000
NovaQuest Private Equity Fund I, L.P. (“NQ PE Fund I”) [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Investments in Unconsolidated VIEs	4,000,000
Maximum Exposure to Loss	7,000,000
Pappas Life Science Ventures V L P
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Investments in Unconsolidated VIEs	2,000,000
Maximum Exposure to Loss	5,000,000
Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Investments in Unconsolidated VIEs	$ 46,000,000

Derivatives - Additional Inform

Derivatives - Additional Information (Detail) € in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)CountryAgreement	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2019EUR (€)CountryAgreement	Jul. 19, 2018USD ($)Agreement	Jun. 03, 2015Agreement	Apr. 30, 2014USD ($)
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Gains related to contracts	$ 3,000,000
Interest swaps accrual beginning date	Jun. 30, 2016
Foreign exchange gains related to net investment hedge	$ 97,000,000
Foreign Currency Denominated Debt [Member]
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Borrowings, net of original issue discount	$ 5,915,000,000		€ 5,273
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%
Minimum [Member]
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Number of countries | Country	100		100
Maximum [Member]
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Interest rate swaps expiry dates month and year	2020-03
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]
Notional amount	$ 148,000,000	$ 202,000,000
Gains related to contracts	4,000,000	5,000,000
Losses related to contracts	$ (1,000,000)	$ (3,000,000)
Expiration year of hedge instruments	2019
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 dates month and year		2020-11
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	$ 325,000,000					$ 600,000,000
Effective description of interest rate swaps	commenced between April and June 2014
Expiration description of interest rate swaps	expire at various times through March 2021
Derivative swap interest rate						1.60%
Number of interest rate contracts | Agreement	1		1
2015 Swaps [Member]
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Number of interest rate contracts | Agreement	3		3		7
2015 Swaps [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Derivative fixed interest rate	2.10%		2.10%
Forward Starting Interest Rate Swaps (2018 Swaps) [Member]
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Notional amount				$ 500,000,000
Number of interest rate contracts | Agreement				2
Derivative fixed interest rate				3.00%
Interest swaps accrual beginning date	Jun. 28, 2019
Interest rate swaps expiry date	Jun. 28, 2024
Swaps [Member]
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Interest rate swaps, Fixed rate debt percent	59.00%		59.00%
Interest rate swaps, Variable rate debt percent	41.00%		41.00%

Derivatives - Summary of Fair V

Derivatives - Summary of Fair Values of Derivative Instruments Designated as Hedges (Detail) - USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Derivatives Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative asset fair value	$ 4,000,000	$ 9,000,000
Derivative liability fair value	30,000,000	17,000,000
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	4,000,000	5,000,000
Derivative liability fair value		3,000,000
Derivative notional amount	148,000,000	202,000,000
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Other Assets and Liabilities [Member] | Interest Rate Swaps [Member]
Derivatives Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative asset fair value		3,000,000
Derivative liability fair value	27,000,000	9,000,000
Derivative notional amount	875,000,000	890,000,000
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
Derivative notional amount		700,000,000
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Other Liabilities [Member] | Interest Rate Swaps [Member]
Derivatives Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative liability fair value	3,000,000	5,000,000
Derivative notional amount	$ 325,000,000	$ 432,000,000

Derivatives - Pre-tax Effect of

Derivatives - Pre-tax Effect of Cash Flow Hedging Instruments on Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Effect of cash flow hedging instruments on other comprehensive income (loss)	$ (20)	$ (15)	$ 4
Foreign Exchange Forward Contracts [Member]
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Effect of cash flow hedging instruments on other comprehensive income (loss)	2	(9)	(5)
Interest Rate Derivatives [Member]
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Effect of cash flow hedging instruments on other comprehensive income (loss)	$ (22)	$ (6)	$ 9

Fair Value Measurements - Addit

Fair Value Measurements - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Other identifiable intangibles, net	$ 5,514	$ 5,951
Level 1 and Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of total debt	11,925	$ 10,850
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	17,808
Cost and equity method investments	135
Goodwill	12,159
Other identifiable intangibles, net	$ 5,514

Fair Value Measurements - Fair

Fair Value Measurements - Fair Value of Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Marketable securities	$ 62	$ 47
Recurring Fair Value Measurements [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Marketable securities	79	63
Fair value of assets	83	72
Fair value of liabilities	143	140
Recurring Fair Value Measurements [Member] | Derivatives [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of assets	4	9
Fair value of liabilities	30	17
Recurring Fair Value Measurements [Member] | Contingent Consideration [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of liabilities	113	123
Level 1 [Member] | Recurring Fair Value Measurements [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Marketable securities	79	63
Fair value of assets	79	63
Level 2 [Member] | Recurring Fair Value Measurements [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of assets	4	9
Fair value of liabilities	30	17
Level 2 [Member] | Recurring Fair Value Measurements [Member] | Derivatives [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of assets	4	9
Fair value of liabilities	30	17
Level 3 [Member] | Recurring Fair Value Measurements [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of liabilities	113	123
Level 3 [Member] | Recurring Fair Value Measurements [Member] | Contingent Consideration [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of liabilities	$ 113	$ 123

Fair Value Measurements - Chang

Fair Value Measurements - Changes in Level 3 Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis (Detail) - Contingent Consideration [Member] - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Fair Value Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Beginning Balance, Contingent Consideration	$ 123	$ 69	$ 18
Business combinations	40	53	57
Contingent consideration paid	(46)	(24)	(4)
Revaluations included in earnings and foreign currency translation adjustments	(4)	25	(2)
Ending Balance, Contingent Consideration	$ 113	$ 123	$ 69

Property and Equipment - Summar

Property and Equipment - Summary of Major Classes of Property and Equipment (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	$ 1,055	$ 1,001
Less accumulated depreciation	(597)	(567)
Property and equipment, net	458	434
Land, buildings and leasehold improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	331	326
Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	570	521
Furniture and fixtures [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	81	82
Transportation equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	$ 73	$ 72

Property and Equipment -Schedul

Property and Equipment -Schedule of Property and Equipment Depreciation Expense (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Property Plant And Equipment [Abstract]
Depreciation expense	$ 128	$ 125	$ 125

Goodwill and Identifiable Int_3

Goodwill and Identifiable Intangible Assets - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Identifiable intangible assets	$ 5,514,000,000	$ 5,951,000,000
Identifiable intangible assets related to trade name	18,000,000
Estimated amortization expense, 2020	1,072,000,000
Estimated amortization expense, 2021	801,000,000
Estimated amortization expense, 2022	462,000,000
Estimated amortization expense, 2023	386,000,000
Estimated amortization expense, 2024	317,000,000
Goodwill impairment losses	$ 0	$ 0

Goodwill and Identifiable Int_4

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, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Amortization expense	$ 1,074	$ 1,016	$ 886

Goodwill and Identifiable Int_5

Goodwill and Identifiable Intangible Assets - Summary of Identifiable Intangible Assets (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Identifiable Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Amount	$ 8,825	$ 8,280
Accumulated Amortization	(3,329)	(2,347)
Net Amount	5,496	5,933
Trade names [Member]
Identifiable Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Amount	18	18
Client relationships and backlog [Member]
Identifiable Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Amount	4,809	4,620
Accumulated Amortization	(1,303)	(863)
Net Amount	3,506	3,757
Trademarks and trade names [Member]
Identifiable Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Amount	528	526
Accumulated Amortization	(158)	(108)
Net Amount	370	418
Databases [Member]
Identifiable Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Amount	1,836	1,828
Accumulated Amortization	(1,185)	(823)
Net Amount	651	1,005
Software and related assets [Member]
Identifiable Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Amount	1,620	1,279
Accumulated Amortization	(665)	(543)
Net Amount	955	736
Non-compete agreements [Member]
Identifiable Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Amount	32	27
Accumulated Amortization	(18)	(10)
Net Amount	$ 14	$ 17

Goodwill and Identifiable Int_6

Goodwill and Identifiable Intangible Assets - Summary of Goodwill by Segment (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Goodwill [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	$ 11,800	$ 11,850
Business combinations	436	202
Impact of foreign currency fluctuations and other	(77)	(252)
Ending Balance	12,159	11,800
Technology & Analytics Solutions [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	10,239	10,348
Business combinations	216	135
Impact of foreign currency fluctuations and other	(81)	(244)
Ending Balance	10,374	10,239
Research & Development Solutions [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	1,427	1,385
Business combinations	215	49
Impact of foreign currency fluctuations and other	4	(7)
Ending Balance	1,646	1,427
Contract Sales & Medical Solutions [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	134	117
Business combinations	5	18
Impact of foreign currency fluctuations and other		(1)
Ending Balance	$ 139	$ 134

Accrued Expenses - Accrued Expe

Accrued Expenses - Accrued Expenses (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]
Compensation, including bonuses, fringe benefits and payroll taxes	$ 687	$ 660
Restructuring	67	74
Interest	53	45
Client contract related	763	678
Professional fees	80	91
Contingent consideration and deferred purchase price	52	90
Other	235	220
Total	$ 1,937	$ 1,858

Credit Arrangements - Summary o

Credit Arrangements - Summary of Credit Facilities (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2019GBP (£)
Revolving credit facility [Member]
Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Facility	$ 1,500,000,000
Interest Rate Description	LIBOR in the relevant currency borrowed plus a margin of 1.50%    at December 31, 2019
Revolving credit facility [Member] | LIBOR [Member]
Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Rate	1.50%	1.50%
Receivables Financing Facility [Member]
Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Facility	$ 25,000,000
Interest Rate Description	LIBOR Market Index Rate (1.76% at December 31, 2019) plus 0.90%
Receivables Financing Facility [Member] | LIBOR [Member]
Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Rate	1.76%	1.76%
Interest Rate spread on base rate	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 of 0.75% at December 31, 2019 plus 1%
General Banking Facility [Member] | Base Rate [Member]
Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Rate	0.75%	0.75%
Interest Rate spread on base rate	1.00%

Credit Arrangements - Summary_2

Credit Arrangements - Summary of Debt (Detail) € in Millions, $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)	Aug. 13, 2019EUR (€)	May 10, 2019USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)	Jun. 11, 2018USD ($)	Jun. 11, 2018EUR (€)
Senior Secured Credit Facilities:
Principal amount of debt	$ 11,705			$ 11,056
Less: unamortized discount and debt issuance costs	(60)			(49)
Less: current portion	(100)			(100)
Long-term debt	11,545			10,907
Due in 2027 [Member] | 5.0% Senior Notes [Member]
Senior Secured Credit Facilities:
Principal amount of debt			$ 1,100
Due in 2028 [Member] | 2.25% Senior Notes [Member]
Senior Secured Credit Facilities:
Principal amount of debt | €		€ 720
U.S Dollars [Member] | Due in 2023 [Member] | Revolving credit facility [Member] | LIBOR [Member]
Senior Secured Credit Facilities:
Principal amount of debt	154			620
U.S Dollars [Member] | Due in 2023 [Member] | Senior Secured Term A Loan [Member] | LIBOR [Member]
Senior Secured Credit Facilities:
Principal amount of debt	770			812
U.S Dollars [Member] | Due in 2023 [Member] | 4.875% Senior Notes [Member]
Senior Secured Credit Facilities:
Principal amount of debt				800
U.S Dollars [Member] | Due in 2024 [Member] | Senior Secured Term B Loan [Member] | LIBOR [Member]
Senior Secured Credit Facilities:
Principal amount of debt	535			535
U.S Dollars [Member] | Due in 2025 [Member] | Senior Secured Term B Loan [Member] | LIBOR [Member]
Senior Secured Credit Facilities:
Principal amount of debt	733			741
U.S Dollars [Member] | Due in 2025 [Member] | Senior Secured Additional Term B Loan [Member]
Senior Secured Credit Facilities:
Principal amount of debt					$ 950
U.S Dollars [Member] | Due in 2025 [Member] | Senior Secured Additional Term B Loan [Member] | LIBOR [Member]
Senior Secured Credit Facilities:
Principal amount of debt	936			945
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 2027 [Member] | 5.0% Senior Notes [Member]
Senior Secured Credit Facilities:
Principal amount of debt	1,100
U.S Dollars [Member] | Due in 2020 [Member] | Receivables Financing Facility [Member] | LIBOR [Member]
Senior Secured Credit Facilities:
Principal amount of debt	300			300
EUR Dollars [Member] | Due in 2023 [Member] | Senior Secured Term A Loan [Member] | LIBOR [Member]
Senior Secured Credit Facilities:
Principal amount of debt	387			416
EUR Dollars [Member] | Due in 2024 [Member] | Senior Secured Term B Loan [Member] | LIBOR [Member]
Senior Secured Credit Facilities:
Principal amount of debt	1,306			1,346
EUR Dollars [Member] | Due in 2024 [Member] | 3.5% Senior Notes [Member]
Senior Secured Credit Facilities:
Principal amount of debt	701			715
EUR Dollars [Member] | Due in 2025 [Member] | Senior Secured Additional Term B Loan [Member]
Senior Secured Credit Facilities:
Principal amount of debt					$ 681	€ 583
EUR Dollars [Member] | Due in 2025 [Member] | Senior Secured Additional Term B Loan [Member] | LIBOR [Member]
Senior Secured Credit Facilities:
Principal amount of debt	644			664
EUR Dollars [Member] | Due in 2025 [Member] | 2.875% Senior Notes [Member]
Senior Secured Credit Facilities:
Principal amount of debt	471			481
EUR Dollars [Member] | Due in 2025 [Member] | 3.25% Senior Notes [Member]
Senior Secured Credit Facilities:
Principal amount of debt	1,598			$ 1,631
EUR Dollars [Member] | Due in 2028 [Member] | 2.25% Senior Notes [Member]
Senior Secured Credit Facilities:
Principal amount of debt	808
Japanese Yen [Member] | Due in 2023 [Member] | Revolving credit facility [Member] | LIBOR [Member]
Senior Secured Credit Facilities:
Principal amount of debt	$ 212

Credit Arrangements - Summary_3

Credit Arrangements - Summary of Debt (Parenthetical) (Detail)	Aug. 13, 2019	Aug. 09, 2019	May 10, 2019	Jun. 11, 2018	Jun. 10, 2018	Dec. 31, 2019
Senior Secured Term A Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt maturity year				2023	2021
Senior Secured Term A Loan [Member] | Due in 2023 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt maturity year						2023
Senior Secured Term B Loan [Member] | Due in 2024 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt maturity year		2024		2024		2024
Senior Secured Term B Loan [Member] | Due in 2025 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt maturity year		2025				2025
Senior Secured Additional Term B Loan [Member] | Due in 2025 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt maturity year				2025		2025
5.0% Senior Notes [Member] | Due in 2027 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt maturity year			2027			2027
Debt instrument interest rate stated percentage			5.00%
5.0% Senior Notes [Member] | Due in 2026 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt maturity year						2026
5.0% Senior Notes [Member] | U.S Dollars [Member] | Due in 2027 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument interest rate stated percentage						5.00%
5.0% Senior Notes [Member] | U.S Dollars [Member] | Due in 2026 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument interest rate stated percentage						5.00%
2.875% Senior Notes [Member] | Due in 2025 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt maturity year						2025
2.875% Senior Notes [Member] | EUR Dollars [Member] | Due in 2025 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument interest rate stated percentage						2.875%
3.25% Senior Notes [Member] | Due in 2025 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt maturity year						2025
3.25% Senior Notes [Member] | EUR Dollars [Member] | Due in 2025 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument interest rate stated percentage						3.25%
3.5% Senior Notes [Member] | Due in 2024 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt maturity year						2024
3.5% Senior Notes [Member] | EUR Dollars [Member] | Due in 2024 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument interest rate stated percentage						3.50%
4.875% Senior Notes [Member] | Due in 2023 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt maturity year	2023					2023
Debt instrument interest rate stated percentage	4.875%
4.875% Senior Notes [Member] | U.S Dollars [Member] | Due in 2023 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument interest rate stated percentage						4.875%
Receivables Financing Facility [Member] | Due in 2020 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt maturity year						2022
Debt instrument interest rate terms, Description						LIBOR at average floating rates of 2.00%
2.25% Senior Notes [Member] | Due in 2028 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt maturity year	2028					2028
Debt instrument interest rate stated percentage	2.25%
2.25% Senior Notes [Member] | EUR Dollars [Member] | Due in 2028 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument interest rate stated percentage						2.25%
Revolving credit facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt maturity year				2023	2021
Revolving credit facility [Member] | Due in 2023 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt maturity year						2023
LIBOR [Member] | Senior Secured Term A Loan [Member] | U.S Dollars [Member] | Due in 2023 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Average floating rate						3.44%
LIBOR [Member] | Senior Secured Term A Loan [Member] | EUR Dollars [Member] | Due in 2023 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Average floating rate						1.50%
LIBOR [Member] | Senior Secured Term B Loan [Member] | U.S Dollars [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument interest rate stated percentage						0.00%
LIBOR [Member] | Senior Secured Term B Loan [Member] | U.S Dollars [Member] | Due in 2024 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Average floating rate						3.69%
LIBOR [Member] | Senior Secured Term B Loan [Member] | U.S Dollars [Member] | Due in 2025 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Average floating rate						3.69%
LIBOR [Member] | Senior Secured Term B Loan [Member] | EUR Dollars [Member] | Due in 2024 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Average floating rate		0.00%				2.00%
LIBOR [Member] | Senior Secured Term B Loan [Member] | EUR Dollars [Member] | Due in 2025 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Average floating rate		0.00%
LIBOR [Member] | Senior Secured Additional Term B Loan [Member] | U.S Dollars [Member] | Due in 2025 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Average floating rate						3.69%
LIBOR [Member] | Senior Secured Additional Term B Loan [Member] | EUR Dollars [Member] | Due in 2025 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Average floating rate						2.00%
LIBOR [Member] | Receivables Financing Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument interest rate stated percentage						1.76%
LIBOR [Member] | Receivables Financing Facility [Member] | Due in 2020 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument interest rate stated percentage						2.66%
LIBOR [Member] | Revolving credit facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument interest rate stated percentage						1.50%
LIBOR [Member] | Revolving credit facility [Member] | U.S Dollars [Member] | Due in 2023 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Average floating rate						3.26%
LIBOR [Member] | Revolving credit facility [Member] | Japanese Yen [Member] | Due in 2023 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Average floating rate						1.50%

Credit Arrangements - Contractu

Credit Arrangements - Contractual Maturities of Long-term Debt (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
2020	$ 100
2021	100
2022	400
2023	1,372
2024	2,511
Thereafter	7,222
Principal amount of debt	$ 11,705	$ 11,056

Credit Arrangements - Additiona

Credit Arrangements - Additional Information (Detail) € in Millions

Aug. 13, 2019EUR (€)

Aug. 09, 2019

May 10, 2019USD ($)

Jun. 11, 2018USD ($)

Jun. 10, 2018

Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2019GBP (£)

Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2019GBP (£)

Jun. 11, 2018EUR (€)

Apr. 06, 2018USD ($)

Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Outstanding borrowings

$ 11,705,000,000

$ 11,056,000,000

Loss on extinguishment of debt

$ (2,000,000)

(24,000,000)

(2,000,000)

$ (19,000,000)

Pay down of revolving credit facility

2,776,000,000

2,329,000,000

$ 1,767,000,000

Revolving credit facility [Member]

Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Aggregate maximum principal amount

$ 1,500,000,000

Debt maturity year

2023

2021

Revolving credit facility [Member] | Due in 2023 [Member]

Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Debt maturity year

2023

2023

LIBOR [Member] | Revolving credit facility [Member]

Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Debt instrument interest rate stated percentage

1.50%

1.50%

LIBOR [Member] | Revolving credit facility [Member] | Maximum [Member]

Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Interest Rate spread on base rate

2.00%

2.50%

LIBOR [Member] | Revolving credit facility [Member] | Minimum [Member]

Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Interest Rate spread on base rate

1.25%

1.75%

LIBOR [Member] | Revolving credit facility [Member] | U.S Dollars [Member] | Due in 2023 [Member]

Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Outstanding borrowings

$ 154,000,000

620,000,000

Average floating rate

3.26%

3.26%

General Banking Facility [Member]

Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Bank guarantees

$ 1,100,000

£ 800,000

Aggregate maximum principal amount

13,000,000

£ 10,000,000

Senior Secured Credit Agreement and Senior Notes [Member]

Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Aggregate maximum principal amount

6,811,000,000

Outstanding borrowings

5,677,000,000

Debt instrument principal amount

3,000,000

Available borrowing capacity

1,131,000,000

Senior Secured Credit Agreement and Senior Notes [Member] | Revolving credit facility [Member]

Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Current borrowing capacity

$ 1,500,000,000

Senior Secured Term B Loan Due 2024 and Term B Loan Due 2025 [Member] | LIBOR [Member] | U.S Dollars [Member]

Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Debt instrument interest rate stated percentage

1.75%

1.75%

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

Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Debt maturity year

2024

2024

2024

2024

Pay down of revolving credit facility

$ 650,000,000

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

Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Debt maturity year

2025

2025

2025

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

Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Debt instrument interest rate stated percentage

0.00%

0.00%

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

Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Outstanding borrowings

$ 535,000,000

535,000,000

Average floating rate

3.69%

3.69%

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

Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Outstanding borrowings

$ 733,000,000

741,000,000

Average floating rate

3.69%

3.69%

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

Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Outstanding borrowings

$ 1,306,000,000

1,346,000,000

Average floating rate

0.00%

2.00%

2.00%

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

Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Average floating rate

0.00%

2.25% Senior Notes [Member] | Due in 2028 [Member]

Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Outstanding borrowings | €

€ 720

Debt instrument interest rate stated percentage

2.25%

Debt maturity year

2028

2028

2028

Debt instrument maturity date

Jan. 15, 2028

Debt instrument, frequency of periodic payment

semi-annually

semi-annually

Debt instrument, payment terms

with interest payable semi-annually on January 15 and July 15 of each year, beginning on January 15, 2020.

with interest payable semi-annually on January 15 and July 15 of each year, beginning on January 15, 2020.

2.25% Senior Notes [Member] | Due in 2028 [Member] | Maximum [Member]

Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Redemption premium percentage

101.125%

2.25% Senior Notes [Member] | Due in 2028 [Member] | Minimum [Member]

Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Redemption premium percentage

0.00%

2.25% Senior Notes [Member] | EUR Dollars [Member] | Due in 2028 [Member]

Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Outstanding borrowings

$ 808,000,000

Debt instrument interest rate stated percentage

2.25%

2.25%

4.875% Senior Notes [Member] | Due in 2023 [Member]

Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Debt instrument interest rate stated percentage

4.875%

Debt maturity year

2023

2023

2023

4.875% Senior Notes [Member] | U.S Dollars [Member] | Due in 2023 [Member]

Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Outstanding borrowings

800,000,000

Debt instrument interest rate stated percentage

4.875%

4.875%

5.0% Senior Notes [Member] | Due in 2027 [Member]

Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Outstanding borrowings

$ 1,100,000,000

Debt instrument interest rate stated percentage

5.00%

Debt maturity year

2027

2027

2027

Debt instrument maturity date

May 15, 2027

Debt instrument, frequency of periodic payment

semi-annually

semi-annually

Debt instrument, payment terms

interest payable semi-annually on May 15 and November 15 of each year, beginning on November 15, 2019

interest payable semi-annually on May 15 and November 15 of each year, beginning on November 15, 2019

5.0% Senior Notes [Member] | Due in 2027 [Member] | Maximum [Member]

Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Redemption premium percentage

2.50%

5.0% Senior Notes [Member] | Due in 2027 [Member] | Minimum [Member]

Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Redemption premium percentage

0.00%

5.0% Senior Notes [Member] | U.S Dollars [Member] | Due in 2027 [Member]

Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Outstanding borrowings

$ 1,100,000,000

Debt instrument interest rate stated percentage

5.00%

5.00%

Senior Secured Credit Facilities [Member]

Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Aggregate maximum principal amount

6,959,000,000

Outstanding borrowings

6,079,000,000

Available borrowing capacity

880,000,000

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

Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Current borrowing capacity

1,500,000,000

$ 1,500,000,000

Senior Secured Term A Loan [Member]

Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Debt maturity year

2023

2021

Senior Secured Term A Loan [Member] | Due in 2023 [Member]

Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Debt maturity year

2023

2023

Senior Secured Term A Loan [Member] | LIBOR [Member] | Maximum [Member]

Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Interest Rate spread on base rate

2.00%

2.50%

Senior Secured Term A Loan [Member] | LIBOR [Member] | Minimum [Member]

Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Interest Rate spread on base rate

1.25%

1.75%

Senior Secured Term A Loan [Member] | LIBOR [Member] | U.S Dollars [Member] | Due in 2023 [Member]

Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Outstanding borrowings

$ 770,000,000

812,000,000

Average floating rate

3.44%

3.44%

Senior Secured Term A Loan [Member] | LIBOR [Member] | EUR Dollars [Member] | Due in 2023 [Member]

Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Outstanding borrowings

$ 387,000,000

416,000,000

Average floating rate

1.50%

1.50%

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

Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Debt maturity year

2025

2025

2025

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

Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Outstanding borrowings

$ 950,000,000

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

Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Outstanding borrowings

$ 681,000,000

€ 583

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

Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Outstanding borrowings

$ 936,000,000

$ 945,000,000

Average floating rate

3.69%

3.69%

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

Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Interest Rate spread on base rate

2.00%

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

Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Interest Rate spread on base rate

1.75%

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

Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Outstanding borrowings

$ 644,000,000

$ 664,000,000

Average floating rate

2.00%

2.00%

Interest Rate spread on base rate

2.00%

Senior Secured Additional Term B Loan [Member] | LIBOR [Member] | EUR Dollars [Member] | Due in 2025 [Member] | Maximum [Member]

Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Debt instrument floor rate

0.75%

Senior Secured Additional Term B Loan [Member] | LIBOR [Member] | EUR Dollars [Member] | Due in 2025 [Member] | Minimum [Member]

Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Debt instrument floor rate

0.50%

Receivables Financing Facility [Member]

Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Aggregate maximum principal amount

$ 25,000,000

Securitization arrangement initiation date

Dec. 5, 2014

Dec. 5, 2014

Credit facility maturity period

4 years

4 years

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

Additional borrowing capacity

$ 0

Receivables Financing Facility [Member] | LIBOR [Member]

Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Debt instrument interest rate stated percentage

1.76%

1.76%

Interest Rate spread on base rate

0.90%

0.90%

Leases - Additional Information

Leases - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Leases [Abstract]
Operating lease year of expiry	2029
Term of operating lease not yet commenced	through 2025
Operating expenses not yet commenced	$ 7
Rental expenses under lease agreement		$ 197	$ 197

Leases - Components of Lease Ex

Leases - Components of Lease Expense (Detail) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)
Total lease cost	$ 193
Selling General And Administrative Expenses [Member]
Operating lease cost	$ 193

Leases - Other Information Rela

Leases - Other Information Related to Leases (Detail) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
Operating cash flows from operating leases	$ 195
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations:
Operating leases	$ 96
Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term:
Operating leases	5 years 3 days
Weighted Average Discount Rate:
Operating leases	4.22%

Leases - Future Minimum Lease P

Leases - Future Minimum Lease Payments Under Non-cancellable Leases (Detail) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)
Operating Leases
2020	$ 160
2021	129
2022	105
2023	81
2024	54
Thereafter	86
Total future minimum lease payments	615
Less imputed interest	(66)
Total	549
Other current liabilities	$ 153
Operating Lease, Liability, Current, Statement of Financial Position [Extensible List]	us-gaap:OtherLiabilitiesCurrent
Operating lease liabilities	$ 396
Total	$ 549

Leases - Summary of Future Mini

Leases - Summary of Future Minimum Lease Payments Under Operating Leases (Detail) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)
Leases [Abstract]
Operating leases, future minimum payments due, 2019	$ 167
Operating leases, future minimum payments due, 2020	136
Operating leases, future minimum payments due, 2021	108
Operating leases, future minimum payments due, 2022	90
Operating leases, future minimum payments due, 2023	69
Operating leases, future minimum payments due, Thereafter	119
Operating leases, total minimum lease payments	$ 689

Contingencies - Additional Info

Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail)	May 24, 2019MedicalDoctor	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	247	280	200		1,200	900
Number of defendants | Defendant							2
Minimum [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Amount of damages claimed | $				$ 200,000,000

Stockholders' Equity - Addition

Stockholders' Equity - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	Feb. 13, 2020	Feb. 13, 2019	Aug. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Nov. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Nov. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	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								$ 963,000,000	$ 1,396,000,000	$ 2,374,000,000
Common stock, par value								$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Quest's non-controlling interest in Q2 Solutions								$ 260,000,000	$ 240,000,000
Distribution to non-controlling interest								18,000,000	31,000,000	4,000,000
Quest [Member]
Class Of Stock [Line Items]
Ownership percentage													60.00%
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								260,000,000
Distribution to non-controlling interest								18,000,000
Secondary Public Offering [Member]
Class Of Stock [Line Items]
Common stock held by Selling Stockholders underwritten				5,000,000	6,000,000	12,000,000
Repurchase of stock, shares				1,000,000	2,000,000	4,000,000
Repurchase of stock, value				$ 140,800,000	$ 247,000,000	$ 412,000,000
Equity Repurchase Under Repurchase Program [Member]
Class Of Stock [Line Items]
Equity repurchase program increase in authorized amount		$ 2,000,000,000							$ 1,500,000,000	$ 2,000,000,000	$ 1,500,000,000	$ 600,000,000
Equity repurchase program authorized amount		$ 7,725,000,000						5,725,000,000						$ 125,000,000
Equity available for repurchase under the repurchase program								$ 1,300,000,000
Equity Reperchase Outside of Repurchase Program [Member]
Class Of Stock [Line Items]
Common stock held by Selling Stockholders underwritten			5,000,000
Aggregate number of shares authorized to be repurchased			1,000,000
Common stock, par value			$ 0.01
Common stock sold by Selling Stockholders underwritten			4,000,000
Equity Reperchase Outside of Repurchase Program [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member]
Class Of Stock [Line Items]
Common stock held by Selling Stockholders underwritten	5,000,000
Aggregate number of shares authorized to be repurchased	1,000,000
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01
Common stock sold by Selling Stockholders underwritten	4,000,000
Equity Reperchase Outside of Repurchase Program [Member] | Secondary Public Offering [Member]
Class Of Stock [Line Items]
Common stock held by Selling Stockholders underwritten							10,000,000
Repurchase of stock, shares							2,500,000
Repurchase of stock, value							$ 255,000,000

Stockholders' Equity - Schedule

Stockholders' Equity - Schedule of Share Repurchases Made Both Under and Outside of Repurchase Program (Detail) - Equity Repurchase Under and Outside of Repurchase Program - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Millions, $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Class Of Stock [Line Items]
Number of shares of common stock repurchased	6.6	12.6	30.9
Aggregate purchase price	$ 945	$ 1,396	$ 2,620
Average price per share	$ 143.02	$ 111.23	$ 84.80

Business Combinations - Schedul

Business Combinations - Schedule of Preliminary Allocations of Purchase to Certain Intangible Assets Acquired and Goodwill (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Total cost of acquisitions, net of cash acquired	$ 588	$ 309	$ 854
Goodwill	12,159	11,800	$ 11,850
Several Individually Immaterial Acquisitions [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Total cost of acquisitions, net of cash acquired	667	372
Goodwill	437	202
Portion of goodwill deductible for income tax purposes	186	15
Total intangible assets	271	192
Several Individually Immaterial Acquisitions [Member] | Customer Relationships [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Total intangible assets	$ 216	126
Several Individually Immaterial Acquisitions [Member] | Customer Relationships [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Amortization Period	6 years
Several Individually Immaterial Acquisitions [Member] | Customer Relationships [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Amortization Period	18 years
Several Individually Immaterial Acquisitions [Member] | Backlog [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Amortization Period	2 years
Total intangible assets	$ 11	10
Several Individually Immaterial Acquisitions [Member] | Non-compete Agreements [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Total intangible assets	$ 6	4
Several Individually Immaterial Acquisitions [Member] | Non-compete Agreements [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Amortization Period	3 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 [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Total intangible assets	$ 35	44
Several Individually Immaterial Acquisitions [Member] | Software [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Amortization Period	3 years
Several Individually Immaterial Acquisitions [Member] | Software [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Amortization Period	8 years
Several Individually Immaterial Acquisitions [Member] | Trade Names [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Total intangible assets	$ 3	$ 8
Several Individually Immaterial Acquisitions [Member] | Trade Names [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Amortization Period	1 year
Several Individually Immaterial Acquisitions [Member] | Trade Names [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Amortization Period	8 years

Business Combinations - Sched_2

Business Combinations - Schedule of Preliminary Allocations of Purchase to Certain Intangible Assets Acquired and Goodwill (Parenthetical) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Business Combination Increase Decrease To Reflect Liabilities Acquired At Fair Value [Abstract]
Contingent consideration and deferred purchase payments	$ 79	$ 63

Restructuring - Additional Info

Restructuring - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended			24 Months Ended	36 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2019
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring costs		$ 75	$ 68	$ 63
2019 Plan [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring costs		$ 75
2018 Plan [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring costs					$ 68
2017 Plan [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring costs						$ 63
Accounting Standards Update 2016-02 [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Decrease in facility exit costs	$ 9

Restructuring - Summary of Amou

Restructuring - Summary of Amounts Recorded for Restructuring Plans (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring reserves, beginning balance	$ 74	$ 84
Expense, net of reversals	75	68
Payments	(73)	(82)
Foreign currency translation and other	(9)	4
Restructuring reserves, ending balance	67	74
Severance and Related Costs [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring reserves, beginning balance	47	80
Expense, net of reversals	75	45
Payments	(57)	(76)
Foreign currency translation and other	(1)	(2)
Restructuring reserves, ending balance	64	47
Exit Costs [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring reserves, beginning balance	27	4
Expense, net of reversals		23
Payments	(16)	(6)
Foreign currency translation and other	(8)	6
Restructuring reserves, ending balance	$ 3	$ 27

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, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Income Before Income Taxes [Line Items]
Income before income taxes and equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated affiliates	$ 352	$ 328	$ 294
Domestic [Member]
Income Before Income Taxes [Line Items]
Income before income taxes and equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated affiliates	(504)	(521)	(527)
Foreign [Member]
Income Before Income Taxes [Line Items]
Income before income taxes and equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated affiliates	$ 856	$ 849	$ 821

Income Taxes - Components of _2

Income Taxes - Components of Income Tax Expense Attributable to Continuing Operations (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Federal and state	$ 11	$ 17	$ (3)
Foreign	248	233	222
Current Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	259	250	219
Federal and state	(109)	(170)	(1,167)
Foreign	(34)	(21)	(44)
Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	(143)	(191)	(1,211)
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	$ 116	$ 59	$ (992)

Income Taxes - Additional Infor

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]
Federal corporate income tax rate	21.00%	21.00%	35.00%
Tax expense (benefit) related to FDII	$ 25	$ (25)
Tax benefit related to the transition tax		35
Tax expense related to GILTI		35
Deferred tax benefit related to revaluation			$ 966
Undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries	2,997
Tax credit and tax loss carryforwards, tax effect	622
Increase in valuation allowances	40
Valuation Allowance	266	226
Gross unrecognized income tax benefits	120	94	82	$ 64
Addition/(Reduction) of interest and penalties recorded	2	0	$ 3
Accrued interest and penalties	18	$ 16
Federal State And Foreign Tax [Member]
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]
Gross unrecognized income tax benefits	13
Foreign Tax [Member]
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]
Gross unrecognized income tax benefits	23
Indefinite Period [Member]
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]
Tax credit and tax loss carryforwards, tax effect	31
Earliest Tax Year [Member]
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]
Tax credit and tax loss carryforwards, tax effect	$ 591
IMS Health Holdings, Inc. [Member] | Earliest Tax Year [Member]
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]
Tax credit and tax loss carryforwards expiration period	2020

Income Taxes - Effective Income

Income Taxes - Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Federal income tax expense at statutory rate	$ 74	$ 69	$ 103
State and local income taxes, net of federal effect		(2)	(14)
Research and development	(21)	(20)	(9)
Foreign nontaxable interest income			(7)
United States taxes recorded on foreign earnings(*)	9	40	6
Tax contingencies	27	16	17
Foreign Derived Intangible Income (“FDII”)	20	(25)
Foreign rate differential	26	27	(97)
Equity compensation	(14)	(8)	(19)
Non-taxable gain on acquisition	(5)
Non-controlling interest	(6)	(3)	(5)
Tax Act impact		(35)	(966)
Other	6		(1)
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	$ 116	$ 59	$ (992)

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, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Deferred income tax assets:
Net operating loss and capital loss carryforwards	$ 246	$ 244
Tax credit carryforwards	332	300
Accrued expenses and unearned income	55	70
Employee benefits	168	181
Operating lease liability	119
Other	79	51
Deferred Tax Assets, Gross, Total	999	846
Valuation allowance for deferred income tax assets	(266)	(226)
Total deferred income tax assets	733	620
Deferred income tax liabilities:
Amortization and depreciation	(1,105)	(1,209)
Operating lease right-of-use assets	(119)
Other	(36)	(38)
Total deferred income tax liabilities	(1,260)	(1,247)
Net deferred income tax liabilities	$ (527)	$ (627)

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, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Beginning balance	$ 94	$ 82	$ 64
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year	5	4	11
Additions for income tax positions of prior years	33	26	13
Impact of changes in exchange rates		(2)	4
Settlements with tax authorities	(1)	(2)	(2)
Reductions for income tax positions of prior years	(6)		(2)
Reductions due to the lapse of the applicable statute of limitations	(5)	(14)	(6)
Ending balance	$ 120	$ 94	$ 82

Income Taxes - Summary of Tax Y

Income Taxes - Summary of Tax Years Open for Examination (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
United States [Member] | Earliest Tax Year [Member]
Schedule Of Income Taxes [Line Items]
Open tax year	2015
United States [Member] | Latest Tax Year [Member]
Schedule Of Income Taxes [Line Items]
Open tax year	2018
India [Member] | Earliest Tax Year [Member]
Schedule Of Income Taxes [Line Items]
Open tax year	2006
India [Member] | Latest Tax Year [Member]
Schedule Of Income Taxes [Line Items]
Open tax year	2019
Japan [Member] | Earliest Tax Year [Member]
Schedule Of Income Taxes [Line Items]
Open tax year	2013
Japan [Member] | Latest Tax Year [Member]
Schedule Of Income Taxes [Line Items]
Open tax year	2018
United Kingdom [Member] | Latest Tax Year [Member]
Schedule Of Income Taxes [Line Items]
Open tax year	2018
Switzerland [Member] | Earliest Tax Year [Member]
Schedule Of Income Taxes [Line Items]
Open tax year	2014
Switzerland [Member] | Latest Tax Year [Member]
Schedule Of Income Taxes [Line Items]
Open tax year	2018

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, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
United States [Member]
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	$ 330
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	401	$ 330
Non-United States Plans [Member]
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	366
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	418	366
Pension Benefits [Member]
Actual return on plan assets	108	(26)
Pension Benefits [Member] | United States [Member]
Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year	335	349
Service costs	12	13	$ 13
Interest cost	14	12	11
Actuarial (gains) losses	50	(30)
Benefits paid	(10)	(9)
Projected benefit obligation at end of year	401	335	349
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	330	360
Actual return on plan assets	77	(24)
Contributions	4	3
Benefits paid	(10)	(9)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	401	330	360
Funded status		(5)
Pension Benefits [Member] | Non-United States Plans [Member]
Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year	513	559
Service costs	25	26	26
Interest cost	9	9	9
Actuarial (gains) losses	55	(29)
Business combinations		1
Benefits paid	(19)	(21)
Contributions	2	2
Amendments		2
Curtailments	(5)	(3)
Settlements	(1)	(12)
Foreign currency fluctuations and other	12	(21)
Projected benefit obligation at end of year	591	513	559
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	366	391
Actual return on plan assets	34	(2)
Contributions	26	29
Benefits paid	(19)	(21)
Settlements	(1)	(11)
Foreign currency fluctuations and other	12	(20)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	418	366	$ 391
Funded status	$ (173)	$ (147)

Employee Benefit Plans - Summ_2

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, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
United States [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Deposits and other assets	$ 45	$ 36
Accrued expenses	2	2
Other long-term liabilities	42	38
United States [Member] | Actuarial Net (Gain) Loss [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
AOCI	13	11
Non-United States Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Deposits and other assets	11	17
Accrued expenses	13	11
Other long-term liabilities	171	153
Non-United States Plans [Member] | Actuarial Net (Gain) Loss [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
AOCI	$ (30)	$ 7

Employee Benefit Plans - Pensio

Employee Benefit Plans - Pension and Postretirement Benefit Plans - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Oct. 26, 2018	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Other Postretirement Benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Other postretirement benefits liability		$ 2
Accrued expenses		1
Other long-term liabilities		1
Other Postretirement Benefits [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Amount recognized in AOCI		1
Pension Benefits [Member] | Non-United States Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Accrued expenses		13	$ 11
Other long-term liabilities		$ 171	$ 153
Pension Benefits [Member] | United Kingdom [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Impact of estimated guaranteed minimum pension benefits	$ 1.7

Employee Benefit Plans - Accumu

Employee Benefit Plans - Accumulated Benefit Obligation For Pension Benefit Plans (Detail) - Pension Benefits [Member] - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
United States [Member]
Defined Contribution And Defined Benefit Plans [Line Items]
Accumulated benefit obligation	$ 395	$ 330
Non-United States Plans [Member]
Defined Contribution And Defined Benefit Plans [Line Items]
Accumulated benefit obligation	$ 557	$ 476

Employee Benefit Plans - Summ_3

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, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
United States [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Accumulated benefit obligation	$ 47	$ 43
Fair value of plan assets	4	3
Projected benefit obligation	49	43
Fair value of plan assets	4	3
Non-United States Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Accumulated benefit obligation	485	189
Fair value of plan assets	334	59
Projected benefit obligation	519	223
Fair value of plan assets	$ 335	$ 59

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, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive loss:
Amortization of actuarial losses		$ (1)	$ (1)
Pension Benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Expected return on plan assets	$ (41)	(42)
Pension Benefits [Member] | United States [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	12	13	13
Interest cost	14	12	11
Expected return on plan assets	(25)	(27)	(24)
Net periodic benefit cost	1	(2)
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive loss:
Actuarial loss (gain) – current years	(2)	22	(4)
Total recognized in other comprehensive loss (income)	(2)	22	(4)
Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other comprehensive loss (income)	(1)	20	(4)
Pension Benefits [Member] | Non-United States Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	25	26	26
Interest cost	9	9	9
Expected return on plan assets	(16)	(15)	(14)
Amortization of actuarial losses	0	1	1
Curtailment gain	(5)	(3)
Settlement gain	0	(1)
Net periodic benefit cost	13	17	22
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive loss:
Actuarial loss (gain) – current years	32	(15)	(4)
Prior service cost - current year		2
Curtailment gain - current year	5	3
Settlement gain - current year		1
Amortization of actuarial losses		(1)	(1)
Total recognized in other comprehensive loss (income)	37	(10)	(5)
Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other comprehensive loss (income)	$ 50	$ 7	$ 17

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, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Pension Benefits [Member] | United States [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Weighted Average Assumptions Used in Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost
Discount rate	4.42%	3.69%	4.17%
Rate of compensation increases	3.00%	3.00%	3.00%
Expected return on plan assets	7.67%	7.69%	7.94%
Defined Benefit Plan, Weighted Average Assumptions Used in Calculating Benefit Obligation
Discount rate	3.52%	4.42%
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	1.99%	1.91%	1.89%
Rate of compensation increases	4.54%	4.54%	5.17%
Expected return on plan assets	4.02%	4.17%	4.16%
Defined Benefit Plan, Weighted Average Assumptions Used in Calculating Benefit Obligation
Discount rate	1.45%	1.98%
Rate of compensation increases	2.78%	3.20%
Other Postretirement Benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Weighted Average Assumptions Used in Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost
Discount rate	3.80%	2.90%	2.90%
Defined Benefit Plan, Weighted Average Assumptions Used in Calculating Benefit Obligation
Discount rate	2.70%	3.80%

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, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Jan. 01, 2020	Jan. 01, 2019
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Company's assumed health care cost trend rate for the next seven years		6.00%
Company's assumed ultimate health care cost trend rate		4.50%
Year in which ultimate cost trend rate is assumed to reach		2023
Expenses related to matching contributions		$ 56	$ 49	$ 47
Scenario Forecast [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Pension and postretirement benefit contributions	$ 29
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		$ 41	42
Actual return on plan assets		$ 108	$ (26)
Pension Benefits [Member] | United States [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Discount rate		4.42%	3.69%	4.17%
Defined benefit plan, expected rate of return on plan assets		$ 25	$ 27	$ 24
Actual return on plan assets		$ 77	$ (24)
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		75.00%
Pension Benefits [Member] | Non-United States Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Discount rate		1.99%	1.91%	1.89%
Defined benefit plan, expected rate of return on plan assets		$ 16	$ 15	$ 14
Actual return on plan assets		$ 34	$ (2)
Minimum [Member] | Pension Benefits [Member] | United States [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Discount rate		2.70%
Minimum [Member] | Pension Benefits [Member] | United Kingdom Pension Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Discount rate		1.68%
Minimum [Member] | Pension Benefits [Member] | Non-United States Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Discount rate		0.17%
Defined benefit plan, percentage of expected rate of return on plan assets						1.00%
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		3.58%
Maximum [Member] | Pension Benefits [Member] | United Kingdom Pension Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Discount rate		2.10%
Maximum [Member] | Pension Benefits [Member] | Non-United States Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Discount rate		8.37%
Defined benefit plan, percentage of expected rate of return on plan assets						7.22%
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					5.00%

Employee Benefit Plans - Sche_2

Employee Benefit Plans - Schedule of Pension Plan Weighted Average Asset Allocations (Detail) - Pension Benefits [Member]	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
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	56.56%	55.83%
Equity Securities [Member] | United States [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined pension plan weighted average asset allocations	70.82%	67.58%
Equity Securities [Member] | Non-United States Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined pension plan weighted average asset allocations	42.88%	45.22%
Debt Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined pension plan weighted average asset allocations	21.62%	21.48%
Debt Securities [Member] | United States [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined pension plan weighted average asset allocations	24.13%	27.34%
Debt Securities [Member] | Non-United States Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined pension plan weighted average asset allocations	19.22%	16.18%
Real Estate [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined pension plan weighted average asset allocations	2.48%	2.41%
Real Estate [Member] | United States [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined pension plan weighted average asset allocations	5.05%	5.08%
Other [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined pension plan weighted average asset allocations	19.33%	20.28%
Other [Member] | Non-United States Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined pension plan weighted average asset allocations	37.00%	38.60%

Employee Benefit Plans - Sche_3

Employee Benefit Plans - Schedule of Target Asset Allocation for Pension Plans (Detail) - Pension Benefits [Member]	Dec. 31, 2019	Jan. 01, 2019
Minimum [Member] | Non-United States Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit plan, target allocation percentage		1.00%
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		7.22%
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 - Sche_4

Employee Benefit Plans - Schedule of Plan Assets Measured at Fair Value (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
United States [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets in the fair value hierarchy	$ 124	$ 114
Common/collective trusts measured at net asset value ("NAV")	277	216
Plan assets measured at fair value, Total	401	330
United States [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets in the fair value hierarchy	124	114
Plan assets measured at fair value, Total	124	114
United States [Member] | Domestic Equities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets in the fair value hierarchy	30	31
United States [Member] | Domestic Equities [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets in the fair value hierarchy	30	31
United States [Member] | International Equities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets in the fair value hierarchy	16	13
United States [Member] | International Equities [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets in the fair value hierarchy	16	13
United States [Member] | Corporate Bonds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets in the fair value hierarchy	58	54
United States [Member] | Corporate Bonds [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets in the fair value hierarchy	58	54
United States [Member] | Real Estate [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets in the fair value hierarchy	20	16
United States [Member] | Real Estate [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets in the fair value hierarchy	20	16
Non-United States Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets in the fair value hierarchy	305	263
Common/collective trusts measured at net asset value ("NAV")	113	103
Plan assets measured at fair value, Total	418	366
Non-United States Plans [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets in the fair value hierarchy	4	4
Plan assets measured at fair value, Total	4	4
Non-United States Plans [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets in the fair value hierarchy	301	259
Plan assets measured at fair value, Total	301	259
Non-United States Plans [Member] | International Equities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets in the fair value hierarchy	58	55
Non-United States Plans [Member] | International Equities [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets in the fair value hierarchy	2	2
Non-United States Plans [Member] | International Equities [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets in the fair value hierarchy	56	53
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	80	59
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	78	57
Non-United States Plans [Member] | Investments Funds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets in the fair value hierarchy	9	8
Non-United States Plans [Member] | Investments Funds [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets in the fair value hierarchy	9	8
Non-United States Plans [Member] | Insurance Contracts [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets in the fair value hierarchy	153	136
Non-United States Plans [Member] | Insurance Contracts [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets in the fair value hierarchy	153	136
Non-United States Plans [Member] | Other [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets in the fair value hierarchy	5	5
Non-United States Plans [Member] | Other [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total assets in the fair value hierarchy	$ 5	$ 5

Employee Benefit Plans - Sche_5

Employee Benefit Plans - Schedule of Expected Benefit Payments, Net of Expected Participants Contributions for Pension Benefits (Detail) - Pension Benefits [Member] $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
2020	$ 36
2021	37
2022	39
2023	41
2024	44
Years 2025 through 2029	246
Defined Benefit Plan Expected Future Benefit Payments, Total	$ 443

Employee Benefit Plans - Other

Employee Benefit Plans - Other Plans - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)
Other Postretirement Benefits [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Obligation provides to certain executives	$ 10

Employee Benefit Plans - Stock

Employee Benefit Plans - Stock Incentive Plans - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation	$ 146	$ 113	$ 106	$ 106
Recognized future income tax benefit	22	19		$ 21
Unrecognized non-vested stock-based compensation	$ 82
Weighted average period of stock-based compensation	9 months 18 days
Expiry period of options from grant date	10 years
Proceeds from options exercised	$ 11	15	91
Weighted average remaining contractual life of the options outstanding	2 years 10 months 24 days
Weighted average remaining contractual life of the options exercisable	2 years 8 months 12 days
Aggregate intrinsic value of the exercisable stock options and the stock options expected to vest	$ 174
Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total intrinsic value of options exercised	124	117	157
Proceeds from options exercised	$ 36	48	$ 102
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	11,400,000
Stock Appreciation Rights - Stock Settled [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total intrinsic value of options exercised	$ 47
Weighted average remaining contractual life of the options outstanding	7 years 7 months 6 days
Weighted average remaining contractual life of the options exercisable	6 years 8 months 12 days
Aggregate intrinsic value of the exercisable stock options and the stock options expected to vest	$ 256
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.
Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$ 260	$ 142
Number of stock units outstanding	4,314,872	4,155,528
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] | First 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 - Cash Settled [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock appreciation rights vesting description	These awards vest either (i) 25% per year or (ii) 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	$ 99.27	$ 66.92	$ 52.53
Cash paid to settle exercised SARs	$ 7	$ 5	$ 4
Weighted average remaining contractual life of SARs outstanding	5 years 1 month 6 days
Weighted average remaining contractual life of SARs exercisable	4 years 6 months
Aggregate intrinsic value of exercisable expected to vest	$ 16
Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$ 16	$ 14
Number of stock units outstanding	171,840	247,397
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	$ 133.59
Number of days for stock units to settle in common stock from vesting date	45 days
Number of stock units outstanding	420,566	385,458
Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$ 65
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	$ 131.82
Number of stock units outstanding	20,707	13,361
Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$ 3
Number of stock units outstanding	20,707
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]
Number of stock units outstanding	190,937	436,067
Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$ 29.5
Number of stock units outstanding	190,937
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] | First Anniversary of Grant Date [Member] | 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	$ 144.81
Number of stock units outstanding	1,055,807	850,576
Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$ 163

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, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Share based Compensation Arrangement by Share based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Method Used [Line Items]
Expected volatility, Minimum	23.00%	22.00%	22.00%
Expected volatility, Maximum	24.00%	24.00%	25.00%
Weighted average expected volatility	23.00%	22.00%	24.00%
Expected dividends	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Risk-free interest rate, Minimum	1.55%	2.05%	1.16%
Risk-free interest rate, Maximum	2.56%	3.00%	2.32%
Minimum [Member]
Share based Compensation Arrangement by Share based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Method Used [Line Items]
Expected term (in years)	3 years 8 months 12 days	1 year	1 year
Maximum [Member]
Share based Compensation Arrangement by Share based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Method Used [Line Items]
Expected term (in years)	6 years 8 months 12 days	6 years 8 months 12 days	6 years 10 months 24 days

Employee Benefit Plans - Summ_4

Employee Benefit Plans - Summary of Stock Option Activity (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Compensation And Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Number of Options Outstanding at Beginning Balance	2,574,224
Number of Options, Exercised	(1,099,428)
Number of Options, Canceled	(16,455)
Number of Options Outstanding at Ending Balance	1,458,341
Weighted Average Exercise Price Outstanding at Beginning Balance	$ 34.09
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Exercised	32.56
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Canceled	64.96
Weighted Average Exercise Price Outstanding at Ending Balance	$ 34.90
Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$ 174	$ 211

Employee Benefit Plans - Sche_6

Employee Benefit Plans - Schedule of Stock Options Outstanding and Exercisable (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019$ / sharesshares
Exercise Price Range $8.34 - $8.34 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of Options Outstanding | shares	305,657
Exercise Price Lower Range Outstanding	$ 8.34
Exercise Price Upper Range Outstanding	8.34
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 8.34
Weighted Average Remaining Life Outstanding (in years)	10 months 13 days
Number of Options Exercisable | shares	305,657
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 8.34
Exercise Price Range $11.46 - $24.59 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of Options Outstanding | shares	319,740
Exercise Price Lower Range Outstanding	$ 11.46
Exercise Price Upper Range Outstanding	24.59
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 17.81
Weighted Average Remaining Life Outstanding (in years)	1 year 3 months 7 days
Number of Options Exercisable | shares	319,740
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 17.81
Exercise Price Range $25.53 - $47.87 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of Options Outstanding | shares	347,341
Exercise Price Lower Range Outstanding	$ 25.53
Exercise Price Upper Range Outstanding	47.87
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 36.04
Weighted Average Remaining Life Outstanding (in years)	3 years 1 month 24 days
Number of Options Exercisable | shares	347,341
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 36.04
Exercise Price Range $50.79 - $64.67 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of Options Outstanding | shares	335,343
Exercise Price Lower Range Outstanding	$ 50.79
Exercise Price Upper Range Outstanding	64.67
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 60.76
Weighted Average Remaining Life Outstanding (in years)	5 years 25 days
Number of Options Exercisable | shares	281,443
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 60.01
Exercise Price Range $64.86 - $64.93 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of Options Outstanding | shares	150,260
Exercise Price Lower Range Outstanding	$ 64.86
Exercise Price Upper Range Outstanding	64.93
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 64.92
Weighted Average Remaining Life Outstanding (in years)	4 years 8 months 23 days
Number of Options Exercisable | shares	150,260
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 64.92

Employee Benefit Plans - Sche_7

Employee Benefit Plans - Schedule of Stock Appreciation Rights Activity (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Stock Appreciation Rights - Stock Settled [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of SARs Outstanding Beginning Balance	4,155,528
Number of SARs Granted	1,076,560
Number of SARs Exercised	(723,433)
Number of SARs Canceled	(193,783)
Number of SARs Outstanding Ending Balance	4,314,872
Weighted Average Exercise Price Outstanding Beginning Balance	$ 81.97
Weighted Average Exercise Price Granted	132.13
Weighted Average Exercise Price Exercised	78.25
Weighted Average Exercise Price Canceled	98.55
Weighted Average Exercise Price Outstanding Ending Balance	$ 94.37
Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$ 260	$ 142
Stock Appreciation Rights - Cash Settled [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of SARs Outstanding Beginning Balance	247,397
Number of SARs Granted	11,597
Number of SARs Exercised	(76,885)
Number of SARs Canceled	(10,269)
Number of SARs Outstanding Ending Balance	171,840
Weighted Average Exercise Price Outstanding Beginning Balance	$ 57.98
Weighted Average Exercise Price Granted	131.82
Weighted Average Exercise Price Exercised	56.03
Weighted Average Exercise Price Canceled	85.98
Weighted Average Exercise Price Outstanding Ending Balance	$ 62.15
Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$ 16	$ 14

Employee Benefit Plans - Summ_5

Employee Benefit Plans - Summary of Company's RSU Activity (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019$ / 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	385,458
Number of Units Granted | shares	262,630
Number of Units Vested | shares	(189,847)
Number of Units Canceled | shares	(37,675)
Number of Units Non-vested Ending Balance | shares	420,566
Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value Non-vested Beginning Balance | $ / shares	$ 83.60
Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value Granted | $ / shares	133.59
Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value Vested | $ / shares	76.28
Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value Canceled | $ / shares	108.48
Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value Non-vested Ending Balance | $ / shares	$ 115.90
Restricted Stock Units - Cash Settled [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of Units Non-vested Beginning Balance | shares	13,361
Number of Units Granted | shares	13,085
Number of Units Vested | shares	(2,953)
Number of Units Canceled | shares	(2,786)
Number of Units Non-vested Ending Balance | shares	20,707
Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value Non-vested Beginning Balance | $ / shares	$ 96.70
Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value Granted | $ / shares	131.82
Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value Vested | $ / shares	78.21
Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value Canceled | $ / shares	125.14
Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value Non-vested Ending Balance | $ / shares	$ 117.71

Employee Benefit Plans - Summ_6

Employee Benefit Plans - Summary of Company's RSU Activity (Detail) (Parenthetical) - Restricted Stock Units - Stock Settled [Member]	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019shares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of Units Granted	262,630
Director Deferral Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of Units Granted	815

Employee Benefit Plans - Summ_7

Employee Benefit Plans - Summary of Company's Restricted Stock Awards (Detail) - Restricted Stock [Member]	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019$ / sharesshares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of Units Non-vested Beginning Balance | shares	436,067
Number of Units Vested | shares	(245,130)
Number of Units Non-vested Ending Balance | shares	190,937
Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value Non-vested Beginning Balance | $ / shares	$ 79.04
Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value Vested | $ / shares	79.68
Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value Non-vested Ending Balance | $ / shares	$ 78.21

Employee Benefit Plans - Summ_8

Employee Benefit Plans - Summary of Performance Award Activity (Detail) - Performance Awards [Member]	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019$ / sharesshares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of Units Non-vested Beginning Balance | shares	850,576
Number of Units Granted | shares	273,211
Number of Units Canceled | shares	(67,980)
Number of Units Non-vested Ending Balance | shares	1,055,807
Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value Non-vested Beginning Balance | $ / shares	$ 94.78
Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value Granted | $ / shares	144.81
Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value Canceled | $ / shares	103.75
Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value Non-vested Ending Balance | $ / shares	$ 107.18

Property, Equipment and Softw_3

Property, Equipment and Software by Geography - Additional Information (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Property Equipment And Software By Geography [Abstract]
Minimum percentage of revenue account for major country	10.00%

Property, Equipment and Softw_4

Property, Equipment and Software by Geography - Property, Equipment and Software, Net, by Geographic Region (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Long Lived Assets Geographic [Line Items]
Property, equipment and software, net	$ 1,413	$ 1,170
United States [Member]
Long Lived Assets Geographic [Line Items]
Property, equipment and software, net	1,130	856
Other Americas [Member]
Long Lived Assets Geographic [Line Items]
Property, equipment and software, net	62	23
Americas [Member]
Long Lived Assets Geographic [Line Items]
Property, equipment and software, net	1,192	879
Europe and Africa [Member]
Long Lived Assets Geographic [Line Items]
Property, equipment and software, net	160	221
Asia-Pacific [Member]
Long Lived Assets Geographic [Line Items]
Property, equipment and software, net	$ 61	$ 70

Segments - Additional Informati

Segments - Additional Information (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019Segment
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of reportable segments	3

Segments - Operations by Report

Segments - Operations by Reportable Segments (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 2,895	$ 2,769	$ 2,740	$ 2,684	$ 2,688	$ 2,594	$ 2,567	$ 2,563	$ 11,088	$ 10,412	$ 9,702
Costs of revenue									7,300	6,746	6,301
Selling, general and administrative expenses									1,734	1,716	1,622
Depreciation and amortization									(1,202)	(1,141)	(1,011)
Impairment charges										0	(40)
Restructuring costs									(75)	(68)	(63)
Income from operations	$ 166	$ 204	$ 197	$ 210	$ 207	$ 181	$ 170	$ 183	777	741	665
Technology & Analytics Solutions [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									4,486	4,137	3,682
Research & Development Solutions [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									5,788	5,465	5,105
Contract Sales & Medical Solutions [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									814	810	915
Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment profit									2,294	2,157	1,928
Operating Segments [Member] | Technology & Analytics Solutions [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									4,486	4,137	3,682
Costs of revenue									2,663	2,343	1,967
Selling, general and administrative expenses									722	753	717
Segment profit									1,101	1,041	998
Operating Segments [Member] | Research & Development Solutions [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									5,788	5,465	5,105
Costs of revenue									3,936	3,721	3,566
Selling, general and administrative expenses									711	689	678
Segment profit									1,141	1,055	861
Operating Segments [Member] | Contract Sales & Medical Solutions [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									814	810	915
Costs of revenue									701	682	768
Selling, general and administrative expenses									61	67	78
Segment profit									52	61	69
Corporate, Non-Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Selling, general and administrative expenses									240	207	149
Segment profit									$ (240)	$ (207)	$ (149)

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, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding	195.1	203.7	217.8
Effect of dilutive stock options and share awards	4.5	4.5	4.8
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding	199.6	208.2	222.6

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, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Total shares excluded from diluted earnings per share	2	1.7	1.4
Performance Shares [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Total shares excluded from diluted earnings per share	1.3	0.8	0.4
Share-Based Awards [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Total shares excluded from diluted earnings per share	0.7	0.9	1

Comprehensive Income - Summary

Comprehensive Income - Summary of Components of AOCI (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	$ 6,714
Ending Balance	6,003	$ 6,714
Beginning Balance	177	219	$ 22
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(21)	(41)	197
Reclassification adjustments, tax		(1)
Ending Balance	156	177	219
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(86)	(262)	613
Reclassification adjustments, net of tax	(1)	(11)
Foreign Currency Translation [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	(419)	(214)	(617)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(11)	(205)	403
Ending Balance	(430)	(419)	(214)
Derivative Instruments [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	(1)	14	10
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(19)	(4)	5
Reclassification adjustments, before tax	(1)	(11)	(1)
Ending Balance	(21)	(1)	14
Defined Benefit Plans [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	19	30	21
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(35)	(12)	8
Reclassification adjustments, before tax		1	1
Ending Balance	(16)	19	30
Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	(224)	49	(564)
Ending Balance	$ (311)	$ (224)	$ 49

Comprehensive Income - Summar_2

Comprehensive Income - Summary of Adjustments for (Gains) Losses Reclassified from AOCI into Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income and Affected Financial Statement Line Item (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Total before income taxes	$ (1)	$ (11)	$ (1)
Income tax expense		1
Total net of income taxes	(1)	(12)	(1)
Amortization of actuarial losses		1	1
Total net of income taxes		1	1
Foreign Exchange Forward Contracts [Member] | Revenues [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Total before income taxes	5	1	7
Foreign Exchange Forward Contracts [Member] | Other Expense (Income), Net [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Total before income taxes	$ (6)	$ (12)	$ (8)

Supplemental Cash Flow Inform_3

Supplemental Cash Flow Information - Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Supplemental Cash Flow Information:
Interest paid	$ 421	$ 398	$ 320
Income taxes paid, net of refunds	$ 215	$ 211	$ 195

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, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 2,895	$ 2,769	$ 2,740	$ 2,684	$ 2,688	$ 2,594	$ 2,567	$ 2,563	$ 11,088	$ 10,412	$ 9,702
Income from operations	166	204	197	210	207	181	170	183	777	741	665
Net income	20	69	71	67	76	67	68	73	227	284	1,296
Net income attributable to non-controlling interests	(4)	(12)	(11)	(9)	(7)	(7)	(7)	(4)	(36)	(25)	(19)
Net income attributable to IQVIA Holdings Inc.	$ 16	$ 57	$ 60	$ 58	$ 69	$ 60	$ 61	$ 69	$ 191	$ 259	$ 1,277
Basic earnings per share	$ 0.09	$ 0.29	$ 0.31	$ 0.29	$ 0.34	$ 0.30	$ 0.30	$ 0.33	$ 0.98	$ 1.27	$ 5.86
Diluted earnings per share	$ 0.09	$ 0.29	$ 0.30	$ 0.29	$ 0.34	$ 0.29	$ 0.29	$ 0.32	$ 0.96	$ 1.24	$ 5.74

Quarterly Financial Data - Un_2

Quarterly Financial Data - Unaudited Quarterly Results of Operations (Parenthetical) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Effect Of Fourth Quarter Events [Line Items]
Net income attributable to IQVIA Holdings Inc.	$ 16	$ 57	$ 60	$ 58	$ 69	$ 60	$ 61	$ 69	$ 191	$ 259	$ 1,277
Adjustment [Member]
Effect Of Fourth Quarter Events [Line Items]
Pre-tax income					22
Net income attributable to IQVIA Holdings Inc.					$ 15

Schedule I - Condensed Statemen

Schedule I - Condensed Statements of Income (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Selling, general and administrative expenses									$ 1,734	$ 1,716	$ 1,622
Income from operations	$ 166	$ 204	$ 197	$ 210	$ 207	$ 181	$ 170	$ 183	777	741	665
Interest income									(9)	(8)	(7)
Other expense, net									(37)	5	13
Income before income taxes and equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates									352	328	294
Income tax benefit									116	59	(992)
Net income attributable to IQVIA Holdings Inc.	$ 16	$ 57	$ 60	$ 58	$ 69	$ 60	$ 61	$ 69	191	259	1,277
Parent Company [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Selling, general and administrative expenses										2	1
Income from operations										(2)	(1)
Income before income taxes and equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates										(2)	(1)
Income tax benefit									0	(1)	(3)
(Loss) income before equity in earnings of subsidiary										(1)	2
Equity in earnings of subsidiary									191	260	1,275
Net income attributable to IQVIA Holdings Inc.									$ 191	$ 259	$ 1,277

Schedule I - Condensed Statem_2

Schedule I - Condensed Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) Income (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income	$ 20	$ 69	$ 71	$ 67	$ 76	$ 67	$ 68	$ 73	$ 227	$ 284	$ 1,296
Comprehensive (loss) income adjustments:
Unrealized (losses) gains on derivative instruments, net of income tax expense (benefit) of $4, ($5) and $1									(15)	1	4
Defined benefit plan adjustments, net of income tax (benefit) expense of $5, ($4) and $3									(30)	(8)	5
Foreign currency translation, net of income tax (benefit) expense of ($30), $50 and ($201)									(39)	(258)	611
Reclassification adjustments:
(Gains) losses on derivative instruments included in net income, net of income tax expense of $—, $1 and $—									(1)	(12)	(1)
Amortization of actuarial losses and prior service costs included in net income										1	1
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to IQVIA Holdings Inc.									104	(14)	1,890
Parent Company [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income									191	259	1,277
Comprehensive (loss) income adjustments:
Unrealized (losses) gains on derivative instruments, net of income tax expense (benefit) of $4, ($5) and $1									(15)	1	4
Defined benefit plan adjustments, net of income tax (benefit) expense of $5, ($4) and $3									(30)	(8)	5
Foreign currency translation, net of income tax (benefit) expense of ($30), $50 and ($201)									(41)	(255)	604
Reclassification adjustments:
(Gains) losses on derivative instruments included in net income, net of income tax expense of $—, $1 and $—									(1)	(12)	(1)
Amortization of actuarial losses and prior service costs included in net income										1	1
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to IQVIA Holdings Inc.									$ 104	$ (14)	$ 1,890

Schedule I - Condensed Statem_3

Schedule I - Condensed Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) Income (Parenthetical) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Unrealized (losses) gains on derivative instruments, income tax (benefit) expense	$ 4	$ (5)	$ 1
Defined benefit plan adjustments, income tax (benefit) expense	5	(4)	3
Foreign currency translation, income tax (benefit) expense	(30)	50	(201)
(Gain) losses on derivative instruments included in net income, income tax expense		1
Parent Company [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Unrealized (losses) gains on derivative instruments, income tax (benefit) expense	4	(5)	1
Defined benefit plan adjustments, income tax (benefit) expense	5	(4)	3
Foreign currency translation, income tax (benefit) expense	$ (30)	50	$ (201)
(Gain) losses on derivative instruments included in net income, income tax expense		$ 1

Schedule I - Condensed Balance

Schedule I - Condensed Balance Sheets (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 837	$ 891
Income taxes receivable	56	69
Other current assets and receivables	451	322
Total current assets	4,126	3,874
Total assets	23,251	22,549
Current liabilities:
Income taxes payable	108	100
Total current liabilities	3,945	3,534
Total liabilities	16,988	15,595
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock and additional paid-in capital, 400.0 shares authorized at December 31, 2019 and 2018, $0.01 par value, 253.0 shares issued and 192.3 shares outstanding at December 31, 2019; 251.5 shares issued and 197.5 shares outstanding at December 31, 2018	11,049	10,901
Retained earnings	998	807
Treasury stock, at cost, 60.7 and 54.0 shares at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively	(5,733)	(4,770)
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income	(311)	(224)
Equity attributable to IQVIA Holdings Inc.’s stockholders	6,003	6,714
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	23,251	22,549
Parent Company [Member]
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	3	1
Total current assets	3	1
Investment in subsidiary	9,667	9,667
Total assets	9,670	9,668
Current liabilities:
Investment in subsidiary	3,664	2,954
Payable to subsidiary	3
Total liabilities	3,667	2,954
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock and additional paid-in capital, 400.0 shares authorized at December 31, 2019 and 2018, $0.01 par value, 253.0 shares issued and 192.3 shares outstanding at December 31, 2019; 251.5 shares issued and 197.5 shares outstanding at December 31, 2018	11,049	10,901
Retained earnings	998	807
Treasury stock, at cost, 60.7 and 54.0 shares at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively	(5,733)	(4,770)
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income	(311)	(224)
Equity attributable to IQVIA Holdings Inc.’s stockholders	6,003	6,714
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$ 9,670	$ 9,668

Schedule I - Condensed Balanc_2

Schedule I - Condensed Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (Detail) - $ / shares	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
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	253,000,000	251,500,000
Common stock, shares outstanding	192,300,000	197,500,000
Treasury stock, shares	60,700,000	54,000,000
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	253,000,000	251,500,000
Common stock, shares outstanding	192,300,000	197,500,000
Treasury stock, shares	60,700,000	54,000,000

Schedule I - Condensed Statem_4

Schedule I - Condensed Statements of Cash Flows (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Operating activities:
Net income	$ 20	$ 69	$ 71	$ 67	$ 76	$ 67	$ 68	$ 73	$ 227	$ 284	$ 1,296
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued expenses									240	368	90
Net cash provided by operating activities									1,417	1,254	970
Investing activities:
Net cash provided by investing activities									(1,190)	(810)	(1,190)
Financing activities:
Repurchase of common stock									(949)	(1,405)	(2,620)
Net cash used in financing activities									(276)	(452)	(72)
Effect of foreign currency exchange rate changes on cash									(5)	(60)	53
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents									(54)	(68)	(239)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period				891				959	891	959	1,198
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	837				891				837	891	959
Parent Company [Member]
Operating activities:
Net income									191	259	1,277
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities:
Subsidiary loss										143	91
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued expenses										2	(3)
Income taxes payable and other liabilities											4
Net cash provided by operating activities									191	404	1,369
Investing activities:
Investment in subsidiary, net of dividends received									760	983	1,182
Net cash provided by investing activities									760	983	1,182
Financing activities:
Proceeds related to employee stock purchase and option plans										15	91
Issuance of common stock									11
Repurchase of common stock									(963)	(1,405)	(2,620)
Intercompany with subsidiary									3	3	(31)
Net cash used in financing activities									(949)	(1,387)	(2,560)
Effect of foreign currency exchange rate changes on cash											(2)
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents									2		(11)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period				$ 1				$ 1	1	1	12
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 3				$ 1				$ 3	$ 1	$ 1

Schedule I - Additional Informa

Schedule I - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Condensed Financial Statements Captions [Line Items]
Income tax benefit	$ (116)	$ (59)	$ 992
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	$ 0	$ 1	$ 3

Schedule I - Dividends Paid (De

Schedule I - Dividends Paid (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Cash dividend paid to parent company	$ 959	$ 1,394	$ 2,566
Paid in December 2019 [Member]
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Cash dividend paid to parent company	13
Paid in November 2019 [Member]
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Cash dividend paid to parent company	255
Paid in September 2019 [Member]
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Cash dividend paid to parent company	74
Paid in August 2019 [Member]
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Cash dividend paid to parent company	239
Paid in June 2019 [Member]
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Cash dividend paid to parent company	94
Paid in May 2019 [Member]
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Cash dividend paid to parent company	140
Paid in March 2019 [Member]
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Cash dividend paid to parent company	141
Paid in February 2019 [Member]
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Cash dividend paid to parent company	$ 3
Paid in December 2018 [Member]
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Cash dividend paid to parent company		339
Paid in November 2018 [Member]
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Cash dividend paid to parent company		146
Paid in October 2018 [Member]
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Cash dividend paid to parent company		132
Paid in September 2018 [Member]
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Cash dividend paid to parent company		118
Paid in June 2018 [Member]
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Cash dividend paid to parent company		414
Paid in May 2018 [Member]
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Cash dividend paid to parent company		154
Paid in March 2018 [Member]
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Cash dividend paid to parent company		54
Paid in February 2018 [Member]
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Cash dividend paid to parent company		$ 37
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

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, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]
Balance at Beginning of Year	$ 226	$ 200	$ 153
Addition Charged to Expenses	40	23	52
Additions (Deductions)		3	(5)
Balance at End of Year	$ 266	$ 226	$ 200