IMS Health 10-Q 4 Nov 15 2015 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Oct. 27, 2015
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2015
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Trading Symbol	IMS
Entity Registrant Name	IMS Health Holdings, Inc.
Entity Central Index Key	1,595,262
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		328,591,772

Condensed Consolidated Statemen

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 394	$ 390
Restricted cash	22	24
Accounts receivable, net	449	330
Other current assets	330	270
Total Current Assets	1,195	1,014
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	333	291
Less accumulated depreciation	(164)	(138)
Property, plant and equipment, net	169	153
Computer software, net	292	258
Goodwill	3,559	3,417
Other identifiable intangibles, net	2,269	2,142
Other assets	172	166
Total Assets	7,656	7,150
Current Liabilities:
Accounts payable	175	87
Accrued and other current liabilities	548	481
Current portion of long-term debt	59	50
Deferred revenues	201	167
Total Current Liabilities	983	785
Postretirement and postemployment benefits	111	95
Long-term debt	4,216	3,743
Deferred tax liability	670	904
Other liabilities	87	81
Total Liabilities	$ 6,067	$ 5,608
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 11)
Shareholders’ Equity:
Common Stock, $0.01 par value, 700.0 shares authorized, 340.5 and 335.6 shares issued at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively	$ 3	$ 3
Capital in excess of par	2,038	1,975
Retained earnings (Accumulated deficit)	179	(209)
Treasury stock, at cost, 11.9 and 0.8 shares at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively	(310)	(10)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(321)	(217)
Total Shareholders’ Equity	1,589	1,542
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity	$ 7,656	$ 7,150

Condensed Consolidated Stateme3

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Statement Of Financial Position [Abstract]
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common Stock, shares authorized	700,000,000	700,000,000
Common Stock, shares issued	340,500,000	335,600,000
Treasury stock, shares	11,900,000	800,000

Condensed Consolidated Stateme4

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenue	$ 735	$ 656	$ 2,109	$ 1,963
Information	373	382	1,101	1,149
Technology services	362	274	1,008	814
Operating costs of information, exclusive of depreciation and amortization	167	164	493	502
Direct and incremental costs of technology services, exclusive of depreciation and amortization	195	147	528	423
Selling and administrative expenses, exclusive of depreciation and amortization	181	139	498	557
Depreciation and amortization	87	109	264	331
Severance, impairment and other charges	16	4	50	29
Operating Income	89	93	276	121
Interest income		1	1	3
Interest expense	(44)	(43)	(124)	(181)
Other income (loss), net	6	7	16	(281)
Non-Operating Loss, Net	(38)	(35)	(107)	(459)
Income (loss) before income taxes	51	58	169	(338)
(Provision for) benefit from income taxes	(8)	(11)	219	141
Net Income (Loss)	$ 43	$ 47	$ 388	$ (197)
Earnings (Loss) per Share Attributable to Common Shareholders:
Basic	$ 0.13	$ 0.14	$ 1.17	$ (0.63)
Diluted	$ 0.13	$ 0.14	$ 1.14	$ (0.63)
Weighted-Average Common Shares Outstanding:
Basic	328.5	332.1	331.9	314.1
Diluted	336.1	342.3	340.4	314.1
Comprehensive Income (Loss):
Net Income (Loss)	$ 43	$ 47	$ 388	$ (197)
Cumulative translation adjustment (net of taxes of $(8) and $(12) for the three months ended and $(29) and $(22) for the nine months ended, respectively)	(40)	(115)	(94)	(78)
Unrealized (losses) gains on derivatives (net of taxes of $1 and $(5) for the three months ended and $— and $(4) for the nine months ended, respectively)	(1)	7		(8)
(Gains) losses on derivative instruments, reclassified into earnings (net of taxes of $00 and $— for the three months ended and $00 and $— for the nine months ended, respectively)	(5)	1	(13)	1
Postretirement and postemployment adjustments (net of taxes of $(1) and $— for the three months ended and $(1) and $— for the nine months ended, respectively)	3		3
Other Comprehensive Loss	$ (43)	(107)	(104)	(85)
Total Comprehensive Income (Loss)		$ (60)	$ 284	$ (282)

Condensed Consolidated Stateme5

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Other Comprehensive Income Loss Tax [Abstract]
Cumulative translation adjustment, taxes	$ (8)	$ (12)	$ (29)	$ (22)
Unrealized (losses) gains on derivatives, taxes	1	$ (5)		$ (4)
(Gains) losses on derivative instruments, reclassified into earnings, taxes	2		7
Postretirement and postemployment adjustments, taxes	$ (1)		$ (1)

Condensed Consolidated Stateme6

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net Income (Loss)	$ 388	$ (197)
Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities:
Depreciation and amortization	264	331
Loss on extinguishment of debt		79
Deferred income taxes	(286)	(197)
Non-cash stock-based compensation charges	19	52
Non-cash (gains) losses on derivative instruments	(16)	6
Non-cash amortization of debt original issue discount and debt issuance costs	7	15
Loss on Venezuela remeasurement	7	49
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	(19)
Other	3	1
Change in assets and liabilities, excluding effects from acquisitions and dispositions:
Net decrease (increase) in accounts receivable	28	(1)
Net increase in other current assets	(10)	(32)
Net increase (decrease) in accounts payable	9	(10)
Net decrease in accrued and other current liabilities	(67)	(100)
Net increase in deferred revenues	5	6
Increase in pension assets (net of liabilities)	(5)	(12)
Increase in other long-term assets (net of long-term liabilities)	(1)	(27)
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities	326	(37)
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Capital expenditures	(29)	(59)
Additions to computer software	(87)	(70)
Payments for acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired	(466)	(58)
Purchase of interest rate caps		(21)
Other investing activities, net		1
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities	(582)	(207)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Borrowings under revolving credit facility	427	579
Repayments of revolving credit facility	(330)	(307)
Proceeds from issuance of debt	496	499
Repayments of debt	(42)	(1,770)
Debt issuance costs and amendment fees	(7)	(22)
Contingent consideration and deferred purchase price payments	(5)	(28)
Proceeds from equity plan activity	25	1
Payments for treasury stock	(300)	(3)
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	19
Proceeds from initial public offering, net of costs		987
Other financing activities		(1)
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities	283	(65)
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash and Cash Equivalents	(23)	(62)
Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents	4	(371)
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of Period	390	725
Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Period	$ 394	$ 354

Condensed Consolidated Stateme7

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Shareholders' Equity - 9 months ended Sep. 30, 2015 - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions	Total	Gains on Derivative Instruments Reclassified into Earnings	Common Stock	Treasury Stock	Capital in Excess of Par	Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit)	Cumulative Translation Adjustment	Unrealized Gains on Derivative Instruments	Unamortized Postretirement and Postemployment Adjustment	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Balance at Dec. 31, 2014	$ 1,542	$ (4)	$ 3	$ (10)	$ 1,975	$ (209)	$ (169)	$ 3	$ (47)	$ (217)
Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2014			335.6	(0.8)
Net income	388					388
Issuances of common stock	25				25
Issuances of common stock, Shares			4.9
Repurchases of common stock	(300)			$ (300)
Repurchases of common stock, Shares				(11.1)
Stock-based compensation expense	19				19
Net tax benefit on stock-based compensation	19				19
Cumulative translation adjustments, net of tax	(94)						(94)			(94)
Gains on derivative instruments reclassified into earnings, net of tax	(13)	(13)								(13)
Postretirement and postemployment adjustments, net of tax	3								3	3
Balance at Sep. 30, 2015	$ 1,589	$ (17)	$ 3	$ (310)	$ 2,038	$ 179	$ (263)	$ 3	$ (44)	$ (321)
Balance, shares at Sep. 30, 2015			340.5	(11.9)

Basis of Presentation and Recen

Basis of Presentation and Recently Issued Accounting Standards	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation and Recently Issued Accounting Standards	Note 1. Basis of Presentation and Recently Issued Accounting Standards Background IMS Health Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”) is a leading global information and technology services company providing clients in the healthcare industry with comprehensive solutions to measure and improve their performance. The Company has one of the largest and most comprehensive collections of healthcare information in the world, spanning sales, prescription and promotional data, medical claims, electronic medical records and social media. For information offerings, the Company receives data without patient identifiers and standardizes, organizes, structures and integrates this data by applying its sophisticated analytics and leveraging its global technology infrastructure to help its clients run their organizations more efficiently and make better decisions to improve their operational and financial performance. The Company has a presence in over 100 countries and generated 63% of its 2014 revenue from outside the United States. The Company serves key healthcare organizations and decision makers around the world, spanning the breadth of life science companies, including pharmaceutical, biotechnology, consumer health and medical device manufacturers, as well as distributors, providers, payers, government agencies, policymakers, researchers and the financial community. The Company’s information and technology services offerings, which it has developed with significant investment over its 60-year history, are deeply integrated into its clients’ workflow. Basis of Presentation The accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information. The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements do not include all the information and notes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, all of which are of a normal recurring nature, considered necessary for a fair statement of financial position, results of operations and comprehensive income (loss), cash flows and shareholders’ equity for the periods presented have been included. The results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results expected for the full year. The December 31, 2014 Condensed Consolidated Statement of Financial Position was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by U.S. GAAP. The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes should be read in conjunction with the audited Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes of IMS Health Holdings, Inc. included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014. Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the 2015 presentation. Amounts presented in the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements may not add due to rounding. Recently Issued Accounting Standards In September 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued guidance that eliminates the requirement to restate prior period financial statements for measurement period adjustments and requires the cumulative impact of a measurement period adjustment to be recognized in the reporting period in which the adjustment is identified. The guidance will be applied prospectively and is effective for the Company’s interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015. The Company is currently evaluating this guidance to determine any potential impact that it may have on its financial results. In August 2015, the FASB delayed the effective date of the guidance on the recognition of revenue from contracts with customers to interim and annual periods beginning January 1, 2018. Earlier adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating this guidance to determine any potential impact that it may have on its financial results. In May 2015, the FASB updated the accounting standards related to fair value measurement for investments that are measured at net asset value. The update eliminates the requirement to categorize within the fair value hierarchy all investments for which fair value is measured using the net asset value per share as a practical expedient. In addition, the update limits disclosures to investments for which the entity elected to measure the fair value using the practical expedient rather than all eligible investments. The update is effective beginning in the first quarter of 2016, with early adoption permitted, and will be applied retrospectively. The Company is currently evaluating the impact this standard will have on disclosures covering certain assets held by its pension plans In April 2015, the FASB issued guidance to help entities evaluate the accounting for fees paid by a customer in a cloud computing arrangement. Under the new guidance, if a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license, then the customer should account for the software license element of the arrangement consistent with the acquisition of other software licenses. If a cloud computing arrangement does not include a software license, the customer should account for the arrangement as a service contract. The guidance is effective for the Company’s interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted. The Company does not believe the adoption of this guidance will have a material impact on its financial results. Also in April 2015, the FASB issued guidance on the presentation of debt issuance costs. The guidance requires the presentation of debt issuance costs as a direct deduction from the related debt liability rather than as an asset. In August 2015, the FASB clarified the guidance that debt issuance costs related to line-of-credit arrangements could continue to be presented as an asset and be subsequently amortized over the term of the line-of-credit arrangement, regardless of whether there are any outstanding borrowings on the arrangement. In April 2014, the FASB issued guidance which changed the criteria for reporting discontinued operations and modifies the related disclosure requirements. Additionally, the new guidance requires that a business which qualifies as held for sale upon acquisition should be reported as discontinued operations. Adoption of this guidance on January 1, 2015, which is applied prospectively, did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Acquisitions

Acquisitions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Acquisitions	Note 2. Acquisitions The Company makes acquisitions to enhance its capabilities and offerings in certain areas, including technology services. On April 1, 2015, the Company completed the acquisition of certain customer relationship management (“CRM”) and strategic data businesses of Cegedim, SA (“Cegedim” and the “Cegedim acquisition”) at a price of €385 million plus an initial working capital adjustment of €11 million (or $426 million). Cegedim, headquartered in Paris, France, is a global technology and services company specializing in healthcare whose offerings help pharmaceutical companies manage their sales and marketing operations. The acquisition included Cegedim’s (i) CRM solutions that help life sciences clients drive sales effectiveness, optimize marketing programs across multiple channels and mitigate regulatory compliance risks; (ii) OneKey Reference Database that provides insights on healthcare professionals across the globe; and (iii) information solutions that use primary market research. The acquisition was financed through a combination of existing cash and net proceeds from the Company’s 4.125% senior unsecured notes issued in March 2015 (the “4.125% Senior Notes”) The following table summarizes the provisional purchase price allocation to the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed for the Cegedim acquisition. (in millions) Cash $ 89 Accounts receivable 127 Other current assets 62 Property, plant and equipment 16 Goodwill 134 Identifiable intangible assets 258 Other assets 7 Liabilities assumed (267 ) Total purchase price allocation $ 426 Identifiable intangible assets and their preliminary estimated useful lives consist of the following: (in millions) Useful life Amount Client relationships 10-15 years $ 134 Databases 5 years 86 Technology 2-10 years 26 Trade names 10-15 years 12 Total intangible assets $ 258 The purchase price allocation is preliminary, particularly as it relates to the identifiable intangible assets, and may change as the Company obtains additional information. Any adjustments to the allocation are not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations. The fair values for the intangible assets and property, plant and equipment acquired were primarily based on significant inputs that are not observable in the market and thus represent a Level 3 measurement in the fair value hierarchy. Client relationships, trade names and technology were valued using the income approach, which estimates the fair value based on the cash flows that an asset can be expected to generate over its remaining useful life. The cost approach, which estimates value by determining the current cost of replacing an asset with another of equivalent economic utility, was used for databases and property, plant and equipment. Goodwill is attributable to the value of the synergies between the acquired company and IMS Health. The Company anticipates that the majority of the value assigned to goodwill will not be deductible for tax purposes. The Company incurred acquisition-related costs for the Cegedim acquisition of $6 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2015. Pro forma information The following pro forma information presents the financial results as if the acquisition of Cegedim had occurred on January 1, 2014, with pro forma adjustments to give effect to an increase in Selling and administrative expenses for acquisition-related costs, additional depreciation and amortization for fair value adjustments of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets, an increase in interest expense from acquisition financing, and related tax effects. The pro forma results do not include any anticipated cost synergies, costs or other effects of the planned integration of Cegedim. Accordingly, such pro forma amounts are not necessarily indicative of the results that actually would have occurred for the periods presented below had the Cegedim acquisition been completed on January 1, 2014, nor are they indicative of the future operating results of the Company. Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 Three Months Ended September 30, 2014 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014 (in millions) Revenues $ 2,227 $ 791 $ 2,379 Net income (loss) 389 48 (219 ) Basic earnings (loss) per share 1.19 0.15 (0.70 ) Diluted earnings (loss) per share 1.16 0.14 (0.70 ) The Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 included $108 million and $218 million, respectively, of revenues related to the Cegedim acquisition. The revenue reflected a reduction of $2 million for the third quarter of 2015 and $4 million for the nine months of 2015 related to deferred revenue adjustments to fair value. Following the closing of the Cegedim acquisition, the Company began integrating Cegedim’s operations, and as such, computing a separate measure of Cegedim’s stand-alone profitability for periods after the acquisition date is impracticable. Other acquisitions In addition to the Cegedim acquisition, the Company also completed ten unrelated individually immaterial acquisitions during 2015, six of which occurred in the third quarter of 2015. These acquisitions expanded the Company’s existing capabilities in both information and technology services offerings. The purchase price allocations for these acquisitions will be finalized after the completion of the valuation of certain intangible assets and any adjustments to the preliminary purchase price allocation are not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations. The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include the results of the acquisitions subsequent to closing. As these acquisitions were immaterial to the Company’s operating results both individually and in the aggregate, pro forma results of operations are not provided. The following table provides certain financial information for these acquisitions, including the preliminary allocation of the aggregate purchase price to certain tangible and intangible assets acquired and goodwill. Weighted-Average September 30, (in millions) Amortization Period 2015 Total cost of acquisitions, net of cash acquired $ 129 Acquisition-related costs 3 Amounts recorded in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position: Goodwill $ 86 Portion of goodwill deductible for tax purposes 26 Computer software 5 years 13 Intangible assets: Client relationships 10 years $ 63 Covenant not to compete 4 years 5 Databases 4 years 4 Trade names 3 years 2 Total intangible assets $ 74 Contingent consideration Under the terms of certain acquisition-related purchase agreements, the Company may be required to pay additional amounts as contingent consideration based on the achievement of certain financial performance related metrics, ranging from $0 to $45 million through 2018. The Company’s contingent consideration recorded on the balance sheet was approximately $30 million and $24 million at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. The fair value measurement of this contingent consideration is classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy (see Note 5) and reflects the Company’s own assumptions in measuring fair values using the income approach. In developing these estimates, the Company considered certain performance projections, historical results, and industry trends. Changes in the fair value estimates are included in Selling and administrative expenses.

Goodwill and Identifiable Intan

Goodwill and Identifiable Intangible Assets	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill and Identifiable Intangible Assets	Note 3. Goodwill and Identifiable Intangible Assets The following table sets forth changes in the Company’s goodwill for the nine months ended September 30, 2015. (in millions) Goodwill Balance at December 31, 2014 $ 3,417 Goodwill assigned in purchase price allocations (see Note 2) 220 Foreign currency translation adjustments and other (78 ) Balance at September 30, 2015 $ 3,559 The gross carrying amounts, related accumulated amortization and the weighted average amortization periods of the Company’s intangible assets are listed in the following table: September 30, 2015 December 31, 2014 (in millions) Gross Accumulated Weighted Average Gross Accumulated Databases $ 745 $ (652 ) 1 $ 679 $ (639 ) Client Relationships 2,225 (685 ) 13 2,051 (592 ) Trade Names (Finite-Lived) 152 (44 ) 13 142 (38 ) Trade Names (Indefinite-Lived) 508 — N/A 523 — Covenants not to compete and other 36 (16 ) 2 32 (16 ) Total Intangible Assets $ 3,666 $ (1,397 ) 10 $ 3,427 $ (1,285 ) Intangible asset amortization expense was $44 million and $73 million during the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and $144 million and $220 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Based on current estimated useful lives, amortization expense associated with intangible assets at September 30, 2015 is estimated to be as follows: (in millions) Amortization Remainder of 2015 $ 46 2016 182 2017 170 2018 166 2019 164 Thereafter 1,033

Severance, Impairment and Other

Severance, Impairment and Other Charges	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Restructuring And Related Activities [Abstract]
Severance, Impairment and Other Charges	Note 4. Severance, Impairment and Other Charges As a result of ongoing cost reduction efforts, the Company recorded severance charges consisting of global workforce reductions to streamline its organization. The following table sets forth the activity in the Company’s severance-related reserves for the nine months ended September 30, 2015: (in millions) 2015 Plan (1) 2013 and 2014 Plans (2) Balance at December 31, 2014 $ — $ 18 Charges 43 — Cash payments (13 ) (12 ) Balance at September 30, 2015 $ 30 $ 6 (1) In the first quarter of 2015, the Company implemented a restructuring plan (the “2015 Plan”) and recorded a pre-tax severance charge of $12 million. In the second and third quarters of 2015, the Company recorded additional pre-tax severance charges of $15 million and $16 million, respectively. The Company expects that cash outlays related to the 2015 Plan will be substantially complete by the end of 2016. (2) In December 2013, the Company implemented a restructuring plan (the “2013 Plan”) and recorded a pre-tax severance charge of $12 million. In May 2014, the Company implemented a restructuring plan (the “2014 Plan”) and recorded pre-tax severance charges of $15 million. An additional $7 million was recorded over the balance of the year. The Company expects that cash outlays related to the 2013 and 2014 Plans will be substantially complete by the end of 2016. Other charges During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, the Company recorded impairment charges of $7 million. The charge is primarily comprised of the write-off of the value of computer software that was no longer in use and contract-related charges for which the Company will not realize any future economic benefits. During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company recorded impairment charges of $10 million, of which $7 million related to impaired leases for properties in the United States and $3 million for the write-down of certain assets and contract-related charges for which the Company will not realize any future economic benefits.

Derivatives and Fair Value

Derivatives and Fair Value	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Derivatives And Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Derivatives and Fair Value	Note 5. Derivatives and Fair Value Foreign exchange risk management The Company transacts business in more than 100 countries and is subject to risks associated with fluctuating foreign exchange rates. The Company’s objective is to reduce earnings and cash flow volatility associated with foreign exchange rate movements. Accordingly, the Company enters into foreign currency forward contracts to minimize the impact of foreign exchange movements on non–functional currency assets and liabilities The forward contracts entered into for balance sheet risk management purposes are not designated as hedges and are carried at fair value, with changes in the fair value recorded to Other income (loss), net in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss). These contracts do not subject the Company to material balance sheet risk because gains and losses on these derivatives are intended to offset gains and losses on the assets and liabilities being hedged. The forward contracts entered into for Royalty Hedging purposes are designated as hedges and are carried at fair value, with changes in the fair value recorded to The following table details the components of foreign exchange gain (loss) included in Other income (loss), net on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss): Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended (in millions) 2015 2014 2015 2014 Revaluation of other non-functional currency assets and liabilities (1) 3 8 — (48 ) Effect of derivatives 2 (4 ) 15 (4 ) Total foreign exchange gain (loss) $ 5 $ 4 $ 15 $ (52 ) (1) Bolívar Net Investment Risk Management Beginning in April 2014, the Company designated its foreign currency denominated debt as a hedge of net investment in foreign subsidiaries to reduce the volatility in shareholders’ equity caused by changes in the Euro exchange rate with respect to the U.S. Dollar. As of September 30, 2015, these borrowings (net of original issue discount) were €1,130 million ($1,266 million). The effective portion of foreign exchange gains or losses on the remeasurement of the debt is recognized in the cumulative translation adjustment component of AOCI with the related offset in long-term debt. Those amounts would be reclassified from AOCI to earnings upon the sale or substantial liquidation of these net investments. The amount of foreign exchange (losses) gains related to the net investment hedges included in cumulative translation adjustment for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 were $(1) million and $71 million, respectively, and $94 million and $105 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively. Interest Rate Risk Management The Company purchases interest rate caps and has entered into interest rate swap agreements for purposes of managing its risk in interest rate fluctuations. In April 2014, the Company purchased U.S. Dollar denominated interest rate caps (“2014 Caps”) for a total notional value of $1 billion at strike rates ranging between 2% and 3%. These caps are effective at various times between April 2014 and April 2016, and expire at various times between April 2017 and April 2019. The total premiums paid were $21 million. The 2014 Caps are designated as cash flow hedges. Additionally, the Company had U.S. Dollar and Euro denominated interest rate caps that expired at various times through January 2015. These expired caps were not designated as cash flow hedges. The Company also entered into U.S. Dollar and Euro denominated interest rate swap agreements in April 2014 (“2014 Swaps”) to hedge interest rate exposure on notional amounts of approximately $600 million of its borrowings. The 2014 swaps were effective between April and June 2014, and expire at various times from March 2017 through March 2021. On these agreements, the Company pays a fixed rate ranging from 1.4% to 2.1% and receives a variable rate of interest equal to the greater of three-month U.S. Dollar London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) or three-month Euro Interbank Offered Rate (“EURIBOR”), and 1%. The 2014 Swaps are designated as cash flow hedges. The Company also entered into interest rate swap agreements in May 2010 (“2010 Swaps”) to hedge interest rate exposure on notional amounts of $375 million of its borrowings. The 2010 Swaps were effective in January 2012, and expire at various times through January 2016. On these agreements, the Company pays a fixed rate ranging from 3% to 3.3% and receives a variable rate of interest equal to the three-month LIBOR. The 2010 Swaps are not designated as cash flow hedges. The fair values of derivative instruments in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position are as follows: September 30, 2015 December 31, 2014 Fair Value of Derivative U.S. Dollar Notional Fair Value of Derivative U.S. Dollar Notional (in millions) Balance Sheet Caption Asset Liability Asset Liability Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments: Foreign exchange contracts Accounts receivable/ Accounts payable $ 5 $ 1 $ 182 $ 18 $ — $ 189 Interest rate caps Non-Current Assets 4 — 1,000 12 — 1,000 Interest rate swaps See below (1) — 11 525 — 12 553 Derivatives not Designated as Hedging Instruments: Foreign exchange contracts Accounts receivable/ Accounts payable — 2 171 — 2 93 Interest rate swaps See below (1) — 2 100 — 4 225 Total Derivatives $ 9 $ 16 $ 30 $ 18 (1) $2 million included in Accrued and other current liabilities and $11 million included in Other liabilities at September 30, 2015 and $1 million included in Accrued and other current liabilities and $15 million included in Other liabilities at December 31, 2014 in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position. For derivatives designated as hedges, the Company assesses, both at the inception of the hedge and on an ongoing basis, whether the derivatives are highly effective in offsetting changes in fair values or cash flows of hedged items. If it is determined that a derivative ceases to be highly effective as a hedge, the Company will discontinue hedge accounting with respect to that derivative prospectively. When it is probable that a hedged forecasted transaction will not occur, the Company discontinues hedge accounting for the affected portion of the forecasted transaction, and reclassifies gains or losses that were accumulated in AOCI to earnings in Other income (loss), net on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss). Cash flows are classified consistent with the underlying hedged item. The effects of derivative instruments in cash flow hedging relationships on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) are as follows: (in millions) Effect of Derivatives on Financial Performance Amount of Income/(Loss) Location of Income/(Loss) Amount of Three Months Ended September 30, 2015 2014 2015 2014 Foreign exchange contracts $ 2 $ 15 Other income (loss), net $ 7 $ 1 Interest rate derivatives (6 ) (3 ) Interest expense — (2 ) Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 2014 2015 2014 Foreign exchange contracts $ 6 $ 12 Other income (loss), net $ 20 $ 1 Interest rate derivatives (7 ) (16 ) Interest expense — (2 ) The pre-tax gain (loss) recognized in earnings on derivatives not designated as hedging instruments was as follows: Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended (in millions) 2015 2014 2015 2014 Foreign exchange contracts (1) $ (5 ) $ (5 ) $ (5 ) $ (5 ) Interest rate derivatives (2) — — — — Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments $ (5 ) $ (5 ) $ (5 ) $ (5 ) (1) (2) Changes in the fair value of derivatives that are designated as cash flow hedges are recorded in AOCI to the extent effective and reclassified into earnings in the same period or periods during which the transaction hedged by that derivative also affects earnings. The Company expects less than $1 million of pre-tax unrealized losses related to its foreign exchange contracts and interest rate derivatives included in AOCI at September 30, 2015 to be reclassified into earnings within the next twelve months. Fair value disclosures The Company is subject to authoritative guidance which requires a three-level hierarchy for disclosure of fair value measurements as follows: Level 1 — Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Level 2 — Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets or quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in inactive markets; and model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs are observable in active markets. Level 3 — Unobservable inputs reflecting management’s own assumptions about the inputs used in pricing the asset or liability. The carrying values of cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximated their fair values at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 due to the short-term nature of these instruments. At September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the fair value of total debt approximated $4,289 million and $3,799 million, respectively, as determined under Level 2 measurements based on quoted prices for these financial instruments. Recurring measurements The following tables summarize assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at the dates indicated: Basis of Fair Value Measurements September 30, 2015 (in millions) Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Assets Derivatives — 9 — 9 Total $ — $ 9 $ — $ 9 Liabilities Contingent consideration $ — $ — $ 30 $ 30 Derivatives — 16 — 16 Total $ — $ 16 $ 30 $ 46 December 31, 2014 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Assets Derivatives — 30 — 30 Total $ — $ 30 $ — $ 30 Liabilities Contingent consideration $ — $ — $ 24 $ 24 Derivatives — 18 — 18 Total $ — $ 18 $ 24 $ 42 Derivatives consist of foreign exchange contracts and interest rate caps and swaps. The fair value of foreign exchange contracts is based on observable market inputs of spot and forward rates. The fair value of the interest rate caps and swaps is the estimated amount that the Company would receive or pay to terminate such agreements, taking into account market interest rates and the remaining time to maturities. The following table summarizes Level 3 acquisition-related contingent consideration liabilities (see Note 2) carried at fair value on a recurring basis with the use of unobservable inputs for the period indicated. (in millions) Contingent Balance at December 31, 2014 $ 24 New acquisitions 18 Cash payments (2 ) Changes in fair value estimates and foreign currency translation adjustments (10 ) Balance at September 30, 2015 $ 30 Venezuela The Company’s Swiss operating subsidiary, IMS AG, maintains certain account balances in Bolívars (mainly cash and cash equivalents). As these balances are held in a non-functional currency of IMS AG, the Company is required to mark-to-market these balances at each reporting date and reflect these movements as gains or losses in income. Additionally, since January 2010, Venezuela has been designated as hyper-inflationary, and as such, all foreign currency fluctuations are recorded in income for certain account balances at the Company’s local Venezuelan operating subsidiary. In 2014, the Venezuelan government significantly expanded the use of the Supplementary Foreign Currency Administration System (“SICAD”) I exchange market and created a third exchange market called SICAD II, which the Company utilized to remeasure its Venezuelan Bolívar account balances beginning on As a result of the change to the SICAD II rate from the official exchange rate, the Company recorded a pre-tax charge of $49 million to foreign exchange loss within Other income (loss), net in the second quarter of 2014. Bolívars to one U.S. Dollar

Debt

Debt	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Debt	Note 6. Debt The following table summarizes the Company’s debt at the dates indicated: September 30, December 31, (in millions) 2015 2014 Senior Secured Credit Facilities: Senior Secured Term A Loan due 2019—USD LIBOR at average floating rates of 2.58% $ 490 $ 307 Senior Secured Term A Loan due 2019—EUR LIBOR at average floating rates of 2.25% 140 158 Senior Secured Term B Loan due 2021—USD LIBOR at average floating rates of 3.50% 1,722 1,735 Senior Secured Term B Loan due 2021—EUR LIBOR at average floating rates of 3.75% 824 901 Revolving Credit Facility due 2019: U.S. Dollar denominated borrowings—USD LIBOR at average floating rates of 2.63% 312 215 4.125% Senior Notes due 2023 - Euro denominated 308 — 6.00% Senior Notes due 2020 - U.S. Dollar denominated 500 500 Principal Amount of Debt 4,296 3,816 Less: Unamortized Discounts (21 ) (23 ) Total Debt $ 4,275 $ 3,793 Scheduled principal payments due on the Company’s debt as of September 30, 2015 for the remainder of 2015 and thereafter were as follows: Year (in millions) 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 Thereafter Total Debt $ 15 $ 59 $ 72 $ 89 $ 817 $ 3,244 $ 4,296 Senior Secured Credit Facilities In May 2015, IMS Health Incorporated (“IMS Health”), an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, entered into an amendment (the “2015 Amendment”) to the Third Amended and Restated Credit and Guaranty Agreement, dated as of March 17, 2014, among IMS Health, IMS AG and IMS Japan K.K., as co-borrowers, Healthcare Technology Intermediate Holdings, Inc., Bank of America, N.A. and the other lenders party thereto (as amended by the 2015 Amendment, the “Credit Agreement” and, together with the related security and other documents for the senior secured term loan facilities and the senior secured revolving facility, the “Senior Secured Credit Facilities”). The 2015 Amendment increased outstanding commitments under the Company’s existing Term A loans by $200 million. The proceeds from the additional term loans were used to fund a portion of the Company’s repurchase of its common shares in May 2015. See Note 8 for further information on the share repurchase. As a result of the 2015 Amendment, the Company incurred $2 million of third party fees, which will be amortized as a component of interest expense. In March 2014, IMS Health and certain of its subsidiaries, as co-borrowers, entered into an amendment (the “2014 Amendment”) to the Second Amended and Restated Credit and Guaranty Agreement, dated as of October 24, 2012. The 2014 Amendment added commitments in respect of new Term A loans ( IMS Health is required to make scheduled quarterly payments on the Term A loans at rates that vary from 1.25% to 2.50% of the original principal amount of the term loans, with the remaining balance paid at maturity. Additionally, IMS Health is required to make scheduled quarterly payments on the Term B loans equal to approximately 0.25% of the original principal amount of the term loans, with the remaining balance paid at maturity. IMS Health is also required to pay an annual commitment fee that ranges from 0.30% to 0.40% in respect of any unused commitments under the revolving credit facility. At September 30, 2015, IMS Health, IMS AG and IMS Japan K.K., as co-borrowers, had an aggregate $500 million revolving credit facility, of which $188 million was unused. The Senior Secured Credit Facilities are secured by a security interest in substantially all of Healthcare Technology Intermediate Holdings, Inc.’s, IMS Health’s and the U.S. subsidiary guarantors’ tangible and intangible assets, including the stock of IMS Health and certain of IMS Health’s U.S. restricted subsidiaries and a portion of the stock of IMS Health’s non-U.S. restricted subsidiaries directly owned by Healthcare Technology Intermediate Holdings, Inc., IMS Health or a U.S. subsidiary guarantor. In addition, the obligations of IMS AG are guaranteed by certain of its Swiss restricted subsidiaries and are secured by certain assets of IMS AG and the Swiss guarantors, including the stock of the Swiss guarantors. The obligations of IMS Japan K.K. are secured by certain of its assets. There have been no borrowings by IMS Japan K.K. to date. Senior Notes In anticipation of the Cegedim acquisition, IMS Health issued €275 million aggregate principal amount of 4.125% senior unsecured notes due in April 2023 on March 30, 2015 In addition to the 4.125% Senior Notes, IMS Health has outstanding $500 million aggregate principal amount of 6% Senior Notes due in November 2020 (the “6% Senior Notes”). Interest is payable semi-annually each year. The 6% Senior Notes are guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by IMS Health’s wholly-owned domestic subsidiaries that are guarantors under the Senior Secured Credit Facilities. The Company may redeem all or a portion of the 6% Senior Notes at predetermined redemption prices set forth in the indenture governing the 6% Senior Notes plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of redemption. Other In connection with the Company’s IPO in April 2014, the Company redeemed its 12.5% senior notes and senior PIK notes and incurred a loss on extinguishment of debt of $219 million in the second quarter of 2014, consisting of a $151 million in aggregate payments for make-whole premiums related to such redemptions and $68 million write-off of debt issuance costs and discounts. The Senior Secured Credit Facilities and the indentures for the 4.125% Senior Notes and 6% Senior Notes 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 revolving credit facility and New Term Loans, other actions permitted to be taken by a secured creditor. At September 30, 2015, the Company was in compliance with the financial covenants under the Company’s financing arrangements.

Pension and Postretirement Bene

Pension and Postretirement Benefits	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Compensation And Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Pension and Postretirement Benefits	Note 7. Pension and Postretirement Benefits The following table summarizes the components of net periodic benefit cost for the Company’s pension benefits. Pension Benefits U.S. plans Non-U.S. plans U.S. plans Non-U.S. plans Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, (in millions) 2015 2014 2015 2014 2015 2014 2015 2014 Service cost $ 3 $ 2 $ 2 $ 1 $ 9 $ 7 $ 6 $ 4 Interest cost 2 3 3 3 8 9 8 8 Expected return on plan assets (5 ) (5 ) (3 ) (3 ) (16 ) (15 ) (9 ) (9 ) Net periodic benefit cost $ — $ — $ 2 $ 1 $ 1 $ 1 $ 5 $ 3 The Company’s net periodic benefit credit for its postretirement benefits was less than $1 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, the Company contributed approximately $10 million to its pension and postretirement benefit plans and expects to contribute an additional $2 million for the remainder of 2015.

Shareholders' Equity

Shareholders' Equity	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Equity [Abstract]
Shareholders' Equity	Note 8. Shareholders’ Equity Share Repurchase On May 3, 2015, the Company’s board of directors authorized a $300 million common stock repurchase program. In connection with that program, on May 12, 2015, the Company purchased 11.1 million shares of its common stock from the underwriters in the May Secondary Offering (as defined below) having an aggregate value of approximately $300 million at $27.0875 per share, equal to the midpoint between the public offering price and the price paid by the underwriters to the Selling Stockholders for the shares sold in the May 2015 Secondary Offering. To fund the share repurchase, the Company entered into the 2015 Amendment to the Credit Agreement that provided the Company with $200 million in additional term loan borrowings and utilized borrowings from its revolving credit facility and available cash. See Note 6 for additional information on the 2015 Amendment. Secondary Offerings In August 2015, existing shareholders of the Company (collectively, the “Selling Stockholders”) completed the sale of 20 million shares of the Company’s common stock to underwriters at a price of $31.17 per share (the “August Secondary Offering”). In May 2015, the Selling Stockholders completed the sale of 57.97 million shares of the Company’s stock at a public offering price of $27.50 per share, including 6.87 million that were offered and sold by the Selling Stockholders pursuant to the full exercise of the underwriter’s option to purchase additional shares (the “May Secondary Offering” and, together with the

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]
Stock-Based Compensation	Note 9. Stock-Based Compensation In April 2014, the Company paid $30 million in the aggregate to holders of outstanding cash settled stock appreciation rights (“Phantom SARs”) upon completion of the Company’s IPO.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Note 10. Income Taxes The Company operates in more than 100 countries around the world and its earnings are taxed at the applicable income tax rate in each of these countries. As required, the Company computes interim taxes based on an estimated annual effective tax rate. The Company recorded a provision for income taxes of $8 million and a benefit from income taxes of $219 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively. The tax expense in the three months ended September 30, 2015 was favorably impacted as a result of profits generated in non-U.S. tax jurisdictions with lower tax rates than the U.S. statutory tax rate. Historically, the Company provided deferred taxes with respect to all of its non-U.S. subsidiaries’ unremitted earnings. The tax benefit for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 was favorably impacted as a result of the Company changing its assertion related to these earnings during the first quarter of 2015. The Company is asserting that the unremitted earnings of its non-U.S. subsidiaries related to prior years, as well as those related to 2015 will be indefinitely reinvested outside the United States. As a result of this change in assertion, the Company reversed a previously established deferred tax liability of $256 million as a discrete benefit in the first quarter of 2015. The Company has the intent and ability to indefinitely reinvest its non-U.S. subsidiaries’ unremitted earnings outside the United States as these earnings are no longer expected to be repatriated to the United States to meet the Company’s U.S. cash needs. Further, the Company intends to reinvest the non-U.S. earnings in the growth of its non-U.S. businesses. The Company recorded a provision for income taxes of $11 million and a benefit from income taxes of $141 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively. The tax provision for the three months ended September 30, 2014 was primarily impacted by non-taxable income in the United States related to a change in the fair value of a contingent consideration liability. The tax benefit for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 was primarily due to a significant amount of deductible expenses in the United States related to the redemption of the Company’s 12.5% senior notes and senior PIK notes, the termination of the management services agreement with affiliates of certain of the Company’s shareholders (see Note 12), and non-executive Phantom SARs compensation expense. In addition, the effective tax rate in both periods was impacted as a result of profits generated in non-U.S. tax jurisdictions with lower tax rates than the U.S. statutory tax rate and by deferred U.S. income tax expense related to non-U.S. earnings net of associated tax credits. The Company also recorded a tax benefit of $6 million in the second quarter of 2014 as a result of the conclusion of a U.S. Federal income tax examination for 2010 and 2011.

Contingencies

Contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Contingencies	Note 11. 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 Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements based on its best estimates of such loss. In other instances, because of the uncertainties related to either the probable outcome or the amount or range of loss, management is unable to make a reasonable estimate of a liability, if any. However, even in many instances where the Company has recorded an estimated liability, the Company is unable to predict with certainty the final outcome of the matter or whether resolution of the matter will materially affect the Company’s results of operations, financial position or cash flows. As additional information becomes available, the Company adjusts its assessments and estimates of such liabilities accordingly. The Company routinely enters into agreements with its suppliers to acquire data and with its clients to sell data, all in the normal course of business. In these agreements, the Company sometimes agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the other party for any damages such other party may suffer as a result of potential intellectual property infringement and other claims related to the use of the data. The Company has not accrued a liability with respect to these matters, as the exposure is considered remote. Based on its review of the latest information available, management does not expect the impact of pending legal and tax proceedings, claims and litigation, either individually or in the aggregate, to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations, cash flows or financial position. However, one or more unfavorable outcomes in any claim or litigation against the Company could have a material adverse effect for the period in which it is resolved. The following is a summary of certain legal matters involving the Company. IMS Health Government Solutions Voluntary Disclosure Program Participation The Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, IMS Government Solutions Inc. (“IMS Government Solutions”), is primarily engaged in providing services and products under contracts with the U.S. government. U.S. government contracts are subject to extensive legal and regulatory requirements and, from time to time, agencies of the U.S. government have the ability to investigate whether contractors’ operations are being conducted in accordance with such requirements. U.S. government investigations, whether relating to these contracts or conducted for other reasons, could result in administrative, civil or criminal liabilities, including repayments, fines or penalties being imposed on us, or could lead to suspension or debarment from future U.S. government contracting. U.S. government investigations often take years to complete and may result in no adverse action against the Company. IMS Government Solutions discovered potential noncompliance with various contract clauses and requirements under its General Services Administration Contract (the “GSA Contract”) which was awarded in 2002 to its predecessor company, Synchronous Knowledge Inc. (Synchronous Knowledge Inc. was acquired by IMS Health in May 2005). The potential noncompliance arose from three primary areas: first, at the direction of the government, work performed under one task order was invoiced under another task order without the appropriate modifications to the orders being made; second, personnel who did not meet strict compliance with the labor categories component of the qualification requirements of the GSA Contract were assigned to contracts; and third, certain discounts that were given to commercial customers were not also offered to the government, in alleged violation of the GSA Contract’s Price Reductions Clause. Upon discovery of the potential noncompliance, the Company began remediation efforts, promptly disclosed the potential noncompliance to the U.S. government, and was accepted into the Department of Defense Voluntary Disclosure Program. The Company filed its Voluntary Disclosure Program Report (“Disclosure Report”) on August 29, 2008. Based on the Company’s findings as disclosed in the Disclosure Report, the Company recorded a reserve of approximately $4 million for this matter in 2008. During 2010, the Company recorded an additional reserve of approximately $2 million as a result of its ongoing investigation relating to this matter. In September 2014, the General Services Administration offered to settle the third matter described above (i.e., the Price Reductions Clause aspect of the Disclosure Report) for $1.5 million, in-line with the amount the Company had recorded for this area of potential noncompliance. On April 23, 2015, the Company and the government executed the settlement agreement and made the $1.5 million payment. The Company is currently unable to determine the outcome of all of these matters pending the resolution of the Voluntary Disclosure Program process and its ultimate liability arising from these matters could exceed its current reserves. Symphony Health Solutions Litigation On July 24, 2013, Symphony Health Solutions filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania against IMS Health alleging that IMS Health is actively engaging in anticompetitive business practices in violation of the Sherman Antitrust Act and Pennsylvania State law. The complaint seeks trebled actual damages in an unspecified amount, punitive damages, costs and injunctive relief. The Company believes the complaint is without merit, rejects all claims raised, asserted counterclaims against Symphony Health and will vigorously defend IMS Health’s position.

Related Party

Related Party	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Related Party	Note 12. Related Party Due to related party relationships, it is possible that the terms of the following transactions are not the same as those that would result from transactions among wholly unrelated parties. Management Services Agreement The Company had a management services agreement with affiliates of TPG Global, LLC, CPP Investment Board Private Holdings Inc. and Leonard Green & Partners, L.P. (collectively, the “Sponsors”) pursuant to which they would provide management services to the Company. In conjunction with the Company’s IPO, the management services agreement was terminated for a settlement amount of $72 million and the Company recorded this charge as a component of Selling and administrative expenses, exclusive of depreciation and amortization in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) in the second quarter of 2014. Prior to the termination of the management services agreement, the Company paid an additional $2 million during the first quarter of 2014 in monitoring fees pursuant to the management services agreement.

Operations by Business Segment

Operations by Business Segment	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Operations by Business Segment	Note 13. Operations by Business Segment Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise about which financial information is available that is evaluated on a regular basis by the chief operating decision-maker, or decision-making groups, in deciding how to allocate resources to an individual segment and in assessing performance of the segment. The Company operates a globally consistent business model, offering pharmaceutical business information and related services to its clients in more than 100 countries. The Company maintains regional geographic management who are responsible for bringing the Company’s full suite of offerings to their respective markets and to facilitate local execution of its global strategies. However, the Company maintains global leaders for the majority of its critical business processes; and the most significant performance evaluations and resource allocations made by the Company’s chief operating decision maker is made on a global basis. As such, the Company has concluded that it maintains one operating and reportable segment. Geographic Financial Information: The following represents selected geographic information for the regions in which the Company operates. (in millions) Americas (1) EMEA (2) Asia Pacific (3) Corporate & Other Total Three Months Ended September 30, 2015 Revenue (4) $ 332 $ 296 $ 107 $ - $ 735 Operating income (loss) (5) 48 52 26 (37 ) 89 2014 Revenue (4) $ 302 $ 245 $ 109 $ - $ 656 Operating income (loss) (5) 70 65 36 (78 ) 93 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 Revenue (4) $ 955 $ 830 $ 324 $ - $ 2,109 Operating income (loss) (5) 164 161 91 (140 ) 276 2014 Revenue (4) $ 885 $ 754 $ 324 $ - $ 1,963 Operating income (loss) (5) 202 207 106 (394 ) 121 In April 2015, the Company realigned its regional reporting so that India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh are included in EMEA. Previously, these countries had been included in the Asia Pacific region. Additionally in 2015, the Company made changes to its geographic reporting classifications to move some functions out of Corporate and Other and into the regions. As a result of these changes, reclassifications of prior years’ geographic financial information were made to conform to the current year presentation. The reclassifications did not change previously reported condensed consolidated results of operations. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (in millions) Americas EMEA Asia Pacific Three Months Ended September 30, 2015 $ 18 $ 4 $ 6 2014 31 21 10 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 64 22 19 2014 94 66 30

Earnings per Share

Earnings per Share	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings per Share	Note 14. Earnings per Share Basic earnings (loss) per share is computed using the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings (loss) per share is computed, when the result is dilutive, using the weighted-average number of common shares and dilutive potential common shares outstanding during the period. Dilutive potential common shares primarily consist of employee stock options and restricted stock units. Employee stock options, restricted stock units and similar equity instruments granted by the Company are treated as potential common shares outstanding in computing diluted earnings per share. Diluted shares outstanding include restricted stock units and the dilutive effect of in-the-money options which is 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. In periods of net loss, basic loss per share and diluted loss per share are the same since the effect of potential common shares is anti-dilutive and therefore excluded. The following table presents the composition of basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding: Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended (Shares in millions) 2015 2014 2015 2014 Basic weighted-average common shares outstanding 328.5 332.1 331.9 314.1 Effect of dilutive stock-based awards 7.6 10.2 8.5 — Diluted weighted-average common shares outstanding 336.1 342.3 340.4 314.1 Shares excluded from computation of diluted earnings (loss) per share: Weighted average potential common shares excluded from computation due to anti-dilutive effect 1.6 — 1.5 19.1

Basis of Presentation and Rec22

Basis of Presentation and Recently Issued Accounting Standards (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	Basis of Presentation The accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information. The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements do not include all the information and notes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, all of which are of a normal recurring nature, considered necessary for a fair statement of financial position, results of operations and comprehensive income (loss), cash flows and shareholders’ equity for the periods presented have been included. The results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results expected for the full year. The December 31, 2014 Condensed Consolidated Statement of Financial Position was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by U.S. GAAP. The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes should be read in conjunction with the audited Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes of IMS Health Holdings, Inc. included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014. Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the 2015 presentation. Amounts presented in the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements may not add due to rounding.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards	Recently Issued Accounting Standards In September 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued guidance that eliminates the requirement to restate prior period financial statements for measurement period adjustments and requires the cumulative impact of a measurement period adjustment to be recognized in the reporting period in which the adjustment is identified. The guidance will be applied prospectively and is effective for the Company’s interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015. The Company is currently evaluating this guidance to determine any potential impact that it may have on its financial results. In August 2015, the FASB delayed the effective date of the guidance on the recognition of revenue from contracts with customers to interim and annual periods beginning January 1, 2018. Earlier adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating this guidance to determine any potential impact that it may have on its financial results. In May 2015, the FASB updated the accounting standards related to fair value measurement for investments that are measured at net asset value. The update eliminates the requirement to categorize within the fair value hierarchy all investments for which fair value is measured using the net asset value per share as a practical expedient. In addition, the update limits disclosures to investments for which the entity elected to measure the fair value using the practical expedient rather than all eligible investments. The update is effective beginning in the first quarter of 2016, with early adoption permitted, and will be applied retrospectively. The Company is currently evaluating the impact this standard will have on disclosures covering certain assets held by its pension plans In April 2015, the FASB issued guidance to help entities evaluate the accounting for fees paid by a customer in a cloud computing arrangement. Under the new guidance, if a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license, then the customer should account for the software license element of the arrangement consistent with the acquisition of other software licenses. If a cloud computing arrangement does not include a software license, the customer should account for the arrangement as a service contract. The guidance is effective for the Company’s interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted. The Company does not believe the adoption of this guidance will have a material impact on its financial results. Also in April 2015, the FASB issued guidance on the presentation of debt issuance costs. The guidance requires the presentation of debt issuance costs as a direct deduction from the related debt liability rather than as an asset. In August 2015, the FASB clarified the guidance that debt issuance costs related to line-of-credit arrangements could continue to be presented as an asset and be subsequently amortized over the term of the line-of-credit arrangement, regardless of whether there are any outstanding borrowings on the arrangement. In April 2014, the FASB issued guidance which changed the criteria for reporting discontinued operations and modifies the related disclosure requirements. Additionally, the new guidance requires that a business which qualifies as held for sale upon acquisition should be reported as discontinued operations. Adoption of this guidance on January 1, 2015, which is applied prospectively, did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
Income Taxes	As required, the Company computes interim taxes based on an estimated annual effective tax rate.
Contingencies	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 Condensed 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.
Earnings per Share	Basic earnings (loss) per share is computed using the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings (loss) per share is computed, when the result is dilutive, using the weighted-average number of common shares and dilutive potential common shares outstanding during the period. Dilutive potential common shares primarily consist of employee stock options and restricted stock units. Employee stock options, restricted stock units and similar equity instruments granted by the Company are treated as potential common shares outstanding in computing diluted earnings per share. Diluted shares outstanding include restricted stock units and the dilutive effect of in-the-money options which is 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. In periods of net loss, basic loss per share and diluted loss per share are the same since the effect of potential common shares is anti-dilutive and therefore excluded.
Derivatives	The forward contracts entered into for balance sheet risk management purposes are not designated as hedges and are carried at fair value, with changes in the fair value recorded to Other income (loss), net in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss). The forward contracts entered into for Royalty Hedging purposes are designated as hedges and are carried at fair value, with changes in the fair value recorded to 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. For derivatives designated as hedges, the Company assesses, both at the inception of the hedge and on an ongoing basis, whether the derivatives are highly effective in offsetting changes in fair values or cash flows of hedged items. If it is determined that a derivative ceases to be highly effective as a hedge, the Company will discontinue hedge accounting with respect to that derivative prospectively. When it is probable that a hedged forecasted transaction will not occur, the Company discontinues hedge accounting for the affected portion of the forecasted transaction, and reclassifies gains or losses that were accumulated in AOCI to earnings in Other income (loss), net on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss). Cash flows are classified consistent with the underlying hedged item. Changes in the fair value of derivatives that are designated as cash flow hedges are recorded in AOCI to the extent effective and reclassified into earnings in the same period or periods during which the transaction hedged by that derivative also affects earnings.

Acquisitions (Tables)

Acquisitions (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Cegedim Acquisition
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Estimated Fair Values of Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed	The following table summarizes the provisional purchase price allocation to the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed for the Cegedim acquisition. (in millions) Cash $ 89 Accounts receivable 127 Other current assets 62 Property, plant and equipment 16 Goodwill 134 Identifiable intangible assets 258 Other assets 7 Liabilities assumed (267 ) Total purchase price allocation $ 426
Schedule of Identifiable Intangible Assets and Preliminary Estimated Useful Lives	Identifiable intangible assets and their preliminary estimated useful lives consist of the following: (in millions) Useful life Amount Client relationships 10-15 years $ 134 Databases 5 years 86 Technology 2-10 years 26 Trade names 10-15 years 12 Total intangible assets $ 258
Schedule of Pro Forma Information	The following pro forma information presents the financial results as if the acquisition of Cegedim had occurred on January 1, 2014, with pro forma adjustments to give effect to an increase in Selling and administrative expenses for acquisition-related costs, additional depreciation and amortization for fair value adjustments of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets, an increase in interest expense from acquisition financing, and related tax effects. The pro forma results do not include any anticipated cost synergies, costs or other effects of the planned integration of Cegedim. Accordingly, such pro forma amounts are not necessarily indicative of the results that actually would have occurred for the periods presented below had the Cegedim acquisition been completed on January 1, 2014, nor are they indicative of the future operating results of the Company. Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 Three Months Ended September 30, 2014 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014 (in millions) Revenues $ 2,227 $ 791 $ 2,379 Net income (loss) 389 48 (219 ) Basic earnings (loss) per share 1.19 0.15 (0.70 ) Diluted earnings (loss) per share 1.16 0.14 (0.70 )
All Acquisitions Excluding Cegedim Acquisition
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Schedule of Financial Information Related to Acquisitions	The following table provides certain financial information for these acquisitions, including the preliminary allocation of the aggregate purchase price to certain tangible and intangible assets acquired and goodwill. Weighted-Average September 30, (in millions) Amortization Period 2015 Total cost of acquisitions, net of cash acquired $ 129 Acquisition-related costs 3 Amounts recorded in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position: Goodwill $ 86 Portion of goodwill deductible for tax purposes 26 Computer software 5 years 13 Intangible assets: Client relationships 10 years $ 63 Covenant not to compete 4 years 5 Databases 4 years 4 Trade names 3 years 2 Total intangible assets $ 74

Goodwill and Identifiable Int24

Goodwill and Identifiable Intangible Assets (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Summary of Changes in Goodwill	The following table sets forth changes in the Company’s goodwill for the nine months ended September 30, 2015. (in millions) Goodwill Balance at December 31, 2014 $ 3,417 Goodwill assigned in purchase price allocations (see Note 2) 220 Foreign currency translation adjustments and other (78 ) Balance at September 30, 2015 $ 3,559
Schedule of Intangible Assets	The gross carrying amounts, related accumulated amortization and the weighted average amortization periods of the Company’s intangible assets are listed in the following table: September 30, 2015 December 31, 2014 (in millions) Gross Accumulated Weighted Average Gross Accumulated Databases $ 745 $ (652 ) 1 $ 679 $ (639 ) Client Relationships 2,225 (685 ) 13 2,051 (592 ) Trade Names (Finite-Lived) 152 (44 ) 13 142 (38 ) Trade Names (Indefinite-Lived) 508 — N/A 523 — Covenants not to compete and other 36 (16 ) 2 32 (16 ) Total Intangible Assets $ 3,666 $ (1,397 ) 10 $ 3,427 $ (1,285 )
Schedule of Amortization Expense Associated With Intangible Assets	Based on current estimated useful lives, amortization expense associated with intangible assets at September 30, 2015 is estimated to be as follows: (in millions) Amortization Remainder of 2015 $ 46 2016 182 2017 170 2018 166 2019 164 Thereafter 1,033

Severance, Impairment and Oth25

Severance, Impairment and Other Charges (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Restructuring And Related Activities [Abstract]
Schedule of Severance Related Reserves	As a result of ongoing cost reduction efforts, the Company recorded severance charges consisting of global workforce reductions to streamline its organization. The following table sets forth the activity in the Company’s severance-related reserves for the nine months ended September 30, 2015: (in millions) 2015 Plan (1) 2013 and 2014 Plans (2) Balance at December 31, 2014 $ — $ 18 Charges 43 — Cash payments (13 ) (12 ) Balance at September 30, 2015 $ 30 $ 6 (1) In the first quarter of 2015, the Company implemented a restructuring plan (the “2015 Plan”) and recorded a pre-tax severance charge of $12 million. In the second and third quarters of 2015, the Company recorded additional pre-tax severance charges of $15 million and $16 million, respectively. The Company expects that cash outlays related to the 2015 Plan will be substantially complete by the end of 2016. (2) In December 2013, the Company implemented a restructuring plan (the “2013 Plan”) and recorded a pre-tax severance charge of $12 million. In May 2014, the Company implemented a restructuring plan (the “2014 Plan”) and recorded pre-tax severance charges of $15 million. An additional $7 million was recorded over the balance of the year. The Company expects that cash outlays related to the 2013 and 2014 Plans will be substantially complete by the end of 2016.

Derivatives and Fair Value (Tab

Derivatives and Fair Value (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Schedule of Components of Foreign Exchange Gain (loss)	The following table details the components of foreign exchange gain (loss) included in Other income (loss), net on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss): Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended (in millions) 2015 2014 2015 2014 Revaluation of other non-functional currency assets and liabilities (1) 3 8 — (48 ) Effect of derivatives 2 (4 ) 15 (4 ) Total foreign exchange gain (loss) $ 5 $ 4 $ 15 $ (52 ) (1) Bolívar
Schedule of Fair Value of Derivative Instruments	The fair values of derivative instruments in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position are as follows: September 30, 2015 December 31, 2014 Fair Value of Derivative U.S. Dollar Notional Fair Value of Derivative U.S. Dollar Notional (in millions) Balance Sheet Caption Asset Liability Asset Liability Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments: Foreign exchange contracts Accounts receivable/ Accounts payable $ 5 $ 1 $ 182 $ 18 $ — $ 189 Interest rate caps Non-Current Assets 4 — 1,000 12 — 1,000 Interest rate swaps See below (1) — 11 525 — 12 553 Derivatives not Designated as Hedging Instruments: Foreign exchange contracts Accounts receivable/ Accounts payable — 2 171 — 2 93 Interest rate swaps See below (1) — 2 100 — 4 225 Total Derivatives $ 9 $ 16 $ 30 $ 18 (1) $2 million included in Accrued and other current liabilities and $11 million included in Other liabilities at September 30, 2015 and $1 million included in Accrued and other current liabilities and $15 million included in Other liabilities at December 31, 2014 in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position.
Schedule of Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis	The following tables summarize assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at the dates indicated: Basis of Fair Value Measurements September 30, 2015 (in millions) Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Assets Derivatives — 9 — 9 Total $ — $ 9 $ — $ 9 Liabilities Contingent consideration $ — $ — $ 30 $ 30 Derivatives — 16 — 16 Total $ — $ 16 $ 30 $ 46 December 31, 2014 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Assets Derivatives — 30 — 30 Total $ — $ 30 $ — $ 30 Liabilities Contingent consideration $ — $ — $ 24 $ 24 Derivatives — 18 — 18 Total $ — $ 18 $ 24 $ 42
Schedule of Level 3 Acquisition-Related Contingent Consideration Liabilities Carried at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis	The following table summarizes Level 3 acquisition-related contingent consideration liabilities (see Note 2) carried at fair value on a recurring basis with the use of unobservable inputs for the period indicated. (in millions) Contingent Balance at December 31, 2014 $ 24 New acquisitions 18 Cash payments (2 ) Changes in fair value estimates and foreign currency translation adjustments (10 ) Balance at September 30, 2015 $ 30
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Schedule of Effect of Derivatives on Financial Performance	The pre-tax gain (loss) recognized in earnings on derivatives not designated as hedging instruments was as follows: Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended (in millions) 2015 2014 2015 2014 Foreign exchange contracts (1) $ (5 ) $ (5 ) $ (5 ) $ (5 ) Interest rate derivatives (2) — — — — Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments $ (5 ) $ (5 ) $ (5 ) $ (5 ) (1) (2)
Cash Flow Hedging
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Schedule of Effect of Derivatives on Financial Performance	The effects of derivative instruments in cash flow hedging relationships on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) are as follows: (in millions) Effect of Derivatives on Financial Performance Amount of Income/(Loss) Location of Income/(Loss) Amount of Three Months Ended September 30, 2015 2014 2015 2014 Foreign exchange contracts $ 2 $ 15 Other income (loss), net $ 7 $ 1 Interest rate derivatives (6 ) (3 ) Interest expense — (2 ) Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 2014 2015 2014 Foreign exchange contracts $ 6 $ 12 Other income (loss), net $ 20 $ 1 Interest rate derivatives (7 ) (16 ) Interest expense — (2 )

Debt (Tables)

Debt (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Debt	The following table summarizes the Company’s debt at the dates indicated: September 30, December 31, (in millions) 2015 2014 Senior Secured Credit Facilities: Senior Secured Term A Loan due 2019—USD LIBOR at average floating rates of 2.58% $ 490 $ 307 Senior Secured Term A Loan due 2019—EUR LIBOR at average floating rates of 2.25% 140 158 Senior Secured Term B Loan due 2021—USD LIBOR at average floating rates of 3.50% 1,722 1,735 Senior Secured Term B Loan due 2021—EUR LIBOR at average floating rates of 3.75% 824 901 Revolving Credit Facility due 2019: U.S. Dollar denominated borrowings—USD LIBOR at average floating rates of 2.63% 312 215 4.125% Senior Notes due 2023 - Euro denominated 308 — 6.00% Senior Notes due 2020 - U.S. Dollar denominated 500 500 Principal Amount of Debt 4,296 3,816 Less: Unamortized Discounts (21 ) (23 ) Total Debt $ 4,275 $ 3,793
Schedule of Maturities of Long-Term Debt	Scheduled principal payments due on the Company’s debt as of September 30, 2015 for the remainder of 2015 and thereafter were as follows: Year (in millions) 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 Thereafter Total Debt $ 15 $ 59 $ 72 $ 89 $ 817 $ 3,244 $ 4,296

Pension and Postretirement Be28

Pension and Postretirement Benefits (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Compensation And Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost	The following table summarizes the components of net periodic benefit cost for the Company’s pension benefits. Pension Benefits U.S. plans Non-U.S. plans U.S. plans Non-U.S. plans Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, (in millions) 2015 2014 2015 2014 2015 2014 2015 2014 Service cost $ 3 $ 2 $ 2 $ 1 $ 9 $ 7 $ 6 $ 4 Interest cost 2 3 3 3 8 9 8 8 Expected return on plan assets (5 ) (5 ) (3 ) (3 ) (16 ) (15 ) (9 ) (9 ) Net periodic benefit cost $ — $ — $ 2 $ 1 $ 1 $ 1 $ 5 $ 3

Operations by Business Segment

Operations by Business Segment (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Schedule of Geographic Information for Operating Regions	The following represents selected geographic information for the regions in which the Company operates. (in millions) Americas (1) EMEA (2) Asia Pacific (3) Corporate & Other Total Three Months Ended September 30, 2015 Revenue (4) $ 332 $ 296 $ 107 $ - $ 735 Operating income (loss) (5) 48 52 26 (37 ) 89 2014 Revenue (4) $ 302 $ 245 $ 109 $ - $ 656 Operating income (loss) (5) 70 65 36 (78 ) 93 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 Revenue (4) $ 955 $ 830 $ 324 $ - $ 2,109 Operating income (loss) (5) 164 161 91 (140 ) 276 2014 Revenue (4) $ 885 $ 754 $ 324 $ - $ 1,963 Operating income (loss) (5) 202 207 106 (394 ) 121 In April 2015, the Company realigned its regional reporting so that India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh are included in EMEA. Previously, these countries had been included in the Asia Pacific region. Additionally in 2015, the Company made changes to its geographic reporting classifications to move some functions out of Corporate and Other and into the regions. As a result of these changes, reclassifications of prior years’ geographic financial information were made to conform to the current year presentation. The reclassifications did not change previously reported condensed consolidated results of operations. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (in millions) Americas EMEA Asia Pacific Three Months Ended September 30, 2015 $ 18 $ 4 $ 6 2014 31 21 10 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 64 22 19 2014 94 66 30

Earnings per Share (Tables)

Earnings per Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Composition of Basic and Diluted Weighted Average Shares Outstanding	The following table presents the composition of basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding: Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended (Shares in millions) 2015 2014 2015 2014 Basic weighted-average common shares outstanding 328.5 332.1 331.9 314.1 Effect of dilutive stock-based awards 7.6 10.2 8.5 — Diluted weighted-average common shares outstanding 336.1 342.3 340.4 314.1 Shares excluded from computation of diluted earnings (loss) per share: Weighted average potential common shares excluded from computation due to anti-dilutive effect 1.6 — 1.5 19.1

Basis of Presentation and Rec31

Basis of Presentation and Recently Issued Accounting Standards - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014Country	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)
Basis Of Presentation And Recent Accounting Pronouncements [Line Items]
Unamortized debt issuance costs		$ 56
Revolving Credit Facility
Basis Of Presentation And Recent Accounting Pronouncements [Line Items]
Unamortized debt issuance costs		$ 2
Outside United States | Geographic Concentration Risk | Revenue
Basis Of Presentation And Recent Accounting Pronouncements [Line Items]
Percentage of revenue generated from outside the United States	63.00%
Minimum
Basis Of Presentation And Recent Accounting Pronouncements [Line Items]
Number of countries in which the company transacts business | Country	100

Acquisitions - Additional Infor

Acquisitions - Additional Information (Detail) € in Millions, $ in Millions	Apr. 02, 2015USD ($)	Apr. 02, 2015EUR (€)	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2014USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)Acquisition	Sep. 30, 2014USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Revenue			$ 735	$ 656	$ 2,109	$ 1,963
Contingent consideration, minimum			0		0
Contingent consideration, maximum			45		45
Contingent consideration, liability			30		30			$ 24
Cegedim Acquisition
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquisition price	$ 426	€ 385
Business combination working capital adjustment | €		€ 11
Acquisition-related costs					6
Revenue			108		218
Deferred revenue adjustment to fair value			$ 2		$ 4
Cegedim Acquisition | 4.125% Senior Notes due 2023
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate			4.125%		4.125%		4.125%
All Acquisitions Excluding Cegedim Acquisition
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquisition price					$ 129
Acquisition-related costs					$ 3
Number of businesses acquired | Acquisition					10

Acquisitions - Estimated Fair V

Acquisitions - Estimated Fair Values of Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2015	Apr. 01, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill	$ 3,559		$ 3,417
Cegedim Acquisition
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash		$ 89
Accounts receivable		127
Other current assets		62
Property, plant and equipment		16
Goodwill		134
Identifiable intangible assets		258
Other assets		7
Liabilities assumed		(267)
Total purchase price allocation		$ 426

Acquisitions - Schedule of Iden

Acquisitions - Schedule of Identifiable Intangible Assets and Preliminary Estimated Useful Lives (Detail) - Cegedim Acquisition - USD ($) $ in Millions	Apr. 02, 2015	Apr. 01, 2015
Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Identifiable intangible assets		$ 258
Client Relationships
Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Identifiable intangible assets		134
Databases
Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible assets estimated useful lives	5 years
Identifiable intangible assets		86
Technology
Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Identifiable intangible assets		26
Trade Names
Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Identifiable intangible assets		$ 12
Minimum | Client Relationships
Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible assets estimated useful lives	10 years
Minimum | Technology
Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible assets estimated useful lives	2 years
Minimum | Trade Names
Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible assets estimated useful lives	10 years
Maximum | Client Relationships
Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible assets estimated useful lives	15 years
Maximum | Technology
Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible assets estimated useful lives	10 years
Maximum | Trade Names
Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible assets estimated useful lives	15 years

Acquisitions - Schedule of Pro

Acquisitions - Schedule of Pro Forma Information (Detail) - Cegedim Acquisition - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 791	$ 2,227	$ 2,379
Net income (loss)	$ 48	$ 389	$ (219)
Basic earnings (loss) per share	$ 0.15	$ 1.19	$ (0.70)
Diluted earnings (loss) per share	$ 0.14	$ 1.16	$ (0.70)

Acquisitions - Schedule of Fina

Acquisitions - Schedule of Financial Information Related to Acquisitions (Detail) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)
Amounts recorded in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position:
Goodwill	$ 220
All Acquisitions Excluding Cegedim Acquisition
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Total cost of acquisitions, net of cash acquired	129
Acquisition-related costs	3
Amounts recorded in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position:
Goodwill	86
Portion of goodwill deductible for tax purposes	26
Intangible assets	$ 74
All Acquisitions Excluding Cegedim Acquisition | Computer Software
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Weighted Average Amortization Period	5 years
Amounts recorded in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position:
Intangible assets	$ 13
All Acquisitions Excluding Cegedim Acquisition | Client Relationships
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Weighted Average Amortization Period	10 years
Amounts recorded in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position:
Intangible assets	$ 63
All Acquisitions Excluding Cegedim Acquisition | Covenant Not to Compete
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Weighted Average Amortization Period	4 years
Amounts recorded in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position:
Intangible assets	$ 5
All Acquisitions Excluding Cegedim Acquisition | Databases
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Weighted Average Amortization Period	4 years
Amounts recorded in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position:
Intangible assets	$ 4
All Acquisitions Excluding Cegedim Acquisition | Trade Names
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Weighted Average Amortization Period	3 years
Amounts recorded in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position:
Intangible assets	$ 2

Goodwill and Identifiable Int37

Goodwill and Identifiable Intangible Assets - Summary of Changes in Goodwill (Detail) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)
Goodwill Roll Forward
Beginning Balance	$ 3,417
Goodwill assigned in purchase price allocations	220
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other	(78)
Ending Balance	$ 3,559

Goodwill and Identifiable Int38

Goodwill and Identifiable Intangible Assets - Schedule of Intangible Assets (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Finite Lived And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount	$ 3,666	$ 3,427
Accumulated amortization	$ (1,397)	(1,285)
Weighted Average
Finite Lived And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted average amortization period (years)	10 years
Databases
Finite Lived And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount	$ 745	679
Accumulated amortization	$ (652)	(639)
Databases | Weighted Average
Finite Lived And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted average amortization period (years)	1 year
Client Relationships
Finite Lived And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount	$ 2,225	2,051
Accumulated amortization	$ (685)	(592)
Client Relationships | Weighted Average
Finite Lived And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted average amortization period (years)	13 years
Trade Names (Finite-Lived)
Finite Lived And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount	$ 152	142
Accumulated amortization	$ (44)	(38)
Trade Names (Finite-Lived) | Weighted Average
Finite Lived And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted average amortization period (years)	13 years
Covenants Not to Compete and Other
Finite Lived And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount	$ 36	32
Accumulated amortization	$ (16)	(16)
Covenants Not to Compete and Other | Weighted Average
Finite Lived And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted average amortization period (years)	2 years
Trade Names (Indefinite-Lived)
Finite Lived And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount	$ 508	$ 523

Goodwill and Identifiable Int39

Goodwill and Identifiable Intangible Assets - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Intangible asset amortization expense	$ 44	$ 73	$ 144	$ 220

Goodwill and Identifiable Int40

Goodwill and Identifiable Intangible Assets - Schedule of Amortization Expense Associated With Intangible Assets (Detail) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, Amortization Expense, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Expected amortization expense in the remainder of 2015	$ 46
Expected amortization expense in 2016	182
Expected amortization expense in 2017	170
Expected amortization expense in 2018	166
Expected amortization expense in 2019	164
Expected amortization expense after 2019	$ 1,033

Severance, Impairment and Oth41

Severance, Impairment and Other Charges - Schedule of Severance Related Reserves (Detail) - Severance $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)
2015 Plan
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Charges	$ 43
Cash payments	(13)
Ending balance	30
2013 and 2014 Plans
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Beginning balance	18
Cash payments	(12)
Ending balance	$ 6

Severance, Impairment and Oth42

Severance, Impairment and Other Charges - Schedule of Severance Related Reserves (Parenthetical) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	1 Months Ended		3 Months Ended			7 Months Ended
	May. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
2015 Plan
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Pre-tax severance charge			$ 16	$ 15	$ 12
2013 Plan
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Pre-tax severance charge		$ 12
2014 Plan
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Pre-tax severance charge	$ 15					$ 7

Severance, Impairment and Oth43

Severance, Impairment and Other Charges - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Impairment charges	$ 7	$ 10
Write-down of assets		3
United States
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Impaired leases for properties		$ 7

Derivatives and Fair Value - Ad

Derivatives and Fair Value - Additional Information (Detail) € in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)VEF / $	Mar. 31, 2015USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2014USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2014USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)VEF / $	Sep. 30, 2014USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015EUR (€)VEF / $	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)Country
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Total debt	$ 4,275				$ 4,275			$ 3,793
Loss on Venezuela remeasurement					7	$ 49
VENEZUELA
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Loss on Venezuela remeasurement					$ 7	49
VENEZUELA | SIMADI
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Foreign currency exchange rate | VEF / $	199				199		199
Loss on Venezuela remeasurement		$ 7
VENEZUELA | SICAD II
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Loss on Venezuela remeasurement				$ 49
Level 2
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Fair value of debt	$ 4,289				$ 4,289			$ 3,799
Net Investment Hedge
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Total debt	1,266				1,266		€ 1,130
Foreign exchange gain (loss) related to net investment hedge	$ (1)		$ 94		$ 71	$ 105
Minimum
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Number of countries in which the company transacts business | Country								100

Derivatives and Fair Value - Sc

Derivatives and Fair Value - Schedule of Components of Foreign Exchange Gain (Loss) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Revaluation of other non-functional currency assets and liabilities	$ 3	$ 8		$ (48)
Effect of derivatives	2	(4)	$ 15	(4)
Total foreign exchange gain (loss)	$ 5	$ 4	$ 15	$ (52)

Derivatives and Fair Value - 46

Derivatives and Fair Value - Schedule of Components of Foreign Exchange Gain (Loss) (Parenthetical) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Loss on Venezuela remeasurement	$ 7	$ 49
VENEZUELA
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Loss on Venezuela remeasurement	$ 7	$ 49

Derivatives and Fair Value - In

Derivatives and Fair Value - Interest Rate Risk Management - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	1 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	May. 31, 2010
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Premiums paid	$ 21,000,000
Interest Rate Cap | Designated as Hedging Instrument
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Derivative, nominal value		$ 1,000,000,000	$ 1,000,000,000
Interest Rate Cap | Designated as Hedging Instrument | Interest Rate Caps April 2014
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Derivative, nominal value	1,000,000,000
Interest Rate Cap | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Derivative, maturity period		2015-01
Interest Rate Swap | Designated as Hedging Instrument
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Derivative, nominal value		$ 525,000,000	553,000,000
Interest Rate Swap | Designated as Hedging Instrument | Interest Rate Swap Agreements April 2014
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Notional amounts, borrowings	$ 600,000,000
Derivative basis spread on variable rate	1.00%
Interest Rate Swap | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Derivative, nominal value		$ 100,000,000	$ 225,000,000
Interest Rate Swap | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument | Interest Rate Swap Agreements May 2010
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Derivative contract, period of effectiveness		2012-01
Notional amounts, borrowings				$ 375,000,000
Minimum | Designated as Hedging Instrument | Interest Rate Caps April 2014
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Strike rate	2.00%
Minimum | Interest Rate Cap | Designated as Hedging Instrument | Interest Rate Caps April 2014
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Derivative, maturity period		2017-04
Derivative contract, period of effectiveness		2014-04
Minimum | Interest Rate Swap | Designated as Hedging Instrument | Interest Rate Swap Agreements April 2014
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Derivative, maturity period		2017-03
Derivative contract, period of effectiveness		2014-04
Fixed interest payment rate	1.40%
Minimum | Interest Rate Swap | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument | Interest Rate Swap Agreements May 2010
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Fixed interest payment rate				3.00%
Maximum
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Pre-tax unrealized loss on foreign currency derivatives expected to be reclassified during next 12 months		$ (1,000,000)
Maximum | Designated as Hedging Instrument | Interest Rate Caps April 2014
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Strike rate	3.00%
Maximum | Interest Rate Cap | Designated as Hedging Instrument | Interest Rate Caps April 2014
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Derivative, maturity period		2019-04
Derivative contract, period of effectiveness		2016-04
Maximum | Interest Rate Swap | Designated as Hedging Instrument | Interest Rate Swap Agreements April 2014
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Derivative, maturity period		2021-03
Derivative contract, period of effectiveness		2014-06
Fixed interest payment rate	2.10%
Maximum | Interest Rate Swap | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument | Interest Rate Swap Agreements May 2010
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Derivative, maturity period		2016-01
Fixed interest payment rate				3.30%

Derivatives and Fair Value - 48

Derivatives and Fair Value - Schedule of Fair Value of Derivative Instruments (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Derivatives Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair Value of Derivatives Asset	$ 9	$ 30
Fair Value of Derivatives Liability	16	18
Designated as Hedging Instrument | Foreign Exchange Contracts
Derivatives Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative, nominal value	182	189
Designated as Hedging Instrument | Foreign Exchange Contracts | Accounts receivable
Derivatives Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair Value of Derivatives Asset	5	18
Designated as Hedging Instrument | Foreign Exchange Contracts | Accounts payable
Derivatives Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair Value of Derivatives Liability	1
Designated as Hedging Instrument | Interest Rate Cap
Derivatives Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative, nominal value	1,000	1,000
Designated as Hedging Instrument | Interest Rate Cap | Other Assets
Derivatives Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair Value of Derivatives Asset	4	12
Designated as Hedging Instrument | Interest Rate Swap
Derivatives Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair Value of Derivatives Liability	11	12
Derivative, nominal value	525	553
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument | Foreign Exchange Contracts
Derivatives Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative, nominal value	171	93
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument | Foreign Exchange Contracts | Accounts payable
Derivatives Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair Value of Derivatives Liability	2	2
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument | Interest Rate Swap
Derivatives Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair Value of Derivatives Liability	2	4
Derivative, nominal value	$ 100	$ 225

Derivatives and Fair Value - 49

Derivatives and Fair Value - Schedule of Fair Value of Derivative Instruments (Parenthetical) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Derivatives Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair Value of Derivatives Liability	$ 16	$ 18
Interest Rate Swap | Accrued And Other Current Liabilities
Derivatives Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair Value of Derivatives Liability	2	1
Interest Rate Swap | Other Noncurrent Liabilities
Derivatives Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair Value of Derivatives Liability	$ 11	$ 15

Derivatives and Fair Value - 50

Derivatives and Fair Value - Schedule of Effect of Derivatives on Financial Performance (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Foreign Exchange Contracts
Derivative Instruments Gain Loss [Line Items]
Amount of Income/(Loss) Recognized in AOCI	$ 2	$ 15	$ 6	$ 12
Foreign Exchange Contracts | Other Income (Loss), Net
Derivative Instruments Gain Loss [Line Items]
Amount of Income/(Loss) Reclassified from AOCI into Earnings	7	1	20	1
Interest Rate Derivatives
Derivative Instruments Gain Loss [Line Items]
Amount of Income/(Loss) Recognized in AOCI	$ (6)	(3)	$ (7)	(16)
Interest Rate Derivatives | Interest Expense
Derivative Instruments Gain Loss [Line Items]
Amount of Income/(Loss) Reclassified from AOCI into Earnings		$ (2)		$ (2)

Schedule of Pre-Tax Gain (Loss)

Schedule of Pre-Tax Gain (Loss) Recognized in Earnings on Derivatives (Detail) - Not Designated as Hedging Instrument - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments	$ (5)	$ (5)	$ (5)	$ (5)
Foreign Exchange Contracts
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments	$ (5)	$ (5)	$ (5)	$ (5)

Derivatives and Fair Value - 52

Derivatives and Fair Value - Schedule of Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Assets
Derivatives assets	$ 9	$ 30
Liabilities
Contingent consideration, liability	30	24
Derivatives liabilities	16	18
Level 3
Liabilities
Contingent consideration, liability	30	24
Fair value measurements, recurring basis
Assets
Derivatives assets	9	30
Total assets	9	30
Liabilities
Contingent consideration, liability	30	24
Derivatives liabilities	16	18
Total liabilities	46	42
Fair value measurements, recurring basis | Level 2
Assets
Derivatives assets	9	30
Total assets	9	30
Liabilities
Derivatives liabilities	16	18
Total liabilities	16	18
Fair value measurements, recurring basis | Level 3
Liabilities
Contingent consideration, liability	30	24
Total liabilities	$ 30	$ 24

Derivatives and Fair Value - 53

Derivatives and Fair Value - Schedule of Level 3 Acquisition-Related Contingent Consideration Liabilities Carried at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis (Detail) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)
Fair Value Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Beginning balance	$ 24
Ending balance	30
Level 3
Fair Value Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Beginning balance	24
New acquisitions	18
Cash payments	(2)
Changes in fair value estimates and foreign currency translation adjustments	(10)
Ending balance	$ 30

Debt - Schedule of Debt (Detail

Debt - Schedule of Debt (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal Amount of Debt	$ 4,296	$ 3,816
Less: Unamortized Discounts	(21)	(23)
Total Debt	4,275	3,793
4.125% Senior Notes due 2023 | Euro denominated
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal Amount of Debt	308
6.00% Senior Notes due 2020 | U.S. Dollar denominated
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal Amount of Debt	500	500
USD LIBOR | Revolving Credit Facility due 2019 | U.S. Dollar denominated
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal Amount of Debt	312	215
USD LIBOR | Secured Debt | Senior Secured Term A Loan due 2019
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal Amount of Debt	490	307
USD LIBOR | Secured Debt | Senior Secured Term B Loan due 2021
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal Amount of Debt	1,722	1,735
EUR LIBOR | Secured Debt | Senior Secured Term A Loan due 2019
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal Amount of Debt	140	158
EUR LIBOR | Secured Debt | Senior Secured Term B Loan due 2021
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal Amount of Debt	$ 824	$ 901

Debt - Schedule of Debt (Parent

Debt - Schedule of Debt (Parenthetical) (Detail)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Revolving Credit Facility due 2019
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, maturity year	2,019
4.125% Senior Notes due 2023 | Euro denominated
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate	4.125%
Debt instrument, maturity year	2,023
6.00% Senior Notes due 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate	6.00%
6.00% Senior Notes due 2020 | U.S. Dollar denominated
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate	6.00%
Debt instrument, maturity year	2,020
USD LIBOR | Revolving Credit Facility due 2019 | U.S. Dollar denominated
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, average floating rate	2.63%
USD LIBOR | Secured Debt | Senior Secured Term A Loan due 2019
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, average floating rate	2.58%
Debt instrument, maturity year	2,019
USD LIBOR | Secured Debt | Senior Secured Term B Loan due 2021
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, average floating rate	3.50%
Debt instrument, maturity year	2,021
EUR LIBOR | Secured Debt | Senior Secured Term A Loan due 2019
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, average floating rate	2.25%
Debt instrument, maturity year	2,019
EUR LIBOR | Secured Debt | Senior Secured Term B Loan due 2021
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, average floating rate	3.75%
Debt instrument, maturity year	2,021

Debt - Schedule of Maturities o

Debt - Schedule of Maturities of Long-Term Debt (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Long Term Debt By Maturity [Abstract]
Scheduled principal payments, 2015	$ 15
Scheduled principal payments, 2016	59
Scheduled principal payments, 2017	72
Scheduled principal payments, 2018	89
Scheduled principal payments, 2019	817
Scheduled principal payments, Thereafter	3,244
Total	$ 4,296	$ 3,816

Debt - Senior Secured Credit Fa

Debt - Senior Secured Credit Facilities - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	May. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt extinguishment losses		$ (79,000,000)
Principal amount of debt	$ 4,296,000,000			$ 3,816,000,000
Senior Secured Term A Loan due 2019 | Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Scheduled principal payments	1.25%
Senior Secured Term A Loan due 2019 | Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Scheduled principal payments	2.50%
Revolving Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, borrowing capacity	$ 500,000,000
Unused borrowing capacity	188,000,000
Revolving Credit Facility | IMS Japan K.K.
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount of debt	$ 0
Revolving Credit Facility | Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, unused capacity, commitment fee percentage	0.30%
Revolving Credit Facility | Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, unused capacity, commitment fee percentage	0.40%
Senior Secured Term B Loan due 2021
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Scheduled principal payments	0.25%
2015 Term Loan Amended
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Additional borrowing capacity under Term A loans			$ 200,000,000
Third party fees	$ 2,000,000
2014 Term Loan Amended
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Third party fees		2,000,000
Debt extinguishment losses		$ (11,000,000)
2014 Term Loan Amended | Senior Secured Term A Loan due 2019
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Additional borrowing capacity under Term A loans					$ 500,000,000
Debt instrument maturity date	2019-03
2014 Term Loan Amended | Revolving Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, borrowing capacity					$ 500,000,000
Debt instrument maturity date	2019-03
2014 Term Loan Amended | Senior Secured Term B Loan due 2021
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument maturity date	2021-03

Debt - Senior Notes and Other -

Debt - Senior Notes and Other - Additional Information (Detail) € in Millions, $ in Millions	Apr. 02, 2015USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2014USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2014USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015EUR (€)	Mar. 31, 2015
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt extinguishment losses				$ (79)
6.00% Senior Notes due 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, principal amount			$ 500
Debt instrument, interest rate			6.00%		6.00%
Debt instrument maturity date			2020-11
Debt instrument, redemption, description			The Company may redeem all or a portion of the 6% Senior Notes at predetermined redemption prices set forth in the indenture governing the 6% Senior Notes plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of redemption.
12.5% Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate		12.50%		12.50%
12.5% Senior Notes and Senior PIK Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt extinguishment losses		$ (219)
Debt instrument, make whole premium		151
Write-off of debt issuance costs and discounts		$ 68
Cegedim Acquisition | 4.125% Senior Notes due 2023
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, principal amount | €					€ 275
Debt instrument, interest rate			4.125%		4.125%	4.125%
Debt instrument maturity date			2023-04
Debt instrument, fees and expenses	$ 5
Debt instrument frequency of interest payment			Interest on the 4.125% Senior Notes is payable semi-annually each year, commencing on October 1, 2015
Debt instrument, redemption, description			The Company may redeem the 4.125% Senior Notes, in whole or in part, at any time prior to April 1, 2018 at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption, plus a “make-whole” premium. On or after April 1, 2018, the Company may redeem all or a portion of the 4.125% Senior Notes at predetermined redemption prices set forth in the indenture governing the 4.125% Senior Notes plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of redemption.
Percentage of principal amount redeemable			100.00%

Pension and Postretirement Be59

Pension and Postretirement Benefits - Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
US Pension Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	$ 3	$ 2	$ 9	$ 7
Interest cost	2	3	8	9
Expected return on plan assets	(5)	(5)	(16)	(15)
Net periodic benefit cost			1	1
Non-U.S. Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	2	1	6	4
Interest cost	3	3	8	8
Expected return on plan assets	(3)	(3)	(9)	(9)
Net periodic benefit cost	$ 2	$ 1	$ 5	$ 3

Pension and Postretirement Be60

Pension and Postretirement Benefits - Additional Information (Detail) - Other Benefits - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Contribution made to plans			$ 10
Expected contribution for the remainder of 2015			2
Maximum
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Post-retirement benefit credit	$ 1	$ 1	$ 1	$ 1

Shareholders' Equity - Addition

Shareholders' Equity - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands	May. 12, 2015	Aug. 31, 2015	May. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	May. 03, 2015
Class Of Stock [Line Items]
Amount authorized under common stock repurchase program								$ 300,000,000
Shares of common stock repurchased	11,100
Aggregate value of common stock repurchased	$ 300,000,000					$ 300,000,000
Proceeds from issuance of debt	$ 200,000,000					496,000,000	$ 499,000,000
Value per share of common stock repurchased	$ 27.0875
Number of common stock shares sold to underwriters in secondary offerings		20,000
Number of common stock shares sold in secondary public offering by selling shareholders			57,970
Selling and administrative expenses, exclusive of depreciation and amortization				$ 181,000,000	$ 139,000,000	498,000,000	$ 557,000,000
Secondary Offerings
Class Of Stock [Line Items]
Offering price per share		$ 31.17	$ 27.50
Selling and administrative expenses, exclusive of depreciation and amortization						$ 1,000,000
Over-Allotment Option
Class Of Stock [Line Items]
Number of common stock shares sold in secondary public offering by selling shareholders			6,870

Stock-Based Compensation - Addi

Stock-Based Compensation - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Millions	1 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2014USD ($)
IPO | Phantom SARs
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Cash paid to stock appreciation right holders	$ 30

Income Taxes - Additional Infor

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2015USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2014USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2014USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2014USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014Country
Income Tax [Line Items]
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes	$ 8		$ 11		$ (219)	$ (141)
Reversal of deferred tax liability		$ 256
Reserve reversals due to audit settlements				$ 6
12.5% Senior Notes
Income Tax [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate			12.50%	12.50%		12.50%
Minimum
Income Tax [Line Items]
Number of countries in which the company transacts business | Country							100

Contingencies - Additional Info

Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail) - SKI Contingency - USD ($) $ in Millions	Apr. 23, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2008
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Contingency reserve				$ 4
Additional contingency reserve			$ 2
GSA settlement amount		$ 1.5
Settlement agreement payment	$ 1.5

Related Party - Additional Info

Related Party - Additional Information (Detail) - Sponsors - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Monitoring fees paid for provision of services		$ 2
IPO
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related party transaction, settlement amount	$ 72

Operations by Business Segmen66

Operations by Business Segment - Additional Information (Detail)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015Segment	Dec. 31, 2014Country
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of operating segments	1
Number of reportable segments	1
Minimum
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of countries in which the company operates | Country		100

Operations by Business Segmen67

Operations by Business Segment - Schedule of Geographic Information for Operating Regions (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Geographical Information [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 735	$ 656	$ 2,109	$ 1,963
Operating income (loss)	89	93	276	121
Americas
Geographical Information [Line Items]
Revenue	332	302	955	885
Operating income (loss)	48	70	164	202
EMEAI
Geographical Information [Line Items]
Revenue	296	245	830	754
Operating income (loss)	52	65	161	207
Asia Pacific
Geographical Information [Line Items]
Revenue	107	109	324	324
Operating income (loss)	26	36	91	106
Corporate and Other
Geographical Information [Line Items]
Operating income (loss)	$ (37)	$ (78)	$ (140)	$ (394)

Operations by Business Segmen68

Operations by Business Segment - Schedule of Geographic Information for Operating Regions (Parenthetical) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Geographical Information [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 735	$ 656	$ 2,109	$ 1,963
Depreciation and amortization expense	44	73	144	220
United States
Geographical Information [Line Items]
Revenue	283	249	806	718
Japan
Geographical Information [Line Items]
Revenue	58	63	181	193
Americas
Geographical Information [Line Items]
Revenue	332	302	955	885
Americas | Assets Recorded In Connection With Merger Transaction
Geographical Information [Line Items]
Depreciation and amortization expense	18	31	64	94
EMEAI
Geographical Information [Line Items]
Revenue	296	245	830	754
EMEAI | Assets Recorded In Connection With Merger Transaction
Geographical Information [Line Items]
Depreciation and amortization expense	4	21	22	66
Asia Pacific
Geographical Information [Line Items]
Revenue	107	109	324	324
Asia Pacific | Assets Recorded In Connection With Merger Transaction
Geographical Information [Line Items]
Depreciation and amortization expense	$ 6	$ 10	$ 19	$ 30

Earnings per Share - Compositio

Earnings per Share - Composition of Basic and Diluted Weighted Average Shares Outstanding (Detail) - shares shares in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Basic weighted-average common shares outstanding	328.5	332.1	331.9	314.1
Effect of dilutive stock-based awards	7.6	10.2	8.5
Diluted weighted-average common shares outstanding	336.1	342.3	340.4	314.1
Shares excluded from computation of diluted earnings (loss) per share:
Weighted average potential common shares excluded from computation due to anti-dilutive effect	1.6		1.5	19.1