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Cognizant Technology Solutions

ctsh · NASDAQ Technology
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Sector Technology
Industry Information Technology Services
Employees 10,000+
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FY2019 Annual Report · Cognizant Technology Solutions
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Engineering 
Modern 
Businesses

ANNUAL R EP O RT 2 01 9

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Powering the
Next Phase
of Growth

Corporate information

Directors

Michael Patsalos-Fox (CC) (FC) (GC) 

Chairman of the Board 

Cognizant

Former CEO                                               

Stroz Friedberg 

Executive officers

Brian Humphries 

Chief Executive Officer

Karen McLoughlin 

Chief Financial Officer

Former Chairman, the Americas   

McKinsey & Company 

Robert Telesmanic 

Senior Vice President,   

Zein Abdalla (FC) (GC*) 

Former President 

PepsiCo

Vinita Bali  

Former CEO and Managing Director  

Britannia Industries

Former Vice President                                                                     

The Coca-Cola Company

Maureen Breakiron-Evans (AC*) (GC) 

Former CFO 

Towers Perrin

Controller and Chief Accounting Officer

Matthew Friedrich 

Executive Vice President,                  

General Counsel, Chief Corporate Affairs 

Officer and Secretary

Becky Schmitt 

Executive Vice President  

Chief People Officer

Dharmendra Kumar Sinha 

Executive Vice President  

President, North America

Malcolm Frank 

Executive Vice President 

Executive offices

Glenpointe Centre West 

500 Frank W. Burr Blvd. 

Teaneck, NJ 07666 

Phone: 201.801.0233 

www.cognizant.com

Form 10-K

A copy of the Company’s Annual Report 

on Form 10-K is available without charge 

upon request by contacting Investor 

Relations.

Common stock information

The Company’s Class A Common Stock 

(CTSH) is listed on the Nasdaq Global 

Select Market.

Annual meeting

The Company’s annual meeting  

of stockholders will be held on  

Tuesday, June 2, 2020 via live webcast at  

www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/

CTSH2020 

Online check-in begins at 9:15 am;  

Archana Deskus 

Chief Information Officer 

Intel

John M. Dineen (AC) (FC*)  

Former President & CEO 

GE Healthcare

John N. Fox, Jr. (CC*) (GC) 

Former Vice Chairman 

Deloitte & Touche

Brian Humphries 

Chief Executive Officer 

Cognizant

Leo S. Mackay, Jr. (AC) (CC) 

Senior Vice President,                             

Ethics & Enterprise Assurance 

Lockheed Martin

Joseph M. Velli (AC) (CC) 

Former Senior Executive Vice President 

The Bank of New York

Sandra S. Wijnberg (AC) (FC) 

Former Partner 

Aquiline Holdings

Board committees

AC Audit

FC  Finance & Strategy

CC Management Development    

     & Compensation

GC Nominating, Governance & Public Affairs

 * Denotes committee chairperson

President, Cognizant Digital Business

meeting begins at 9:30 am.

Balu Ganesh Ayyar 

Executive Vice President                 

President, Cognizant Digital Operations

Independent registered   

public accounting firm

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP 

Greg Hyttenrauch                               

Executive Vice President                 

President, Cognizant Digital Systems        

& Technology

300 Madison Avenue 

New York, NY 10017

Transfer agent

Pradeep Shilige                                   

Executive Vice President                            

Head of Global Delivery

American Stock Transfer & 

Trust Company, LLC 

6201 15th Avenue 

Brooklyn, NY 11219

Investor relations

For more information, contact: 

Katie Royce                                            

Global Head of Investor Relations      

Katie.Royce@cognizant.com.

This Annual Report includes statements which may constitute forward-looking statements made pursuant 

to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, the accuracy of which 

are necessarily subject to risks, uncertainties, and assumptions as to future events that may not prove to be 

accurate. These statements include, but are not limited to, express or implied forward-looking statements 

relating to our expectations regarding opportunities in the marketplace, our cost structure, investment in and 

growth of our business, our realignment plans, the timing, cost and impact of the 2020 Fit for Growth Plan, 

our shift to digital solutions and services, our anticipated financial performance, our capital deployment plan 

and clarification, if any, by the Indian government as to the application of the Supreme Court’s ruling related 

to the India Defined Contribution Obligation. These statements are neither promises nor guarantees, but 

are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, which could cause 

actual  results  to  differ  materially  from  those  contemplated  in  these  forward-looking  statements.  Existing 

and prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, 

which  speak  only  as  of  the  date  hereof.  Factors  that  could  cause  actual  results  to  differ  materially  from 

those expressed or implied include general economic conditions, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, 

changes  in  the  regulatory  environment,  including  with  respect  to  immigration  and  taxes,  and  the  other 

factors discussed in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and other filings with the SEC. Cognizant 

undertakes  no  obligation to  update  or  revise  any forward-looking  statements, whether  as  a  result  of  new 

information, future events, or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities law.

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THE PARADIGM HAS SHIFTED and transformation is on every 
agenda. At modern businesses everywhere, new technologies 
are being put to work that will enable the next great era of 
growth. Data-fueled business models are driving continuous 
change, with IoT, AI, digital engineering and cloud working 
as one to make organizations more relevant than ever. For 
companies on the journey, the question is no longer whether 
to keep investing in technology; it is how much to invest and 
where to focus next. Competition is nimble, expectations are 
higher, and the gap between business as usual and industry 
leaders continues to widen. Yet, no matter how quickly 
technology changes or how great the challenge, Cognizant 
is committed to keeping our clients modern—and serving 
them in exactly the ways they need, in times of progress and 
during crisis.

Just as this is a pivotal moment for communities across the 
globe and institutions on the path to modernization, it is an 
important turning point for our organization. We’re laying the 
foundation for future growth by embracing a new purpose, one 
that will guide and inspire the actions we take as individuals, 
as teams and as an enterprise. At Cognizant, we are working to 
ensure that the impact of these technologies lives up to their 
promise: to modernize our clients’ businesses and enhance the 
lives of people around the world.

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To Our 
Shareholders

1 See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” on pages 27-29 of the Annual Report on Form 10-K, which is included in this Annual Report.

2 Free cash flow is a non-GAAP financial measure. See footnote 4 on page 26 for additional information.

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The backdrop to this year’s annual report is a stark reminder 
of the truly integrated nature of the world. As of this writing, 
the COVID-19 pandemic continues to take a severe toll on 
humanity and the global economy. Never in recent memory 
has there been a greater need for society to come together 
for the greater good of all. This is a test of leadership for those 
who exercise power and decision-making authority.

Cognizant’s priority in dealing with this crisis 
has been to protect the health and safety of 
our associates, whilst maintaining business 
continuity for our clients and supporting our 
communities. We rapidly enabled work-from-
home capabilities to help protect the health and 
safety of our associates and maintain continuity 
of service for our clients, while reinforcing 
protocols to safeguard their data and systems.  

Our associates have risen to the challenge of 
serving our clients with empathy, initiative, 
integrity and courage—all while supporting and 
uplifting one another. We are deeply grateful for 
their dedication and leadership. In recognition 
of their heroic efforts, we have modified global 
human resources policies and provided targeted 
incremental financial support to our associates.

I am proud of our life sciences teams, who are 
partnering with several life sciences companies 
that are in the vanguard of speeding the 
development of diagnostics and therapies for 
COVID-19. For example, our teams are delivering 
critical business process services to a leading 
supplier of COVID-19 diagnostic kits and 
providing business and technology services in 
support of clinical trials for vaccine candidates. 

It is important to us to contribute to the global 
effort to combat illness and viral disease.

In April, we announced an initial $10 million 
commitment to support communities around the 
world in addressing the immediate and long-term 
impacts of COVID-19. Cognizant and its U.S.- and 
India-based foundations aim to provide critical 
resources to strengthen public health systems, 
education and workforce institutions, as well as 
the economic outlook of communities worldwide.

During the pre-pandemic months of 2020, our 
optimism about the business was growing. 
Over the prior 12 months, we had made 
significant progress in what we expect will 
be a multi-year effort to reposition Cognizant 
to achieve its full growth potential.  

Cognizant’s full-year 2019 revenue grew 4.1%, or 
5.2% in constant currency,1 to $16.8 billion. GAAP 
operating margin was 14.6%, GAAP diluted EPS 
was $3.29 and free cash flow was $2.1 billion.2 
In 2019, the company returned approximately 
$2.6 billion to shareholders through share 
repurchases and dividend payments as part of 
our capital return program. In February 2020, 
we announced a 10% increase in our quarterly 

1 See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” on pages 27-29 of the Annual Report on Form 10-K, which is included in this Annual Report.

2 Free cash flow is a non-GAAP financial measure. See footnote 4 on page 26 for additional information.

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cash dividend, the second increase since 
initiating a dividend in 2017, and the Board 
of Directors increased our share repurchase 
authorization by $2 billion to a total of $7.5 
billion, of which $1.9 billion remains unutilized.

Guided by our purpose

As a 290,000-person knowledge business that 
spans a multi-generational and diverse workforce, 
we recognize the importance of having a clearly 
defined purpose, vision and values. Our vision 
is to be “the preeminent technology services 
partner to the Global 2000 C-suite.” We aim to 
achieve this by focusing the entire company 
on our new purpose: “We engineer modern 
businesses to improve everyday life.” These 
statements about who we strive to be, coupled 
with appropriate values and behaviors, set the 
tone for why we are in business and relevant 
to society, how we will measure success and 
what achievements we will celebrate in the 
years ahead.

Executing the recommendations of the 
transformation office, which we established in 
mid-2019 to optimize our strategy, structure, 
commercial posture, delivery and costs, will 
position us well to achieve these aspirations. 

A strategy for the challenges 
and opportunities ahead

Macro demand has been and will likely continue 
to be meaningfully hurt by COVID-19, and this will 
certainly impact our 2020 financial performance. 
As we weather this crisis, including taking actions 
to strengthen our financial flexibility, we are also 
preparing for the post-COVID-19 world, which will 
require differentiated solutions for our clients and 
new methodologies and behaviors in our future 
work environment. We aim not just to recover 
but also to emerge stronger through our close 
partnerships with our associates, clients and 
communities. 

The implications of this pandemic will 
lead to clients accelerating their shift to 
This pandemic will lead clients to 
operating with digital business models. 
accelerate their shift to operating 
Digital channels in every industry, 
with digital business models. 
including retail, education, and 
Digital channels in every industry, 
healthcare, will increase in relevance. 
Remote access to work will be made 
including retail, education and 
stronger and more secure. Major IT 
healthcare, will increase in 
trends such as core modernization 
relevance. Remote access to work 
and cloud adoption will accelerate. 
will be made stronger and more 
And clients will need to quickly evolve 
secure. Major IT trends such as 
into modern businesses that are able 
to stay relevant, on top of era-defining 
core modernization and cloud 
innovations, and sustain growth in 
adoption will accelerate. Clients 
the face of continuous technological 
will need to quickly evolve into 
change. All of which will make our 
modern businesses that are 
vision, purpose, and strategy more 
able to stay relevant, remain on 
relevant than ever. 
top of era-defining innovations 
and sustain growth in the face 
of continuous technological 
change. All of this will make our 
vision, purpose and strategy 
more relevant than ever.  

Against this backdrop, our strategy aims 
to protect and optimize our traditional 
business whilst winning in four strategic 
digital battlegrounds: AI and analytics, digital 
engineering, cloud and IoT. In refining our 
strategic posture, we also exited certain content-
related work no longer in line with our priorities. 

We will increasingly lead with technology 
consulting as part of our overall evolution to more 
managed, outcome-based client engagements. 
Our industry expertise will remain a core value 
proposition. We aim to significantly increase the 
scale of our international business, which has 
significant growth potential. 

This strategy will help our clients increase their 

competitiveness through business model and 

technology innovation, greater efficiency and 

agility, and superior customer experiences. It will 

also ensure that Cognizant is exposed to faster 

growth categories, allowing us to accelerate 

revenue growth.

Cognizant goes to market in four industry-

based business segments: Financial Services; 

Healthcare; Products and Resources; and 

Communications, Media and Technology. We 

help clients apply their data to drive business 

growth and efficiencies through the combined 

capabilities and solution portfolios of our 

three practice areas: Digital Business, Digital 

Operations, and Digital Systems and Technology. 

Cognizant’s investments across talent, deep 

domain expertise, solutions, ecosystem 

partnerships and acquisitions enable 

us to help clients remodel their legacy 

technology platforms and conceive, develop 

and realize meaningful business outcomes 

and increased operational efficiencies.    

For example, we are partnering with Con 

Edison, one of the U.S.’s largest energy delivery 

organizations, to modernize its application 

and technology infrastructure to better serve 

10 million customers in New York City and 

the surrounding regions. We are working with 

Network Rail, Britain’s principal rail infrastructure 

owner, to help make the country’s railways safer 

and more efficient. In addition, global healthcare 

and nutrition leader Bayer, headquartered 

in Germany, has engaged Cognizant to help 

accelerate its company-wide digitization 

to speed the delivery of new health and 

agriculture solutions.

Having invested significant effort clarifying and 

communicating our strategy in 2019, we are 

aligning everything we do with its execution. This 

starts with tried-and-true practices that have 

resulted in our long record of accomplishments. 

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The implications of this pandemic will 

lead to clients accelerating their shift to 

operating with digital business models. 

Digital channels in every industry, 

including retail, education, and 

healthcare, will increase in relevance. 

Remote access to work will be made 

stronger and more secure. Major IT 

trends such as core modernization 

and cloud adoption will accelerate. 

And clients will need to quickly evolve 

into modern businesses that are able 

to stay relevant, on top of era-defining 

innovations, and sustain growth in 

the face of continuous technological 

change. All of which will make our 

vision, purpose, and strategy more 

relevant than ever. 

Against this backdrop, our strategy aims 

to protect and optimize our traditional 

business whilst winning in four strategic 

digital battlegrounds: AI and analytics, digital 

engineering, cloud and IoT. In refining our 

strategic posture, we also exited certain content-

related work no longer in line with our priorities. 

We will increasingly lead with technology 

consulting as part of our overall evolution to more 

managed, outcome-based client engagements. 

Our industry expertise will remain a core value 

proposition. We aim to significantly increase the 

scale of our international business, which has 

significant growth potential. 

This strategy will help our clients increase their 
competitiveness through business model and 
technology innovation, greater efficiency and 
agility, and superior customer experiences. It will 
also ensure that Cognizant is exposed to faster 
growth categories, allowing us to accelerate 
revenue growth.

Cognizant goes to market in four industry-
based business segments: Financial Services; 
Healthcare; Products and Resources; and 
Communications, Media and Technology. We 
help clients apply their data to drive business 
growth and efficiencies through the combined 
capabilities and solution portfolios of our 
three practice areas: Digital Business, Digital 
Operations, and Digital Systems and Technology. 

Cognizant’s investments across talent, deep 
domain expertise, solutions, ecosystem 
partnerships and acquisitions enable 
us to help clients remodel their legacy 
technology platforms and conceive, develop 
and realize meaningful business outcomes 
and increased operational efficiencies.    

For example, we are partnering with Con 
Edison, one of the U.S.’s largest energy delivery 
organizations, to modernize its application 
and technology infrastructure to better serve 
10 million customers in New York City and 
the surrounding regions. We are working with 
Network Rail, Britain’s principal rail infrastructure 
owner, to help make the country’s railways safer 
and more efficient. In addition, global healthcare 
and nutrition leader Bayer, headquartered 
in Germany, has engaged Cognizant to help 
accelerate its company-wide digitization 
to speed the delivery of new health and 
agriculture solutions.

Having invested significant effort clarifying and 
communicating our strategy in 2019, we are 
aligning everything we do with its execution. This 
starts with tried-and-true practices that have 
resulted in our long record of accomplishments. 

We have emphasized a back-to-basics approach 
that includes delivering value to clients every day, 
running our business with operational rigor and 
the highest ethical standards, making revenue 
growth a top priority, and streamlining processes 
to empower associates and avoid bureaucracy. 

Investing in associates, 
partners and people

Executing our strategy shapes how we allocate 
capital, develop client relationships and industry 
partnerships, structure the organization, position 
our brand and upskill associates.

To ensure our associates have the right digital 
skills, we will continue to invest in Cognizant 
Academy, our in-house training organization, 
so more of our talented professionals can be 
redeployed in support of our digital imperatives. 
To speed digital momentum, we plan to hire or 
reskill approximately 25,000 people in 2020.

Winning in digital requires a broad ecosystem of 
partners. Our strategic partners are among the 
most trusted names in technology and include 
Adobe, AWS, Google Cloud, Microsoft, Oracle, 
Salesforce, SAP and ServiceNow. This year we 
plan to double the number of associates who 
support our strategic alliances.  

As cloud computing has changed the way IT 
is delivered across infrastructure, applications, 
and platforms, we have built especially close 
relationships with leading hyperscale companies 
and SaaS (software-as-a-service) vendors. For 
example, in recent months, we have announced 
three acquisitions that extend our cloud 
capabilities and alignment with one of our 
most valued strategic partners, Salesforce. We 
have agreed to acquire the French operations 
of EI-Technologies, and acquired both Code 
Zero Consulting and Lev, further broadening 
our Salesforce offerings to make it easier and 
more affordable for clients to create digital value 
through the cloud.

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We plan to intensify our focus in 2020 
on our social responsibility and sense of 
interdependence with the larger world. 
Economic development hinges on human 
development. We are eager to create new 
pathways into today’s economy for those 
seeking to join the digital workforce. Cognizant 
U.S. Foundation, launched in 2018 with a $100 
million investment from the company, supports 
STEM education and skills training across the 
country. So far, Cognizant U.S. Foundation has 
awarded $30 million to organizations working 
to educate and train the next generation of 
workers in communities throughout the country.  

In India, Cognizant Foundation, established in 
2005, supports projects that broaden access 
to quality education, healthcare and improved 
livelihoods that, in aggregate, have affected 
more than 3.5 million people. For example, 
India has about 12 million individuals who are 
blind, and nearly three-quarters of these cases 
could have been prevented with timely medical 
intervention. In response, Cognizant Foundation 
has focused on preventing avoidable blindness 
by supporting tertiary eye care centers. 

In addition, Cognizant Outreach provides a 
global platform for our associates to volunteer 
their time and talent to enhance the quality of 
education, conserve and protect the environment, 
and participate in community welfare initiatives. 
Last year, our associates across 27 countries 
contributed more than 600,000 volunteer hours.

We are committed to a culture that makes all 
people feel welcomed, recognized, included, 

connected and valued. We aim to be a leader 
in closing the gender diversity gap in the 
technology industry. To that end, our Women 
Empowered program is an example of an 
initiative that is committed to developing more 
women leaders at all levels of our company. I am 
proud to say that Cognizant is now more than 
100,000 women strong across 48 countries, 
representing over 100 nationalities. We view 
this as a milestone—not an end point.

In these unprecedented times, I would like 
more than ever to express my sincere gratitude 
and appreciation for our more than 290,000 
talented associates across Cognizant. I admire 
their determination and optimism as they 
go about helping our clients be successful 
by solving their most pressing challenges. I 
know I speak on their behalf when I say we are 
passionately focused on returning Cognizant 
to being the IT services industry bellwether.

We thank you, our shareholders, 
for your continued support.

contribute more than 600,000 volunteer hours, 
impacting over 100,000 people.

We are committed to a culture that makes all 
people feel welcomed, recognized, included, 
connected, and valued. We aim to be a leader in 
closing the gender diversity gap in the technology 
industry. To that end, our Women Empowered 
program is an example of an initiative that is 
Brian Humphries
Chief Executive Officer
April 22, 2020

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Today’s businesses 
need more than just 
the latest technologies 
to stay relevant.

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Today’s businesses 

need more than just 

the latest technologies 

to stay relevant.

They must solve real, 
human problems.

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We engineer modern 
businesses to improve 
everyday life.

This is our purpose.

It’s how we help businesses and institutions stay 
relevant, keep on top of era-defining innovations 
and sustain growth in the face of continuous 
technological change.

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We engineer modern 
businesses to improve 
everyday life.

AT THE HEART of our new purpose is a desire to improve, not just our clients’ businesses, but also the 
lives of the people they serve. We’re focused on keeping enterprises one step ahead of their industries, 
ensuring our clients have the technological capabilities to enhance the everyday. 

Today, we’re executing on this purpose by helping our clients address daily needs and achieve their 
digital priorities, and by being the partner they turn to in IoT, AI, digital engineering and cloud—the 
technologies that are changing the nature of business.

Our purpose draws on the best of Cognizant: the drive to see our clients succeed; our entrepreneurial, 
get-it-done spirit; the confidence with which we deliver; and our deeply collaborative working style. 
Now, we’re also emphasizing a Cognizant designed for what’s ahead—a company where ingenuity 
fuels innovation, persistence uncovers new perspectives and an orientation for performance 
generates crucial results. 

As companies and communities navigate the unprecedented challenges caused by the ongoing 
pandemic, we’re helping our clients adapt their businesses to a new normal. And as industries change, 
and change again, we will be there to envision, design, build and maintain technologies and services 
that keep our clients modern, and ensure they’re ready for every era.

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We’re helping our 
clients focus on the 
digital technologies 
that will make— 
and keep—them 
modern, ensuring 
their relevance today 
and into the future.

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IoT

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MODERN BUSINESSES ARE BRINGING THE  
PHYSICAL AND DIGITAL TOGETHER TO IMPROVE 
EVERYDAY EXPERIENCES.

Real-world, real-time data is fueling bold new business models. 
As a preferred IoT partner to leaders across industries, 
Cognizant is bringing instrumentation to the physical world, 
gathering data, extracting insights and creating new value for 
our clients. Together, we’re optimizing industrial performance 
by engineering awareness into smart vehicles, buildings and 
products. By generating new data and acting on it, IoT is making 
new realities more tangible for our clients and their customers.

IoT STOPS FOOD WASTE  FROM EATING INTO 

PRICING AND PROFITS

By sensing and reacting to anomalies in refrigerator 
temperatures, Cognizant helped a large U.S.-based 
retailer reduce its $2 billion of food waste by 40% while 
improving food safety. 

HFS: Top 10 IoT Service Providers 2019

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AI

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MODERN BUSINESSES ARE GETTING  
SMARTER, FASTER—TURNING RAW DATA 
INTO INFORMED ACTION. 

Fast-learning businesses manage the data that matters and 
combine it with intelligence to improve productivity, reduce 
costs and create moments of magic for consumers. Cognizant 
is a trusted guide for companies on the journey to becoming 
more data-driven. We help clients modernize their businesses 
quickly by making their data more easily accessible in as few as 
four weeks. Once data has been converted from a liability into 
a business asset, we can help organizations improve decision 
making with Cognizant Evolutionary AITM—a pioneering solution 
that discovers effective strategies automatically based on 
historical data and optimizes existing machine learning models. 

AI CUTS CREDIT CARD FRAUD IN REAL TIME

Cognizant built a machine-learning model that saves 
a global bank $150 million annually by automating 
transaction decisions in milliseconds and reducing 
credit card fraud by 35%. 

A Leader in the Forrester WaveTM: AI Consultancies, Q3 2019 
Leader in IDC MarketScape Worldwide Artificial Intelligence           
Services 2019 Vendor Assessment, Q2 20193

3 Document number US44514819

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Digital
Engineering

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MODERN BUSINESSES ARE CREATING SOFTWARE 
THAT KEEPS THEM INVALUABLE TO THEIR 
CUSTOMERS OVER THE LONG TERM.

Already, some of the best experiences of our everyday lives 
are fueled by software. At Cognizant, we help established 
businesses adapt to this new reality at enterprise scale, 
designing and deploying software that makes them better 
banks, better insurers, better retailers. With our agile 
engineering approach, global delivery model and cross-industry 
expertise, we enable the rapid prototyping and delivery that 
helps our clients grow market share and ensure continued 
relevance to their customers through changing times.

SOFTWARE HELPS ORGANIZATIONS SLOW THE 

SPREAD OF DISEASE

Cognizant helped a leader in the prevention and 
mitigation of epidemic disease risk build a platform 
to inform its work with government agencies and 
insurers, facilitating everything from data aggregation 
to visualization to real-time analysis.

HFS Winner’s Circle: Software Product Engineering

CO GNIZ ANT 2019 ANNUAL  REP ORT

    21

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Cloud

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MODERN BUSINESSES ARE USING THE RIGHT 
CLOUD FOR EVERY APPLICATION TO DRIVE 
BEST-IN-CLASS PERFORMANCE AND UNLEASH 
BIG OPPORTUNITIES.

When it comes to cloud, the devil is in the details—get it right, 
and the upsides can be big for any business. Since migration and 
integration are never one-size-fits-all, our industry knowledge 
and technical skills can be the difference between the right 
cloud and a missed opportunity. At Cognizant, we recognize 
that requirements differ dramatically across IT environments 
and enterprise applications, so we rely on our process expertise, 
hands-on technical experience and close relationships throughout 
the partnership ecosystem to build the right solutions for clients. 
Because the right cloud goes beyond technology to empower 
employees, streamline processes, enhance products and 
experiences, and transform businesses. 

CLOUD SPEEDS ACCESS TO HEALTH DATA THAT HELPS 

RESEARCHERS FIND CURES

Cognizant helped a global pharmaceuticals company 
migrate 150 terabytes of data—10 times the amount 
of material in the Library of Congress—to an Amazon 
Web Services cloud platform, improving retrieval speeds 
by up to 50%.

A Leader in Everest Group DevOps Services PEAK MatrixTM 2019

Leader in ISG’s Provider LensTM Private/Hybrid Cloud – Data Center 
Services and Solutions 2019

CO GNIZ ANT 2019 ANNUAL  REP ORT

    23

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Cognizant associates  

Since serving our clients is our top priority, we are always seeking ways to improve. This year, we’ve 

continued to invest in Cognizant Academy to train more of our talent in the digital technologies that are 

increasingly essential. We plan to hire or reskill approximately 25,000 people in 2020. By developing our 

associates in areas such as IoT, AI and analytics, digital engineering and cloud, we’re preparing to power 

every client engagement with the digital nuts and bolts of modern businesses. Cognizant associates vol-

unteered more than 600,000 hours of their time and talents in 2019, making an immediate difference in 

neighborhoods and nations around the globe. And since diversity is a potent source of innovation for any 

organization, we have a variety of affinity groups supporting women, LGBT+, veterans, people with disabili-

ties, working parents and other historically underserved populations within our ranks.

We’re improving 
everyday life at 
Cognizant, with 
our clients and for 
people everywhere. 

COMMUNITIES

CLIENTS

370583_CGZ_AnnualReport_04_14_2020_MARKUP_NARR_R1.indd   24

4/17/20   9:33 PM

 
 
Our purpose keeps Cognizant client-centric, which Cognizant has 
been throughout our 26 years, and which will always remain one 
of our most fundamental guiding values. By focusing on what’s 
important to our clients, and helping them achieve their missions, 
we enhance the lives of the customers, consumers and citizens 
they serve around the world. Every day, across our organization, we 
challenge ourselves to find new ways to improve everyday life—within 
Cognizant, through our clients and for the communities they shape.

Cognizant associates

Since serving our clients is our top priority, we are always seeking ways to improve. This year, 
we’ve continued to invest in Cognizant Academy to train more of our talent in the digital technologies 
that are increasingly essential. We plan to hire or reskill approximately 25,000 people in 2020. By 
developing our associates in areas such as IoT, AI and analytics, digital engineering and cloud, we’re 
preparing to power every client engagement with the digital nuts and bolts of modern businesses. 
Cognizant associates volunteered more than 600,000 hours of their time and talents in 2019, making 
an immediate difference in neighborhoods and nations around the globe. And since diversity is 
a potent source of innovation for any organization, we have a variety of affinity groups supporting 
women, LGBT+, veterans, people with disabilities, working parents and other historically underserved 
populations within our ranks.

Clients

Our purpose is activated through our clients’ organizations. Whether we’re helping leaders in 
the life sciences bring lifesaving therapies to market faster or streamlining the critical systems that 
make financial institutions—and the global economy—more resilient, we’re improving lives by 
modernizing the companies society depends on. We take pride in helping our clients stay relevant 
and responsive to their customers, working relentlessly to earn and keep their trust. With markets 
demanding more agility, and worldwide challenges forcing us all to rethink how we live, work and play, 
Cognizant will continue to be here for our clients, so they can be there for the people they serve.     

Communities everywhere

The work we do has a direct impact on the consumers and citizens of the societies in which we 
operate: making shopping smarter and drugs safer, keeping trains on schedule and small business 
grants swift. We are not only committed to helping our clients become data-enabled and data-driven, 
but we’re also preparing the U.S. workforce for the new economy. Launched in 2018 with an initial 
investment of $100 million, the Cognizant U.S. Foundation has awarded $30 million to organizations 
providing STEM educational opportunities. In addition to our efforts in the U.S., we’re partnering with 
schools and other learning programs in communities around the world where new capabilities will 
present new possibilities. We are also pursuing a range of efforts that reduce our carbon footprint, 
water consumption and waste generation. 

CO GNIZ ANT 2019 ANNUAL REP ORT

    25

 
2019 performance

$16.8

$16.1

$14.8

$2,801

$2,481

$2,453

SUSTAINED
GROWTH

$13.5

$12.4

$2,289

$2,142

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

Revenue 
in billions         
CAGR (5-yr): 10%

Operating income 
in millions         
CAGR (5-yr): 5%

BALANCED
CAPITAL
ALLOCATION

$2.6B

Capital return 
through dividends 
and share purchases 

Growing expertise through acquisitions  
In 2019, we expanded our digital, geographic and industry capabilities

STRONG CASH
GENERATION

$2.1B

Free cash flow 4 

    26

      CO GNIZ ANT ANN UAL REP O RT 201 9

DevOps and cloud
transformation consultancy

Creative content agency

Financial software firm

Financial technology services

Life sciences 
technology company

4 Free cash flow is not a measurement of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP and is defined 
as cash flows from operating activities ($2,499 million) net of purchases of property and equipment ($392 million). 
Management  uses  free  cash  flow  to  evaluate  period-to-period  comparisons  and  comparisons  of  our  results  to 
those of our competitors, and therefore believes that it provides a meaningful supplemental measure to evaluate 
our financial performance. This non-GAAP financial measure is not based on any comprehensive set of accounting 
rules or principles and should not be considered a substitute for, or superior to, financial measures calculated in 
accordance  with  GAAP.  It  may  be  different  from  non-GAAP  financial  measures  used  by  other  companies  and 
should be read in conjunction with our financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP.

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Table of Contents

 UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K 

FOR ANNUAL AND TRANSITION REPORTS 
PURSUANT TO SECTIONS 13 OR 15(d) OF THE 
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 

(Mark One)

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF
For the transition period from                      to                     

Commission File Number 0-24429 

OR

 COGNIZANT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS CORPORATION 

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

Delaware
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization)

Glenpointe Centre West
500 Frank W. Burr Blvd.
Teaneck, New Jersey
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

13-3728359
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

07666
(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (201) 801-0233

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: 

Title of each class
Class A Common Stock, $0.01 par value

Trading Symbol(s)
CTSH
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None 

Name of each exchange on which registered
The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.    

  Yes     

  No 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.    

  Yes     

  No 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or 

for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.     

  Yes    

  No 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this 

chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).     

  Yes   

  No 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the 

definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. 

Large Accelerated Filer

Non-accelerated Filer

Accelerated Filer

Smaller Reporting Company

Emerging Growth Company

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting 

standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).    

  Yes     

  No 

The aggregate market value of the registrant’s voting shares of common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant on June 28, 2019, based on $63.39 per share, the last reported sale 

price on the Nasdaq Global Select Market of the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC on that date, was $34.9 billion. 

The number of shares of Class A common stock, $0.01 par value, of the registrant outstanding as of February 7, 2020 was 548,637,106 shares. 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE 
The following documents are incorporated by reference into the Annual Report on Form 10-K: Portions of the registrant’s definitive Proxy Statement for its 2020 Annual Meeting of 

Stockholders are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Report. 

 
 
 
 
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I

Item

PART I

1.

Business

1A. Risk Factors

1B. Unresolved Staff Comments

2.

3.

Properties

Legal Proceedings

4. Mine Safety Disclosures

PART II

5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases 

of Equity Securities

6.

Selected Financial Data

7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

8.

9.

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

9A. Controls and Procedures

9B. Other Information

PART III

10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

11. Executive Compensation

12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related 

Stockholder Matters

13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services

PART IV

15. Exhibits, Financial Statements Schedules
16. Form 10-K Summary

SIGNATURES
EXHIBIT INDEX
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT 

SCHEDULE

Page
1

1

8

14

14

14

14

15

15

17

18

37

38

38

38

39

40

40

40

40

40

40

41

41
43
44
41

F-1

Table of Contents  

Item 1. Business

Overview

centers.

Business Segments

Cognizant  is  one  of  the  world’s  leading  professional  services  companies,  transforming  clients’  business,  operating  and 

technology models for the digital era. Our services include digital services and solutions, consulting, application development, 

systems integration, application testing, application maintenance, infrastructure services and business process services. Digital 

services have become an increasingly important part of our portfolio, aligning with our clients' focus on becoming data-enabled, 

customer-centric and differentiated businesses. We tailor our services and solutions to specific industries with an integrated global 

delivery model that employs client service and delivery teams based at client locations and dedicated global and regional delivery 

Certain  terms  used  in  this  Annual  Report  on  Form  10-K  are  defined  in  the Glossary included  at  the  end  of  Item 7. 

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

We go to market across our four industry-based business segments. Our clients seek to partner with service providers that 

have a deep understanding of their businesses, industry initiatives, customers, markets and cultures and the ability to create solutions 

tailored to meet their individual business needs. Across industries, our clients are confronted with the risk of being disrupted by 

nimble, digital-native competitors. They are therefore redirecting their focus and investment to digital and embracing DevOps and 

key technologies like IoT, analytics, AI, digital engineering, cloud and automation. We believe that our deep knowledge of the 

industries we serve and our clients’ businesses has been central to our revenue growth and high client satisfaction, and we continue 

to invest in those digital capabilities that help to enable our clients to become modern businesses. Our business segments are as 

follows:

Financial Services

Healthcare

Products and Resources

Communications, Media and Technology

•  Banking

•  Insurance

•  Healthcare

•  Retail and Consumer Goods

•  Communications and Media

•  Life Sciences

•  Manufacturing, Logistics,     

•  Technology 

Energy and Utilities 

•  Travel and Hospitality

Our Financial Services segment includes banking, capital markets and insurance companies. Demand in this segment is 

driven by our clients’ need to be compliant with significant regulatory requirements and adaptable to regulatory change, and their 

adoption and integration of digital technologies, including customer experience enhancement, robotic process automation, analytics 

and AI in areas such as digital lending, fraud detection and next generation payments.

Our  Healthcare  segment  consists  of  healthcare  providers  and  payers  as  well  as  life  sciences  companies,  including 

pharmaceutical, biotech and medical device companies. Demand in this segment is driven by emerging industry trends, including 

enhanced compliance, integrated health management, claims investigative services and heightened focus on patient experience, 

as well as services that drive operational improvements in areas such as claims processing, enrollment, membership and billing. 

Demand is also created by the adoption and integration of digital technologies such as AI to shape personalized care plans and 

predictive data analytics to improve patient outcomes. 

Our Products and Resources segment includes manufacturers, retailers and travel and hospitality companies, as well as 

companies providing logistics, energy and utility services. Demand in this segment is driven by our clients’ focus on improving 

the efficiency of their operations, the enablement and integration of mobile platforms to support sales and other omni-channel 

commerce initiatives, and their adoption and integration of digital technologies, such as the application of intelligent systems to 

manage supply chains and enhance overall customer experiences, and IoT to instrument functions for factories, real estate, fleets 

and products to increase access to insight generating data.

Our Communications, Media and Technology segment includes information, media and entertainment, communications 

and technology companies. Demand in this segment is driven by our clients’ needs to create differentiated user experiences, 

transition to agile development methodologies, enhance their networks, manage their digital content and adopt and integrate 

digital technologies, such as cloud, interactive and IoT.

1

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.

Business

1A. Risk Factors

1B. Unresolved Staff Comments

2.

3.

Properties

Legal Proceedings

4. Mine Safety Disclosures

of Equity Securities

6.

Selected Financial Data

Item

PART I

PART II

8.

9.

PART III

7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

9A. Controls and Procedures

9B. Other Information

11. Executive Compensation

Stockholder Matters

10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related 

13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services

15. Exhibits, Financial Statements Schedules

16. Form 10-K Summary

PART IV

SIGNATURES

EXHIBIT INDEX

SCHEDULE

INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT 

Page

1

1

8

14

14

14

14

15

15

17

18

37

38

38

38

39

40

40

40

40

40

40

41

41

43

44

41

F-1

Table of Contents  

Item 1. Business

Overview

PART I

Cognizant  is  one  of  the  world’s  leading  professional  services  companies,  transforming  clients’  business,  operating  and 
technology models for the digital era. Our services include digital services and solutions, consulting, application development, 
systems integration, application testing, application maintenance, infrastructure services and business process services. Digital 
services have become an increasingly important part of our portfolio, aligning with our clients' focus on becoming data-enabled, 
customer-centric and differentiated businesses. We tailor our services and solutions to specific industries with an integrated global 
delivery model that employs client service and delivery teams based at client locations and dedicated global and regional delivery 
centers.

Certain  terms  used  in  this  Annual  Report  on  Form  10-K  are  defined  in  the Glossary included  at  the  end  of  Item 7. 

5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases 

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

Business Segments

We go to market across our four industry-based business segments. Our clients seek to partner with service providers that 
have a deep understanding of their businesses, industry initiatives, customers, markets and cultures and the ability to create solutions 
tailored to meet their individual business needs. Across industries, our clients are confronted with the risk of being disrupted by 
nimble, digital-native competitors. They are therefore redirecting their focus and investment to digital and embracing DevOps and 
key technologies like IoT, analytics, AI, digital engineering, cloud and automation. We believe that our deep knowledge of the 
industries we serve and our clients’ businesses has been central to our revenue growth and high client satisfaction, and we continue 
to invest in those digital capabilities that help to enable our clients to become modern businesses. Our business segments are as 
follows:

Financial Services
•  Banking
•  Insurance

Healthcare
•  Healthcare
•  Life Sciences

Products and Resources
•  Retail and Consumer Goods
•  Manufacturing, Logistics,     

Energy and Utilities 
•  Travel and Hospitality

Communications, Media and Technology
•  Communications and Media
•  Technology 

Our Financial Services segment includes banking, capital markets and insurance companies. Demand in this segment is 
driven by our clients’ need to be compliant with significant regulatory requirements and adaptable to regulatory change, and their 
adoption and integration of digital technologies, including customer experience enhancement, robotic process automation, analytics 
and AI in areas such as digital lending, fraud detection and next generation payments.

Our  Healthcare  segment  consists  of  healthcare  providers  and  payers  as  well  as  life  sciences  companies,  including 
pharmaceutical, biotech and medical device companies. Demand in this segment is driven by emerging industry trends, including 
enhanced compliance, integrated health management, claims investigative services and heightened focus on patient experience, 
as well as services that drive operational improvements in areas such as claims processing, enrollment, membership and billing. 
Demand is also created by the adoption and integration of digital technologies such as AI to shape personalized care plans and 
predictive data analytics to improve patient outcomes. 

Our Products and Resources segment includes manufacturers, retailers and travel and hospitality companies, as well as 
companies providing logistics, energy and utility services. Demand in this segment is driven by our clients’ focus on improving 
the efficiency of their operations, the enablement and integration of mobile platforms to support sales and other omni-channel 
commerce initiatives, and their adoption and integration of digital technologies, such as the application of intelligent systems to 
manage supply chains and enhance overall customer experiences, and IoT to instrument functions for factories, real estate, fleets 
and products to increase access to insight generating data.

Our Communications, Media and Technology segment includes information, media and entertainment, communications 

and technology companies. Demand in this segment is driven by our clients’ needs to create differentiated user experiences, 
transition to agile development methodologies, enhance their networks, manage their digital content and adopt and integrate 
digital technologies, such as cloud, interactive and IoT.

1

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents  

Table of Contents  

For the year ended December 31, 2019, the distribution of our revenues across our four industry-based business segments 

We have organized our services and solutions into four practice areas: Digital Business, Digital Operations, Digital Systems 

was as follows:

and Technology and Consulting. These practice areas are supported by Cognizant Accelerator.

See Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements for additional information related to disaggregation of revenues by client 

location, service line and contract-type for each of our business segments. 

Services and Solutions

Our services include digital services and solutions, consulting, application development, systems integration, application 
testing,  application  maintenance,  infrastructure  services  and  business  process  services.  Additionally,  we  develop,  license, 
implement and support proprietary and third-party software products and platforms. Central to our strategy to align with our clients’ 
need to modernize is our investment in four key areas of digital: IoT, AI, digital engineering and cloud. These four capabilities 
enable clients to put data at the core of their operations, improve the experiences they offer their customers, tap into new revenue 
streams, defend against technology-enabled competitors and reduce costs. In many cases, our clients' new digital systems are built 
upon the backbone of their existing legacy systems. Also, clients often look for efficiencies in the way they run their operations 
so they can fund investments in new digital technologies. We believe our deep knowledge of their infrastructure and systems 
provides us with a significant advantage as we work with them to build new digital capabilities to make their operations more 
efficient and effective. We deliver all of our services and solutions across our four industry-based business segments to best address 
our clients' individual needs. 

We seek to drive organic growth through investments in our digital capabilities across industries and geographies, including 
the extensive training and re-skilling of our technical teams and the expansion of our local workforces in the United States and 
other markets around the world where we operate. Additionally, we pursue select strategic acquisitions, joint ventures, investments 
and alliances that can expand our digital capabilities or the geographic or industry coverage of our business. In 2019, we completed 
five such acquisitions: 

•  Mustache, a creative content agency based in the United States, that extends our capabilities in creating original and 

branded content for digital, broadcast and social mediums;

•  Meritsoft, a financial software company based in Ireland, that complements our service offerings to capital markets 

institutions;

•  Samlink, a developer of services and solutions for the financial sector based in Finland, that strengthens our banking 
capabilities and brings with it a strategic partnership with three Finnish financial institutions to transform and operate 
a shared core banking platform;

•  Zenith, a life sciences company based in Ireland, that extends our service capabilities for connected biopharmaceutical 

and medical device manufacturers; and

•  Contino, a technology consulting firm that extends our capabilities in enterprise DevOps and cloud transformation.

Digital Business 

Digital Operations

Our digital business practice helps clients build modern enterprises. Areas of focus within this practice area are:

• 

interactive, which is our global network of studios that help clients craft new experiences; 

•  application modernization, which updates legacy applications using modern technology stacks; 

•  AI and analytics, which drive business growth and efficiencies through a greater understanding of customers 

and operations; 

• 

IoT, which unlocks greater productivity and new business models; 

•  digital advisory, which provides enterprise transformation expertise; and 

•  digital engineering, which designs, engineers, and delivers software that powers modern businesses. 

Our digital operations practice helps clients rethink their operating models by assessing their existing processes and recommending 

automation and change management, allowing clients to fundamentally transform how their processes run while also realizing 

cost savings benefits from these process improvements. Areas of focus within this practice area are:

•  automation, analytics and consulting for business process outsourcing; 

•  platform-based operations; and 

•  core business process operations.

We have extensive knowledge of core front office, middle office and back office processes, including finance and accounting, 

research and analytics, procurement and data management, which we integrate with our industry and technology expertise to 

deliver targeted business process services and solutions. 

Digital Systems & Technology

Our digital systems and technology practice helps clients reshape their technology models to simplify, modernize and secure the 

enabling systems that form the backbone of their business. With cloud becoming an essential catalyst for large-scale transformation 

efforts, cloud adoption is driving changes across the entire IT value chain. Areas of focus within this practice area include:

•  enterprise application services;

•  application development and maintenance;

•  quality engineering and assurance;

•  cloud;

• 

infrastructure; and

•  security. 

Our consulting practice helps clients drive the changes that the evolving technology landscape requires of their organizations by 

providing global business, process, operations and technology consulting services. Our consulting professionals and domain experts 

from our industry-based business segments work closely with our practice areas to create modern frameworks, platforms and 

solutions that leverage a wide range of digital technologies across our clients’ businesses to deliver higher levels of efficiency and 

Consulting

new value for their customers.

Cognizant Accelerator

Cognizant Accelerator supports our business segments and four practice areas by developing innovative and practical offerings 

for clients' emerging needs through the application of new technologies.

2

3

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents  

was as follows:

For the year ended December 31, 2019, the distribution of our revenues across our four industry-based business segments 

We have organized our services and solutions into four practice areas: Digital Business, Digital Operations, Digital Systems 

and Technology and Consulting. These practice areas are supported by Cognizant Accelerator.

Table of Contents  

See Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements for additional information related to disaggregation of revenues by client 

location, service line and contract-type for each of our business segments. 

Services and Solutions

Our services include digital services and solutions, consulting, application development, systems integration, application 

testing,  application  maintenance,  infrastructure  services  and  business  process  services.  Additionally,  we  develop,  license, 

implement and support proprietary and third-party software products and platforms. Central to our strategy to align with our clients’ 

need to modernize is our investment in four key areas of digital: IoT, AI, digital engineering and cloud. These four capabilities 

enable clients to put data at the core of their operations, improve the experiences they offer their customers, tap into new revenue 

streams, defend against technology-enabled competitors and reduce costs. In many cases, our clients' new digital systems are built 

upon the backbone of their existing legacy systems. Also, clients often look for efficiencies in the way they run their operations 

so they can fund investments in new digital technologies. We believe our deep knowledge of their infrastructure and systems 

provides us with a significant advantage as we work with them to build new digital capabilities to make their operations more 

efficient and effective. We deliver all of our services and solutions across our four industry-based business segments to best address 

our clients' individual needs. 

We seek to drive organic growth through investments in our digital capabilities across industries and geographies, including 

the extensive training and re-skilling of our technical teams and the expansion of our local workforces in the United States and 

other markets around the world where we operate. Additionally, we pursue select strategic acquisitions, joint ventures, investments 

and alliances that can expand our digital capabilities or the geographic or industry coverage of our business. In 2019, we completed 

five such acquisitions: 

•  Mustache, a creative content agency based in the United States, that extends our capabilities in creating original and 

branded content for digital, broadcast and social mediums;

•  Meritsoft, a financial software company based in Ireland, that complements our service offerings to capital markets 

institutions;

•  Samlink, a developer of services and solutions for the financial sector based in Finland, that strengthens our banking 

capabilities and brings with it a strategic partnership with three Finnish financial institutions to transform and operate 

a shared core banking platform;

and medical device manufacturers; and

•  Contino, a technology consulting firm that extends our capabilities in enterprise DevOps and cloud transformation.

Digital Business 

Our digital business practice helps clients build modern enterprises. Areas of focus within this practice area are:

• 
interactive, which is our global network of studios that help clients craft new experiences; 
•  application modernization, which updates legacy applications using modern technology stacks; 
•  AI and analytics, which drive business growth and efficiencies through a greater understanding of customers 

and operations; 
IoT, which unlocks greater productivity and new business models; 

• 
•  digital advisory, which provides enterprise transformation expertise; and 
•  digital engineering, which designs, engineers, and delivers software that powers modern businesses. 

Digital Operations

Our digital operations practice helps clients rethink their operating models by assessing their existing processes and recommending 
automation and change management, allowing clients to fundamentally transform how their processes run while also realizing 
cost savings benefits from these process improvements. Areas of focus within this practice area are:

•  automation, analytics and consulting for business process outsourcing; 
•  platform-based operations; and 
•  core business process operations.

We have extensive knowledge of core front office, middle office and back office processes, including finance and accounting, 
research and analytics, procurement and data management, which we integrate with our industry and technology expertise to 
deliver targeted business process services and solutions. 

Digital Systems & Technology

Our digital systems and technology practice helps clients reshape their technology models to simplify, modernize and secure the 
enabling systems that form the backbone of their business. With cloud becoming an essential catalyst for large-scale transformation 
efforts, cloud adoption is driving changes across the entire IT value chain. Areas of focus within this practice area include:

•  enterprise application services;
•  application development and maintenance;
•  quality engineering and assurance;
•  cloud;
• 
•  security. 

infrastructure; and

•  Zenith, a life sciences company based in Ireland, that extends our service capabilities for connected biopharmaceutical 

Consulting

Our consulting practice helps clients drive the changes that the evolving technology landscape requires of their organizations by 
providing global business, process, operations and technology consulting services. Our consulting professionals and domain experts 
from our industry-based business segments work closely with our practice areas to create modern frameworks, platforms and 
solutions that leverage a wide range of digital technologies across our clients’ businesses to deliver higher levels of efficiency and 
new value for their customers.

Cognizant Accelerator

Cognizant Accelerator supports our business segments and four practice areas by developing innovative and practical offerings 
for clients' emerging needs through the application of new technologies.

2

3

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents  

Global Delivery Model

We utilize a global delivery model, with delivery centers worldwide to provide the full range of services we offer to our 
clients. Our delivery model includes employees deployed at client sites, local or in-country delivery centers, regional delivery 
centers and offshore delivery centers, as required to best serve our clients. As we scale our digital services and solutions, we are 
focused on hiring in the United States and other countries where we deliver services to our clients to expand our in-country 
delivery capabilities. Our extensive facilities, technology and communications infrastructure are designed to enable the 
effective collaboration of our global workforce across locations and geographies.

Sales and Marketing

We market and sell our services directly through our professional staff, senior management and direct sales personnel operating 
out of our many offices around the world. We are increasing our investment in sales and marketing professionals to help us expand 
existing accounts and acquire new ones, and amplify our brand's stature in the marketplace. These new investments are designed 
to support and enhance the sales and marketing group, which works with our client delivery team as the sales process moves closer 
to a client's selection of a services provider. The duration of the sales process may vary widely depending on the type and complexity 
of services. 

Clients

The services we provide are distributed among a number of clients in each of our business segments. Revenues from our 

top clients as a percentage of total revenues were as follows:

For the years ended December 31,
2018

2017

2019

Top five clients
Top ten clients

7.9%
14.6%

8.6%
15.4%

8.9%
14.9%

A loss of a significant client or a few significant clients in a particular segment could materially reduce revenues for that 
segment. The services we provide to our larger clients are often critical to their operations and a termination of our services would 
typically require an extended transition period with gradually declining revenues. Nevertheless, the volume of work performed 
for specific clients may vary significantly from year to year.

In the fourth quarter of 2019, we announced that we will exit certain content-related work that is not in line with our long-
term strategic vision for the Company. We intend to exit this work in 2020 and this may negatively impact our relationship with 
the affected clients and the revenues from other services we provide to them. Refer to Item 7. Management’s Discussion and 
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations for further information.

Competition

The markets for our services are highly competitive, characterized by a large number of participants and subject to rapid 
change. Competitors may include systems integration firms, contract programming companies, application software companies, 
cloud computing service providers, traditional consulting firms, professional services groups of computer equipment companies, 
infrastructure management companies, outsourcing companies and boutique digital companies. Our direct competitors include, 
among others, Accenture, Atos, Capgemini, Deloitte Digital, DXC Technology, EPAM Systems, Genpact, HCL Technologies, 
IBM Global Services, Infosys Technologies, Tata Consultancy Services and Wipro. In addition, we compete with numerous smaller 
local companies in the various geographic markets in which we operate.

The principal competitive factors affecting the markets for our services include the provider’s reputation and experience, 
vision and strategic advisory capabilities, digital services capabilities, performance and reliability, responsiveness to customer 
needs, financial stability, corporate governance and competitive pricing of services. Accordingly, we rely on the following to 
compete effectively:

•  investments to scale our digital services;
•  our recruiting, training and retention model;
•  our global delivery model;
•  an entrepreneurial culture and approach to our work;
•  a broad client referral base;
•  investment in process improvement and knowledge capture;
•  financial stability and good corporate governance;
•  continued focus on responsiveness to client needs, quality of services and competitive prices; and
•  project management capabilities and technical expertise.

4

5

Table of Contents  

Intellectual Property

We provide value to our clients based, in part, on our proprietary innovations, methodologies, software, reusable knowledge 

capital and other IP assets. We recognize the importance of IP and its ability to differentiate us from our competitors. We seek IP 

protection for some of our innovations and rely on a combination of IP laws, confidentiality procedures and contractual provisions, 

to protect our IP and our Cognizant brand, which is one of our most valuable assets. We have registered, and applied for the 

registration of, U.S. and international trademarks, service marks, domain names and copyrights. We own or are licensed under a 

number of patents, trademarks and copyrights of varying duration, relating to our products and services. While our proprietary IP 

rights are important to our success, we believe our business as a whole is not materially dependent on any particular IP right or 

any particular group of patents, trademarks, copyrights or licenses, other than our Cognizant brand.

Cognizant® and other trademarks appearing in this report are registered trademarks or trademarks of Cognizant and its 

affiliates in the United States and other countries, or third parties, as applicable. 

Employees

We had approximately 292,500 employees at the end of 2019, with approximately 46,400 in North America, approximately 

21,200 in Europe and approximately 224,900 in various other locations throughout the rest of the world, including approximately 

203,700 in India. We are not party to any significant collective bargaining agreements.

Information About Our Executive Officers

The following table identifies our current executive officers:

Name

Brian Humphries (1)

Karen McLoughlin (2)

Robert Telesmanic (3)

Matthew Friedrich (4)

Becky Schmitt (5)

Santosh Thomas (7)

Malcolm Frank (8)

Balu Ganesh Ayyar (9)

Greg Hyttenrauch (10)

Pradeep Shilige (11)

Age

Capacities in Which Served

In Current

Position Since

46 Chief Executive Officer

55 Chief Financial Officer

53 Senior Vice President, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer

53 Executive Vice President, General Counsel, Chief Corporate Affairs

Officer and Secretary

46 Executive Vice President, Chief People Officer

51 Executive Vice President and President, Global Growth Markets

53 Executive Vice President and President, Cognizant Digital Business

58 Executive Vice President and President, Cognizant Digital Operations

52 Executive Vice President and President, Cognizant Digital Systems &

Technology

51 Executive Vice President and Head of Global Delivery

2019

2012

2017

2017

2020

2019

2016

2019

2019

2019

2019

Dharmendra Kumar Sinha (6)

57 Executive Vice President and President, North America

(1)  Brian Humphries has been our Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board of Directors since April 2019. Prior to 

joining Cognizant, he served as Chief Executive Officer of Vodafone Business, a division of Vodafone Group, from 2017 

until 2019. Mr. Humphries joined Vodafone from Dell Technologies where his positions from 2013 to 2017 included President 

and Chief Operating Officer of Dell’s Infrastructure Solutions Group, President of Dell’s Global Enterprise Solutions, and 

Vice President and General Manager, EMEA Enterprise Solutions. Before joining Dell, Mr. Humphries was with Hewlett-

Packard where his roles from 2008 to 2013 included Senior Vice President, Emerging Markets, Senior Vice President, Strategy 

and Corporate Development, and Chief Financial Officer of HP Services. The early part of his career was spent with Compaq 

and Digital Equipment Corporation. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Ulster, 

Northern Ireland.

(2)  Karen McLoughlin has been our Chief Financial Officer since February 2012. Ms. McLoughlin has held various senior 

management  positions  in  our  finance  department  since  she  joined  Cognizant  in  2003.  Prior  to  joining  Cognizant,  Ms. 

McLoughlin held various financial management positions at Spherion Corporation and Ryder System, Inc. and served in 

various audit roles at Price Waterhouse (now PricewaterhouseCoopers). Ms. McLoughlin has served on the Board of Directors 

of Best Buy Co., Inc. since 2015, where she is currently a member of the Audit Committee and chair of the Finance and 

Investment Policy Committee. Ms. McLoughlin has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Wellesley College and an 

MBA degree from Columbia University.

(3)  Robert Telesmanic has been our Senior Vice President, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer since January 2017, a Senior 

Vice  President  since  2010  and  our  Corporate  Controller  since  2004.  Prior  to  that,  he  served  as  our Assistant  Corporate 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents  

Global Delivery Model

We utilize a global delivery model, with delivery centers worldwide to provide the full range of services we offer to our 

clients. Our delivery model includes employees deployed at client sites, local or in-country delivery centers, regional delivery 

centers and offshore delivery centers, as required to best serve our clients. As we scale our digital services and solutions, we are 

focused on hiring in the United States and other countries where we deliver services to our clients to expand our in-country 

delivery capabilities. Our extensive facilities, technology and communications infrastructure are designed to enable the 

effective collaboration of our global workforce across locations and geographies.

Sales and Marketing

We market and sell our services directly through our professional staff, senior management and direct sales personnel operating 

out of our many offices around the world. We are increasing our investment in sales and marketing professionals to help us expand 

existing accounts and acquire new ones, and amplify our brand's stature in the marketplace. These new investments are designed 

to support and enhance the sales and marketing group, which works with our client delivery team as the sales process moves closer 

to a client's selection of a services provider. The duration of the sales process may vary widely depending on the type and complexity 

of services. 

Clients

Top five clients

Top ten clients

Competition

For the years ended December 31,

2019

7.9%

14.6%

2018

8.6%

15.4%

2017

8.9%

14.9%

A loss of a significant client or a few significant clients in a particular segment could materially reduce revenues for that 

segment. The services we provide to our larger clients are often critical to their operations and a termination of our services would 

typically require an extended transition period with gradually declining revenues. Nevertheless, the volume of work performed 

for specific clients may vary significantly from year to year.

In the fourth quarter of 2019, we announced that we will exit certain content-related work that is not in line with our long-

term strategic vision for the Company. We intend to exit this work in 2020 and this may negatively impact our relationship with 

the affected clients and the revenues from other services we provide to them. Refer to Item 7. Management’s Discussion and 

Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations for further information.

The markets for our services are highly competitive, characterized by a large number of participants and subject to rapid 

change. Competitors may include systems integration firms, contract programming companies, application software companies, 

cloud computing service providers, traditional consulting firms, professional services groups of computer equipment companies, 

infrastructure management companies, outsourcing companies and boutique digital companies. Our direct competitors include, 

among others, Accenture, Atos, Capgemini, Deloitte Digital, DXC Technology, EPAM Systems, Genpact, HCL Technologies, 

IBM Global Services, Infosys Technologies, Tata Consultancy Services and Wipro. In addition, we compete with numerous smaller 

local companies in the various geographic markets in which we operate.

The principal competitive factors affecting the markets for our services include the provider’s reputation and experience, 

vision and strategic advisory capabilities, digital services capabilities, performance and reliability, responsiveness to customer 

needs, financial stability, corporate governance and competitive pricing of services. Accordingly, we rely on the following to 

compete effectively:

•  investments to scale our digital services;

•  our recruiting, training and retention model;

•  our global delivery model;

•  an entrepreneurial culture and approach to our work;

•  a broad client referral base;

•  investment in process improvement and knowledge capture;

•  financial stability and good corporate governance;

•  continued focus on responsiveness to client needs, quality of services and competitive prices; and

•  project management capabilities and technical expertise.

Table of Contents  

Intellectual Property

We provide value to our clients based, in part, on our proprietary innovations, methodologies, software, reusable knowledge 
capital and other IP assets. We recognize the importance of IP and its ability to differentiate us from our competitors. We seek IP 
protection for some of our innovations and rely on a combination of IP laws, confidentiality procedures and contractual provisions, 
to protect our IP and our Cognizant brand, which is one of our most valuable assets. We have registered, and applied for the 
registration of, U.S. and international trademarks, service marks, domain names and copyrights. We own or are licensed under a 
number of patents, trademarks and copyrights of varying duration, relating to our products and services. While our proprietary IP 
rights are important to our success, we believe our business as a whole is not materially dependent on any particular IP right or 
any particular group of patents, trademarks, copyrights or licenses, other than our Cognizant brand.

Cognizant® and other trademarks appearing in this report are registered trademarks or trademarks of Cognizant and its 

affiliates in the United States and other countries, or third parties, as applicable. 

Employees

We had approximately 292,500 employees at the end of 2019, with approximately 46,400 in North America, approximately 
21,200 in Europe and approximately 224,900 in various other locations throughout the rest of the world, including approximately 
203,700 in India. We are not party to any significant collective bargaining agreements.

The services we provide are distributed among a number of clients in each of our business segments. Revenues from our 

top clients as a percentage of total revenues were as follows:

Information About Our Executive Officers

The following table identifies our current executive officers:

Name
Brian Humphries (1)
Karen McLoughlin (2)
Robert Telesmanic (3)
Matthew Friedrich (4)

Becky Schmitt (5)
Dharmendra Kumar Sinha (6)
Santosh Thomas (7)
Malcolm Frank (8)
Balu Ganesh Ayyar (9)
Greg Hyttenrauch (10)

Pradeep Shilige (11)

Age
46 Chief Executive Officer

55 Chief Financial Officer

Capacities in Which Served

53 Senior Vice President, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer

53 Executive Vice President, General Counsel, Chief Corporate Affairs

Officer and Secretary

46 Executive Vice President, Chief People Officer

57 Executive Vice President and President, North America

51 Executive Vice President and President, Global Growth Markets

53 Executive Vice President and President, Cognizant Digital Business

58 Executive Vice President and President, Cognizant Digital Operations

52 Executive Vice President and President, Cognizant Digital Systems &

Technology

51 Executive Vice President and Head of Global Delivery

In Current
Position Since
2019

2012

2017

2017

2020

2019

2016

2019

2019

2019

2019

(1)  Brian Humphries has been our Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board of Directors since April 2019. Prior to 
joining Cognizant, he served as Chief Executive Officer of Vodafone Business, a division of Vodafone Group, from 2017 
until 2019. Mr. Humphries joined Vodafone from Dell Technologies where his positions from 2013 to 2017 included President 
and Chief Operating Officer of Dell’s Infrastructure Solutions Group, President of Dell’s Global Enterprise Solutions, and 
Vice President and General Manager, EMEA Enterprise Solutions. Before joining Dell, Mr. Humphries was with Hewlett-
Packard where his roles from 2008 to 2013 included Senior Vice President, Emerging Markets, Senior Vice President, Strategy 
and Corporate Development, and Chief Financial Officer of HP Services. The early part of his career was spent with Compaq 
and Digital Equipment Corporation. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Ulster, 
Northern Ireland.

(2)  Karen McLoughlin has been our Chief Financial Officer since February 2012. Ms. McLoughlin has held various senior 
management  positions  in  our  finance  department  since  she  joined  Cognizant  in  2003.  Prior  to  joining  Cognizant,  Ms. 
McLoughlin held various financial management positions at Spherion Corporation and Ryder System, Inc. and served in 
various audit roles at Price Waterhouse (now PricewaterhouseCoopers). Ms. McLoughlin has served on the Board of Directors 
of Best Buy Co., Inc. since 2015, where she is currently a member of the Audit Committee and chair of the Finance and 
Investment Policy Committee. Ms. McLoughlin has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Wellesley College and an 
MBA degree from Columbia University.

(3)  Robert Telesmanic has been our Senior Vice President, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer since January 2017, a Senior 
Vice  President  since  2010  and  our  Corporate  Controller  since  2004.  Prior  to  that,  he  served  as  our Assistant  Corporate 

4

5

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Karnataka, India.

Corporate History

Available Information

(11) Pradeep Shilige has been the Executive Vice President and Head of Global Delivery at Cognizant since July 2019. Prior to 

that, he served as Executive Vice President, Global Delivery and Digital Systems & Technology at Cognizant from 2015 

through June 2019. Mr. Shilige has held multiple other leadership roles at Cognizant since joining the organization in 1996. 

Mr. Shilige is a member of the IT Services Council of NASSCOM, the premier industry association for the IT-BPM sector 

in India since 2017. He has a bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering from the National Institute of Technology in 

None of our executive officers is related to any other executive officer or to any of our Directors. Our executive officers are 

appointed annually by the Board of Directors and generally serve until their successors are duly appointed and qualified.

We began our IT development and maintenance services business in early 1994 as an in-house technology development 

center for The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation and its operating units. In 1996, we were spun-off from The Dun & Bradstreet 

Corporation and, in 1998, we completed an initial public offering to become a public company.

We make available the following public filings with the SEC free of charge through our website at www.cognizant.com as 

soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish such material to, the SEC:

•  our Annual Reports on Form 10-K and any amendments thereto;

•  our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and any amendments thereto; and

•  our Current Reports on Form 8-K and any amendments thereto.

In addition, we make available our code of ethics entitled “Core Values and Code of Ethics” free of charge through our 

website. We  intend  to  post  on  our  website  all  disclosures  that  are  required  by  law  or  Nasdaq  Stock  Market  listing  standards 

concerning any amendments to, or waivers from, any provision of our code of ethics.

No information on our website is incorporated by reference into this Form 10-K or any other public filing made by us with 

the SEC.

Table of Contents  

Table of Contents  

Controller from 2003 to 2004. Prior to joining Cognizant, Mr. Telesmanic spent over 14 years with Deloitte & Touche LLP. 
Mr. Telesmanic has a Bachelor of Science degree from New York University and an MBA degree from Columbia University.
(4)  Matthew Friedrich has been our Executive Vice President, General Counsel, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer and Secretary 
since May 2017. Prior to joining Cognizant, Mr. Friedrich served as Chief Corporate Counsel for Chevron Corporation from 
2014 to 2017. Mr. Friedrich was a partner with the law firms of Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP and Boies Schiller & 
Flexner LLP prior to his role with Chevron. Mr. Friedrich began his legal career in 1995 as a federal prosecutor with the 
DOJ, where he remained for nearly 14 years, culminating with his designation as the acting Assistant Attorney General of 
the Criminal Division in 2008. Mr. Friedrich has served as a member of the Council on Foreign Relations since 2016, as a 
member of the Board of Directors of the U.S.-India Business Council since 2018 and as a member of the Board of Directors 
of the US Chamber of Commerce, Litigation Center since 2018. Mr. Friedrich has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Foreign 
Affairs from the University of Virginia and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Texas School of Law. Following 
law school, Mr. Friedrich clerked for U.S. District Judge Royal Furgeson in the Western District of Texas.

(5)  Becky Schmitt has been our Executive Vice President, Chief People Officer since February 2020. Prior to joining Cognizant, 
Ms. Schmitt was the Chief People Officer of Sam’s Club, a division of Walmart, Inc. from October 2018 through January 
2020. Prior to that, she served as SVP, Chief People Officer, US eCommerce & Corporate Functions for Walmart from 
October 2016 through September 2018 and as VP, HR - Technology from February 2016 until October 2016. Prior to joining 
Walmart, Ms. Schmitt spent over 20 years with Accenture plc in various human resources roles, culminating in her role as 
HR Managing Director, North America Business from March 2014 through February 2016. Ms. Schmitt has served as a 
Board Member at Large for the Girl Scouts National Board since 2017. Ms. Schmitt has a Bachelor of Arts degree from 
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. 

(6)  Dharmendra Kumar Sinha has been our Executive Vice President and President, North America since June 2019. Prior to 
that, he served as Executive Vice President and President, Global Client Services from December 2013 until June 2019. He 
has also served as President and a director of the Cognizant U.S. Foundation, a non-profit organization, since April 2018. 
From 2007 to December 2013, Mr. Sinha served as our Senior Vice President and General Manager, Global Sales and Field 
Marketing. From 2004 to 2007, Mr. Sinha served as our Vice President responsible for our Manufacturing and Logistics, 
Retail and Hospitality, and Technology verticals. From 1997 to 2004, Mr. Sinha held a variety of other management roles. 
Prior to joining Cognizant in 1997, Mr. Sinha worked with Tata Consultancy Services and CMC Limited, an IT solutions 
provider. Mr. Sinha has a Bachelor of Science degree from Patna Science College, Patna and an MBA degree from the Birla 
Institute of Technology, Mesra.

(7)  Santosh Thomas has been our Executive Vice President and President, Global Growth Markets since August 2016. Prior to 
his current role, Mr. Thomas served as our Head, Growth Markets from 2011 through July 2016. From 1999 to 2011, Mr. 
Thomas held various senior positions at Cognizant including leading Continental European operations and various roles in 
client relationships and market development in North America. Prior to joining Cognizant in 1999, Mr. Thomas worked with 
Informix and HCL Hewlett Packard Limited. Mr. Thomas has an undergraduate degree in engineering from R.V. College of 
Engineering in Bangalore, India and a Postgraduate Diploma in Business Management from Xavier School of Management, 
India.

(8)  Malcolm Frank has been our Executive Vice President and President, Cognizant Digital Business since May 2019. Prior to 
that, he served as Executive Vice President, Strategy and Marketing at Cognizant from 2012 to May 2019 and as our Senior 
Vice President of Strategy and Marketing from 2005 to 2012. Prior to joining Cognizant in 2005, Mr. Frank was a founder 
and the President and Chief Executive Officer of CXO Systems, Inc., an independent software vendor providing dashboard 
solutions for senior managers, a founder and the President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of NerveWire Inc., a 
management consulting and systems integration firm, and a founder and executive officer at Cambridge Technology Partners, 
an information technology professional services firm. Mr. Frank has served on the Board of Directors of Factset Research 
Systems Inc. since June 2016, where he is a member of the Compensation Committee. He is also a member of the Board of 
Directors of the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum since May 2018. Mr. Frank has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics 
from Yale University.

(9)  Balu Ganesh Ayyar has been our Executive Vice President and President, Cognizant Digital Operations since August 2019. 
Prior to joining Cognizant, Mr. Ayyar was the CEO of Mphasis, a global IT services company listed in India, from 2009 to 
2017. Prior to Mphasis, Mr. Ayyar spent nearly two decades with Hewlett-Packard, holding a variety of leadership roles 
across multiple geographies.

(10) Greg Hyttenrauch has been our Executive Vice President and President, Cognizant Digital Systems & Technology since 
December 2019. Prior to joining Cognizant, Mr. Hyttenrauch served as Director, Global Cloud and Security Services for 
Vodafone from October 2015 to November 2019. Prior to Vodafone, Mr. Hyttenrauch held a variety of senior leadership 
positions at Capgemini from 2008 to 2015, including Deputy CEO, Global Infrastructure Services, and Global Sales Officer
and CEO of the UK and Nordic Outsourcing Business Unit. Before joining Capgemini, Mr. Hyttenrauch held positions with 
CSC and EDS. He began his career with 13 years in the Canadian military, rising to the rank of captain. Mr. Hyttenrauch 
holds a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Royal Military College of Canada and an MBA in International 
Management from the University of Ottawa.

6

7

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents  

Table of Contents  

(11) Pradeep Shilige has been the Executive Vice President and Head of Global Delivery at Cognizant since July 2019. Prior to 
that, he served as Executive Vice President, Global Delivery and Digital Systems & Technology at Cognizant from 2015 
through June 2019. Mr. Shilige has held multiple other leadership roles at Cognizant since joining the organization in 1996. 
Mr. Shilige is a member of the IT Services Council of NASSCOM, the premier industry association for the IT-BPM sector 
in India since 2017. He has a bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering from the National Institute of Technology in 
Karnataka, India.

None of our executive officers is related to any other executive officer or to any of our Directors. Our executive officers are 

appointed annually by the Board of Directors and generally serve until their successors are duly appointed and qualified.

Corporate History

We began our IT development and maintenance services business in early 1994 as an in-house technology development 
center for The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation and its operating units. In 1996, we were spun-off from The Dun & Bradstreet 
Corporation and, in 1998, we completed an initial public offering to become a public company.

Available Information

We make available the following public filings with the SEC free of charge through our website at www.cognizant.com as 

soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish such material to, the SEC:

•  our Annual Reports on Form 10-K and any amendments thereto;
•  our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and any amendments thereto; and

•  our Current Reports on Form 8-K and any amendments thereto.

In addition, we make available our code of ethics entitled “Core Values and Code of Ethics” free of charge through our 
website. We  intend  to  post  on  our  website  all  disclosures  that  are  required  by  law  or  Nasdaq  Stock  Market  listing  standards 
concerning any amendments to, or waivers from, any provision of our code of ethics.

No information on our website is incorporated by reference into this Form 10-K or any other public filing made by us with 

the SEC.

Controller from 2003 to 2004. Prior to joining Cognizant, Mr. Telesmanic spent over 14 years with Deloitte & Touche LLP. 

Mr. Telesmanic has a Bachelor of Science degree from New York University and an MBA degree from Columbia University.

(4)  Matthew Friedrich has been our Executive Vice President, General Counsel, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer and Secretary 

since May 2017. Prior to joining Cognizant, Mr. Friedrich served as Chief Corporate Counsel for Chevron Corporation from 

2014 to 2017. Mr. Friedrich was a partner with the law firms of Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP and Boies Schiller & 

Flexner LLP prior to his role with Chevron. Mr. Friedrich began his legal career in 1995 as a federal prosecutor with the 

DOJ, where he remained for nearly 14 years, culminating with his designation as the acting Assistant Attorney General of 

the Criminal Division in 2008. Mr. Friedrich has served as a member of the Council on Foreign Relations since 2016, as a 

member of the Board of Directors of the U.S.-India Business Council since 2018 and as a member of the Board of Directors 

of the US Chamber of Commerce, Litigation Center since 2018. Mr. Friedrich has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Foreign 

Affairs from the University of Virginia and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Texas School of Law. Following 

law school, Mr. Friedrich clerked for U.S. District Judge Royal Furgeson in the Western District of Texas.

(5)  Becky Schmitt has been our Executive Vice President, Chief People Officer since February 2020. Prior to joining Cognizant, 

Ms. Schmitt was the Chief People Officer of Sam’s Club, a division of Walmart, Inc. from October 2018 through January 

2020. Prior to that, she served as SVP, Chief People Officer, US eCommerce & Corporate Functions for Walmart from 

October 2016 through September 2018 and as VP, HR - Technology from February 2016 until October 2016. Prior to joining 

Walmart, Ms. Schmitt spent over 20 years with Accenture plc in various human resources roles, culminating in her role as 

HR Managing Director, North America Business from March 2014 through February 2016. Ms. Schmitt has served as a 

Board Member at Large for the Girl Scouts National Board since 2017. Ms. Schmitt has a Bachelor of Arts degree from 

University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. 

(6)  Dharmendra Kumar Sinha has been our Executive Vice President and President, North America since June 2019. Prior to 

that, he served as Executive Vice President and President, Global Client Services from December 2013 until June 2019. He 

has also served as President and a director of the Cognizant U.S. Foundation, a non-profit organization, since April 2018. 

From 2007 to December 2013, Mr. Sinha served as our Senior Vice President and General Manager, Global Sales and Field 

Marketing. From 2004 to 2007, Mr. Sinha served as our Vice President responsible for our Manufacturing and Logistics, 

Retail and Hospitality, and Technology verticals. From 1997 to 2004, Mr. Sinha held a variety of other management roles. 

Prior to joining Cognizant in 1997, Mr. Sinha worked with Tata Consultancy Services and CMC Limited, an IT solutions 

provider. Mr. Sinha has a Bachelor of Science degree from Patna Science College, Patna and an MBA degree from the Birla 

Institute of Technology, Mesra.

(7)  Santosh Thomas has been our Executive Vice President and President, Global Growth Markets since August 2016. Prior to 

his current role, Mr. Thomas served as our Head, Growth Markets from 2011 through July 2016. From 1999 to 2011, Mr. 

Thomas held various senior positions at Cognizant including leading Continental European operations and various roles in 

client relationships and market development in North America. Prior to joining Cognizant in 1999, Mr. Thomas worked with 

Informix and HCL Hewlett Packard Limited. Mr. Thomas has an undergraduate degree in engineering from R.V. College of 

Engineering in Bangalore, India and a Postgraduate Diploma in Business Management from Xavier School of Management, 

India.

(8)  Malcolm Frank has been our Executive Vice President and President, Cognizant Digital Business since May 2019. Prior to 

that, he served as Executive Vice President, Strategy and Marketing at Cognizant from 2012 to May 2019 and as our Senior 

Vice President of Strategy and Marketing from 2005 to 2012. Prior to joining Cognizant in 2005, Mr. Frank was a founder 

and the President and Chief Executive Officer of CXO Systems, Inc., an independent software vendor providing dashboard 

solutions for senior managers, a founder and the President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of NerveWire Inc., a 

management consulting and systems integration firm, and a founder and executive officer at Cambridge Technology Partners, 

an information technology professional services firm. Mr. Frank has served on the Board of Directors of Factset Research 

Systems Inc. since June 2016, where he is a member of the Compensation Committee. He is also a member of the Board of 

Directors of the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum since May 2018. Mr. Frank has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics 

(9)  Balu Ganesh Ayyar has been our Executive Vice President and President, Cognizant Digital Operations since August 2019. 

Prior to joining Cognizant, Mr. Ayyar was the CEO of Mphasis, a global IT services company listed in India, from 2009 to 

2017. Prior to Mphasis, Mr. Ayyar spent nearly two decades with Hewlett-Packard, holding a variety of leadership roles 

from Yale University.

across multiple geographies.

(10) Greg Hyttenrauch has been our Executive Vice President and President, Cognizant Digital Systems & Technology since 

December 2019. Prior to joining Cognizant, Mr. Hyttenrauch served as Director, Global Cloud and Security Services for 

Vodafone from October 2015 to November 2019. Prior to Vodafone, Mr. Hyttenrauch held a variety of senior leadership 

positions at Capgemini from 2008 to 2015, including Deputy CEO, Global Infrastructure Services, and Global Sales Officer

and CEO of the UK and Nordic Outsourcing Business Unit. Before joining Capgemini, Mr. Hyttenrauch held positions with 

CSC and EDS. He began his career with 13 years in the Canadian military, rising to the rank of captain. Mr. Hyttenrauch 

holds a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Royal Military College of Canada and an MBA in International 

Management from the University of Ottawa.

6

7

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents  

Item 1A. Risk Factors

Factors That May Affect Future Results

We  face  various  important  risks  and  uncertainties,  including  those  described  below,  that  could  adversely  affect  our 
business, results of operations and financial condition and, as a result, cause a decline in the trading price of our common 
stock.

Our results of operations could be adversely affected by economic and political conditions globally and in particular 

in the markets in which our clients and operations are concentrated.

Global macroeconomic conditions have a significant effect on our business as well as the businesses of our clients. Volatile, 
negative or uncertain economic conditions could cause our clients to reduce, postpone or cancel spending on projects with us and 
could make it more difficult for us to accurately forecast client demand and have available the right resources to profitably address 
such client demand. The short-term nature of contracts in our industry means that actions by clients may occur quickly and with 
little warning, which may cause us to incur extra costs where we have employed more professionals than client demand supports.

Our business is particularly susceptible to economic and political conditions in the markets where our clients or operations 
are concentrated. Our revenues are highly dependent on clients located in the United States and Europe, and any adverse economic, 
political or legal uncertainties or adverse developments, including due to the uncertainty related to the potential economic and 
regulatory impacts of the United Kingdom's exit from the European Union, may cause clients in these geographies to reduce their 
spending and materially adversely impact our business. Many of our clients are in the financial services and healthcare industries, 
so any decrease in growth or significant consolidation in these industries or regulatory policies that restrict these industries may 
reduce demand for our services. Economic and political developments in India, where a significant majority of our operations and 
technical professionals are located, or in other countries where we maintain delivery operations, may also have a significant impact 
on our business and costs of operations. As a developing country, India has experienced and may continue to experience high 
inflation and wage growth, fluctuations in gross domestic product growth and volatility in currency exchange rates, any of which 
could materially adversely affect our cost of operations. Additionally, we benefit from governmental policies in India that encourage 
foreign investment and promote the ease of doing business, such as tax incentives, and any change in policy or circumstances that 
results in the elimination of such benefits or degradation of the rule of law, or imposition of new adverse restrictions or costs on 
our operations could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

 If we are unable to attract, train and retain skilled professionals, including highly skilled technical personnel to satisfy 
client demand and senior management to lead our business globally, our business and results of operations may be materially 
adversely affected.

Our success is dependent, in large part, on our ability to keep our supply of skilled professionals, including project managers, 
IT engineers and senior technical personnel, in balance with client demand around the world and on our ability to attract and retain 
senior management with the knowledge and skills to lead our business globally. Each year, we must hire tens of thousands of new 
professionals and reskill, retain, and motivate our workforce of hundreds of thousands of professionals with diverse skills and 
expertise in order to serve client demands across the globe, respond quickly to rapid and ongoing technological, industry and 
macroeconomic developments and grow and manage our business. We also must continue to maintain an effective senior leadership 
team that, among other things, is effective in executing on our strategic goals and growing our digital business. The loss of senior 
executives, or the failure to attract, integrate and retain new senior executives as the needs of our business require, could have a 
material adverse effect on our business and results of operations. 

Competition for skilled labor is intense and, in some jurisdictions in which we operate, there are more jobs for IT professionals 
than qualified persons to fill these jobs. Our business has experienced significant employee attrition, which may cause us to incur 
increased costs to hire new professionals with the desired skills. Costs associated with recruiting and training professionals are 
significant. If we are unable to hire or deploy professionals with the needed skillsets or if we are unable to adequately equip our 
professionals with the skills needed, this could materially adversely affect our business. Additionally, if we are unable to maintain 
an employee environment that is competitive and contemporary, it could have an adverse effect on engagement and retention, 
which may materially adversely affect our business.

Table of Contents  

We face challenges related to growing our business organically as well as inorganically through acquisitions, and we 

may not be able to achieve our targeted growth rates.

Achievement of our targeted growth rates requires continued significant organic growth of our business as well as inorganic 

growth through acquisitions. To achieve such growth, we must, among other things, continue to significantly expand our global 

operations, increase our product and service offerings, in particular with respect to digital, and scale our infrastructure to support 

such business growth. Continued business growth increases the complexity of our business and places significant strain on our 

management,  personnel,  operations,  systems,  technical  performance,  financial  resources,  and  internal  financial  control  and 

reporting functions, which we will have to continue to develop and improve to sustain such growth. We must continually recruit 

and train new personnel and retain and reskill, as necessary, existing sales, technical, finance, marketing and management personnel 

with the knowledge, skills and experience that our business model requires and effectively manage our personnel worldwide to 

support our culture, values, strategies and goals. Additionally, we expect to continue pursuing strategic and targeted acquisitions, 

investments and joint ventures to enhance our offerings of services and solutions or to enable us to expand in certain geographic 

and other markets. We may not be successful in identifying suitable opportunities, completing targeted transactions or achieving 

the desired results, and such opportunities may divert our management's time and focus away from our core business. We may 

face  challenges  in  effectively  integrating  acquired  businesses  into  our  ongoing  operations  and  in  assimilating  and  retaining 

employees of those businesses into our culture and organizational structure. If we are unable to manage our growth effectively, 

complete acquisitions of the number, magnitude and nature we have targeted, or successfully integrate any acquired businesses 

into our operations, we may not be able to achieve our targeted growth rates or improve our market share, profitability or competitive 

position generally or in specific markets or services. 

 We may not be able to achieve our profitability and capital return goals. 

Our goals for profitability and capital return rely upon a number of assumptions, including our ability to improve the efficiency 

of our operations and make successful investments to grow and further develop our business. Our profitability depends on the 

efficiency with which we run our operations and the cost of our operations, especially the compensation and benefits costs of the 

professionals we employ. We have incurred, and expect to continue to incur, substantial costs related to implementing our strategy 

to optimize such costs, and we may not realize the ultimate cost savings that we expect. We may not be able to efficiently utilize 

our professionals if increased regulation, policy changes or administrative burdens of immigration, work visas or outsourcing 

prevents us from deploying our professionals globally on a timely basis, or at all, to fulfill the needs of our clients. Increases in 

wages and other costs may put pressure on our profitability. Fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates can also have adverse 

effects  on  our  revenues,  income  from  operations  and  net  income  when  items  originally  denominated  in  other  currencies  are 

translated or remeasured into U.S. dollars for presentation of our consolidated financial statements. We have entered into foreign 

exchange forward contracts intended to partially offset the impact of the movement of the exchange rates on future operating costs 

and to mitigate foreign currency risk on foreign currency denominated net monetary assets. However, the hedging strategies that 

we have implemented, or may in the future implement, to mitigate foreign currency exchange rate risks may not reduce or completely 

offset our exposure to foreign exchange rate fluctuations and may expose our business to unexpected market, operational and 

counterparty credit risks. We are particularly susceptible to wage and cost pressures in India and the exchange rate of the Indian 

rupee relative to the currencies of our client contracts due to the fact that the substantial majority of our employees are in India 

while our contracts with clients are typically in the local currency of the country where our clients are located. If we are unable 

to improve the efficiency of our operations, our operating margin may decline and our business, results of operations and financial 

condition may be materially adversely affected. Failure to achieve our profitability goals could adversely affect our business, 

financial condition and results of operations.

With respect to capital return, our ability and decisions to pay dividends and repurchase shares consistent with our announced 

goals or at all depend on a variety of factors, including our cash flow generated from operations, the amount and geographic 

location of our cash and investment balances, our net income, our overall liquidity position, potential alternative uses of cash, 

such as acquisitions, and anticipated future economic conditions and financial results. Failure to achieve our capital return goals 

may adversely impact our reputation with shareholders and shareholders’ perception of our business and the value of our common 

stock.

Our failure to meet specified service levels or milestones required by certain of our client contracts may result in our 

client contracts being less profitable, potential liability for penalties or damages or reputational harm.

Many of our client contracts include clauses that tie our compensation to the achievement of agreed-upon performance 

standards or milestones. Failure to satisfy these measures could significantly reduce or eliminate our fees under the contracts, 

increase the cost to us of meeting performance standards or milestones, delay expected payments, subject us to potential damage 

claims under the contract terms or harm our reputation. The use of new technologies in our offerings can expose us to additional 

risks if those technologies fail to work as predicted, or there are unintended consequences of new designs or uses, which could 

lead to cost overruns, project delays, financial penalties, or damage to our reputation. Clients also often have the right to terminate 

8

9

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents  

Item 1A. Risk Factors

Factors That May Affect Future Results

We  face  various  important  risks  and  uncertainties,  including  those  described  below,  that  could  adversely  affect  our 

business, results of operations and financial condition and, as a result, cause a decline in the trading price of our common 

stock.

Our results of operations could be adversely affected by economic and political conditions globally and in particular 

in the markets in which our clients and operations are concentrated.

Global macroeconomic conditions have a significant effect on our business as well as the businesses of our clients. Volatile, 

negative or uncertain economic conditions could cause our clients to reduce, postpone or cancel spending on projects with us and 

could make it more difficult for us to accurately forecast client demand and have available the right resources to profitably address 

such client demand. The short-term nature of contracts in our industry means that actions by clients may occur quickly and with 

little warning, which may cause us to incur extra costs where we have employed more professionals than client demand supports.

Our business is particularly susceptible to economic and political conditions in the markets where our clients or operations 

are concentrated. Our revenues are highly dependent on clients located in the United States and Europe, and any adverse economic, 

political or legal uncertainties or adverse developments, including due to the uncertainty related to the potential economic and 

regulatory impacts of the United Kingdom's exit from the European Union, may cause clients in these geographies to reduce their 

spending and materially adversely impact our business. Many of our clients are in the financial services and healthcare industries, 

so any decrease in growth or significant consolidation in these industries or regulatory policies that restrict these industries may 

reduce demand for our services. Economic and political developments in India, where a significant majority of our operations and 

technical professionals are located, or in other countries where we maintain delivery operations, may also have a significant impact 

on our business and costs of operations. As a developing country, India has experienced and may continue to experience high 

inflation and wage growth, fluctuations in gross domestic product growth and volatility in currency exchange rates, any of which 

could materially adversely affect our cost of operations. Additionally, we benefit from governmental policies in India that encourage 

foreign investment and promote the ease of doing business, such as tax incentives, and any change in policy or circumstances that 

results in the elimination of such benefits or degradation of the rule of law, or imposition of new adverse restrictions or costs on 

our operations could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

 If we are unable to attract, train and retain skilled professionals, including highly skilled technical personnel to satisfy 

client demand and senior management to lead our business globally, our business and results of operations may be materially 

adversely affected.

Our success is dependent, in large part, on our ability to keep our supply of skilled professionals, including project managers, 

IT engineers and senior technical personnel, in balance with client demand around the world and on our ability to attract and retain 

senior management with the knowledge and skills to lead our business globally. Each year, we must hire tens of thousands of new 

professionals and reskill, retain, and motivate our workforce of hundreds of thousands of professionals with diverse skills and 

expertise in order to serve client demands across the globe, respond quickly to rapid and ongoing technological, industry and 

macroeconomic developments and grow and manage our business. We also must continue to maintain an effective senior leadership 

team that, among other things, is effective in executing on our strategic goals and growing our digital business. The loss of senior 

executives, or the failure to attract, integrate and retain new senior executives as the needs of our business require, could have a 

material adverse effect on our business and results of operations. 

Competition for skilled labor is intense and, in some jurisdictions in which we operate, there are more jobs for IT professionals 

than qualified persons to fill these jobs. Our business has experienced significant employee attrition, which may cause us to incur 

increased costs to hire new professionals with the desired skills. Costs associated with recruiting and training professionals are 

significant. If we are unable to hire or deploy professionals with the needed skillsets or if we are unable to adequately equip our 

professionals with the skills needed, this could materially adversely affect our business. Additionally, if we are unable to maintain 

an employee environment that is competitive and contemporary, it could have an adverse effect on engagement and retention, 

which may materially adversely affect our business.

Table of Contents  

We face challenges related to growing our business organically as well as inorganically through acquisitions, and we 

may not be able to achieve our targeted growth rates.

Achievement of our targeted growth rates requires continued significant organic growth of our business as well as inorganic 
growth through acquisitions. To achieve such growth, we must, among other things, continue to significantly expand our global 
operations, increase our product and service offerings, in particular with respect to digital, and scale our infrastructure to support 
such business growth. Continued business growth increases the complexity of our business and places significant strain on our 
management,  personnel,  operations,  systems,  technical  performance,  financial  resources,  and  internal  financial  control  and 
reporting functions, which we will have to continue to develop and improve to sustain such growth. We must continually recruit 
and train new personnel and retain and reskill, as necessary, existing sales, technical, finance, marketing and management personnel 
with the knowledge, skills and experience that our business model requires and effectively manage our personnel worldwide to 
support our culture, values, strategies and goals. Additionally, we expect to continue pursuing strategic and targeted acquisitions, 
investments and joint ventures to enhance our offerings of services and solutions or to enable us to expand in certain geographic 
and other markets. We may not be successful in identifying suitable opportunities, completing targeted transactions or achieving 
the desired results, and such opportunities may divert our management's time and focus away from our core business. We may 
face  challenges  in  effectively  integrating  acquired  businesses  into  our  ongoing  operations  and  in  assimilating  and  retaining 
employees of those businesses into our culture and organizational structure. If we are unable to manage our growth effectively, 
complete acquisitions of the number, magnitude and nature we have targeted, or successfully integrate any acquired businesses 
into our operations, we may not be able to achieve our targeted growth rates or improve our market share, profitability or competitive 
position generally or in specific markets or services. 

 We may not be able to achieve our profitability and capital return goals. 

Our goals for profitability and capital return rely upon a number of assumptions, including our ability to improve the efficiency 
of our operations and make successful investments to grow and further develop our business. Our profitability depends on the 
efficiency with which we run our operations and the cost of our operations, especially the compensation and benefits costs of the 
professionals we employ. We have incurred, and expect to continue to incur, substantial costs related to implementing our strategy 
to optimize such costs, and we may not realize the ultimate cost savings that we expect. We may not be able to efficiently utilize 
our professionals if increased regulation, policy changes or administrative burdens of immigration, work visas or outsourcing 
prevents us from deploying our professionals globally on a timely basis, or at all, to fulfill the needs of our clients. Increases in 
wages and other costs may put pressure on our profitability. Fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates can also have adverse 
effects  on  our  revenues,  income  from  operations  and  net  income  when  items  originally  denominated  in  other  currencies  are 
translated or remeasured into U.S. dollars for presentation of our consolidated financial statements. We have entered into foreign 
exchange forward contracts intended to partially offset the impact of the movement of the exchange rates on future operating costs 
and to mitigate foreign currency risk on foreign currency denominated net monetary assets. However, the hedging strategies that 
we have implemented, or may in the future implement, to mitigate foreign currency exchange rate risks may not reduce or completely 
offset our exposure to foreign exchange rate fluctuations and may expose our business to unexpected market, operational and 
counterparty credit risks. We are particularly susceptible to wage and cost pressures in India and the exchange rate of the Indian 
rupee relative to the currencies of our client contracts due to the fact that the substantial majority of our employees are in India 
while our contracts with clients are typically in the local currency of the country where our clients are located. If we are unable 
to improve the efficiency of our operations, our operating margin may decline and our business, results of operations and financial 
condition may be materially adversely affected. Failure to achieve our profitability goals could adversely affect our business, 
financial condition and results of operations.

With respect to capital return, our ability and decisions to pay dividends and repurchase shares consistent with our announced 
goals or at all depend on a variety of factors, including our cash flow generated from operations, the amount and geographic 
location of our cash and investment balances, our net income, our overall liquidity position, potential alternative uses of cash, 
such as acquisitions, and anticipated future economic conditions and financial results. Failure to achieve our capital return goals 
may adversely impact our reputation with shareholders and shareholders’ perception of our business and the value of our common 
stock.

Our failure to meet specified service levels or milestones required by certain of our client contracts may result in our 

client contracts being less profitable, potential liability for penalties or damages or reputational harm.

Many of our client contracts include clauses that tie our compensation to the achievement of agreed-upon performance 
standards or milestones. Failure to satisfy these measures could significantly reduce or eliminate our fees under the contracts, 
increase the cost to us of meeting performance standards or milestones, delay expected payments, subject us to potential damage 
claims under the contract terms or harm our reputation. The use of new technologies in our offerings can expose us to additional 
risks if those technologies fail to work as predicted, or there are unintended consequences of new designs or uses, which could 
lead to cost overruns, project delays, financial penalties, or damage to our reputation. Clients also often have the right to terminate 

8

9

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents  

Table of Contents  

a contract and pursue damage claims for serious or repeated failure to meet these service commitments. Some of our contracts 
provide that a portion of our compensation depends on performance measures such as cost-savings, revenue enhancement, benefits 
produced, business goals attained and adherence to schedule. These goals can be complex and may depend on our clients’ actual 
levels of business activity or may be based on assumptions that are later determined not to be achievable or accurate. As such, 
these provisions may increase the variability in revenues and margins earned on those contracts. 

We face intense and evolving competition and significant technological advances that our service offerings must keep 

pace with in the rapidly changing markets we compete in.

The markets we serve and operate in are highly competitive, subject to rapid change and characterized by a large number of 
participants, as described in “Part I, Item 1. Business-Competition.” In addition to large, global competitors, we face competition 
from numerous smaller, local competitors in many geographic markets that may have more experience with operations in these 
markets, have well-established relationships with our desired clients, or be able to provide services and solutions at lower costs 
or on terms more attractive to clients than we can. Consolidation activity may also result in new competitors with greater scale, 
a broader footprint or vertical integration that makes them more attractive to clients as a single provider of integrated products 
and services. In addition, the short-term nature of contracts in our industry and the long-term concurrent use by many clients of 
multiple professional service providers means that we are required to be continually competitive on the quality, scope and pricing 
of our offerings or face a reduction or elimination of our business.

Our success depends on our ability to continue to develop and implement services and solutions that anticipate and respond 
to rapid and continuing changes in technology to serve the evolving needs of our clients. Examples of areas of significant change 
include digital-, cloud- and security-related offerings, which are continually evolving, as well as developments in areas such as 
AI, augmented reality, automation, blockchain, IoT, quantum computing and as-a-service solutions. If we do not sufficiently invest 
in new technologies, successfully adapt to industry developments and changing demand, and evolve and expand our business at 
sufficient speed and scale to keep pace with the demands of the markets we serve, we may be unable to develop and maintain a 
competitive  advantage  and  execute  on  our  growth  strategy,  which  would  materially  adversely  affect  our  business,  results  of 
operations and financial condition. 

Our relationships with our third party alliance partners, who supply us with necessary components to the services and solutions 
we offer our clients, are also critical to our ability to provide many of our services and solutions that address client demands. There 
can be no assurance that we will be able to maintain such relationships. Among other things, such alliance partners may in the 
future decide to compete with us, form exclusive or more favorable arrangements with our competitors or otherwise reduce our 
access to their products impairing our ability to provide the services and solutions demanded by clients.

We face legal, reputational and financial risks if we fail to protect client and/or Cognizant data from security breaches 

or cyberattacks.

In order to provide our services and solutions, we depend on global information technology networks and systems, including 
those of third parties, to process, transmit, host and securely store electronic information (including our confidential information 
and the confidential information of our clients) and to communicate among our locations around the world and with our clients, 
suppliers and partners. Security breaches, employee malfeasance, or human or technological error could lead to shutdowns or 
disruptions  of  our  operations  and  potential  unauthorized  disclosure  of  our  or  our  clients’  sensitive  data,  which  in  turn  could 
jeopardize projects that are critical to our operations or the operations of our clients’ businesses. Like other global companies, we 
and the businesses we interact with have experienced threats to data and systems, including by perpetrators of random or targeted 
malicious cyberattacks, computer viruses, malware, worms, bot attacks or other destructive or disruptive software and attempts 
to misappropriate client information and cause system failures and disruptions. 

 A security compromise of our information systems or of those of businesses with whom we interact that results in confidential 
information being accessed by unauthorized or improper persons could harm our reputation and expose us to regulatory actions, 
client  attrition,  remediation  expenses,  disruption  of  our  business,  and  claims  brought  by  our  clients  or  others  for  breaching 
contractual confidentiality and security provisions or data protection laws. Monetary damages imposed on us could be significant 
and not covered by our liability insurance. Techniques used by bad actors to obtain unauthorized access, disable or degrade service, 
or sabotage systems evolve frequently and may not immediately produce signs of intrusion, and we may be unable to anticipate 
these techniques or to implement adequate preventative measures. In addition, a security breach could require that we expend 
substantial additional resources related to the security of our information systems, diverting resources from other projects and 
disrupting our businesses. If we experience a data security breach, our reputation could be damaged and we could be subject to 
additional litigation, regulatory risks and business losses.

We are required to comply with increasingly complex and changing data security and privacy regulations in the United States, 
the United Kingdom, the European Union and in other jurisdictions in which we operate that regulate the collection, use and 
transfer of personal data, including the transfer of personal data between or among countries. For example, the European Union’s 
10

General Data Protection Regulation has imposed stringent compliance obligations regarding the handling of personal data and 

has resulted in the issuance of significant financial penalties for noncompliance. In the United States, there have been proposals 

for federal privacy legislation and many new state privacy laws are on the horizon. Recently enacted legislation, such as the 

California  Consumer  Privacy Act,  impose  extensive  privacy  requirements  on  organizations  governing  personal  information. 

Existing US sectoral laws such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act also impose extensive privacy and 

security requirements on organizations operating in the healthcare industry, which Cognizant serves. Additionally, in India, the 

Personal Data Protection Bill, 2018 was recently cleared for introduction in the current session of the Indian Parliament. If enacted 

in its current form it would impose stringent obligations on the handling of personal data, including certain localization requirements 

for sensitive data. Other countries have enacted or are considering enacting data localization laws that require certain data to stay 

within their borders. We may also face audits or investigations by one or more domestic or foreign government agencies or our 

clients  pursuant  to  our  contractual  obligations  relating  to  our  compliance  with  these  regulations.  Complying  with  changing 

regulatory requirements requires us to incur substantial costs, exposes us to potential regulatory action or litigation, and may 

require changes to our business practices in certain jurisdictions, any of which could materially adversely affect our business 

operations and operating results. 

 If our business continuity and disaster recovery plans are not effective and our global delivery capability is impacted, 

our business and results of operations may be materially adversely affected and we may suffer harm to our reputation. 

Our business model is dependent on our global delivery capability, which includes coordination between our main operating 

offices in India, our other global and regional delivery centers, the offices of our clients and our associates worldwide. System 

failures, outages and operational disruptions may be caused by factors outside of our control such as hostilities, political unrest, 

terrorist attacks, natural disasters, pandemics and public health emergencies, such as the coronavirus, affecting the geographies 

where our operations and transmission equipment is located. Our business continuity and disaster recovery plans may not be 

effective at preventing or mitigating the effects of such disruptions, particularly in the case of a catastrophic event. Any such 

disruption may result in lost revenues, a loss of clients and reputational damage, which would have an adverse effect on our 

business, results of operations and financial condition.

A substantial portion of our employees in the United States, United Kingdom, European Union and other jurisdictions 

rely on visas to work in those areas such that any restrictions on such visas or immigration more generally or increased 

costs of obtaining such visas may affect our ability to compete for and provide services to clients in these jurisdictions, 

which could materially adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

 A substantial portion of our employees in the United States and in many other jurisdictions, including countries in Europe, 

rely upon temporary work authorization or work permits, which makes our business particularly vulnerable to changes and variations 

in immigration laws and regulations, including written changes and policy changes to the manner in which the laws and regulations 

are interpreted or enforced, and potential enforcement actions and penalties that might cause us to lose access to such visas. The 

political environment in the United States, the United Kingdom and other countries in recent years has included significant support 

for anti-immigrant legislation and administrative changes. Many of these recent changes have resulted in, and various proposed 

changes may result in, increased difficulty in obtaining timely visas that impact our ability to staff projects, including as a result 

of visa application rejects and delays in processing applications, and significantly increased costs for us in obtaining visas. For 

example, in the United States, the current administration has implemented policy changes to increase scrutiny of the issuance of 

new and the renewal of existing H-1B visa applications and the placement of H-1B visa workers on third party worksites, and has 

issued executive orders designed to limit immigration. In addition, the administration has proposed for implementation in 2020 a 

policy change applicable to entities where more than 50% of the workers in the United States hold certain types of visas that, if 

implemented, would significantly increase the visa costs for such entities. In the EU, many countries continue to implement new 

regulations to move into compliance with the EU Directive of 2014 to harmonize immigration rules for intracompany transferees 

in most EU member states and to facilitate the transfer of managers, specialists and graduate trainees both into and within the 

region. The changes have had significant impacts on mobility programs and have led to new notification and documentation 

requirements  for  companies  sending  professionals  to  EU  countries.  Recent  changes  or  any  additional  adverse  revisions  to 

immigration laws and regulations in the jurisdictions in which we operate may cause us delays, staffing shortages, additional costs 

or an inability to bid for or fulfill projects for clients, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results 

of operations and financial condition.

 Anti-outsourcing legislation, if adopted, and negative perceptions associated with offshore outsourcing could impair 

our ability to serve our clients and materially adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition. 

The practice of outsourcing services to organizations operating in other countries is a topic of political discussion in the 

United States, which is our largest market, as well as other regions in which we have clients. For example, measures aimed at 

limiting or restricting outsourcing by U.S. companies have been put forward for consideration by the U.S. Congress and in state 

11

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents  

Table of Contents  

a contract and pursue damage claims for serious or repeated failure to meet these service commitments. Some of our contracts 

provide that a portion of our compensation depends on performance measures such as cost-savings, revenue enhancement, benefits 

produced, business goals attained and adherence to schedule. These goals can be complex and may depend on our clients’ actual 

levels of business activity or may be based on assumptions that are later determined not to be achievable or accurate. As such, 

these provisions may increase the variability in revenues and margins earned on those contracts. 

We face intense and evolving competition and significant technological advances that our service offerings must keep 

pace with in the rapidly changing markets we compete in.

The markets we serve and operate in are highly competitive, subject to rapid change and characterized by a large number of 

participants, as described in “Part I, Item 1. Business-Competition.” In addition to large, global competitors, we face competition 

from numerous smaller, local competitors in many geographic markets that may have more experience with operations in these 

markets, have well-established relationships with our desired clients, or be able to provide services and solutions at lower costs 

or on terms more attractive to clients than we can. Consolidation activity may also result in new competitors with greater scale, 

a broader footprint or vertical integration that makes them more attractive to clients as a single provider of integrated products 

and services. In addition, the short-term nature of contracts in our industry and the long-term concurrent use by many clients of 

multiple professional service providers means that we are required to be continually competitive on the quality, scope and pricing 

of our offerings or face a reduction or elimination of our business.

Our success depends on our ability to continue to develop and implement services and solutions that anticipate and respond 

to rapid and continuing changes in technology to serve the evolving needs of our clients. Examples of areas of significant change 

include digital-, cloud- and security-related offerings, which are continually evolving, as well as developments in areas such as 

AI, augmented reality, automation, blockchain, IoT, quantum computing and as-a-service solutions. If we do not sufficiently invest 

in new technologies, successfully adapt to industry developments and changing demand, and evolve and expand our business at 

sufficient speed and scale to keep pace with the demands of the markets we serve, we may be unable to develop and maintain a 

competitive  advantage  and  execute  on  our  growth  strategy,  which  would  materially  adversely  affect  our  business,  results  of 

operations and financial condition. 

Our relationships with our third party alliance partners, who supply us with necessary components to the services and solutions 

we offer our clients, are also critical to our ability to provide many of our services and solutions that address client demands. There 

can be no assurance that we will be able to maintain such relationships. Among other things, such alliance partners may in the 

future decide to compete with us, form exclusive or more favorable arrangements with our competitors or otherwise reduce our 

access to their products impairing our ability to provide the services and solutions demanded by clients.

We face legal, reputational and financial risks if we fail to protect client and/or Cognizant data from security breaches 

or cyberattacks.

In order to provide our services and solutions, we depend on global information technology networks and systems, including 

those of third parties, to process, transmit, host and securely store electronic information (including our confidential information 

and the confidential information of our clients) and to communicate among our locations around the world and with our clients, 

suppliers and partners. Security breaches, employee malfeasance, or human or technological error could lead to shutdowns or 

disruptions  of  our  operations  and  potential  unauthorized  disclosure  of  our  or  our  clients’  sensitive  data,  which  in  turn  could 

jeopardize projects that are critical to our operations or the operations of our clients’ businesses. Like other global companies, we 

and the businesses we interact with have experienced threats to data and systems, including by perpetrators of random or targeted 

malicious cyberattacks, computer viruses, malware, worms, bot attacks or other destructive or disruptive software and attempts 

to misappropriate client information and cause system failures and disruptions. 

 A security compromise of our information systems or of those of businesses with whom we interact that results in confidential 

information being accessed by unauthorized or improper persons could harm our reputation and expose us to regulatory actions, 

client  attrition,  remediation  expenses,  disruption  of  our  business,  and  claims  brought  by  our  clients  or  others  for  breaching 

contractual confidentiality and security provisions or data protection laws. Monetary damages imposed on us could be significant 

and not covered by our liability insurance. Techniques used by bad actors to obtain unauthorized access, disable or degrade service, 

or sabotage systems evolve frequently and may not immediately produce signs of intrusion, and we may be unable to anticipate 

these techniques or to implement adequate preventative measures. In addition, a security breach could require that we expend 

substantial additional resources related to the security of our information systems, diverting resources from other projects and 

disrupting our businesses. If we experience a data security breach, our reputation could be damaged and we could be subject to 

additional litigation, regulatory risks and business losses.

We are required to comply with increasingly complex and changing data security and privacy regulations in the United States, 

the United Kingdom, the European Union and in other jurisdictions in which we operate that regulate the collection, use and 

transfer of personal data, including the transfer of personal data between or among countries. For example, the European Union’s 

General Data Protection Regulation has imposed stringent compliance obligations regarding the handling of personal data and 
has resulted in the issuance of significant financial penalties for noncompliance. In the United States, there have been proposals 
for federal privacy legislation and many new state privacy laws are on the horizon. Recently enacted legislation, such as the 
California  Consumer  Privacy Act,  impose  extensive  privacy  requirements  on  organizations  governing  personal  information. 
Existing US sectoral laws such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act also impose extensive privacy and 
security requirements on organizations operating in the healthcare industry, which Cognizant serves. Additionally, in India, the 
Personal Data Protection Bill, 2018 was recently cleared for introduction in the current session of the Indian Parliament. If enacted 
in its current form it would impose stringent obligations on the handling of personal data, including certain localization requirements 
for sensitive data. Other countries have enacted or are considering enacting data localization laws that require certain data to stay 
within their borders. We may also face audits or investigations by one or more domestic or foreign government agencies or our 
clients  pursuant  to  our  contractual  obligations  relating  to  our  compliance  with  these  regulations.  Complying  with  changing 
regulatory requirements requires us to incur substantial costs, exposes us to potential regulatory action or litigation, and may 
require changes to our business practices in certain jurisdictions, any of which could materially adversely affect our business 
operations and operating results. 

 If our business continuity and disaster recovery plans are not effective and our global delivery capability is impacted, 

our business and results of operations may be materially adversely affected and we may suffer harm to our reputation. 

Our business model is dependent on our global delivery capability, which includes coordination between our main operating 
offices in India, our other global and regional delivery centers, the offices of our clients and our associates worldwide. System 
failures, outages and operational disruptions may be caused by factors outside of our control such as hostilities, political unrest, 
terrorist attacks, natural disasters, pandemics and public health emergencies, such as the coronavirus, affecting the geographies 
where our operations and transmission equipment is located. Our business continuity and disaster recovery plans may not be 
effective at preventing or mitigating the effects of such disruptions, particularly in the case of a catastrophic event. Any such 
disruption may result in lost revenues, a loss of clients and reputational damage, which would have an adverse effect on our 
business, results of operations and financial condition.

A substantial portion of our employees in the United States, United Kingdom, European Union and other jurisdictions 
rely on visas to work in those areas such that any restrictions on such visas or immigration more generally or increased 
costs of obtaining such visas may affect our ability to compete for and provide services to clients in these jurisdictions, 
which could materially adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

 A substantial portion of our employees in the United States and in many other jurisdictions, including countries in Europe, 
rely upon temporary work authorization or work permits, which makes our business particularly vulnerable to changes and variations 
in immigration laws and regulations, including written changes and policy changes to the manner in which the laws and regulations 
are interpreted or enforced, and potential enforcement actions and penalties that might cause us to lose access to such visas. The 
political environment in the United States, the United Kingdom and other countries in recent years has included significant support 
for anti-immigrant legislation and administrative changes. Many of these recent changes have resulted in, and various proposed 
changes may result in, increased difficulty in obtaining timely visas that impact our ability to staff projects, including as a result 
of visa application rejects and delays in processing applications, and significantly increased costs for us in obtaining visas. For 
example, in the United States, the current administration has implemented policy changes to increase scrutiny of the issuance of 
new and the renewal of existing H-1B visa applications and the placement of H-1B visa workers on third party worksites, and has 
issued executive orders designed to limit immigration. In addition, the administration has proposed for implementation in 2020 a 
policy change applicable to entities where more than 50% of the workers in the United States hold certain types of visas that, if 
implemented, would significantly increase the visa costs for such entities. In the EU, many countries continue to implement new 
regulations to move into compliance with the EU Directive of 2014 to harmonize immigration rules for intracompany transferees 
in most EU member states and to facilitate the transfer of managers, specialists and graduate trainees both into and within the 
region. The changes have had significant impacts on mobility programs and have led to new notification and documentation 
requirements  for  companies  sending  professionals  to  EU  countries.  Recent  changes  or  any  additional  adverse  revisions  to 
immigration laws and regulations in the jurisdictions in which we operate may cause us delays, staffing shortages, additional costs 
or an inability to bid for or fulfill projects for clients, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results 
of operations and financial condition.

 Anti-outsourcing legislation, if adopted, and negative perceptions associated with offshore outsourcing could impair 
our ability to serve our clients and materially adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition. 

The practice of outsourcing services to organizations operating in other countries is a topic of political discussion in the 
United States, which is our largest market, as well as other regions in which we have clients. For example, measures aimed at 
limiting or restricting outsourcing by U.S. companies have been put forward for consideration by the U.S. Congress and in state 

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legislatures to address concerns over the perceived association between offshore outsourcing and the loss of jobs domestically. If 
any such measure is enacted, our ability to provide services to our clients could be impaired. 

In  addition,  from  time  to  time  there  has  been  publicity  about  purported  negative  experiences  associated  with  offshore 
outsourcing, such as alleged domestic job loss and theft and misappropriation of sensitive client data, particularly involving service 
providers in India. Current or prospective clients may elect to perform certain services themselves or may be discouraged from 
utilizing global service delivery providers like us due to negative perceptions that may be associated with using global service 
delivery models or firms. Any slowdown or reversal of existing industry trends toward global service delivery would seriously 
harm our ability to compete effectively with competitors that provide the majority of their services from within the country in 
which our clients operate.

We are subject to numerous and evolving legal and regulatory requirements and client expectations in the many 
jurisdictions in which we operate, and violations of, unfavorable changes in or an inability to meet such requirements or 
expectations could harm our business.

We provide services to clients and have operations in many parts of the world and in a wide variety of different industries, 
subjecting us to numerous, and sometimes conflicting, laws and regulations on matters as diverse as import and export controls, 
temporary work authorizations or work permits, content requirements, trade restrictions, tariffs, taxation, anti-corruption laws 
(including the FCPA and the U.K. Bribery Act), government affairs, internal and disclosure control obligations, data privacy, 
intellectual property and labor relations. We are subject to a wide range of potential enforcement actions, audits or investigations 
regarding our compliance with these laws or regulations in the conduct of our business, and any finding of a violation could subject 
us to a wide range of civil or criminal penalties, including fines, debarment, or suspension or disqualification from government 
contracting, prohibitions or restrictions on doing business, loss of clients and business, legal claims by clients and damage to our 
reputation. 

 We face significant regulatory compliance costs and risks as a result of the size and breadth of our business. For example, 
we commit significant financial and managerial resources to comply with our internal control over financial reporting requirements, 
but we have in the past and may in the future identify material weaknesses or deficiencies in our internal control over financial 
reporting that causes us to incur incremental remediation costs in order to maintain adequate controls. As another example, we 
had to spend significant resources on conducting an internal investigation and cooperating with investigations by the U.S. DOJ 
and the SEC, each of which is now concluded, focused on whether certain payments relating to Company-owned facilities in India 
were made in violation of the FCPA and other applicable laws.

Various governmental bodies and many customers and businesses are increasingly focused on environmental and social 
issues, which has resulted and may in the future continue to result in the adoption of new laws and regulations and changing buying 
practices.  If we fail to keep pace with these developments, our reputation and business could be adversely impacted.

Changes in tax laws or in their interpretation or enforcement, failure by us to adapt our corporate structure and 
intercompany  arrangements  to  achieve  global  tax  efficiencies  or  adverse  outcomes  of  tax  audits,  investigations  or 
proceedings could have a material adverse effect on our effective tax rate, results of operations and financial condition.

The interpretation of tax laws and regulations in the many jurisdictions in which we operate and the related tax accounting 
principles are complex and require considerable judgment to determine our income taxes and other tax liabilities worldwide. Tax 
laws and regulations affecting us and our clients, including applicable tax rates, and the interpretation and enforcement of such 
laws and regulations are subject to change as a result of economic, political and other factors, and any such changes or changes 
in tax accounting principles could increase our effective worldwide income tax rate and have a material adverse effect on our net 
earnings and financial condition. We routinely review and update our corporate structure and intercompany arrangements, including 
transfer pricing policies, consistent with applicable laws and regulations, to align with our evolving business operations and provide 
global tax efficiencies across the numerous jurisdictions, such as the United States, India and the United Kingdom, in which we 
operate.  Failure to successfully adapt our corporate structure and intercompany arrangements to align with our evolving business 
operations and achieve global tax efficiencies may increase our worldwide effective tax rate and have a material adverse effect 
on our earnings and financial condition.

The following are several examples of changes in tax laws that may impact us:

•  The Tax Reform Act was enacted in December 2017 and made a number of significant changes to the corporate 
tax regime in the United States. The U.S. Treasury department continues to issue proposed and final regulations which 
modify relevant aspects of the new tax regime. 

• 

In December 2019, the Government of India enacted the India Tax Law effective retroactively to April 1, 2019 
that enables Indian companies to elect to be taxed at a lower income tax rate of 25.17% as compared to the current rate 

of 34.94%. Once a company elects into the lower income tax rate, a company may not benefit from any tax holidays 

associated with SEZs and certain other tax incentives, including MAT carryforwards, and may not reverse its election. 

As of December 31, 2019, we had deferred income tax assets related to the MAT carryforwards of approximately $176  

million. See Note 11 to our consolidated financial statements. Our current intent is to elect into the new tax regime once 

our MAT carryforwards are fully or substantially utilized. Our intent is based on a number of current assumptions and 

financial projections, and if our intent were to change and we were to opt into the new tax regime at an earlier time, the 

write-off of any remaining MAT deferred tax assets may materially increase our provision for income taxes and effective 

income tax rate and decrease our earnings per share, while the loss of the benefit of the MAT carryforwards may increase 

our cash tax payments.

•  The OECD has been working on a Base Erosion and Profit Shifting project and is expected to continue to issue 

guidelines and proposals that may change numerous long-standing tax principles. The changes recommended by the 

OECD have been or are being adopted by many of the countries in which we do business and could lead to disagreements 

among jurisdictions over the proper allocation of profits among them. The OECD has also undertaken a new project 

focused on “Addressing the Tax Challenges of the Digitalization of the Economy.” This project may impact multinational 

businesses  by  implementing  a  global  model  for  minimum  taxation.  Similarly,  the  European  Commission  and 

various jurisdictions have introduced proposals to or passed laws that impose a separate tax on specified digital services. 

These recent and potential future tax law changes create uncertainty and may materially adversely impact our provision 

for income taxes.  

Our worldwide effective income tax rate may increase as a result of these recent developments, changes in interpretations 

and assumptions made, additional guidance that may be issued and ongoing and future actions the Company has or may take with 

respect to our corporate structure and intercompany arrangements.

Additionally, we are subject from time to time to tax audits, investigations and proceedings. Tax authorities have disagreed, 

and may in the future disagree, with our judgments, and are taking increasingly aggressive positions, including with respect to 

our intercompany transactions. For example, we are currently involved in an ongoing dispute with the ITD in which the ITD 

asserts that we owe additional taxes for two transactions by which CTS India repurchased shares from its shareholders, as more 

fully  described  in  Note  11  to  the  consolidated  financial  statements. Adverse  outcomes  in  any  such  audits,  investigations  or 

proceedings could increase our tax exposure and cause us to incur increased expense, which could materially adversely affect our 

results of operations and financial condition.

adversely affected if we incur legal liability.

 Our business subjects us to considerable potential exposure to litigation and legal claims and could be materially 

We are subject to, and may become a party to, a variety of litigation or other claims and suits that arise from time to time in 

the conduct of our business. Our business is subject to the risk of litigation involving current and former employees, clients, alliance 

partners, subcontractors, suppliers, competitors, shareholders, government agencies or others through private actions, class actions, 

whistleblower claims, administrative proceedings, regulatory actions or other litigation. While we maintain insurance for certain 

potential liabilities, such insurance does not cover all types and amounts of potential liabilities and is subject to various exclusions 

as well as caps on amounts recoverable. 

Our client engagements expose us to significant potential legal liability and litigation expense if we fail to meet our contractual 

obligations or otherwise breach obligations to third parties or if our subcontractors breach or dispute the terms of our agreements 

with them and impede our ability to meet our obligations to our clients. For example, third parties could claim that we or our 

clients, whom we typically contractually agree to indemnify with respect to the services and solutions we provide, infringe upon 

their intellectual property rights. Any such claims of intellectual property infringement could harm our reputation, cause us to 

incur substantial costs in defending ourselves, expose us to considerable legal liability or prevent us from offering some services 

or solutions in the future. We may have to engage in legal action to protect our own intellectual property rights, and enforcing our 

rights may require considerable time, money and oversight, and existing laws in the various countries in which we provide services 

or solutions may offer only limited protection. 

We also face considerable potential legal liability from a variety of other sources. Our acquisition activities have in the past 

and may in the future be subject to litigation or other claims, including claims from professionals, clients, stockholders, or other 

third parties. We have also been the subject of a number of putative securities class action complaints and putative shareholder 

derivative  complaints  relating  to  the  matters  that  were  the  subject  of  our  now  concluded  internal  investigation  into  potential 

violations of the FCPA and other applicable laws, and may be subject to such legal actions for these or other matters in the future. 

See "Part I, Item 3. Legal Proceedings" for more information. We establish reserves for these and other matters when a loss is 

considered probable and the amount can be reasonably estimated; however, the estimation of legal reserves and possible losses 

involves significant judgment and may not reflect the full range of uncertainties and unpredictable outcomes inherent in litigation, 

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legislatures to address concerns over the perceived association between offshore outsourcing and the loss of jobs domestically. If 

any such measure is enacted, our ability to provide services to our clients could be impaired. 

In  addition,  from  time  to  time  there  has  been  publicity  about  purported  negative  experiences  associated  with  offshore 

outsourcing, such as alleged domestic job loss and theft and misappropriation of sensitive client data, particularly involving service 

providers in India. Current or prospective clients may elect to perform certain services themselves or may be discouraged from 

utilizing global service delivery providers like us due to negative perceptions that may be associated with using global service 

delivery models or firms. Any slowdown or reversal of existing industry trends toward global service delivery would seriously 

harm our ability to compete effectively with competitors that provide the majority of their services from within the country in 

which our clients operate.

We are subject to numerous and evolving legal and regulatory requirements and client expectations in the many 

jurisdictions in which we operate, and violations of, unfavorable changes in or an inability to meet such requirements or 

expectations could harm our business.

We provide services to clients and have operations in many parts of the world and in a wide variety of different industries, 

subjecting us to numerous, and sometimes conflicting, laws and regulations on matters as diverse as import and export controls, 

temporary work authorizations or work permits, content requirements, trade restrictions, tariffs, taxation, anti-corruption laws 

(including the FCPA and the U.K. Bribery Act), government affairs, internal and disclosure control obligations, data privacy, 

intellectual property and labor relations. We are subject to a wide range of potential enforcement actions, audits or investigations 

regarding our compliance with these laws or regulations in the conduct of our business, and any finding of a violation could subject 

us to a wide range of civil or criminal penalties, including fines, debarment, or suspension or disqualification from government 

contracting, prohibitions or restrictions on doing business, loss of clients and business, legal claims by clients and damage to our 

reputation. 

 We face significant regulatory compliance costs and risks as a result of the size and breadth of our business. For example, 

we commit significant financial and managerial resources to comply with our internal control over financial reporting requirements, 

but we have in the past and may in the future identify material weaknesses or deficiencies in our internal control over financial 

reporting that causes us to incur incremental remediation costs in order to maintain adequate controls. As another example, we 

had to spend significant resources on conducting an internal investigation and cooperating with investigations by the U.S. DOJ 

and the SEC, each of which is now concluded, focused on whether certain payments relating to Company-owned facilities in India 

were made in violation of the FCPA and other applicable laws.

Various governmental bodies and many customers and businesses are increasingly focused on environmental and social 

issues, which has resulted and may in the future continue to result in the adoption of new laws and regulations and changing buying 

practices.  If we fail to keep pace with these developments, our reputation and business could be adversely impacted.

Changes in tax laws or in their interpretation or enforcement, failure by us to adapt our corporate structure and 

intercompany  arrangements  to  achieve  global  tax  efficiencies  or  adverse  outcomes  of  tax  audits,  investigations  or 

proceedings could have a material adverse effect on our effective tax rate, results of operations and financial condition.

The interpretation of tax laws and regulations in the many jurisdictions in which we operate and the related tax accounting 

principles are complex and require considerable judgment to determine our income taxes and other tax liabilities worldwide. Tax 

laws and regulations affecting us and our clients, including applicable tax rates, and the interpretation and enforcement of such 

laws and regulations are subject to change as a result of economic, political and other factors, and any such changes or changes 

in tax accounting principles could increase our effective worldwide income tax rate and have a material adverse effect on our net 

earnings and financial condition. We routinely review and update our corporate structure and intercompany arrangements, including 

transfer pricing policies, consistent with applicable laws and regulations, to align with our evolving business operations and provide 

global tax efficiencies across the numerous jurisdictions, such as the United States, India and the United Kingdom, in which we 

operate.  Failure to successfully adapt our corporate structure and intercompany arrangements to align with our evolving business 

operations and achieve global tax efficiencies may increase our worldwide effective tax rate and have a material adverse effect 

on our earnings and financial condition.

The following are several examples of changes in tax laws that may impact us:

•  The Tax Reform Act was enacted in December 2017 and made a number of significant changes to the corporate 

tax regime in the United States. The U.S. Treasury department continues to issue proposed and final regulations which 

modify relevant aspects of the new tax regime. 

• 

In December 2019, the Government of India enacted the India Tax Law effective retroactively to April 1, 2019 

that enables Indian companies to elect to be taxed at a lower income tax rate of 25.17% as compared to the current rate 

of 34.94%. Once a company elects into the lower income tax rate, a company may not benefit from any tax holidays 
associated with SEZs and certain other tax incentives, including MAT carryforwards, and may not reverse its election. 
As of December 31, 2019, we had deferred income tax assets related to the MAT carryforwards of approximately $176  
million. See Note 11 to our consolidated financial statements. Our current intent is to elect into the new tax regime once 
our MAT carryforwards are fully or substantially utilized. Our intent is based on a number of current assumptions and 
financial projections, and if our intent were to change and we were to opt into the new tax regime at an earlier time, the 
write-off of any remaining MAT deferred tax assets may materially increase our provision for income taxes and effective 
income tax rate and decrease our earnings per share, while the loss of the benefit of the MAT carryforwards may increase 
our cash tax payments.

•  The OECD has been working on a Base Erosion and Profit Shifting project and is expected to continue to issue 
guidelines and proposals that may change numerous long-standing tax principles. The changes recommended by the 
OECD have been or are being adopted by many of the countries in which we do business and could lead to disagreements 
among jurisdictions over the proper allocation of profits among them. The OECD has also undertaken a new project 
focused on “Addressing the Tax Challenges of the Digitalization of the Economy.” This project may impact multinational 
businesses  by  implementing  a  global  model  for  minimum  taxation.  Similarly,  the  European  Commission  and 
various jurisdictions have introduced proposals to or passed laws that impose a separate tax on specified digital services. 
These recent and potential future tax law changes create uncertainty and may materially adversely impact our provision 
for income taxes.  

Our worldwide effective income tax rate may increase as a result of these recent developments, changes in interpretations 
and assumptions made, additional guidance that may be issued and ongoing and future actions the Company has or may take with 
respect to our corporate structure and intercompany arrangements.

Additionally, we are subject from time to time to tax audits, investigations and proceedings. Tax authorities have disagreed, 
and may in the future disagree, with our judgments, and are taking increasingly aggressive positions, including with respect to 
our intercompany transactions. For example, we are currently involved in an ongoing dispute with the ITD in which the ITD 
asserts that we owe additional taxes for two transactions by which CTS India repurchased shares from its shareholders, as more 
fully  described  in  Note  11  to  the  consolidated  financial  statements. Adverse  outcomes  in  any  such  audits,  investigations  or 
proceedings could increase our tax exposure and cause us to incur increased expense, which could materially adversely affect our 
results of operations and financial condition.

 Our business subjects us to considerable potential exposure to litigation and legal claims and could be materially 

adversely affected if we incur legal liability.

We are subject to, and may become a party to, a variety of litigation or other claims and suits that arise from time to time in 
the conduct of our business. Our business is subject to the risk of litigation involving current and former employees, clients, alliance 
partners, subcontractors, suppliers, competitors, shareholders, government agencies or others through private actions, class actions, 
whistleblower claims, administrative proceedings, regulatory actions or other litigation. While we maintain insurance for certain 
potential liabilities, such insurance does not cover all types and amounts of potential liabilities and is subject to various exclusions 
as well as caps on amounts recoverable. 

Our client engagements expose us to significant potential legal liability and litigation expense if we fail to meet our contractual 
obligations or otherwise breach obligations to third parties or if our subcontractors breach or dispute the terms of our agreements 
with them and impede our ability to meet our obligations to our clients. For example, third parties could claim that we or our 
clients, whom we typically contractually agree to indemnify with respect to the services and solutions we provide, infringe upon 
their intellectual property rights. Any such claims of intellectual property infringement could harm our reputation, cause us to 
incur substantial costs in defending ourselves, expose us to considerable legal liability or prevent us from offering some services 
or solutions in the future. We may have to engage in legal action to protect our own intellectual property rights, and enforcing our 
rights may require considerable time, money and oversight, and existing laws in the various countries in which we provide services 
or solutions may offer only limited protection. 

We also face considerable potential legal liability from a variety of other sources. Our acquisition activities have in the past 
and may in the future be subject to litigation or other claims, including claims from professionals, clients, stockholders, or other 
third parties. We have also been the subject of a number of putative securities class action complaints and putative shareholder 
derivative  complaints  relating  to  the  matters  that  were  the  subject  of  our  now  concluded  internal  investigation  into  potential 
violations of the FCPA and other applicable laws, and may be subject to such legal actions for these or other matters in the future. 
See "Part I, Item 3. Legal Proceedings" for more information. We establish reserves for these and other matters when a loss is 
considered probable and the amount can be reasonably estimated; however, the estimation of legal reserves and possible losses 
involves significant judgment and may not reflect the full range of uncertainties and unpredictable outcomes inherent in litigation, 

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and  the  actual  losses  arising  from  particular  matters  may  exceed  our  estimates  and  materially  adversely  affect  our  results  of 
operations.

Our earnings may be adversely affected if we change our intent not to repatriate Indian accumulated undistributed 

earnings. 

A significant portion of our accumulated earnings are held and ongoing earnings are derived from our operations in India.  
We consider our Indian accumulated undistributed earnings to be indefinitely reinvested in India. See Note 11 to our consolidated 
financial statements. While we have no plans to do so, we may change our intent not to repatriate such earnings. Factors that may 
lead us to change our intent, include, but are not limited to, changes in cash estimates, capital requirements outside of India, 
discretionary  transactions,  changes  to  our  shareholder  capital  return  plan  and  legislative  developments  in  India  and  other 
jurisdictions. For example, the Budget, as presented by the India Finance Minister on February 1, 2020, contains a number of 
proposed provisions related to tax, including a replacement of the dividend distribution tax, which is due from the dividend payer, 
with a tax payable by the shareholder receiving the dividend. This measure is proposed to be effective for the India financial year 
starting April 1, 2020. We are in the process of reviewing the various tax provisions outlined in the Budget, and will finalize our 
assessment once the Budget proposals are passed into law by the Parliament of India. A change in our intent not to repatriate Indian 
accumulated undistributed earnings would result in a material increase to our provision for income taxes and a decrease in our net 
income and earnings per share in the period such decision is made.

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments

None.

Item 2. Properties 

We have major sales and marketing offices, innovation labs, and digital design and consulting centers in major business 
markets, including New York, London, Paris, Melbourne, Singapore, and Sao Paulo, among others, which are used to deliver 
services to our clients across all four of our business segments. We lease 0.1 million square feet of office space for our worldwide 
headquarters  in Teaneck,  New  Jersey  in  the  United  States.  In  total,  we  have  offices  and  operations  in  more  than  79 cities  in 
37 countries around the world. 

We utilize a global delivery model with delivery centers worldwide, including in-country, regional and global delivery centers. 
We have over 27 million square feet of owned and leased facilities for our delivery centers. Our largest delivery center presence 
is in India: Chennai (10 million square feet); Pune (4 million square feet); Kolkata (3 million square feet); Hyderabad (3 million 
square feet); and Bangalore (2 million square feet). Our India delivery centers represent approximately 80% of our total delivery 
centers on a square-foot basis. We also have a significant number of delivery centers in other countries, including the United States, 
Philippines, Canada, Mexico and countries throughout Europe. 

We believe our current facilities are adequate to support our operations in the immediate future, and that we will be able to 

obtain suitable additional facilities on commercially reasonable terms as needed.

Item 3. Legal Proceedings

See Note 15 to our consolidated financial statements.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.

PART II

Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases 

Our Class A common stock trades on the Nasdaq under the symbol “CTSH”. As of December 31, 2019, the approximate 

number of holders of record of our Class A common stock was 119 and the approximate number of beneficial holders of our 

of Equity Securities

Class A common stock was 302,700.

Cash Dividends

During 2019, we paid quarterly cash dividends of $0.20 per share. In February 2020, our Board of Directors approved a 

10% or $0.02 increase to our quarterly cash dividends and the Company's declaration of a $0.22 per share dividend with a record 

date of February 18, 2020 and a payment date of February 28, 2020. We intend to continue to pay quarterly cash dividends during 

2020 in accordance with our capital return plan. Our ability and decisions to pay future dividends depend on a variety of factors, 

including our cash flow generated from operations, the amount and location of our cash and investment balances, our net income, 

our overall liquidity position, potential alternative uses of cash, such as acquisitions, and anticipated future economic conditions 

and financial results. 

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

Our stock repurchase program, as amended by our Board of Directors in February 2020, allows for the repurchase of up to 

$7.5 billion, excluding fees and expenses, of our Class A common stock through open market purchases, including under a trading 

plan adopted pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 of the Exchange Act or in private transactions, including through ASR agreements entered 

into with financial institutions, in accordance with applicable federal securities laws. The timing of repurchases and the exact 

number of shares to be purchased are determined by management, in its discretion, or pursuant to a Rule 10b5-1 trading plan, and 

will depend upon market conditions and other factors.

During the three months ended December 31, 2019, we repurchased $150 million of our Class A common stock under our 

stock repurchase program. The following table sets out the stock repurchase activity under our stock repurchase program during 

the fourth quarter of 2019 and the approximate dollar value of shares that may yet be purchased under the program as of December 

31, 2019. 

Month

October 1, 2019 - October 31, 2019

Open market purchases

November 1, 2019 - November 30, 2019

Open market purchases

December 1, 2019 - December 31, 2019

Open market purchases

Total

Total Number

of Shares

Purchased

Average

Price Paid

per Share

Total Number of

Shares Purchased

as Part of Publicly

Announced

Plans or

Programs

Approximate

Dollar Value of Shares

that May Yet Be

Purchased under the

Plans or Programs

(in millions)

2,481,713

$

60.44

2,481,713

$

—

—

—

—

—

—

2,481,713

$

60.44

2,481,713

369

369

369

We regularly purchase shares in connection with our stock-based compensation plans as shares of our Class A common stock 

are tendered by employees for payment of applicable statutory tax withholdings. For the three months ended December 31, 2019, 

we purchased 192,182 shares at an aggregate cost of $13 million in connection with employee tax withholding obligations. 

14

15

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents  

operations.

earnings. 

A significant portion of our accumulated earnings are held and ongoing earnings are derived from our operations in India.  

We consider our Indian accumulated undistributed earnings to be indefinitely reinvested in India. See Note 11 to our consolidated 

financial statements. While we have no plans to do so, we may change our intent not to repatriate such earnings. Factors that may 

lead us to change our intent, include, but are not limited to, changes in cash estimates, capital requirements outside of India, 

discretionary  transactions,  changes  to  our  shareholder  capital  return  plan  and  legislative  developments  in  India  and  other 

jurisdictions. For example, the Budget, as presented by the India Finance Minister on February 1, 2020, contains a number of 

proposed provisions related to tax, including a replacement of the dividend distribution tax, which is due from the dividend payer, 

with a tax payable by the shareholder receiving the dividend. This measure is proposed to be effective for the India financial year 

starting April 1, 2020. We are in the process of reviewing the various tax provisions outlined in the Budget, and will finalize our 

assessment once the Budget proposals are passed into law by the Parliament of India. A change in our intent not to repatriate Indian 

accumulated undistributed earnings would result in a material increase to our provision for income taxes and a decrease in our net 

income and earnings per share in the period such decision is made.

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments

None.

Item 2. Properties 

We have major sales and marketing offices, innovation labs, and digital design and consulting centers in major business 

markets, including New York, London, Paris, Melbourne, Singapore, and Sao Paulo, among others, which are used to deliver 

services to our clients across all four of our business segments. We lease 0.1 million square feet of office space for our worldwide 

headquarters  in Teaneck,  New  Jersey  in  the  United  States.  In  total,  we  have  offices  and  operations  in  more  than  79 cities  in 

37 countries around the world. 

We utilize a global delivery model with delivery centers worldwide, including in-country, regional and global delivery centers. 

We have over 27 million square feet of owned and leased facilities for our delivery centers. Our largest delivery center presence 

is in India: Chennai (10 million square feet); Pune (4 million square feet); Kolkata (3 million square feet); Hyderabad (3 million 

square feet); and Bangalore (2 million square feet). Our India delivery centers represent approximately 80% of our total delivery 

centers on a square-foot basis. We also have a significant number of delivery centers in other countries, including the United States, 

Philippines, Canada, Mexico and countries throughout Europe. 

We believe our current facilities are adequate to support our operations in the immediate future, and that we will be able to 

obtain suitable additional facilities on commercially reasonable terms as needed.

Item 3. Legal Proceedings

See Note 15 to our consolidated financial statements.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.

and  the  actual  losses  arising  from  particular  matters  may  exceed  our  estimates  and  materially  adversely  affect  our  results  of 

PART II

Table of Contents  

Our earnings may be adversely affected if we change our intent not to repatriate Indian accumulated undistributed 

Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases 

of Equity Securities

Our Class A common stock trades on the Nasdaq under the symbol “CTSH”. As of December 31, 2019, the approximate 
number of holders of record of our Class A common stock was 119 and the approximate number of beneficial holders of our 
Class A common stock was 302,700.

Cash Dividends

During 2019, we paid quarterly cash dividends of $0.20 per share. In February 2020, our Board of Directors approved a 
10% or $0.02 increase to our quarterly cash dividends and the Company's declaration of a $0.22 per share dividend with a record 
date of February 18, 2020 and a payment date of February 28, 2020. We intend to continue to pay quarterly cash dividends during 
2020 in accordance with our capital return plan. Our ability and decisions to pay future dividends depend on a variety of factors, 
including our cash flow generated from operations, the amount and location of our cash and investment balances, our net income, 
our overall liquidity position, potential alternative uses of cash, such as acquisitions, and anticipated future economic conditions 
and financial results. 

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

Our stock repurchase program, as amended by our Board of Directors in February 2020, allows for the repurchase of up to 
$7.5 billion, excluding fees and expenses, of our Class A common stock through open market purchases, including under a trading 
plan adopted pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 of the Exchange Act or in private transactions, including through ASR agreements entered 
into with financial institutions, in accordance with applicable federal securities laws. The timing of repurchases and the exact 
number of shares to be purchased are determined by management, in its discretion, or pursuant to a Rule 10b5-1 trading plan, and 
will depend upon market conditions and other factors.

During the three months ended December 31, 2019, we repurchased $150 million of our Class A common stock under our 
stock repurchase program. The following table sets out the stock repurchase activity under our stock repurchase program during 
the fourth quarter of 2019 and the approximate dollar value of shares that may yet be purchased under the program as of December 
31, 2019. 

Month
October 1, 2019 - October 31, 2019

Open market purchases

November 1, 2019 - November 30, 2019

Open market purchases

December 1, 2019 - December 31, 2019

Open market purchases

Total

Total Number
of Shares
Purchased

Average
Price Paid
per Share

Total Number of
Shares Purchased
as Part of Publicly
Announced
Plans or
Programs

Approximate
Dollar Value of Shares
that May Yet Be
Purchased under the
Plans or Programs
(in millions)

2,481,713

$

60.44

2,481,713

$

—

—

—

—
2,481,713

$

—
60.44

—
2,481,713

369

369

369

We regularly purchase shares in connection with our stock-based compensation plans as shares of our Class A common stock 
are tendered by employees for payment of applicable statutory tax withholdings. For the three months ended December 31, 2019, 
we purchased 192,182 shares at an aggregate cost of $13 million in connection with employee tax withholding obligations. 

14

15

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents  

Performance Graph

The following graph compares the cumulative total stockholder return on our Class A common stock with the cumulative total 
return  on  the  S&P  500  Index,  Nasdaq-100  Index  and  a  Peer  Group  Index  (capitalization  weighted)  for  the  period  beginning 
December 31, 2014 and ending on the last day of our last completed fiscal year. The stock performance shown on the graph below 
is not indicative of future price performance.

COMPARISON OF CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN(1)(2)

Among Cognizant, the S&P 500 Index, the Nasdaq-100 Index
And a Peer Group Index(3) (Capitalization Weighted) 

Company / Index

Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp
S&P 500 Index
Nasdaq-100 Index
Peer Group

Base
Period
12/31/14

12/31/15

12/31/16

12/31/17

12/31/18

12/31/19

$

100
100
100
100

$ 113.98
101.38
108.43
117.45

$ 106.40
113.51
114.81
122.99

$ 135.74
138.29
150.99
155.96

$ 122.62
132.23
149.42
150.97

$ 121.31
173.86
206.15
198.40

(1)  Graph assumes $100 invested on December 31, 2014 in our Class A common stock, the S&P 500 Index, the Nasdaq-100 

Index, and the Peer Group Index (capitalization weighted).
(2)  Cumulative total return assumes reinvestment of dividends.
(3)  We have constructed a Peer Group Index of other information technology consulting firms. Our peer group consists of 
Accenture plc., DXC Technology, EPAM Systems Inc., ExlService Holdings Inc., Genpact Limited, Infosys Ltd., Wipro 
Ltd. and WNS (Holdings) Limited. 

16

17

Table of Contents  

Item 6. Selected Financial Data

The following table sets forth our selected consolidated historical financial data as of the dates and for the periods indicated. 

Our selected consolidated financial data set forth below as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 and for each of the years ended 

December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 have been derived from the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere herein. Our 

selected consolidated financial data set forth below as of December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 and for each of the years ended 

December 31, 2016 and 2015 are derived from our consolidated financial statements not included elsewhere herein. Our selected 

consolidated financial information for 2019 and 2018 should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements 

and the accompanying notes and Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, 

which are included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

For the year ended December 31:

Revenues

Income from operations

Net income(2)

Basic earnings per share(2)

Diluted earnings per share(2)

Cash dividends declared per common share

Weighted average number of common shares

outstanding-Basic

Weighted average number of common shares

outstanding-Diluted

Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments(3)

As of December 31:

Working capital(3)(4)

Total assets(3)(4)(5)

Total debt

Stockholders’ equity

2019(1)

2018(1)

2017

2016

2015

(in millions, except per share data)

$

16,783

$

16,125

$

14,810

$

13,487

$

12,416

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

2,453

1,842

3.30

3.29

0.80

559

560

3,424

4,628

16,204

738

11,022

$

$

$

$

2,801

2,101

3.61

3.60

0.80

582

584

4,511

5,900

15,846

745

11,424

$

$

$

$

2,481

1,504

2.54

2.53

0.45

593

595

5,056

6,272

15,221

873

10,669

2,289

1,553

2.56

2.55

$

$

— $

607

610

2,142

1,624

2.67

2.65

—

609

613

$

5,169

6,182

14,262

878

10,728

4,949

5,195

13,061

1,283

9,278

(1) 

On January 1, 2018, we adopted the New Revenue Standard using the modified retrospective method. Results for reporting 

periods beginning on or after January 1, 2018 are presented under the New Revenue Standard, while prior period amounts 

are not adjusted and continue to be reported in accordance with our historical accounting policies.

(2) 

In March 2016, the FASB issued an update related to stock compensation. The update simplified the accounting for excess 

tax  benefits  and  deficiencies  related  to  employee  stock-based  payment  transactions.  We  adopted  this  standard 

prospectively on January 1, 2017. For the year ended December 31, 2019, the net excess tax benefit on stock-based 

compensation awards in our income tax provision was immaterial. For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, 

we recognized net excess tax benefits on stock-based compensation awards in our income tax provision in the amount 

$20 million, or $0.03 per share, and $40 million, or $0.07 per share, respectively. In prior periods, such net excess tax 

(3) 

Includes $414 million and $423 million in restricted time deposits as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. See 

benefits were recorded in additional paid in capital.

Note 11 to our consolidated financial statements.

(4) 

On January 1, 2019, we adopted the New Lease Standard using the effective date method applied to all lease contracts 

existing as of January 1, 2019. Results for reporting periods beginning on January 1, 2019 are presented under the New 

Lease Standard, while prior period amounts are not adjusted and continue to be reported in accordance with our historical 

accounting policies. See Note 7 to our consolidated financial statements.

(5) 

In 2019, we changed our policy with regard to the presentation of certain amounts due to customers, such as discounts 

and rebates. See Note 1 to our consolidated financial statements. Balances for 2019 and 2018 reflect the new presentation 

while prior period amounts are not adjusted and continue to be reported in accordance with our historical accounting 

policies.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents  

Performance Graph

The following graph compares the cumulative total stockholder return on our Class A common stock with the cumulative total 

return  on  the  S&P  500  Index,  Nasdaq-100  Index  and  a  Peer  Group  Index  (capitalization  weighted)  for  the  period  beginning 

December 31, 2014 and ending on the last day of our last completed fiscal year. The stock performance shown on the graph below 

is not indicative of future price performance.

COMPARISON OF CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN(1)(2)

Among Cognizant, the S&P 500 Index, the Nasdaq-100 Index

And a Peer Group Index(3) (Capitalization Weighted) 

Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp

$

$ 113.98

$ 106.40

$ 135.74

$ 122.62

$ 121.31

12/31/15

12/31/16

12/31/17

12/31/18

12/31/19

101.38

108.43

117.45

113.51

114.81

122.99

138.29

150.99

155.96

132.23

149.42

150.97

173.86

206.15

198.40

Company / Index

S&P 500 Index

Nasdaq-100 Index

Peer Group

(1)  Graph assumes $100 invested on December 31, 2014 in our Class A common stock, the S&P 500 Index, the Nasdaq-100 

Index, and the Peer Group Index (capitalization weighted).

(2)  Cumulative total return assumes reinvestment of dividends.

(3)  We have constructed a Peer Group Index of other information technology consulting firms. Our peer group consists of 

Accenture plc., DXC Technology, EPAM Systems Inc., ExlService Holdings Inc., Genpact Limited, Infosys Ltd., Wipro 

Ltd. and WNS (Holdings) Limited. 

Base

Period

12/31/14

100

100

100

100

16

Table of Contents  

Item 6. Selected Financial Data

The following table sets forth our selected consolidated historical financial data as of the dates and for the periods indicated. 
Our selected consolidated financial data set forth below as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 and for each of the years ended 
December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 have been derived from the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere herein. Our 
selected consolidated financial data set forth below as of December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 and for each of the years ended 
December 31, 2016 and 2015 are derived from our consolidated financial statements not included elsewhere herein. Our selected 
consolidated financial information for 2019 and 2018 should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements 
and the accompanying notes and Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, 
which are included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

For the year ended December 31:
Revenues
Income from operations
Net income(2)

Basic earnings per share(2)
Diluted earnings per share(2)
Cash dividends declared per common share
Weighted average number of common shares

outstanding-Basic

Weighted average number of common shares

outstanding-Diluted

As of December 31:
Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments(3)
Working capital(3)(4)
Total assets(3)(4)(5)
Total debt
Stockholders’ equity

2019(1)

2018(1)

2017

2016

2015

(in millions, except per share data)

$

$
$
$

$

$

$
$
$

$

16,783
2,453
1,842

3.30
3.29
0.80

559

560

3,424
4,628
16,204
738
11,022

$

$
$
$

$

16,125
2,801
2,101

3.61
3.60
0.80

582

584

4,511
5,900
15,846
745
11,424

$

$
$
$

$

14,810
2,481
1,504

2.54
2.53
0.45

593

595

5,056
6,272
15,221
873
10,669

$

13,487
2,289
1,553

12,416
2,142
1,624

2.56
2.55

$
$
— $

607

610

2.67
2.65
—

609

613

$

5,169
6,182
14,262
878
10,728

4,949
5,195
13,061
1,283
9,278

(1) 

(2) 

(3) 

(4) 

(5) 

On January 1, 2018, we adopted the New Revenue Standard using the modified retrospective method. Results for reporting 
periods beginning on or after January 1, 2018 are presented under the New Revenue Standard, while prior period amounts 
are not adjusted and continue to be reported in accordance with our historical accounting policies.

In March 2016, the FASB issued an update related to stock compensation. The update simplified the accounting for excess 
tax  benefits  and  deficiencies  related  to  employee  stock-based  payment  transactions.  We  adopted  this  standard 
prospectively on January 1, 2017. For the year ended December 31, 2019, the net excess tax benefit on stock-based 
compensation awards in our income tax provision was immaterial. For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, 
we recognized net excess tax benefits on stock-based compensation awards in our income tax provision in the amount 
$20 million, or $0.03 per share, and $40 million, or $0.07 per share, respectively. In prior periods, such net excess tax 
benefits were recorded in additional paid in capital.

Includes $414 million and $423 million in restricted time deposits as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. See 
Note 11 to our consolidated financial statements.

On January 1, 2019, we adopted the New Lease Standard using the effective date method applied to all lease contracts 
existing as of January 1, 2019. Results for reporting periods beginning on January 1, 2019 are presented under the New 
Lease Standard, while prior period amounts are not adjusted and continue to be reported in accordance with our historical 
accounting policies. See Note 7 to our consolidated financial statements.

In 2019, we changed our policy with regard to the presentation of certain amounts due to customers, such as discounts 
and rebates. See Note 1 to our consolidated financial statements. Balances for 2019 and 2018 reflect the new presentation 
while prior period amounts are not adjusted and continue to be reported in accordance with our historical accounting 
policies.

17

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents  

Table of Contents  

Item 7.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

2019 Financial Results

Executive Summary

The following table sets forth a summary of our financial results for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018:

Cognizant  is  one  of  the  world’s  leading  professional  services  companies,  transforming  clients’  business,  operating  and 
technology models for the digital era. Our services include digital services and solutions, consulting, application development, 
systems integration, application testing, application maintenance, infrastructure services and business process services. Digital 
services have become an increasingly important part of our portfolio, aligning with our clients' focus on becoming data-enabled, 
customer-centric and differentiated businesses. We tailor our services and solutions to specific industries with an integrated global 
delivery model that employs client service and delivery teams based at client locations and dedicated global and regional delivery 
centers.

In 2019, we initiated the execution of a multi-year plan aimed at accelerating revenue growth. As part of our 2020 Fit for 
Growth Plan, we have refined our strategic focus and launched a series of measures designed to improve our operational and 
commercial models and implement cost reductions.

We are aligning our strategic posture with our clients' needs to become more data-enabled, customer-centric and differentiated 
businesses.  We  are  planning  to  invest  significantly  in  technology,  sales  and  marketing,  talent  re-skilling,  acquisitions  and 
partnerships to further sharpen our strategic positioning in key digital areas - IoT, AI, digital engineering and cloud, while working 
to maintain and optimize our core portfolio of services through efficiency, tooling and automation, delivery optimization, protection 
of renewals, industry alignment and geographic expansion. To support our strategy, we are increasing our investment in sales and 
marketing  professionals  to  help  us  expand  existing  accounts  and  acquire  new  ones,  and  amplify  our  brand's  stature  in  the 
marketplace. In addition, in January 2020, we introduced a new, more variable sales compensation structure that rewards our teams 
for selling the entire portfolio of our services and offerings. Further, we have improved the alignment of our sales professionals 
and client support personnel with our client accounts, based on the size and scope of the existing relationship as well as the potential 
for account expansion and growth.

The refinement of our strategic posture also highlighted that certain content-related work is not in line with our strategic 
vision for the Company. This work is largely focused on determining whether certain content violates client standards - and can 
involve objectionable materials. As part of our 2020 Fit for Growth Plan, we intend to exit this work over the course of the next 
year while our other content-related work will continue. We anticipate that this decision may negatively impact our relationship 
with the affected clients and estimate that we may lose revenues of $225 million to $255 million on an annualized basis within 
our Communications, Media and Technology segment in North America. We anticipate revenues will ramp down over the next 
one to two years and the impact on 2020 revenues is expected to be between $180 million and $200 million. In the meantime, we 
will comply with our contractual obligations and determine the best mutual path forward with the small number of affected clients.

The 2020 Fit for Growth Plan also involves certain measures, which commenced in the fourth quarter of 2019, to simplify 
our organizational model and optimize our cost structure in order to partially fund the investments required to execute on our 
strategy and advance our growth agenda. In 2019, we incurred $48 million of employee separation, retention and facility exit costs 
under this plan, including $5 million of costs related to our exit from certain content-related services. See Note 4 to our consolidated 
financial statements for additional information. We expect to incur additional charges in the range of $100 million to $150 million 
in 2020, primarily related to severance and facility exit costs, under our 2020 Fit for Growth Plan. The optimization measures 
under this plan are expected to generate an annualized gross savings run rate, before anticipated investments, in the range of 
approximately $500 million to $550 million. The cost savings realized in 2020 is expected to be lower than the annualized run 
rate. 

Revenues

Income from operations

Net income

Diluted earnings per share

Other Financial Information1

Adjusted Income From Operations

Adjusted Diluted EPS

2019

2018

$

%

(Dollars in millions, except per share data)

Increase / (Decrease)

$

16,783

$

16,125

$

2,453

1,842

3.29

2,787

3.99

2,801

2,101

3.60

2,920

4.02

658

(348)

(259)

(0.31)

(133)

(0.03)

4.1

(12.4)

(12.3)

(8.6)

(4.6)

(0.7)

During the year ended December 31, 2019, revenues increased by $658 million as compared to the year ended December 

31, 2018, representing growth of 4.1%, or 5.2% on a constant currency basis1. Revenues from clients added during 2019, including 

those related to acquisitions, were $234 million.

The  following  charts  set  forth  revenues  and  revenue  growth  by  business  segment  and  geography  for  the  year  ended 

December 31, 2019:

Dollars in millions

North America

United Kingdom

Continental Europe

Europe - Total

Rest of World

Total

Dollars in millions

North America

United Kingdom

Continental Europe

Europe - Total

Rest of World

Total

Financial Services

Increase / (Decrease)

Healthcare

Increase / (Decrease)

Revenues

$

%

CC %1

Revenues

$

%

CC %1

$ 4,137

(25)

(0.6)

(0.6)

$ 4,147

(107)

(2.5)

(2.5)

484

728

1,212

520

$ 5,869

3

62

65

(16)

24

0.6

9.3

5.7

(3.0)

0.4

4.0

14.3

10.0

—

1.6

Increase / (Decrease)

Revenues

$ 2,678

380

453

833

259

$

281

22

13

35

39

$ 3,770

355

%

11.7

6.1

3.0

4.4

17.7

10.4

CC %1

11.7

10.9

8.8

9.8

22.4

12.0

130

341

471

77

$ 4,695

Revenues

$ 1,764

319

169

488

197

$ 2,449

110

39

71

24

27

284

(25)

(18)

(43)

11

252

42.9

26.3

30.5

45.3

0.6

19.2

(7.3)

(9.6)

(8.1)

5.9

11.5

46.8

30.7

34.8

45.5

1.0

19.2

(3.1)

(4.5)

(3.6)

12.6

13.1

Increase / (Decrease)

$

%

CC %1

Products and Resources

Communications, Media and Technology

Financial Services: Revenues in our Financial Services segment increased in our Europe region primarily due to Samlink revenues, 

while decreasing in our North America and Rest of World regions as certain banking clients continue to transition the support of 

some of their legacy systems and operations in-house or to captives. 

1 

Constant currency revenue growth, Adjusted Income From Operations and Adjusted Diluted EPS are not measurements 

of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for more information 

and reconciliations to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures, as applicable.

18

19

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 7.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

2019 Financial Results

The following table sets forth a summary of our financial results for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018:

Table of Contents  

Table of Contents  

Executive Summary

Cognizant  is  one  of  the  world’s  leading  professional  services  companies,  transforming  clients’  business,  operating  and 

technology models for the digital era. Our services include digital services and solutions, consulting, application development, 

systems integration, application testing, application maintenance, infrastructure services and business process services. Digital 

services have become an increasingly important part of our portfolio, aligning with our clients' focus on becoming data-enabled, 

customer-centric and differentiated businesses. We tailor our services and solutions to specific industries with an integrated global 

delivery model that employs client service and delivery teams based at client locations and dedicated global and regional delivery 

centers.

In 2019, we initiated the execution of a multi-year plan aimed at accelerating revenue growth. As part of our 2020 Fit for 

Growth Plan, we have refined our strategic focus and launched a series of measures designed to improve our operational and 

commercial models and implement cost reductions.

We are aligning our strategic posture with our clients' needs to become more data-enabled, customer-centric and differentiated 

businesses.  We  are  planning  to  invest  significantly  in  technology,  sales  and  marketing,  talent  re-skilling,  acquisitions  and 

partnerships to further sharpen our strategic positioning in key digital areas - IoT, AI, digital engineering and cloud, while working 

to maintain and optimize our core portfolio of services through efficiency, tooling and automation, delivery optimization, protection 

of renewals, industry alignment and geographic expansion. To support our strategy, we are increasing our investment in sales and 

marketing  professionals  to  help  us  expand  existing  accounts  and  acquire  new  ones,  and  amplify  our  brand's  stature  in  the 

marketplace. In addition, in January 2020, we introduced a new, more variable sales compensation structure that rewards our teams 

for selling the entire portfolio of our services and offerings. Further, we have improved the alignment of our sales professionals 

and client support personnel with our client accounts, based on the size and scope of the existing relationship as well as the potential 

for account expansion and growth.

The refinement of our strategic posture also highlighted that certain content-related work is not in line with our strategic 

vision for the Company. This work is largely focused on determining whether certain content violates client standards - and can 

involve objectionable materials. As part of our 2020 Fit for Growth Plan, we intend to exit this work over the course of the next 

year while our other content-related work will continue. We anticipate that this decision may negatively impact our relationship 

with the affected clients and estimate that we may lose revenues of $225 million to $255 million on an annualized basis within 

our Communications, Media and Technology segment in North America. We anticipate revenues will ramp down over the next 

one to two years and the impact on 2020 revenues is expected to be between $180 million and $200 million. In the meantime, we 

will comply with our contractual obligations and determine the best mutual path forward with the small number of affected clients.

The 2020 Fit for Growth Plan also involves certain measures, which commenced in the fourth quarter of 2019, to simplify 

our organizational model and optimize our cost structure in order to partially fund the investments required to execute on our 

strategy and advance our growth agenda. In 2019, we incurred $48 million of employee separation, retention and facility exit costs 

under this plan, including $5 million of costs related to our exit from certain content-related services. See Note 4 to our consolidated 

financial statements for additional information. We expect to incur additional charges in the range of $100 million to $150 million 

in 2020, primarily related to severance and facility exit costs, under our 2020 Fit for Growth Plan. The optimization measures 

under this plan are expected to generate an annualized gross savings run rate, before anticipated investments, in the range of 

approximately $500 million to $550 million. The cost savings realized in 2020 is expected to be lower than the annualized run 

rate. 

Revenues
Income from operations
Net income

Diluted earnings per share

Other Financial Information1
Adjusted Income From Operations
Adjusted Diluted EPS

2019

2018

Increase / (Decrease)
%
$

(Dollars in millions, except per share data)

$

$

16,783
2,453
1,842

3.29

2,787
3.99

$

16,125
2,801
2,101

3.60

2,920
4.02

658
(348)
(259)
(0.31)

(133)
(0.03)

4.1
(12.4)
(12.3)
(8.6)

(4.6)
(0.7)

During the year ended December 31, 2019, revenues increased by $658 million as compared to the year ended December 
31, 2018, representing growth of 4.1%, or 5.2% on a constant currency basis1. Revenues from clients added during 2019, including 
those related to acquisitions, were $234 million.

The  following  charts  set  forth  revenues  and  revenue  growth  by  business  segment  and  geography  for  the  year  ended 

December 31, 2019:

Dollars in millions

North America

United Kingdom

Continental Europe

Europe - Total

Rest of World

Total

Dollars in millions
North America

United Kingdom
Continental Europe

Europe - Total
Rest of World

Total

Financial Services

Increase / (Decrease)

Healthcare

Increase / (Decrease)

Revenues

$

%

CC %1

Revenues

$

%

CC %1

$ 4,137

(25)

484

728

1,212

520

$ 5,869

3

62

65

(16)

24

(0.6)
0.6

9.3

5.7
(3.0)
0.4

(0.6)
4.0

14.3

10.0

—

1.6

$ 4,147

130

341

471

77

$ 4,695

(107)
39

71

110

24

27

(2.5)
42.9

26.3

30.5

45.3

0.6

(2.5)
46.8

30.7

34.8

45.5

1.0

Products and Resources

Communications, Media and Technology

Increase / (Decrease)

Increase / (Decrease)

Revenues
$ 2,678
380
453
833
259
$ 3,770

$
281
22
13
35
39
355

%
11.7
6.1
3.0
4.4
17.7
10.4

CC %1
11.7
10.9
8.8
9.8
22.4
12.0

Revenues
$ 1,764
319
169
488
197
$ 2,449

$
284
(25)
(18)
(43)
11
252

%
19.2
(7.3)
(9.6)
(8.1)
5.9
11.5

CC %1
19.2
(3.1)
(4.5)
(3.6)
12.6
13.1

Financial Services: Revenues in our Financial Services segment increased in our Europe region primarily due to Samlink revenues, 
while decreasing in our North America and Rest of World regions as certain banking clients continue to transition the support of 
some of their legacy systems and operations in-house or to captives. 

1 

Constant currency revenue growth, Adjusted Income From Operations and Adjusted Diluted EPS are not measurements 
of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for more information 
and reconciliations to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures, as applicable.

18

19

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents  

Healthcare: Revenues from our Healthcare segment increased in our Europe and Rest of World regions, primarily due to revenues 
from our life sciences clients, including revenues from our acquisition of Zenith. Revenues in our North America region were 
negatively impacted by mergers within the healthcare industry, the establishment of an offshore captive by a large client, the 
Customer Dispute and a ramp down of a client relationship in which we were a subcontractor to a third party for the purpose of 
delivering healthcare-related systems implementation services to local government, partially offset by growth among our life 
sciences clients in this region. Revenue growth among our life sciences clients was driven by demand for our digital operations 
services and solutions.

Products and Resources: Revenue growth in our Products and Resources segment was primarily driven by our clients' adoption 
and integration of digital technologies and revenues from our recently completed acquisitions.

Communications, Media and Technology: Revenue growth in our Communications, Media and Technology segment was strongest 
in our North America region and was primarily driven by the demand from our technology clients for digital content services and 
solutions and revenues from our recently completed acquisitions. As previously noted, our decision to exit certain content-related 
services will affect future revenue growth in this segment.

In 2017, we began a realignment program with the objective of improving our client focus, our cost structure and the efficiency 
and effectiveness of our delivery while continuing to drive revenue growth. Under our realignment program, in 2019, we incurred 
$22 million of Executive Transition Costs, $64 million in employee separation costs, $45 million in employee retention costs and 
$38 million in third party realignment costs. We anticipate that the employee separations completed as part of our realignment 
program will reduce our compensation expense by approximately $140 million on an annualized basis. We expect to incur $17 
million of additional realignment charges related to our retention program in the first half of 2020.

On a combined basis with our 2020 Fit for Growth Plan described above, during the year ended December 31, 2019, we 
incurred $217 million in restructuring charges reported in the caption "Restructuring charges" in our consolidated statements of 
operations.

Our  operating  margin  and Adjusted  Operating  Margin2 decreased  to  14.6%  and  16.6%,  respectively,  for  the  year  ended 
December 31, 2019 from 17.4% and 18.1%, respectively for the year ended December 31, 2018. The decreases in our operating 
margin and Adjusted Operating Margin2 were due to an increase in costs related to our delivery personnel (including employees 
and subcontractors) outpacing revenue growth, the dilutive impact of our recently completed acquisitions, contract renegotiations 
with  recently  merged  Healthcare  clients  and  the  Customer  Dispute,  partially  offset  by  the  benefit  of  lower  incentive-based 
compensation accrual rates. Our 2019 GAAP operating margin was additionally negatively impacted by the incremental accrual 
related to the India Defined Contribution Obligation as described in Note 15 and higher restructuring charges while our 2018 
GAAP operating margin was negatively impacted by the initial funding of the Cognizant U.S. Foundation.

During the year ended December 31, 2019, we returned $2,609 million to our stockholders through $2,156 million in share 
repurchases and $453 million in dividend payments. Our shares outstanding decreased to 548 million as of December 31, 2019 
from 577 million as of December 31, 2018. We review our capital return plan on an on-going basis, considering our financial 
performance and liquidity position, investments required to execute our strategic plans and initiatives, acquisition opportunities, 
the economic outlook, regulatory changes and other relevant factors. As these factors may change over time, the actual amounts 
expended on stock repurchase activity, dividends and acquisitions, if any, during any particular period cannot be predicted and 
may fluctuate from time to time. 

Other Matters

We  accrued  $117  million  in  2019  related  to  the  India  Defined  Contribution  Obligation  as  described  in  Note  15  to  our 
consolidated financial statements. It is possible that the Indian government will review the matter and there is a substantial question 
as to whether the Indian government will apply the Supreme Court’s ruling on a retroactive basis. As such, the ultimate amount 
of our obligation may be materially different from the amount accrued. 

We are involved in an ongoing dispute with the ITD described in Note 11 to our consolidated financial statements. The dispute 

with the ITD is currently pending and no final decision has been reached. 

2 

Adjusted Operating Margin is not a measurement of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. See “Non-
GAAP Financial Measures” for more information and a reconciliation to the most directly comparable GAAP financial 
measure.

Table of Contents  

2020 Business Outlook

In  2020,  we  expect  growing  demand  from  our  clients  for  digital  services  as  they  invest  to  transform  into  data-enabled, 

customer-centric and differentiated businesses. As our clients continue their efforts to optimize the cost of supporting their legacy 

systems and operations, our core portfolio of services may be subject to pricing pressure and lower demand as clients look to 

transition certain work in-house or to new or existing captives.

Our clients will likely continue to contend with industry-specific changes driven by evolving digital technologies, uncertainty 

in  the  regulatory  environment,  industry  consolidation  and  convergence  as  well  as  international  trade  policies  and  other 

macroeconomic factors, which could affect their demand for our services. Client demand may also be impacted by uncertainty 

related to the potential economic and regulatory effects of the United Kingdom's exit from the European Union. Additionally, 

revenue from our technology clients will be affected by our strategic decision to exit certain content-related work under our 2020 

Fit for Growth Plan. 

financial statements.

We expect our 2020 financial results to be impacted by the initial cost optimization measures executed in 2019 as part of our 

2020 Fit for Growth Plan, and the expected execution of additional measures under this plan in 2020. In addition, our 2020 results 

may be impacted by uncertainty regarding regulatory changes, including potential regulatory changes with respect to immigration 

and taxes as well as costs related to the potential resolution of legal and regulatory matters discussed in Note 15 to our consolidated 

During 2020, we intend to continue to invest in our digital capabilities, our talent base and new service offerings across 

industries and geographies, while increasing our investment in sales and marketing professionals to help us expand existing accounts 

and acquire new ones. We will continue to pursue strategic acquisitions that we believe add new technologies or platforms that 

complement  our  existing  services,  improve  our  overall  service  delivery  capabilities  or  expand  our  geographic  presence. 

Additionally, we will continue to focus on maintaining and optimizing our core portfolio of services through efficiency, tooling 

and automation, delivery optimization, protection of renewals, industry alignment and geographic expansion. Finally, through the 

execution of our 2020 Fit for Growth Plan and other initiatives, we will focus on operating discipline in order to appropriately 

manage our cost structure.

Business Segments

Our reportable segments are: 

•  Financial Services, which consists of our banking and insurance operating segments;

•  Healthcare, which consists of our healthcare and life sciences operating segments;

•  Products and Resources, which consists of our retail and consumer goods; manufacturing, logistics, energy, and utilities; 

and travel and hospitality operating segments; 

technology operating segment.

•  Communications, Media and Technology, which includes our communications and media operating segment and our 

The services we provide are distributed among a number of clients in each of our business segments. A loss of a significant 

client or a few significant clients in a particular segment could materially reduce revenues for that segment. The services we 

provide to our larger clients are often critical to their operations and a termination of our services would typically require an 

extended transition period with gradually declining revenues. Nevertheless, the volume of work performed for specific clients 

may vary significantly from year to year.

In 2019, we made certain changes to the internal measurement of segment operating profits. See Note 19 to our consolidated 

financial statements for additional information relating to this change and on our business segments.

20

21

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents  

Healthcare: Revenues from our Healthcare segment increased in our Europe and Rest of World regions, primarily due to revenues 

from our life sciences clients, including revenues from our acquisition of Zenith. Revenues in our North America region were 

negatively impacted by mergers within the healthcare industry, the establishment of an offshore captive by a large client, the 

Customer Dispute and a ramp down of a client relationship in which we were a subcontractor to a third party for the purpose of 

delivering healthcare-related systems implementation services to local government, partially offset by growth among our life 

sciences clients in this region. Revenue growth among our life sciences clients was driven by demand for our digital operations 

services and solutions.

Products and Resources: Revenue growth in our Products and Resources segment was primarily driven by our clients' adoption 

and integration of digital technologies and revenues from our recently completed acquisitions.

Communications, Media and Technology: Revenue growth in our Communications, Media and Technology segment was strongest 

in our North America region and was primarily driven by the demand from our technology clients for digital content services and 

solutions and revenues from our recently completed acquisitions. As previously noted, our decision to exit certain content-related 

services will affect future revenue growth in this segment.

In 2017, we began a realignment program with the objective of improving our client focus, our cost structure and the efficiency 

and effectiveness of our delivery while continuing to drive revenue growth. Under our realignment program, in 2019, we incurred 

$22 million of Executive Transition Costs, $64 million in employee separation costs, $45 million in employee retention costs and 

$38 million in third party realignment costs. We anticipate that the employee separations completed as part of our realignment 

program will reduce our compensation expense by approximately $140 million on an annualized basis. We expect to incur $17 

million of additional realignment charges related to our retention program in the first half of 2020.

On a combined basis with our 2020 Fit for Growth Plan described above, during the year ended December 31, 2019, we 

incurred $217 million in restructuring charges reported in the caption "Restructuring charges" in our consolidated statements of 

operations.

Our  operating  margin  and Adjusted  Operating  Margin2 decreased  to  14.6%  and  16.6%,  respectively,  for  the  year  ended 

December 31, 2019 from 17.4% and 18.1%, respectively for the year ended December 31, 2018. The decreases in our operating 

margin and Adjusted Operating Margin2 were due to an increase in costs related to our delivery personnel (including employees 

and subcontractors) outpacing revenue growth, the dilutive impact of our recently completed acquisitions, contract renegotiations 

with  recently  merged  Healthcare  clients  and  the  Customer  Dispute,  partially  offset  by  the  benefit  of  lower  incentive-based 

compensation accrual rates. Our 2019 GAAP operating margin was additionally negatively impacted by the incremental accrual 

related to the India Defined Contribution Obligation as described in Note 15 and higher restructuring charges while our 2018 

GAAP operating margin was negatively impacted by the initial funding of the Cognizant U.S. Foundation.

During the year ended December 31, 2019, we returned $2,609 million to our stockholders through $2,156 million in share 

repurchases and $453 million in dividend payments. Our shares outstanding decreased to 548 million as of December 31, 2019 

from 577 million as of December 31, 2018. We review our capital return plan on an on-going basis, considering our financial 

performance and liquidity position, investments required to execute our strategic plans and initiatives, acquisition opportunities, 

the economic outlook, regulatory changes and other relevant factors. As these factors may change over time, the actual amounts 

expended on stock repurchase activity, dividends and acquisitions, if any, during any particular period cannot be predicted and 

may fluctuate from time to time. 

Other Matters

We  accrued  $117  million  in  2019  related  to  the  India  Defined  Contribution  Obligation  as  described  in  Note  15  to  our 

consolidated financial statements. It is possible that the Indian government will review the matter and there is a substantial question 

as to whether the Indian government will apply the Supreme Court’s ruling on a retroactive basis. As such, the ultimate amount 

of our obligation may be materially different from the amount accrued. 

We are involved in an ongoing dispute with the ITD described in Note 11 to our consolidated financial statements. The dispute 

with the ITD is currently pending and no final decision has been reached. 

2 

Adjusted Operating Margin is not a measurement of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. See “Non-

GAAP Financial Measures” for more information and a reconciliation to the most directly comparable GAAP financial 

measure.

20

Table of Contents  

2020 Business Outlook

In  2020,  we  expect  growing  demand  from  our  clients  for  digital  services  as  they  invest  to  transform  into  data-enabled, 
customer-centric and differentiated businesses. As our clients continue their efforts to optimize the cost of supporting their legacy 
systems and operations, our core portfolio of services may be subject to pricing pressure and lower demand as clients look to 
transition certain work in-house or to new or existing captives.

Our clients will likely continue to contend with industry-specific changes driven by evolving digital technologies, uncertainty 
in  the  regulatory  environment,  industry  consolidation  and  convergence  as  well  as  international  trade  policies  and  other 
macroeconomic factors, which could affect their demand for our services. Client demand may also be impacted by uncertainty 
related to the potential economic and regulatory effects of the United Kingdom's exit from the European Union. Additionally, 
revenue from our technology clients will be affected by our strategic decision to exit certain content-related work under our 2020 
Fit for Growth Plan. 

We expect our 2020 financial results to be impacted by the initial cost optimization measures executed in 2019 as part of our 
2020 Fit for Growth Plan, and the expected execution of additional measures under this plan in 2020. In addition, our 2020 results 
may be impacted by uncertainty regarding regulatory changes, including potential regulatory changes with respect to immigration 
and taxes as well as costs related to the potential resolution of legal and regulatory matters discussed in Note 15 to our consolidated 
financial statements.

During 2020, we intend to continue to invest in our digital capabilities, our talent base and new service offerings across 
industries and geographies, while increasing our investment in sales and marketing professionals to help us expand existing accounts 
and acquire new ones. We will continue to pursue strategic acquisitions that we believe add new technologies or platforms that 
complement  our  existing  services,  improve  our  overall  service  delivery  capabilities  or  expand  our  geographic  presence. 
Additionally, we will continue to focus on maintaining and optimizing our core portfolio of services through efficiency, tooling 
and automation, delivery optimization, protection of renewals, industry alignment and geographic expansion. Finally, through the 
execution of our 2020 Fit for Growth Plan and other initiatives, we will focus on operating discipline in order to appropriately 
manage our cost structure.

Business Segments

Our reportable segments are: 

•  Financial Services, which consists of our banking and insurance operating segments;

•  Healthcare, which consists of our healthcare and life sciences operating segments;

•  Products and Resources, which consists of our retail and consumer goods; manufacturing, logistics, energy, and utilities; 

and travel and hospitality operating segments; 

•  Communications, Media and Technology, which includes our communications and media operating segment and our 

technology operating segment.

The services we provide are distributed among a number of clients in each of our business segments. A loss of a significant 
client or a few significant clients in a particular segment could materially reduce revenues for that segment. The services we 
provide to our larger clients are often critical to their operations and a termination of our services would typically require an 
extended transition period with gradually declining revenues. Nevertheless, the volume of work performed for specific clients 
may vary significantly from year to year.

In 2019, we made certain changes to the internal measurement of segment operating profits. See Note 19 to our consolidated 

financial statements for additional information relating to this change and on our business segments.

21

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents  

Results of Operations

For a discussion of our results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2017, including a year-to-year comparison 
between 2018 and 2017, refer to Part II, Item 7, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of 
Operations" in our Annual Report Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018.

The Year Ended December 31, 2019 Compared to The Year Ended December 31, 2018 

The following table sets forth certain financial data for the years ended December 31:

% of

% of

Increase / Decrease

2019

Revenues

2018

Revenues

$

%

Communications, Media and Technology

(Dollars in millions, except per share data)

$ 16,783

100.0

$ 16,125

100.0

$

Revenues
Cost of revenues(1)
Selling, general and administrative expenses(1)
Restructuring charges

Depreciation and amortization expense

Income from operations

Other income (expense), net

Income before provision for income taxes

Provision for income taxes

Income (loss) from equity method investment

Net income

Diluted EPS
Other Financial Information 3
Adjusted Income From Operations and Adjusted
Operating Margin

Adjusted Diluted EPS

10,634

2,972

217

507

2,453

90

2,543
(643)
(58)
1,842

3.29

2,787

3.99

$

$

$

$

63.4

17.7

1.3

3.0

14.6

15.2

11.0

16.6

9,838

3,007

19

460

2,801
(4)
2,797
(698)
2

2,101

3.60

2,920

4.02

$

$

$

$

61.0

18.6

0.1

2.9

17.4

17.3

13.0

18.1

658

796
(35)
198

47
(348)
94
(254)
55
(60)
(259)
$
$ (0.31)

4.1

8.1
(1.2)
*

10.2
(12.4)
*
(9.1)
(7.9)
*
(12.3)
(8.6)

(133)
$ (0.03)

(4.6)
(0.7)

(1) 

*  

Exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense. 

Not meaningful

Revenues - Overall

During 2019, revenues increased by $658 million as compared to 2018, representing growth of 4.1%, or 5.2% on a constant 
currency basis3. Revenues from clients added during 2019, including those related to acquisitions, were $234 million. Growth was 
driven by our clients' adoption and integration of digital technologies, demand for our digital operations services and solutions as 
well as revenues from our recently completed acquisitions. This was partially offset by pricing pressure within our core portfolio 
of services as our clients continue their efforts to optimize the cost of supporting their legacy systems and operations.

Revenues from our top clients as a percentage of total revenues were as follows:

Top five clients
Top ten clients

For the years ended December 31,

2019

2018

7.9%
14.6%

8.6%
15.4%

3 

Constant currency revenue growth, Adjusted Income from Operations, Adjusted Operating Margin and Adjusted Diluted 
EPS are not measurements of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. See “Non-GAAP Financial 
Measures”  for  more  information  and  reconciliations  to  the  most  directly  comparable  GAAP  financial  measures,  as 
applicable.

22

23

Table of Contents  

Revenues - Reportable Business Segments

Revenues by reportable business segment were as follows:

Financial Services

Healthcare

Products and Resources

Total revenues

Financial Services

2019

2018

$

%

CC%4

Increase / (Decrease)

(Dollars in millions)

$

5,869

$

5,845

$

4,695

3,770

2,449

4,668

3,415

2,197

$

16,783

$

16,125

$

24

27

355

252

658

0.4

0.6

10.4

11.5

4.1

1.6

1.0

12.0

13.1

5.2

Revenues from our Financial Services segment grew 0.4%, or 1.6% on a constant currency basis4 , in 2019. Revenues among 

our insurance clients increased by $41 million as compared to a decrease of $17 million from our banking clients. Revenues from 

clients added during 2019, including those related to Samlink, were $90 million. Demand in this segment was driven by our clients' 

need to be compliant with significant regulatory requirements and adaptable to regulatory change, and their adoption and integration 

of digital technologies, including customer experience enhancement, robotic process automation, analytics and AI in areas such 

as digital lending, fraud detection and next generation payments. Demand from certain banking clients has been and may continue 

to be negatively affected as they transition the support of some of their legacy systems and operations in-house or to captives.

Healthcare

Revenues from our Healthcare segment grew 0.6%, or 1.0% on a constant currency basis4, in 2019. Revenues in this segment 

increased by $241 million among our life science clients compared to a decrease of $214 million from our healthcare clients. 

Revenue growth among our life sciences clients was driven by revenues from Zenith and demand for our digital operations services 

and solutions. Revenues from our healthcare clients were negatively impacted by the mergers within the segment, the establishment 

of an offshore captive by a large client, the Customer Dispute and a ramp down of a client relationship in which we were a 

subcontractor to a third party for the purpose of delivering healthcare-related systems implementation services to local government, 

partially offset by revenues from Bolder, which we acquired in the second quarter of 2018. Revenues from clients added during 

2019, including those related to acquisitions, were $36 million. 

Demand  in  this  segment  was  driven  by  emerging  industry  trends,  including  enhanced  compliance,  integrated  health 

management, claims investigative services and heightened focus on patient experience, as well as services that drive operational 

improvements in areas such as claims processing, enrollment, membership and billing. Demand was also created by the adoption 

and integration of digital technologies such as AI to shape personalized care plans and predictive data analytics to improve patient 

outcomes. Demand from our healthcare clients may continue to be affected by uncertainty in the regulatory environment and 

industry-specific trends, including industry consolidation and convergence. Demand among our life sciences clients may be affected 

by industry consolidation. We believe that, in the long term, the healthcare industry continues to present a significant growth 

opportunity due to factors that are transforming the industry, including the changing regulatory environment, increasing focus on 

medical costs and the consumerization of healthcare. 

Products and Resources

Revenues from our Products and Resources segment grew 10.4%, or 12.0% on a constant currency basis4, in 2019. Revenue 

growth was strongest among our retail and consumer goods clients, where revenue increased by $187 million. Revenues from our 

manufacturing, logistics, energy and utilities clients increased by $119 million while revenue from our travel and hospitality clients 

increased by $49 million. Revenues from clients added during 2019, including those related to acquisitions, were $69 million. 

Demand in this segment was driven by our clients’ focus on improving the efficiency of their operations, the enablement and 

integration of mobile platforms to support sales and other omni-channel commerce initiatives, and their adoption and integration 

of  digital  technologies,  such  as  the  application  of  intelligent  systems  to  manage  supply  chain  and  enhance  overall  customer 

experiences.

4 

Constant currency revenue growth is not a measurement of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. 

See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for more information.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents  

Results of Operations

For a discussion of our results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2017, including a year-to-year comparison 

between 2018 and 2017, refer to Part II, Item 7, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of 

Operations" in our Annual Report Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018.

The Year Ended December 31, 2019 Compared to The Year Ended December 31, 2018 

The following table sets forth certain financial data for the years ended December 31:

% of

% of

Increase / Decrease

2019

Revenues

2018

Revenues

$

%

(Dollars in millions, except per share data)

$ 16,783

100.0

$ 16,125

100.0

$

Income before provision for income taxes

2,543

15.2

Revenues

Cost of revenues(1)

Selling, general and administrative expenses(1)

Restructuring charges

Depreciation and amortization expense

Income from operations

Other income (expense), net

Provision for income taxes

Income (loss) from equity method investment

Net income

Diluted EPS

Other Financial Information 3

Adjusted Income From Operations and Adjusted

Operating Margin

Adjusted Diluted EPS

10,634

2,972

217

507

2,453

90

(643)

(58)

1,842

3.29

2,787

3.99

$

$

$

$

63.4

17.7

1.3

3.0

14.6

11.0

16.6

$

$

$

$

61.0

18.6

0.1

2.9

17.4

17.3

9,838

3,007

19

460

2,801

(4)

2,797

(698)

2

2,101

3.60

13.0

$

(259)

(12.3)

$ (0.31)

(8.6)

2,920

4.02

18.1

(133)

$ (0.03)

(4.6)

(0.7)

658

796

(35)

198

47

94

(254)

55

(60)

4.1

8.1

(1.2)

10.2

(9.1)

(7.9)

*

*

*

(348)

(12.4)

Exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense. 

(1) 

*  

Not meaningful

Revenues - Overall

During 2019, revenues increased by $658 million as compared to 2018, representing growth of 4.1%, or 5.2% on a constant 

currency basis3. Revenues from clients added during 2019, including those related to acquisitions, were $234 million. Growth was 

driven by our clients' adoption and integration of digital technologies, demand for our digital operations services and solutions as 

well as revenues from our recently completed acquisitions. This was partially offset by pricing pressure within our core portfolio 

of services as our clients continue their efforts to optimize the cost of supporting their legacy systems and operations.

Revenues from our top clients as a percentage of total revenues were as follows:

Top five clients

Top ten clients

For the years ended December 31,

2019

2018

7.9%

14.6%

8.6%

15.4%

3 

Constant currency revenue growth, Adjusted Income from Operations, Adjusted Operating Margin and Adjusted Diluted 

EPS are not measurements of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. See “Non-GAAP Financial 

Measures”  for  more  information  and  reconciliations  to  the  most  directly  comparable  GAAP  financial  measures,  as 

applicable.

22

Table of Contents  

Revenues - Reportable Business Segments

Revenues by reportable business segment were as follows:

Financial Services

Healthcare

Products and Resources

Communications, Media and Technology

Total revenues

Financial Services

2019

2018

$

%

CC%4

Increase / (Decrease)

(Dollars in millions)

$

5,869

$

5,845

$

4,695

3,770

2,449

4,668

3,415

2,197

$

16,783

$

16,125

$

24

27

355

252

658

0.4

0.6

10.4

11.5

4.1

1.6

1.0

12.0

13.1

5.2

Revenues from our Financial Services segment grew 0.4%, or 1.6% on a constant currency basis4 , in 2019. Revenues among 
our insurance clients increased by $41 million as compared to a decrease of $17 million from our banking clients. Revenues from 
clients added during 2019, including those related to Samlink, were $90 million. Demand in this segment was driven by our clients' 
need to be compliant with significant regulatory requirements and adaptable to regulatory change, and their adoption and integration 
of digital technologies, including customer experience enhancement, robotic process automation, analytics and AI in areas such 
as digital lending, fraud detection and next generation payments. Demand from certain banking clients has been and may continue 
to be negatively affected as they transition the support of some of their legacy systems and operations in-house or to captives.

Healthcare

Revenues from our Healthcare segment grew 0.6%, or 1.0% on a constant currency basis4, in 2019. Revenues in this segment 
increased by $241 million among our life science clients compared to a decrease of $214 million from our healthcare clients. 
Revenue growth among our life sciences clients was driven by revenues from Zenith and demand for our digital operations services 
and solutions. Revenues from our healthcare clients were negatively impacted by the mergers within the segment, the establishment 
of an offshore captive by a large client, the Customer Dispute and a ramp down of a client relationship in which we were a 
subcontractor to a third party for the purpose of delivering healthcare-related systems implementation services to local government, 
partially offset by revenues from Bolder, which we acquired in the second quarter of 2018. Revenues from clients added during 
2019, including those related to acquisitions, were $36 million. 

Demand  in  this  segment  was  driven  by  emerging  industry  trends,  including  enhanced  compliance,  integrated  health 
management, claims investigative services and heightened focus on patient experience, as well as services that drive operational 
improvements in areas such as claims processing, enrollment, membership and billing. Demand was also created by the adoption 
and integration of digital technologies such as AI to shape personalized care plans and predictive data analytics to improve patient 
outcomes. Demand from our healthcare clients may continue to be affected by uncertainty in the regulatory environment and 
industry-specific trends, including industry consolidation and convergence. Demand among our life sciences clients may be affected 
by industry consolidation. We believe that, in the long term, the healthcare industry continues to present a significant growth 
opportunity due to factors that are transforming the industry, including the changing regulatory environment, increasing focus on 
medical costs and the consumerization of healthcare. 

Products and Resources

Revenues from our Products and Resources segment grew 10.4%, or 12.0% on a constant currency basis4, in 2019. Revenue 
growth was strongest among our retail and consumer goods clients, where revenue increased by $187 million. Revenues from our 
manufacturing, logistics, energy and utilities clients increased by $119 million while revenue from our travel and hospitality clients 
increased by $49 million. Revenues from clients added during 2019, including those related to acquisitions, were $69 million. 
Demand in this segment was driven by our clients’ focus on improving the efficiency of their operations, the enablement and 
integration of mobile platforms to support sales and other omni-channel commerce initiatives, and their adoption and integration 
of  digital  technologies,  such  as  the  application  of  intelligent  systems  to  manage  supply  chain  and  enhance  overall  customer 
experiences.

4 

Constant currency revenue growth is not a measurement of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. 
See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for more information.

23

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents  

Communications, Media and Technology

Table of Contents  

SG&A Expenses

Revenues from our Communications, Media and Technology segment grew 11.5%, or 13.1% on a constant currency basis5
in 2019. Growth was stronger among our technology clients where revenues increased $209 million as compared to an increase 
of $43 million for our communications and media clients. Revenues from clients added during 2019, including those related to 
acquisitions were $39 million. Demand in this segment is driven by our clients’ needs to create differentiated user experiences, 
transition to agile development methodologies, enhance their networks, manage their digital content and adopt and integrate digital 
technologies, such as cloud, interactive and IoT. In 2020, revenues within this segment will be affected by our strategic decision 
to exit certain content-related services. We anticipate that this decision may negatively impact our relationship with the affected 
clients and estimate that we may lose revenues of $225 million to $255 million on an annualized basis. We anticipate revenues 
will ramp down over the next one to two years and the impact on 2020 revenues is expected to be between $180 million and $200 
million. Additionally, demand among our technology clients may be affected by uncertainty in the regulatory environment while 
significant merger and acquisition activity may impact our clients in the communications and media industry.

Revenues - Geographic Locations 

Revenues by geographic market, as determined by client location, were as follows:

North America

United Kingdom

Continental Europe

Europe - Total

Rest of World

Total revenues

2019

2018

$

%

CC %5

Increase / (Decrease)

(Dollars in millions)

$

12,726

$

12,293

$

1,313

1,691

3,004

1,053

1,274

1,563

2,837

995

$

16,783

$

16,125

$

433

39

128

167

58

658

3.5

3.1

8.2

5.9

5.8

4.1

3.6%

7.1%

13.3%

10.5%

9.8%

5.2%

North America continues to be our largest market, representing 75.8% of total 2019 revenues and 65.8% of total revenue 
growth in 2019. Revenue growth in our North America region was driven by the demand for digital content services and solutions 
by clients in our Communications, Media and Technology segment, the adoption and integration of digital technologies by clients 
in our Products and Resources segment and revenues from recently completed acquisitions, partially offset by lower revenue in 
our Healthcare segment as described above. In 2020, revenues in our North America region will be affected by our strategic 
decision to exit certain content-related services in our Communications, Media and Technology segment. Revenue growth in our 
Continental Europe and the United Kingdom regions was driven by our life science clients and includes revenues related to our 
recently completed acquisitions. Revenue growth in our Rest of World region was driven by strength in our Products and Resources 
and Healthcare segments. Revenue growth in our North America and Rest of World regions was negatively affected as certain 
banking clients in these regions transition the support of some of their legacy systems and operations in-house or to captives. We 
believe that there are opportunities for growth across all of our geographic markets. 

Cost of Revenues (Exclusive of Depreciation and Amortization Expense)

SG&A expenses consist primarily of salaries, incentive-based compensation, stock-based compensation expense, employee 

benefits,  immigration,  travel,  marketing,  communications,  management,  finance,  administrative  and  occupancy  costs.  SG&A 

expenses decreased by 1.2% during 2019 as compared to 2018, decreasing as a percentage of revenues to 17.7% in 2019 as 

compared to 18.6% in 2018. The decrease, as a percentage of revenues, was due primarily to a decrease in compensation costs, 

partially offset by costs related to our recently completed acquisitions. Additionally, in 2019 we recorded the incremental accrual 

related to the India Defined Contribution Obligation as described in Note 15 to our consolidated financial statements. In 2018, we 

recorded a $100 million charge related to the initial funding of the Cognizant U.S. Foundation. 

Our restructuring charges consist of our 2020 Fit for Growth Plan, which was announced in the fourth quarter of 2019, and 

our realignment program. Restructuring charges were $217 million or 1.3%, as a percentage of revenues during 2019, as compared 

to $19 million or 0.1%, as a percentage of revenues in 2018. For further detail on our restructuring charges see Note 4 to our 

Restructuring Charges 

consolidated financial statements. 

Operating Margin - Overall 

Our operating margin and Adjusted Operating Margin6 decreased to 14.6% and 16.6%, respectively in 2019 from 17.4% and 

18.1%, respectively, during 2018. The decreases in our operating margin and Adjusted Operating Margin6 were due to an increase 

in costs related to our delivery personnel (including employees and subcontractors) outpacing revenue growth, the dilutive impact 

of our recently completed acquisitions, contract renegotiations with recently merged Healthcare clients and the Customer Dispute, 

partially  offset  by  the  impact  of  lower  incentive-based  compensation  accrual  rates.  Our  2019  GAAP  operating  margin  was 

additionally negatively impacted by the incremental accrual related to the India Defined Contribution Obligation as described in 

Note 15 to our consolidated financial statements and higher realignment charges while our 2018 GAAP operating margin was 

negatively impacted by the initial funding of the Cognizant U.S. Foundation.

Excluding the impact of applicable designated cash flow hedges, the depreciation of the Indian rupee against the U.S. dollar 

positively impacted our operating margin by approximately 53 basis points or 0.53 percentage points in 2019, while in 2018 the 

depreciation of the Indian rupee against the U.S. dollar positively impacted our operating margin by approximately 89 basis points 

or 0.89 percentage points. Each additional 1.0% change in exchange rate between the Indian rupee and the U.S. dollar will have 

the effect of moving our operating margin by approximately 18 basis points or 0.18 percentage points. 

We enter into foreign exchange forward contracts to hedge certain Indian rupee denominated payments in India. These 

hedges are intended to mitigate the volatility of the changes in the exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and the Indian rupee. 

During the year ended December 31, 2019, the settlement of cash flow hedges had an immaterial impact on our operating margin 

as compared to a positive impact of approximately 44 basis points or 0.44 percentage points in 2018.

Our most significant costs are the salaries and related benefits for our employees. These costs are affected by the impact of 

inflation. In certain regions, competition for professionals with the advanced technical skills necessary to perform our services 

has caused wages to increase at a rate greater than the general rate of inflation. 

We finished the year with approximately 292,500 employees, which is an increase of approximately 10,900 over the prior 

year end. For the three months ended December 31, 2019, annualized turnover, including both voluntary and involuntary, was 

approximately 20.8%. Turnover for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, including both voluntary and involuntary, was 

Our cost of revenues consists primarily of salaries, incentive-based compensation, stock-based compensation expense, 

approximately 21.7% and 20.8%, respectively. Attrition is weighted more towards the junior members of our staff. 

employee benefits, project-related immigration and travel for technical personnel, subcontracting and equipment costs relating 
to revenues. Our cost of revenues increased by 8.1% during 2019 as compared to 2018, increasing as a percentage of revenues 
to 63.4% during the 2019 period compared to 61.0% in 2018. The increase in cost of revenues, as a percentage of revenues, 
was due primarily to an increase in costs related to our delivery personnel (including employees and subcontractors) as 
headcount growth outpaced revenue growth, partially offset by lower incentive-based compensation accrual rates in 2019.

5 

Constant currency revenue growth is not a measurement of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. 
See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for more information.

measure.

6 

Adjusted Operating Margin is not a measurement of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. See “Non-

GAAP Financial Measures” for more information and a reconciliation to the most directly comparable GAAP financial 

24

25

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents  

Communications, Media and Technology

Table of Contents  

SG&A Expenses

Revenues from our Communications, Media and Technology segment grew 11.5%, or 13.1% on a constant currency basis5

in 2019. Growth was stronger among our technology clients where revenues increased $209 million as compared to an increase 

of $43 million for our communications and media clients. Revenues from clients added during 2019, including those related to 

acquisitions were $39 million. Demand in this segment is driven by our clients’ needs to create differentiated user experiences, 

transition to agile development methodologies, enhance their networks, manage their digital content and adopt and integrate digital 

technologies, such as cloud, interactive and IoT. In 2020, revenues within this segment will be affected by our strategic decision 

to exit certain content-related services. We anticipate that this decision may negatively impact our relationship with the affected 

clients and estimate that we may lose revenues of $225 million to $255 million on an annualized basis. We anticipate revenues 

will ramp down over the next one to two years and the impact on 2020 revenues is expected to be between $180 million and $200 

million. Additionally, demand among our technology clients may be affected by uncertainty in the regulatory environment while 

significant merger and acquisition activity may impact our clients in the communications and media industry.

Revenues - Geographic Locations 

Revenues by geographic market, as determined by client location, were as follows:

North America

United Kingdom

Continental Europe

Europe - Total

Rest of World

Total revenues

2019

2018

$

%

CC %5

Increase / (Decrease)

(Dollars in millions)

$

12,726

$

12,293

$

1,313

1,691

3,004

1,053

1,274

1,563

2,837

995

$

16,783

$

16,125

$

433

39

128

167

58

658

3.5

3.1

8.2

5.9

5.8

4.1

3.6%

7.1%

13.3%

10.5%

9.8%

5.2%

North America continues to be our largest market, representing 75.8% of total 2019 revenues and 65.8% of total revenue 

growth in 2019. Revenue growth in our North America region was driven by the demand for digital content services and solutions 

by clients in our Communications, Media and Technology segment, the adoption and integration of digital technologies by clients 

in our Products and Resources segment and revenues from recently completed acquisitions, partially offset by lower revenue in 

our Healthcare segment as described above. In 2020, revenues in our North America region will be affected by our strategic 

decision to exit certain content-related services in our Communications, Media and Technology segment. Revenue growth in our 

Continental Europe and the United Kingdom regions was driven by our life science clients and includes revenues related to our 

recently completed acquisitions. Revenue growth in our Rest of World region was driven by strength in our Products and Resources 

and Healthcare segments. Revenue growth in our North America and Rest of World regions was negatively affected as certain 

banking clients in these regions transition the support of some of their legacy systems and operations in-house or to captives. We 

believe that there are opportunities for growth across all of our geographic markets. 

Cost of Revenues (Exclusive of Depreciation and Amortization Expense)

Our cost of revenues consists primarily of salaries, incentive-based compensation, stock-based compensation expense, 

employee benefits, project-related immigration and travel for technical personnel, subcontracting and equipment costs relating 

to revenues. Our cost of revenues increased by 8.1% during 2019 as compared to 2018, increasing as a percentage of revenues 

to 63.4% during the 2019 period compared to 61.0% in 2018. The increase in cost of revenues, as a percentage of revenues, 

was due primarily to an increase in costs related to our delivery personnel (including employees and subcontractors) as 

headcount growth outpaced revenue growth, partially offset by lower incentive-based compensation accrual rates in 2019.

SG&A expenses consist primarily of salaries, incentive-based compensation, stock-based compensation expense, employee 
benefits,  immigration,  travel,  marketing,  communications,  management,  finance,  administrative  and  occupancy  costs.  SG&A 
expenses decreased by 1.2% during 2019 as compared to 2018, decreasing as a percentage of revenues to 17.7% in 2019 as 
compared to 18.6% in 2018. The decrease, as a percentage of revenues, was due primarily to a decrease in compensation costs, 
partially offset by costs related to our recently completed acquisitions. Additionally, in 2019 we recorded the incremental accrual 
related to the India Defined Contribution Obligation as described in Note 15 to our consolidated financial statements. In 2018, we 
recorded a $100 million charge related to the initial funding of the Cognizant U.S. Foundation. 

Restructuring Charges 

Our restructuring charges consist of our 2020 Fit for Growth Plan, which was announced in the fourth quarter of 2019, and 
our realignment program. Restructuring charges were $217 million or 1.3%, as a percentage of revenues during 2019, as compared 
to $19 million or 0.1%, as a percentage of revenues in 2018. For further detail on our restructuring charges see Note 4 to our 
consolidated financial statements. 

Operating Margin - Overall 

Our operating margin and Adjusted Operating Margin6 decreased to 14.6% and 16.6%, respectively in 2019 from 17.4% and 
18.1%, respectively, during 2018. The decreases in our operating margin and Adjusted Operating Margin6 were due to an increase 
in costs related to our delivery personnel (including employees and subcontractors) outpacing revenue growth, the dilutive impact 
of our recently completed acquisitions, contract renegotiations with recently merged Healthcare clients and the Customer Dispute, 
partially  offset  by  the  impact  of  lower  incentive-based  compensation  accrual  rates.  Our  2019  GAAP  operating  margin  was 
additionally negatively impacted by the incremental accrual related to the India Defined Contribution Obligation as described in 
Note 15 to our consolidated financial statements and higher realignment charges while our 2018 GAAP operating margin was 
negatively impacted by the initial funding of the Cognizant U.S. Foundation.

Excluding the impact of applicable designated cash flow hedges, the depreciation of the Indian rupee against the U.S. dollar 
positively impacted our operating margin by approximately 53 basis points or 0.53 percentage points in 2019, while in 2018 the 
depreciation of the Indian rupee against the U.S. dollar positively impacted our operating margin by approximately 89 basis points 
or 0.89 percentage points. Each additional 1.0% change in exchange rate between the Indian rupee and the U.S. dollar will have 
the effect of moving our operating margin by approximately 18 basis points or 0.18 percentage points. 

We enter into foreign exchange forward contracts to hedge certain Indian rupee denominated payments in India. These 
hedges are intended to mitigate the volatility of the changes in the exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and the Indian rupee. 
During the year ended December 31, 2019, the settlement of cash flow hedges had an immaterial impact on our operating margin 
as compared to a positive impact of approximately 44 basis points or 0.44 percentage points in 2018.

Our most significant costs are the salaries and related benefits for our employees. These costs are affected by the impact of 
inflation. In certain regions, competition for professionals with the advanced technical skills necessary to perform our services 
has caused wages to increase at a rate greater than the general rate of inflation. 

We finished the year with approximately 292,500 employees, which is an increase of approximately 10,900 over the prior 
year end. For the three months ended December 31, 2019, annualized turnover, including both voluntary and involuntary, was 
approximately 20.8%. Turnover for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, including both voluntary and involuntary, was 
approximately 21.7% and 20.8%, respectively. Attrition is weighted more towards the junior members of our staff. 

5 

Constant currency revenue growth is not a measurement of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. 

See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for more information.

6 

Adjusted Operating Margin is not a measurement of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. See “Non-
GAAP Financial Measures” for more information and a reconciliation to the most directly comparable GAAP financial 
measure.

24

25

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents  

Segment Operating Profit and Margin

Segment operating profit and margin were as follows:

Financial Services

Healthcare

Products and Resources

Communications, Media and Technology

Total segment operating profit and margin

Less: unallocated costs

Income from operations

2019

Operating
Margin %

2018

Operating
Margin %

Increase /
(Decrease)

$

$

1,605

1,261

1,028

732

4,626

2,173

2,453

(Dollars in millions)

$

27.3

26.9

27.3

29.9

27.6

14.6

$

1,713

1,416

1,023

692

4,844

2,043

2,801

$

29.3

30.3

30.0

31.5

30.0

17.4

$

(108)
(155)
5

40
(218)
130
(348)

Across all of our operating segments, operating margins decreased as costs related to our delivery personnel (including 
employees and subcontractors) outpaced revenue growth. Additionally, operating margins in Healthcare were negatively affected 
by mergers among several of our healthcare clients, the Customer Dispute and the impairment of certain capitalized costs related 
to a large volume-based contract.

Certain  SG&A  expenses,  the  excess  or  shortfall  of  incentive  compensation  for  commercial  and  delivery  personnel  as 
compared to target, costs related to our 2020 Fit for Growth Plan and realignment program, a portion of depreciation and amortization 
and the impact of the settlements of our cash flow hedges are not allocated to individual segments in internal management reports 
used  by  the  chief  operating  decision  maker. Accordingly,  such  expenses  are  excluded  from  segment  operating  profit  and  are 
separately disclosed above as “unallocated costs” and adjusted against our total income from operations. The increase in unallocated 
costs  during  2019  compared  to  2018  is  primarily  due  to  higher  realignment  charges  incurred  in  2019  and  the  India  Defined 
Contribution Obligation recorded in 2019, partially offset by a shortfall of incentive-based compensation as compared to target 
in 2019 and the initial funding of the Cognizant U.S. Foundation recorded in 2018.

Other Income (Expense), Net 

Total other income (expense), net consists primarily of foreign currency exchange gains and losses, interest income and 

interest expense. The following table sets forth total other income (expense), net for the years ended December 31:

Foreign currency exchange (losses)

Gains on foreign exchange forward contracts not designated as hedging

instruments

Foreign currency exchange gains (losses), net

Interest income

Interest expense

Other, net

Total other income (expense), net

2019

2018

(in millions)

Increase /
Decrease

$

(73)

$

(183)

$

110

8
(65)
176
(26)
5

90

31
(152)
177
(27)
(2)
(4)

$

$

(23)
87
(1)
1

7

94

$

The foreign currency exchange gains and losses in all the years presented were primarily attributable to the remeasurement 
of the Indian rupee denominated net monetary assets and liabilities in our U.S. dollar functional currency India subsidiaries and, 
to a lesser extent, the remeasurement of other net monetary assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than the functional 
currencies of our subsidiaries. The gains and losses on foreign exchange forward contracts not designated as hedging instruments 
relate to the realized and unrealized gains and losses on foreign exchange forward contracts entered into to partially offset foreign 
currency exposure to the Euro and Indian rupee and other non-U.S. dollar denominated net monetary assets and liabilities. As of 
December 31, 2019, the notional value of our undesignated hedges was $702 million. 

Table of Contents  

Provision for Income Taxes 

for additional information. 

Income (loss) from equity method investments

Note 5 to our consolidated financial statements. 

Net Income 

The provision for income taxes was $643 million in 2019 and $698 million in 2018. The effective income tax rate remained 

relatively flat at 25.3% in 2019 as compared to 25.0% in 2018. In the fourth quarter of 2019, we recorded a one-time net income 

tax expense of $21 million as a result of the enactment of the India Tax Law. See Note 11 to our consolidated financial statements 

In 2019, we recorded an impairment charge of $57 million on one of our equity method investments as further described in 

Net income was $1,842 million in 2019 and $2,101 million in 2018. Net income as a percentage of revenues decreased to 

11.0% in 2019 from 13.0% in 2018. The decrease in net income is primarily due to a decrease in income from operations, partially 

offset by lower foreign exchange losses as compared to 2018.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures 

Portions of our disclosure include non-GAAP financial measures. These non-GAAP financial measures are not based on 

any comprehensive set of accounting rules or principles and should not be considered a substitute for, or superior to, financial 

measures calculated in accordance with GAAP, and may be different from non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies. 

In addition, these non-GAAP financial measures should be read in conjunction with our financial statements prepared in accordance 

with GAAP. The reconciliations of our non-GAAP financial measures to the corresponding GAAP measures, set forth below, 

should be carefully evaluated. 

Our non-GAAP financial measures, Adjusted Operating Margin, Adjusted Income From Operations and Adjusted Diluted 

EPS exclude unusual items. Additionally, Adjusted Diluted EPS excludes net non-operating foreign currency exchange gains or 

losses and the tax impact of all the applicable adjustments. The income tax impact of each item is calculated by applying the 

statutory rate and local tax regulations in the jurisdiction in which the item was incurred. Constant currency revenue growth is 

defined as revenues for a given period restated at the comparative period’s foreign currency exchange rates measured against 

the comparative period's reported revenues.

We believe providing investors with an operating view consistent with how we manage the Company provides enhanced 

transparency into our operating results. For our internal management reporting and budgeting purposes, we use various GAAP 

and non-GAAP financial measures for financial and operational decision-making, to evaluate period-to-period comparisons, to 

determine portions of the compensation for our executive officers and for making comparisons of our operating results to those 

of our competitors. Therefore, it is our belief that the use of non-GAAP financial measures excluding certain costs provides a 

meaningful supplemental measure for investors to evaluate our financial performance. We believe that the presentation of our non-

GAAP financial measures (Adjusted Income from Operations, Adjusted Operating Margin, Adjusted Diluted EPS and constant 

currency revenue growth) along with reconciliations to the most comparable GAAP measure, as applicable, can provide useful 

supplemental  information  to  our  management  and  investors  regarding  financial  and  business  trends  relating  to  our  financial 

condition and results of operations.

A limitation of using non-GAAP financial measures versus financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP is that 

non-GAAP financial measures do not reflect all of the amounts associated with our operating results as determined in accordance 

with GAAP and may exclude costs that are recurring such as our net non-operating foreign currency exchange gains or losses. In 

addition, other companies may calculate non-GAAP financial measures differently than us, thereby limiting the usefulness of these 

non-GAAP financial measures as a comparative tool. We compensate for these limitations by providing specific information 

regarding the GAAP amounts excluded from our non-GAAP financial measures to allow investors to evaluate such non-GAAP 

financial measures.

26

27

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents  

Segment Operating Profit and Margin

Segment operating profit and margin were as follows:

Financial Services

Healthcare

Products and Resources

Communications, Media and Technology

Total segment operating profit and margin

Less: unallocated costs

Income from operations

2019

Operating

Margin %

2018

Operating

Margin %

Increase /

(Decrease)

(Dollars in millions)

$

$

$

$

1,605

1,261

1,028

732

4,626

2,173

2,453

27.3

26.9

27.3

29.9

27.6

1,713

1,416

1,023

692

4,844

2,043

2,801

29.3

30.3

30.0

31.5

30.0

14.6

$

17.4

$

(108)

(155)

5

40

(218)

130

(348)

Across all of our operating segments, operating margins decreased as costs related to our delivery personnel (including 

employees and subcontractors) outpaced revenue growth. Additionally, operating margins in Healthcare were negatively affected 

by mergers among several of our healthcare clients, the Customer Dispute and the impairment of certain capitalized costs related 

to a large volume-based contract.

Certain  SG&A  expenses,  the  excess  or  shortfall  of  incentive  compensation  for  commercial  and  delivery  personnel  as 

compared to target, costs related to our 2020 Fit for Growth Plan and realignment program, a portion of depreciation and amortization 

and the impact of the settlements of our cash flow hedges are not allocated to individual segments in internal management reports 

used  by  the  chief  operating  decision  maker. Accordingly,  such  expenses  are  excluded  from  segment  operating  profit  and  are 

separately disclosed above as “unallocated costs” and adjusted against our total income from operations. The increase in unallocated 

costs  during  2019  compared  to  2018  is  primarily  due  to  higher  realignment  charges  incurred  in  2019  and  the  India  Defined 

Contribution Obligation recorded in 2019, partially offset by a shortfall of incentive-based compensation as compared to target 

in 2019 and the initial funding of the Cognizant U.S. Foundation recorded in 2018.

Other Income (Expense), Net 

Total other income (expense), net consists primarily of foreign currency exchange gains and losses, interest income and 

interest expense. The following table sets forth total other income (expense), net for the years ended December 31:

Foreign currency exchange (losses)

Gains on foreign exchange forward contracts not designated as hedging

Foreign currency exchange gains (losses), net

instruments

Interest income

Interest expense

Other, net

2019

2018

(in millions)

Increase /

Decrease

$

(73)

$

(183)

$

110

8

(65)

176

(26)

5

90

31

(152)

177

(27)

(2)

(4)

(23)

87

(1)

1

7

94

Total other income (expense), net

$

$

$

The foreign currency exchange gains and losses in all the years presented were primarily attributable to the remeasurement 

of the Indian rupee denominated net monetary assets and liabilities in our U.S. dollar functional currency India subsidiaries and, 

to a lesser extent, the remeasurement of other net monetary assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than the functional 

currencies of our subsidiaries. The gains and losses on foreign exchange forward contracts not designated as hedging instruments 

relate to the realized and unrealized gains and losses on foreign exchange forward contracts entered into to partially offset foreign 

currency exposure to the Euro and Indian rupee and other non-U.S. dollar denominated net monetary assets and liabilities. As of 

December 31, 2019, the notional value of our undesignated hedges was $702 million. 

Table of Contents  

Provision for Income Taxes 

The provision for income taxes was $643 million in 2019 and $698 million in 2018. The effective income tax rate remained 
relatively flat at 25.3% in 2019 as compared to 25.0% in 2018. In the fourth quarter of 2019, we recorded a one-time net income 
tax expense of $21 million as a result of the enactment of the India Tax Law. See Note 11 to our consolidated financial statements 
for additional information. 

Income (loss) from equity method investments

In 2019, we recorded an impairment charge of $57 million on one of our equity method investments as further described in 

Note 5 to our consolidated financial statements. 

Net Income 

Net income was $1,842 million in 2019 and $2,101 million in 2018. Net income as a percentage of revenues decreased to 
11.0% in 2019 from 13.0% in 2018. The decrease in net income is primarily due to a decrease in income from operations, partially 
offset by lower foreign exchange losses as compared to 2018.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures 

Portions of our disclosure include non-GAAP financial measures. These non-GAAP financial measures are not based on 
any comprehensive set of accounting rules or principles and should not be considered a substitute for, or superior to, financial 
measures calculated in accordance with GAAP, and may be different from non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies. 
In addition, these non-GAAP financial measures should be read in conjunction with our financial statements prepared in accordance 
with GAAP. The reconciliations of our non-GAAP financial measures to the corresponding GAAP measures, set forth below, 
should be carefully evaluated. 

Our non-GAAP financial measures, Adjusted Operating Margin, Adjusted Income From Operations and Adjusted Diluted 
EPS exclude unusual items. Additionally, Adjusted Diluted EPS excludes net non-operating foreign currency exchange gains or 
losses and the tax impact of all the applicable adjustments. The income tax impact of each item is calculated by applying the 
statutory rate and local tax regulations in the jurisdiction in which the item was incurred. Constant currency revenue growth is 
defined as revenues for a given period restated at the comparative period’s foreign currency exchange rates measured against 
the comparative period's reported revenues.

We believe providing investors with an operating view consistent with how we manage the Company provides enhanced 
transparency into our operating results. For our internal management reporting and budgeting purposes, we use various GAAP 
and non-GAAP financial measures for financial and operational decision-making, to evaluate period-to-period comparisons, to 
determine portions of the compensation for our executive officers and for making comparisons of our operating results to those 
of our competitors. Therefore, it is our belief that the use of non-GAAP financial measures excluding certain costs provides a 
meaningful supplemental measure for investors to evaluate our financial performance. We believe that the presentation of our non-
GAAP financial measures (Adjusted Income from Operations, Adjusted Operating Margin, Adjusted Diluted EPS and constant 
currency revenue growth) along with reconciliations to the most comparable GAAP measure, as applicable, can provide useful 
supplemental  information  to  our  management  and  investors  regarding  financial  and  business  trends  relating  to  our  financial 
condition and results of operations.

A limitation of using non-GAAP financial measures versus financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP is that 
non-GAAP financial measures do not reflect all of the amounts associated with our operating results as determined in accordance 
with GAAP and may exclude costs that are recurring such as our net non-operating foreign currency exchange gains or losses. In 
addition, other companies may calculate non-GAAP financial measures differently than us, thereby limiting the usefulness of these 
non-GAAP financial measures as a comparative tool. We compensate for these limitations by providing specific information 
regarding the GAAP amounts excluded from our non-GAAP financial measures to allow investors to evaluate such non-GAAP 
financial measures.

26

27

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents  

Table of Contents  

The following table presents a reconciliation of each non-GAAP financial measure to the most comparable GAAP measure 

(8) 

In 2019, we recorded a one-time net income tax expense of $21 million as a result of the enactment of a new tax law in 

for the years ended December 31: 

2019

% of
Revenues

2018

% of
Revenues

(Dollars in millions, except per share data)

GAAP income from operations and operating margin

Realignment charges (1)
Incremental accrual related to the India Defined Contribution 

Obligation (2)

2020 Fit for Growth Plan restructuring charges (3)
Initial funding of Cognizant U.S. Foundation (4)

Adjusted Income From Operations and Adjusted Operating Margin

GAAP diluted EPS

Effect of above adjustments, pre-tax

Effect of non-operating foreign currency exchange losses (gains), 

pre-tax (5)

Tax effect of above adjustments (6)
Effect of the equity method investment impairment (7)
Effect of the India Tax Law (8)
Effect of net incremental income tax expense related to the Tax 

Reform Act (9)
Adjusted Diluted EPS

$

$

$

2,453
169

117
48
—

2,787

3.29

0.60

0.11
(0.15)
0.10

0.04

—

3.99

14.6%
1.0

0.7
0.3
—

16.6

$

$

$

2,801
19

—
—
100

2,920

3.60

0.20

0.26
(0.03)
—

—

(0.01)
4.02

17.4%
0.1

—
—
0.6

18.1

(1) 

(2) 

(3) 

(4) 

(5) 

As part of our realignment program, during the year ended December 31, 2019, we incurred Executive Transition Costs, 
employee separation costs, employee retention costs and third party realignment costs. See Note 4 to our consolidated 
financial statements for additional information. 

In 2019, we recorded an accrual of $117 million related to the India Defined Contribution Obligation as further described 
in Note 15 to our consolidated financial statements.

During 2019, we incurred certain employee separation, employee retention and facility exit costs under our 2020 Fit for 
Growth Plan. See Note 4 to our consolidated financial statements for additional information. 

In 2018, we provided $100 million of initial funding to Cognizant U.S. Foundation. This cost is reported in "Selling, 
general and administrative expenses" in our consolidated statement of operations.

Non-operating foreign currency exchange gains and losses, inclusive of gains and losses on related foreign exchange 
forward contracts not designated as hedging instruments for accounting purposes, are reported in "Foreign currency 
exchange gains (losses), net" in our consolidated statements of operations.

(6) 

Presented below are the tax impacts of each of our non-GAAP adjustments to pre-tax income:

For the years ended December 31,

2019

2018

(in millions)

Non-GAAP income tax benefit (expense) related to:

Realignment charges

$

Foreign currency exchange gains and losses

2020 Fit for Growth Plan restructuring charges

Incremental accrual related to the India Defined Contribution

Obligation

Initial funding of Cognizant U.S. Foundation

$

43

(1)

13

31

—

5

(12)

—

—

28

The effective income tax rate related to each of our non-GAAP adjustments varies depending on the jurisdictions in which 
such income and expenses are generated and the statutory rates applicable in those jurisdictions.

(7) 

In 2019, we recorded an impairment charge of $57 million on one of our equity investments as further described in Note 
5 to our consolidated financial statements. 

India. See Note 11 to our consolidated financial statements for additional information. 

(9) 

In 2018, we finalized our calculation of the one-time net income tax expense related to the enactment of the Tax Reform 

Act and recognized a $5 million income tax benefit, which reduced our provision for income taxes.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Our cash generated from operations has historically been our primary source of liquidity to fund operations and investments 

to grow our business. In addition, as of December 31, 2019, we had cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments of $3,424

million, of which $414 million was restricted and not available for use as a result of our ongoing dispute with the ITD as described 

in Note 11 to our consolidated financial statements. Additionally, as of December 31, 2019, we had available capacity under our 

credit facilities of approximately $1,932 million. 

The following table provides a summary of our cash flows for the years ended December 31:

2019

2018

(in millions)

Increase /

Decrease

$

$

2,592

$

2,499

1,588

(2,569)

(1,627)

(1,693)

(93)

3,215

(876)

Net cash provided by (used in):

Operating activities

Investing activities

Financing activities

Operating activities

accounts receivable in 2019. 

Investing activities

Financing activities

The decrease in cash generated from operating activities for 2019 compared to 2018 was primarily due to the decrease in 

income from operations and an increase in the cash taxes paid during 2019, partially offset by improved collections of trade 

We monitor turnover, aging and the collection of trade accounts receivable by client. Our DSO calculation includes trade 

accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts, and contract assets, reduced by the uncollected portion of our deferred 

revenue. DSO was 73 days as of December 31, 2019 and 74 days as of December 31, 2018. As further described in Note 1 to our 

consolidated financial statements, during the fourth quarter of 2019, we changed our policy with regard to the presentation of 

certain amounts due to customers, such as discounts and rebates. This change in policy had the effect of reducing our DSO by two 

days and one day as of December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively. 

Net cash provided by investing activities in 2019 was driven by net sales of investments partially offset by payments for 

acquisitions  and  outflows  for  capital  expenditures.  Net  cash  used  in  investing  activities  in  2018  is  related  to  payments  for 

acquisitions, outflows for capital expenditures and net purchases of investments.

The increase in cash used in financing activities in 2019 compared to 2018 is primarily attributable to higher repurchases of 

common stock in 2019, including our $600 million 2019 ASR agreement. 

We have a Credit Agreement providing for a $750 million Term Loan and a $1,750 million unsecured revolving credit facility, 

which are due to mature in November 2023. We are required under the Credit Agreement to make scheduled quarterly principal 

payments on the Term Loan. See Note 10 to our consolidated financial statements. We believe that we currently meet all conditions 

set  forth  in  the  Credit Agreement  to  borrow  thereunder,  and  we  are  not  aware  of  any  conditions  that  would  prevent  us  from 

borrowing part or all of the remaining available capacity under the revolving credit facility as of December 31, 2019 and through 

the date of this filing. 

In September 2019, our India subsidiary entered into a 13 billion Indian rupee ($182 million at the December 31, 2019 

exchange rate) working capital facility, which requires us to repay any balances drawn down within 90 days from the date of 

disbursement. As of December 31, 2019, there was no balance outstanding under the working capital facility. 

During 2019, we returned $2,609 million to our stockholders through $2,156 million in share repurchases under our stock 

repurchase program and $453 million in dividend payments funded primarily with the proceeds from the liquidation of our available-

for-sale investment portfolio and operating cash flows. Our shares outstanding decreased to 548 million as of December 31, 2019 

28

29

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents  

Table of Contents  

The following table presents a reconciliation of each non-GAAP financial measure to the most comparable GAAP measure 

for the years ended December 31: 

2019

% of

Revenues

2018

% of

Revenues

(Dollars in millions, except per share data)

(8) 

(9) 

In 2019, we recorded a one-time net income tax expense of $21 million as a result of the enactment of a new tax law in 
India. See Note 11 to our consolidated financial statements for additional information. 

In 2018, we finalized our calculation of the one-time net income tax expense related to the enactment of the Tax Reform 
Act and recognized a $5 million income tax benefit, which reduced our provision for income taxes.

GAAP income from operations and operating margin

$

2,453

14.6%

$

2,801

17.4%

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Realignment charges (1)

Obligation (2)

Incremental accrual related to the India Defined Contribution 

2020 Fit for Growth Plan restructuring charges (3)

Initial funding of Cognizant U.S. Foundation (4)

1.0

0.7

0.3

—

Our cash generated from operations has historically been our primary source of liquidity to fund operations and investments 
to grow our business. In addition, as of December 31, 2019, we had cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments of $3,424
million, of which $414 million was restricted and not available for use as a result of our ongoing dispute with the ITD as described 
in Note 11 to our consolidated financial statements. Additionally, as of December 31, 2019, we had available capacity under our 
credit facilities of approximately $1,932 million. 

Adjusted Income From Operations and Adjusted Operating Margin

2,787

16.6

The following table provides a summary of our cash flows for the years ended December 31:

Net cash provided by (used in):
Operating activities
Investing activities
Financing activities

Operating activities

2019

2018

(in millions)

Increase /
Decrease

$

$

2,499
1,588
(2,569)

$

2,592
(1,627)
(1,693)

(93)
3,215
(876)

The decrease in cash generated from operating activities for 2019 compared to 2018 was primarily due to the decrease in 
income from operations and an increase in the cash taxes paid during 2019, partially offset by improved collections of trade 
accounts receivable in 2019. 

We monitor turnover, aging and the collection of trade accounts receivable by client. Our DSO calculation includes trade 
accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts, and contract assets, reduced by the uncollected portion of our deferred 
revenue. DSO was 73 days as of December 31, 2019 and 74 days as of December 31, 2018. As further described in Note 1 to our 
consolidated financial statements, during the fourth quarter of 2019, we changed our policy with regard to the presentation of 
certain amounts due to customers, such as discounts and rebates. This change in policy had the effect of reducing our DSO by two 
days and one day as of December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively. 

(4) 

In 2018, we provided $100 million of initial funding to Cognizant U.S. Foundation. This cost is reported in "Selling, 

Investing activities

Net cash provided by investing activities in 2019 was driven by net sales of investments partially offset by payments for 
acquisitions  and  outflows  for  capital  expenditures.  Net  cash  used  in  investing  activities  in  2018  is  related  to  payments  for 
acquisitions, outflows for capital expenditures and net purchases of investments.

Financing activities

The increase in cash used in financing activities in 2019 compared to 2018 is primarily attributable to higher repurchases of 

common stock in 2019, including our $600 million 2019 ASR agreement. 

We have a Credit Agreement providing for a $750 million Term Loan and a $1,750 million unsecured revolving credit facility, 
which are due to mature in November 2023. We are required under the Credit Agreement to make scheduled quarterly principal 
payments on the Term Loan. See Note 10 to our consolidated financial statements. We believe that we currently meet all conditions 
set  forth  in  the  Credit Agreement  to  borrow  thereunder,  and  we  are  not  aware  of  any  conditions  that  would  prevent  us  from 
borrowing part or all of the remaining available capacity under the revolving credit facility as of December 31, 2019 and through 
the date of this filing. 

In September 2019, our India subsidiary entered into a 13 billion Indian rupee ($182 million at the December 31, 2019 
exchange rate) working capital facility, which requires us to repay any balances drawn down within 90 days from the date of 
disbursement. As of December 31, 2019, there was no balance outstanding under the working capital facility. 

During 2019, we returned $2,609 million to our stockholders through $2,156 million in share repurchases under our stock 
repurchase program and $453 million in dividend payments funded primarily with the proceeds from the liquidation of our available-
for-sale investment portfolio and operating cash flows. Our shares outstanding decreased to 548 million as of December 31, 2019 

28

29

GAAP diluted EPS

Effect of above adjustments, pre-tax

Effect of non-operating foreign currency exchange losses (gains), 

pre-tax (5)

Tax effect of above adjustments (6)

Effect of the equity method investment impairment (7)

Effect of the India Tax Law (8)

Effect of net incremental income tax expense related to the Tax 

Reform Act (9)

Adjusted Diluted EPS

169

117

48

—

3.29

0.60

0.11

(0.15)

0.10

0.04

—

3.99

$

$

0.1

—

—

0.6

18.1

19

—

—

100

2,920

3.60

0.20

0.26

(0.03)

—

—

$

(0.01)

4.02

$

(1) 

As part of our realignment program, during the year ended December 31, 2019, we incurred Executive Transition Costs, 

employee separation costs, employee retention costs and third party realignment costs. See Note 4 to our consolidated 

(2) 

In 2019, we recorded an accrual of $117 million related to the India Defined Contribution Obligation as further described 

financial statements for additional information. 

in Note 15 to our consolidated financial statements.

(3) 

During 2019, we incurred certain employee separation, employee retention and facility exit costs under our 2020 Fit for 

Growth Plan. See Note 4 to our consolidated financial statements for additional information. 

general and administrative expenses" in our consolidated statement of operations.

(5) 

Non-operating foreign currency exchange gains and losses, inclusive of gains and losses on related foreign exchange 

forward contracts not designated as hedging instruments for accounting purposes, are reported in "Foreign currency 

exchange gains (losses), net" in our consolidated statements of operations.

(6) 

Presented below are the tax impacts of each of our non-GAAP adjustments to pre-tax income:

Non-GAAP income tax benefit (expense) related to:

Realignment charges

$

$

Foreign currency exchange gains and losses

2020 Fit for Growth Plan restructuring charges

Incremental accrual related to the India Defined Contribution

Obligation

Initial funding of Cognizant U.S. Foundation

For the years ended December 31,

2019

2018

(in millions)

43

(1)

13

31

—

5

(12)

—

—

28

The effective income tax rate related to each of our non-GAAP adjustments varies depending on the jurisdictions in which 

such income and expenses are generated and the statutory rates applicable in those jurisdictions.

(7) 

In 2019, we recorded an impairment charge of $57 million on one of our equity investments as further described in Note 

5 to our consolidated financial statements. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents  

from 577 million as of December 31, 2018. In February 2020, our Board of Directors approved a 10% or $0.02 increase to our 
quarterly cash dividends and increased our stock repurchase program authorization from $5.5 billion to $7.5 billion, excluding 
fees and expenses. We review our capital return plan on an on-going basis, considering our financial performance and liquidity 
position,  investments  required  to  execute  our  strategic  plans  and  initiatives,  acquisition  opportunities,  the  economic  outlook, 
regulatory changes and other relevant factors. As these factors may change over time, the actual amounts expended on stock 
repurchase activity, dividends, and acquisitions, if any, during any particular period cannot be predicted and may fluctuate from 
time to time.

Other Liquidity and Capital Resources Information

 We seek to ensure that our worldwide cash is available in the locations in which it is needed. As part of our ongoing liquidity 
assessments, we regularly monitor the mix of our domestic and international cash flows and cash balances. As of December 31, 
2019, the amount of our cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments held outside the United States was $3,097 million, of 
which $2,414 million was in India. As further described in Note 11 to our consolidated financial statements, certain short-term 
investment balances in India totaling $414 million as of December 31, 2019, were restricted in connection with our dispute with 
the ITD. The affected balances may continue to remain restricted and unavailable for our use while the dispute is ongoing.

We evaluate on an ongoing basis what portion of the non-U.S. cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments held outside 
India is needed locally to execute our strategic plans and what amount is available for repatriation back to the United States. We 
consider our earnings in India to be indefinitely reinvested, which is consistent with our ongoing strategy to expand our Indian 
operations, including through infrastructure investments. However, future events may occur, such as material changes in cash 
estimates,  discretionary  transactions,  including  corporate  restructurings,  and  changes  in  applicable  laws,  that  may  lead  us  to 
repatriate  the  undistributed  Indian  earnings.  As  of  December 31,  2019,  the  amount  of  unrepatriated  Indian  earnings  was 
approximately $5,242 million. If all of our accumulated unrepatriated Indian earnings were to be repatriated, based on our current 
interpretation of India tax law, we estimate that we would incur an additional income tax expense of approximately $1,101 million. 
This estimate is subject to change based on tax legislation developments in India and other jurisdictions as well as judicial and 
interpretive developments of applicable tax laws. 

On February 1, 2020, the India Finance Minister presented the Budget, which contains a number of proposed provisions 
related to tax, including a replacement of the dividend distribution tax, which is due from the dividend payer, with a tax payable 
by the shareholder receiving the dividend. If enacted, these provisions would significantly reduce the tax rate applicable to any 
cash we were to repatriate from India. These provisions are proposed to be effective for the India financial year starting April 1, 
2020. We are in the process of reviewing the various tax provisions outlined in the Budget, and will finalize our assessment once 
the Budget proposals are passed into law by the Parliament of India.

We expect our operating cash flow, cash and investment balances (excluding the $414 million of India restricted assets), 
together with our available capacity under our revolving credit facilities to be sufficient to meet our operating requirements, in 
India and globally, for the next twelve months. Our ability to expand and grow our business in accordance with current plans, 
make acquisitions and form joint ventures, meet our long-term capital requirements beyond a twelve-month period and execute 
our capital return plan will depend on many factors, including the rate, if any, at which our cash flow increases, our ability and 
willingness to pay for acquisitions and joint ventures with capital stock and the availability of public and private debt and equity 
financing. We cannot be certain that additional financing, if required, will be available on terms and conditions acceptable to us, 
if at all.

Table of Contents  

Commitments

Commitments and Contingencies

Long-term debt obligations(1)

Interest on long-term debt(2)

Finance lease obligations

Operating lease obligations

Other purchase commitments(3)

Tax Reform Act transition tax(4)

Total

As of December 31, 2019, we had the following obligations and commitments to make future payments under contractual 

obligations and commercial commitments:

Payments due by period

Total

Less than

1 year

1-3 years

3-5 years

(in millions)

More than

5 years

$

741

$

$

$

627

$

69

27

1,134

233

528

38

19

11

249

125

50

76

36

15

384

101

101

713

14

228

1

7

220

—

—

—

273

—

157

430  

$

2,732

$

492

$

$

1,097

$

(1)  Consists of scheduled repayments of our Term Loan.

(2) 

Interest on the Term Loan was calculated at interest rates in effect as of December 31, 2019.

(3)  Other purchase commitments include, among other things, communications and information technology obligations, as 

well as other obligations in the ordinary course of business that we cannot cancel or where we would be required to pay a 

termination fee in the event of cancellation.

(4) 

The Tax Reform Act transition tax on undistributed foreign earnings is payable in installments through the year 2026. 

As of December 31, 2019, we had $152 million of unrecognized income tax benefits. This represents the income tax benefits 

associated with certain income tax positions on our U.S. and non-U.S. tax returns that have not been recognized on our financial 

statements due to uncertainty regarding their resolution. The resolution of these income tax positions with the relevant taxing 

authorities is at various stages, and therefore we are unable to make a reliable estimate of the eventual cash flows by period that 

may be required to settle these matters.

Contingencies

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

resources.

Critical Accounting Estimates

See Note 15 to our consolidated financial statements for additional information.

Other than our foreign exchange forward contracts, there were no off-balance sheet transactions, arrangements or other 

relationships with unconsolidated entities or other persons in 2019 and 2018 that have, or are reasonably likely to have, a current 

or future effect on our financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital 

Management’s discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based on our accompanying 

consolidated financial statements that have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. We base our estimates on historical experience, 

current trends and on various other assumptions that are believed to be relevant at the time our consolidated financial statements 

are prepared. We evaluate our estimates on a continuous basis. However, the actual amounts may differ from the estimates used 

in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements. 

We believe the following accounting estimates are the most critical to aid in fully understanding and evaluating our reported 

consolidated financial statements as they require the most difficult, subjective or complex judgments, resulting from the need to 

make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain. Changes to these estimates could have a material adverse 

effect on our results of operations and financial condition. Our significant accounting policies are described in Note 1 to our 

consolidated financial statements.

30

31

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents  

from 577 million as of December 31, 2018. In February 2020, our Board of Directors approved a 10% or $0.02 increase to our 

quarterly cash dividends and increased our stock repurchase program authorization from $5.5 billion to $7.5 billion, excluding 

fees and expenses. We review our capital return plan on an on-going basis, considering our financial performance and liquidity 

position,  investments  required  to  execute  our  strategic  plans  and  initiatives,  acquisition  opportunities,  the  economic  outlook, 

regulatory changes and other relevant factors. As these factors may change over time, the actual amounts expended on stock 

repurchase activity, dividends, and acquisitions, if any, during any particular period cannot be predicted and may fluctuate from 

time to time.

Other Liquidity and Capital Resources Information

 We seek to ensure that our worldwide cash is available in the locations in which it is needed. As part of our ongoing liquidity 

assessments, we regularly monitor the mix of our domestic and international cash flows and cash balances. As of December 31, 

2019, the amount of our cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments held outside the United States was $3,097 million, of 

which $2,414 million was in India. As further described in Note 11 to our consolidated financial statements, certain short-term 

investment balances in India totaling $414 million as of December 31, 2019, were restricted in connection with our dispute with 

the ITD. The affected balances may continue to remain restricted and unavailable for our use while the dispute is ongoing.

We evaluate on an ongoing basis what portion of the non-U.S. cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments held outside 

India is needed locally to execute our strategic plans and what amount is available for repatriation back to the United States. We 

consider our earnings in India to be indefinitely reinvested, which is consistent with our ongoing strategy to expand our Indian 

operations, including through infrastructure investments. However, future events may occur, such as material changes in cash 

estimates,  discretionary  transactions,  including  corporate  restructurings,  and  changes  in  applicable  laws,  that  may  lead  us  to 

repatriate  the  undistributed  Indian  earnings.  As  of  December 31,  2019,  the  amount  of  unrepatriated  Indian  earnings  was 

approximately $5,242 million. If all of our accumulated unrepatriated Indian earnings were to be repatriated, based on our current 

interpretation of India tax law, we estimate that we would incur an additional income tax expense of approximately $1,101 million. 

This estimate is subject to change based on tax legislation developments in India and other jurisdictions as well as judicial and 

interpretive developments of applicable tax laws. 

On February 1, 2020, the India Finance Minister presented the Budget, which contains a number of proposed provisions 

related to tax, including a replacement of the dividend distribution tax, which is due from the dividend payer, with a tax payable 

by the shareholder receiving the dividend. If enacted, these provisions would significantly reduce the tax rate applicable to any 

cash we were to repatriate from India. These provisions are proposed to be effective for the India financial year starting April 1, 

2020. We are in the process of reviewing the various tax provisions outlined in the Budget, and will finalize our assessment once 

the Budget proposals are passed into law by the Parliament of India.

We expect our operating cash flow, cash and investment balances (excluding the $414 million of India restricted assets), 

together with our available capacity under our revolving credit facilities to be sufficient to meet our operating requirements, in 

India and globally, for the next twelve months. Our ability to expand and grow our business in accordance with current plans, 

make acquisitions and form joint ventures, meet our long-term capital requirements beyond a twelve-month period and execute 

our capital return plan will depend on many factors, including the rate, if any, at which our cash flow increases, our ability and 

willingness to pay for acquisitions and joint ventures with capital stock and the availability of public and private debt and equity 

financing. We cannot be certain that additional financing, if required, will be available on terms and conditions acceptable to us, 

if at all.

Table of Contents  

Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments

As of December 31, 2019, we had the following obligations and commitments to make future payments under contractual 

obligations and commercial commitments:

Long-term debt obligations(1)
Interest on long-term debt(2)

Finance lease obligations

Operating lease obligations
Other purchase commitments(3)
Tax Reform Act transition tax(4)

Total

Payments due by period

Total

Less than
1 year

1-3 years

3-5 years

(in millions)

More than
5 years

$

741

$

69

27

1,134

233

528
2,732

$

$

38

19

11

249

125

50
492

$

$

76

36

15

384

101

101
713

$

627

$

14

1

228

7

220
1,097

$

$

—

—

—

273

—

157
430  

Interest on the Term Loan was calculated at interest rates in effect as of December 31, 2019.

(1)  Consists of scheduled repayments of our Term Loan.
(2) 
(3)  Other purchase commitments include, among other things, communications and information technology obligations, as 
well as other obligations in the ordinary course of business that we cannot cancel or where we would be required to pay a 
termination fee in the event of cancellation.
The Tax Reform Act transition tax on undistributed foreign earnings is payable in installments through the year 2026. 

(4) 

As of December 31, 2019, we had $152 million of unrecognized income tax benefits. This represents the income tax benefits 
associated with certain income tax positions on our U.S. and non-U.S. tax returns that have not been recognized on our financial 
statements due to uncertainty regarding their resolution. The resolution of these income tax positions with the relevant taxing 
authorities is at various stages, and therefore we are unable to make a reliable estimate of the eventual cash flows by period that 
may be required to settle these matters.

Contingencies

See Note 15 to our consolidated financial statements for additional information.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

Other than our foreign exchange forward contracts, there were no off-balance sheet transactions, arrangements or other 
relationships with unconsolidated entities or other persons in 2019 and 2018 that have, or are reasonably likely to have, a current 
or future effect on our financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital 
resources.

Critical Accounting Estimates

Management’s discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based on our accompanying 
consolidated financial statements that have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. We base our estimates on historical experience, 
current trends and on various other assumptions that are believed to be relevant at the time our consolidated financial statements 
are prepared. We evaluate our estimates on a continuous basis. However, the actual amounts may differ from the estimates used 
in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements. 

We believe the following accounting estimates are the most critical to aid in fully understanding and evaluating our reported 
consolidated financial statements as they require the most difficult, subjective or complex judgments, resulting from the need to 
make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain. Changes to these estimates could have a material adverse 
effect on our results of operations and financial condition. Our significant accounting policies are described in Note 1 to our 
consolidated financial statements.

30

31

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents  

Table of Contents  

Revenue Recognition. Revenues related to fixed-price contracts for application development and systems integration services, 
consulting or other technology services are recognized as the service is performed using the cost to cost method, under which the 
total value of revenues is recognized on the basis of the percentage that each contract’s total labor cost to date bears to the total 
expected labor costs. Revenues related to fixed-price application maintenance, testing and business process services are recognized 
using the cost to cost method, if the right to invoice is not representative of the value being delivered. The cost to cost method 
requires estimation of future costs, which is updated as the project progresses to reflect the latest available information. Such 
estimates and changes in estimates involve the use of judgment. The cumulative impact of any revision in estimates is reflected 
in the financial reporting period in which the change in estimate becomes known. Net changes in estimates of such future costs 
and contract losses were immaterial to the consolidated results of operations for the periods presented.

Income Taxes. Determining the consolidated provision for income tax expense, deferred income tax assets (and related 
valuation allowance, if any) and liabilities requires significant judgment. We are required to calculate and provide for income taxes 
in each of the jurisdictions where we operate. Changes in the geographic mix of income before taxes or estimated level of annual 
pre-tax income can affect our overall effective income tax rate. In addition, transactions between our affiliated entities are arranged 
in accordance with applicable transfer pricing laws, regulations and relevant guidelines. As a result, and due to the interpretive 
nature of certain aspects of these laws and guidelines, we have pending applications for APAs before the taxing authorities in some 
of  our  most  significant  jurisdictions. It  could  take  years  for  the  relevant  taxing  authorities  to  negotiate  and  conclude  these 
applications. The consolidated provision for income taxes may change period to period based on changes in facts and circumstances, 
such as settlements of income tax audits or finalization of our applications for APAs.

Our provision for income taxes also includes the impact of reserves established for uncertain income tax positions, as well 
as the related interest, which may require us to apply judgment to complex issues and may require an extended period of time to 
resolve. Although we believe we have adequately reserved for our uncertain tax positions, no assurance can be given that the final 
outcome  of  these  matters  will  not  differ  from  our  recorded  amounts. We  adjust  these  reserves  in  light  of  changing  facts  and 
circumstances, such as the closing of a tax audit. To the extent that the final outcome of these matters differs from the amounts 
recorded, such differences will impact the provision for income taxes in the period in which such determination is made.

Business Combinations, Goodwill and Intangible Assets. Goodwill and intangible assets, including indefinite-lived intangible 
assets, arise from the accounting for business combinations. We account for business combinations using the acquisition method 
which  requires  us  to  estimate  the  fair  value  of  identifiable  assets  acquired,  liabilities  assumed,  including  any  contingent 
consideration, and any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree to properly allocate purchase price to the individual assets acquired 
and liabilities assumed. The allocation of the purchase price utilizes significant estimates in determining the fair values of identifiable 
assets acquired and liabilities assumed, especially with respect to intangible assets. The significant estimates and assumptions 
include the timing and amount of forecasted revenues and cash flows, anticipated growth rates, client attrition rates, the discount 
rate reflecting the risk inherent in future cash flows and the determination of useful lives for finite-lived assets.

We  exercise  judgment  to  allocate  goodwill  to  the  reporting  units  expected  to  benefit  from  each  business  combination. 
Goodwill is tested for impairment at the reporting unit level on an annual basis and between annual tests if an event occurs or 
circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying value. These 
events or circumstances could include a significant change in the business climate, regulatory environment, established business 
plans, operating performance indicators or competition. Evaluation of goodwill for impairment requires judgment, including the 
identification of reporting units, assignment of assets, liabilities and goodwill to reporting units and determination of the fair value 
of each reporting unit. 

We estimate the fair value of our reporting units using a combination of an income approach, utilizing a discounted cash 
flow analysis, and a market approach, using market multiples. Under the income approach, we estimate projected future cash 
flows, the timing of such cash flows and long-term growth rates, and determine the appropriate discount rate that reflects the risk 
inherent in the projected future cash flows. The discount rate used is based on our weighted-average cost of capital and may be 
adjusted for the relevant risk associated with business-specific characteristics and the uncertainty related to the reporting unit’s 
ability to execute on the projected future cash flows. Under the market approach, we estimate fair value based on market multiples 
of revenues and earnings derived from comparable publicly-traded companies with characteristics similar to the reporting unit. 
The estimates used to calculate the fair value of a reporting unit change from year to year based on operating results, market 
conditions and other factors. Changes in these estimates and assumptions could materially affect the determination of fair value 
for each reporting unit. 

We also evaluate indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment at least annually, or as circumstances warrant. Our 2019
qualitative assessment included the review of relevant macroeconomic factors and entity-specific qualitative factors to determine 
if it was more-likely-than-not that the fair value of our indefinite-lived intangible assets was below carrying value.

Based on our most recent evaluation of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets performed during the fourth quarter 

of 2019, we concluded that the goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible asset balances in each of our reporting units were not at 

risk of impairment. As of December 31, 2019, our goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible asset balances were $3,979 million 

and $72 million, respectively.

We review our finite-lived assets, including our finite-lived intangible assets, for impairment whenever events or changes 

in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset group may not be recoverable. We recognize an impairment loss 

when the sum of the undiscounted expected future cash flows is less than the carrying amount of such asset groups. The impairment 

loss is determined as the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset group exceeds its fair value. Assessing the fair value 

of asset groups involves significant estimates and assumptions including estimation of future cash flows, the timing of such cash 

flows and discount rates reflecting the risk inherent in future cash flows. 

Contingencies. Loss contingencies are recorded as liabilities when a loss is considered probable and the amount can be 

reasonably estimated. When a material loss contingency is reasonably possible but not probable, we do not record a liability, but 

instead disclose the nature and amount of the claim, and an estimate of the loss or range of loss, if such an estimate can be made. 

Significant judgment is required in the determination of whether an exposure is considered probable and reasonably estimable. 

Our judgments are subjective and based on the information available from the status of the legal or regulatory proceedings, the 

merits of our defenses and consultation with in-house and outside legal counsel. As additional information becomes available, we 

reassess any potential liability related to any pending litigation and may revise our estimates. Such revisions in estimates of any 

potential liabilities could have a material impact on our results of operations and financial position.

Recently Adopted and New Accounting Pronouncements

See Note 1 to our consolidated financial statements for additional information.

Forward Looking Statements

The statements contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements 

(within the meaning of Section 21E of the Exchange Act) that involve risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements 

may be identified by, among other things, the use of forward-looking terminology such as “believe,” “expect,” “may,” “could,” 

“would,” “plan,” “intend,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” “continue,” “should” or “anticipate” or the negative thereof or other 

variations thereon or comparable terminology, or by discussions of strategy that involve risks and uncertainties. From time to time, 

we or our representatives have made or may make forward-looking statements, orally or in writing.

Such forward-looking statements may be included in various filings made by us with the SEC, in press releases or in oral 

statements made by or with the approval of one of our authorized executive officers. These forward-looking statements, such as 

statements regarding our anticipated future revenues or operating margin, earnings, capital expenditures, anticipated effective 

income tax rate and income tax expense, liquidity, access to capital, capital return plan, investment strategies, cost management, 

realignment program, 2020 Fit for Growth Plan, plans and objectives, including those related to our digital practice areas, investment 

in our business, potential acquisitions, industry trends, client behaviors and trends, the outcome of regulatory and litigation matters, 

the incremental accrual related to the India Defined Contribution Obligation and other statements regarding matters that are not 

historical facts, are based on our current expectations, estimates and projections, management’s beliefs and certain assumptions 

made by management, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and beyond our control. Actual results, performance, 

achievements and outcomes could differ materially from the results expressed in, or anticipated or implied by, these forward-

looking statements. There are a number of important factors that could cause our results to differ materially from those indicated 

by such forward-looking statements, including:

economic  and  political  conditions  globally  and  in  particular  in  the  markets  in  which  our  clients  and  operations  are 

concentrated;

our ability to attract, train and retain skilled professionals, including highly skilled technical personnel to satisfy client 

demand and senior management to lead our business globally;

challenges related to growing our business organically as well as inorganically through acquisitions, and our ability to 

achieve our targeted growth rates;

our ability to achieve our profitability and capital return goals;

our ability to successfully implement our 2020 Fit for Growth Plan and achieve the anticipated benefits from the plan;

our ability to meet specified service levels or milestones required by certain of our contracts;

intense and evolving competition and significant technological advances that our service offerings must keep pace 

with in the rapidly changing markets we compete in;

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

32

33

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents  

Table of Contents  

Revenue Recognition. Revenues related to fixed-price contracts for application development and systems integration services, 

consulting or other technology services are recognized as the service is performed using the cost to cost method, under which the 

total value of revenues is recognized on the basis of the percentage that each contract’s total labor cost to date bears to the total 

expected labor costs. Revenues related to fixed-price application maintenance, testing and business process services are recognized 

using the cost to cost method, if the right to invoice is not representative of the value being delivered. The cost to cost method 

requires estimation of future costs, which is updated as the project progresses to reflect the latest available information. Such 

estimates and changes in estimates involve the use of judgment. The cumulative impact of any revision in estimates is reflected 

in the financial reporting period in which the change in estimate becomes known. Net changes in estimates of such future costs 

and contract losses were immaterial to the consolidated results of operations for the periods presented.

Income Taxes. Determining the consolidated provision for income tax expense, deferred income tax assets (and related 

valuation allowance, if any) and liabilities requires significant judgment. We are required to calculate and provide for income taxes 

in each of the jurisdictions where we operate. Changes in the geographic mix of income before taxes or estimated level of annual 

pre-tax income can affect our overall effective income tax rate. In addition, transactions between our affiliated entities are arranged 

in accordance with applicable transfer pricing laws, regulations and relevant guidelines. As a result, and due to the interpretive 

nature of certain aspects of these laws and guidelines, we have pending applications for APAs before the taxing authorities in some 

of  our  most  significant  jurisdictions. It  could  take  years  for  the  relevant  taxing  authorities  to  negotiate  and  conclude  these 

applications. The consolidated provision for income taxes may change period to period based on changes in facts and circumstances, 

such as settlements of income tax audits or finalization of our applications for APAs.

Our provision for income taxes also includes the impact of reserves established for uncertain income tax positions, as well 

as the related interest, which may require us to apply judgment to complex issues and may require an extended period of time to 

resolve. Although we believe we have adequately reserved for our uncertain tax positions, no assurance can be given that the final 

outcome  of  these  matters  will  not  differ  from  our  recorded  amounts. We  adjust  these  reserves  in  light  of  changing  facts  and 

circumstances, such as the closing of a tax audit. To the extent that the final outcome of these matters differs from the amounts 

recorded, such differences will impact the provision for income taxes in the period in which such determination is made.

Business Combinations, Goodwill and Intangible Assets. Goodwill and intangible assets, including indefinite-lived intangible 

assets, arise from the accounting for business combinations. We account for business combinations using the acquisition method 

which  requires  us  to  estimate  the  fair  value  of  identifiable  assets  acquired,  liabilities  assumed,  including  any  contingent 

consideration, and any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree to properly allocate purchase price to the individual assets acquired 

and liabilities assumed. The allocation of the purchase price utilizes significant estimates in determining the fair values of identifiable 

assets acquired and liabilities assumed, especially with respect to intangible assets. The significant estimates and assumptions 

include the timing and amount of forecasted revenues and cash flows, anticipated growth rates, client attrition rates, the discount 

rate reflecting the risk inherent in future cash flows and the determination of useful lives for finite-lived assets.

We  exercise  judgment  to  allocate  goodwill  to  the  reporting  units  expected  to  benefit  from  each  business  combination. 

Goodwill is tested for impairment at the reporting unit level on an annual basis and between annual tests if an event occurs or 

circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying value. These 

events or circumstances could include a significant change in the business climate, regulatory environment, established business 

plans, operating performance indicators or competition. Evaluation of goodwill for impairment requires judgment, including the 

identification of reporting units, assignment of assets, liabilities and goodwill to reporting units and determination of the fair value 

of each reporting unit. 

We estimate the fair value of our reporting units using a combination of an income approach, utilizing a discounted cash 

flow analysis, and a market approach, using market multiples. Under the income approach, we estimate projected future cash 

flows, the timing of such cash flows and long-term growth rates, and determine the appropriate discount rate that reflects the risk 

inherent in the projected future cash flows. The discount rate used is based on our weighted-average cost of capital and may be 

adjusted for the relevant risk associated with business-specific characteristics and the uncertainty related to the reporting unit’s 

ability to execute on the projected future cash flows. Under the market approach, we estimate fair value based on market multiples 

of revenues and earnings derived from comparable publicly-traded companies with characteristics similar to the reporting unit. 

The estimates used to calculate the fair value of a reporting unit change from year to year based on operating results, market 

conditions and other factors. Changes in these estimates and assumptions could materially affect the determination of fair value 

for each reporting unit. 

We also evaluate indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment at least annually, or as circumstances warrant. Our 2019

qualitative assessment included the review of relevant macroeconomic factors and entity-specific qualitative factors to determine 

if it was more-likely-than-not that the fair value of our indefinite-lived intangible assets was below carrying value.

Based on our most recent evaluation of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets performed during the fourth quarter 
of 2019, we concluded that the goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible asset balances in each of our reporting units were not at 
risk of impairment. As of December 31, 2019, our goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible asset balances were $3,979 million 
and $72 million, respectively.

We review our finite-lived assets, including our finite-lived intangible assets, for impairment whenever events or changes 
in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset group may not be recoverable. We recognize an impairment loss 
when the sum of the undiscounted expected future cash flows is less than the carrying amount of such asset groups. The impairment 
loss is determined as the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset group exceeds its fair value. Assessing the fair value 
of asset groups involves significant estimates and assumptions including estimation of future cash flows, the timing of such cash 
flows and discount rates reflecting the risk inherent in future cash flows. 

Contingencies. Loss contingencies are recorded as liabilities when a loss is considered probable and the amount can be 
reasonably estimated. When a material loss contingency is reasonably possible but not probable, we do not record a liability, but 
instead disclose the nature and amount of the claim, and an estimate of the loss or range of loss, if such an estimate can be made. 
Significant judgment is required in the determination of whether an exposure is considered probable and reasonably estimable. 
Our judgments are subjective and based on the information available from the status of the legal or regulatory proceedings, the 
merits of our defenses and consultation with in-house and outside legal counsel. As additional information becomes available, we 
reassess any potential liability related to any pending litigation and may revise our estimates. Such revisions in estimates of any 
potential liabilities could have a material impact on our results of operations and financial position.

Recently Adopted and New Accounting Pronouncements

See Note 1 to our consolidated financial statements for additional information.

Forward Looking Statements

The statements contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements 
(within the meaning of Section 21E of the Exchange Act) that involve risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements 
may be identified by, among other things, the use of forward-looking terminology such as “believe,” “expect,” “may,” “could,” 
“would,” “plan,” “intend,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” “continue,” “should” or “anticipate” or the negative thereof or other 
variations thereon or comparable terminology, or by discussions of strategy that involve risks and uncertainties. From time to time, 
we or our representatives have made or may make forward-looking statements, orally or in writing.

Such forward-looking statements may be included in various filings made by us with the SEC, in press releases or in oral 
statements made by or with the approval of one of our authorized executive officers. These forward-looking statements, such as 
statements regarding our anticipated future revenues or operating margin, earnings, capital expenditures, anticipated effective 
income tax rate and income tax expense, liquidity, access to capital, capital return plan, investment strategies, cost management, 
realignment program, 2020 Fit for Growth Plan, plans and objectives, including those related to our digital practice areas, investment 
in our business, potential acquisitions, industry trends, client behaviors and trends, the outcome of regulatory and litigation matters, 
the incremental accrual related to the India Defined Contribution Obligation and other statements regarding matters that are not 
historical facts, are based on our current expectations, estimates and projections, management’s beliefs and certain assumptions 
made by management, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and beyond our control. Actual results, performance, 
achievements and outcomes could differ materially from the results expressed in, or anticipated or implied by, these forward-
looking statements. There are a number of important factors that could cause our results to differ materially from those indicated 
by such forward-looking statements, including:

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

economic  and  political  conditions  globally  and  in  particular  in  the  markets  in  which  our  clients  and  operations  are 
concentrated;

our ability to attract, train and retain skilled professionals, including highly skilled technical personnel to satisfy client 
demand and senior management to lead our business globally;

challenges related to growing our business organically as well as inorganically through acquisitions, and our ability to 
achieve our targeted growth rates;

our ability to achieve our profitability and capital return goals;

our ability to successfully implement our 2020 Fit for Growth Plan and achieve the anticipated benefits from the plan;

our ability to meet specified service levels or milestones required by certain of our contracts;

intense and evolving competition and significant technological advances that our service offerings must keep pace 
with in the rapidly changing markets we compete in;

32

33

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents  

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

legal, reputational and financial risks if we fail to protect client and/or Cognizant data from security breaches or 
cyberattacks;

the effectiveness of our business continuity and disaster recovery plans and the potential that our global delivery capacity 
could be impacted;

restrictions on visas, in particular in the United States, United Kingdom and European Union, or immigration more 
generally, which may affect our ability to compete for and provide services to our clients;

risks related to anti-outsourcing legislation, if adopted, and negative perceptions associated with offshore outsourcing, 
both of which could impair our ability to serve our clients;

risks related to complying with the numerous and evolving legal and regulatory requirements to which we are subject 
in the many jurisdictions in which we operate; 

potential changes in tax laws, or in their interpretation or enforcement, failure by us to adapt our corporate structure 
and intercompany arrangements to achieve global tax efficiencies or adverse outcomes of tax audits, investigations or 
proceedings;

potential exposure to litigation and legal claims in the conduct of our business;

potential significant expense that would occur if we change our intent not to repatriate Indian accumulated 
undistributed earnings; and

the factors set forth in Part I, in the section entitled “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in this report.

You are advised to consult any further disclosures we make on related subjects in the reports we file with the SEC, including 
this report in the sections titled “Part I, Item 1. Business,” “Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors” and “Part II, Item 7. Management’s 
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” We undertake no obligation to update or revise any 
forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required under 
applicable securities laws.

Table of Contents  

Glossary

Defined Term

Definition

Adjusted Diluted EPS

Adjusted diluted earnings per share

Artificial Intelligence

Advanced Pricing Agreements

Accounting Standards Codification

Accelerated Stock Repurchase

Accounting Standards Update

Advanced Technology Group, Inc.

Bolder Healthcare Solutions

Brilliant Service Co., Ltd.

Union Budget of India for 2020-2021

Constant Currency

Cloud Computing Arrangement

Contino Holdings Inc.

Madras High Court

Consumer Price Index

AI

APAs

ASC

ASR

ASU

ATG

Bolder

Brilliant

Budget

CC

CCA

Contino

Court

CPI

DOJ

DSO

EPS

EU

FASB

FCPA

GAAP

Goodwin

HR

IP

ISDA

IoT

IT

ITD

MAT

Mustache

Nasdaq

Netcentric

Credit Agreement

Credit agreement with a commercial bank syndicate dated November 5, 2018

Our principal operating subsidiary in India

An ongoing dispute with a healthcare client related to a large volume-based contract

CTS India

Customer Dispute

Division Bench

DevOps

Division Bench of the Madras High Court

Agile relationship between development and IT operations

United States Department of Justice

Days Sales Outstanding

Earnings Per Share

European Union

Exchange Act

Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended

Executive Transition Costs

Costs associated with our CEO transition and the departure of our President

India Defined Contribution

Obligation

India Tax Law

Certain statutory defined contribution obligations of employees and employers in India

New tax regime enacted by the Government of India effective April 1, 2019

Financial Accounting Standards Board

Foreign Corrupt Practices Act

Generally Accepted Accounting Principles

Goodwin Procter LLP

Human Resources

Intellectual Property

International Swaps and Derivatives Association

Internet of Things

Information Technology

Indian Income Tax Department

Minimum Alternative Tax

Mustache, LLC

Nasdaq Global Select Market

Netcentric AG

34

35

New Revenue Standard

ASC Topic 606 "Revenue from Contracts with Customers"

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents  

cyberattacks;

could be impacted;

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

legal, reputational and financial risks if we fail to protect client and/or Cognizant data from security breaches or 

the effectiveness of our business continuity and disaster recovery plans and the potential that our global delivery capacity 

restrictions on visas, in particular in the United States, United Kingdom and European Union, or immigration more 

generally, which may affect our ability to compete for and provide services to our clients;

risks related to anti-outsourcing legislation, if adopted, and negative perceptions associated with offshore outsourcing, 

both of which could impair our ability to serve our clients;

risks related to complying with the numerous and evolving legal and regulatory requirements to which we are subject 

in the many jurisdictions in which we operate; 

potential changes in tax laws, or in their interpretation or enforcement, failure by us to adapt our corporate structure 

and intercompany arrangements to achieve global tax efficiencies or adverse outcomes of tax audits, investigations or 

proceedings;

potential exposure to litigation and legal claims in the conduct of our business;

potential significant expense that would occur if we change our intent not to repatriate Indian accumulated 

undistributed earnings; and

the factors set forth in Part I, in the section entitled “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in this report.

You are advised to consult any further disclosures we make on related subjects in the reports we file with the SEC, including 

this report in the sections titled “Part I, Item 1. Business,” “Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors” and “Part II, Item 7. Management’s 

Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” We undertake no obligation to update or revise any 

forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required under 

applicable securities laws.

Table of Contents  

Glossary

Defined Term

Definition

Adjusted Diluted EPS

Adjusted diluted earnings per share

AI

APAs

ASC

ASR

ASU

ATG

Bolder

Brilliant

Budget

CC

CCA

Contino
Court

CPI

Artificial Intelligence

Advanced Pricing Agreements

Accounting Standards Codification

Accelerated Stock Repurchase

Accounting Standards Update

Advanced Technology Group, Inc.

Bolder Healthcare Solutions

Brilliant Service Co., Ltd.

Union Budget of India for 2020-2021

Constant Currency

Cloud Computing Arrangement

Contino Holdings Inc.
Madras High Court

Consumer Price Index

Credit Agreement

Credit agreement with a commercial bank syndicate dated November 5, 2018

CTS India

Customer Dispute

Division Bench

DevOps

DOJ

DSO

EPS

EU

Our principal operating subsidiary in India

An ongoing dispute with a healthcare client related to a large volume-based contract

Division Bench of the Madras High Court

Agile relationship between development and IT operations

United States Department of Justice

Days Sales Outstanding

Earnings Per Share

European Union

Exchange Act

Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended

Executive Transition Costs

Costs associated with our CEO transition and the departure of our President

FASB

FCPA

GAAP

Goodwin

HR

Financial Accounting Standards Board

Foreign Corrupt Practices Act

Generally Accepted Accounting Principles

Goodwin Procter LLP

Human Resources

India Defined Contribution
Obligation

Certain statutory defined contribution obligations of employees and employers in India

India Tax Law

New tax regime enacted by the Government of India effective April 1, 2019

IP

ISDA

IoT

IT

ITD

MAT

Mustache

Nasdaq

Netcentric

Intellectual Property

International Swaps and Derivatives Association

Internet of Things

Information Technology

Indian Income Tax Department

Minimum Alternative Tax

Mustache, LLC

Nasdaq Global Select Market

Netcentric AG

New Revenue Standard

ASC Topic 606 "Revenue from Contracts with Customers"

34

35

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents  

New Lease Standard

ASC Topic 842 “Leases”

OECD

PSU

Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development

Performance Stock Units

Purchase Plan

Cognizant Technology Solutions Corporation 2004 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as amended

ROU

RSU

SaaSfocus

Samlink

SEC

SEZs

SLP

Softvision

Tax Reform Act

Term Loan

TMG

Top Tier

Zenith

Zone

Right of Use

Restricted Stock Units

SaaSforce Consulting Private Limited

Oy Samlink Ab

United States Securities and Exchange Commission

Special Economic Zones

Special Leave Petition

Softvision, LLC

Tax Cuts and Jobs Act

Unsecured term loan

TMG Health, Inc.

Top Tier Consulting

Zenith Technologies Limited

Zone Limited

2009 Incentive Plan

2017 Incentive Plan

Cognizant Technology Solutions Corporation Amended and Restated 2009 Incentive
Compensation Plan

Cognizant Technology Solutions Corporation 2017 Incentive Award Plan

Table of Contents  

Foreign Currency Risk

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

We are exposed to foreign currency exchange rate risk in the ordinary course of doing business as we transact or hold a 

portion of our funds in foreign currencies, particularly the Indian rupee. Additionally, the United Kingdom's exit from the European 

Union and its effect on the British pound may subject us to increased volatility in foreign currency exchange rate movements. 

Accordingly, we periodically evaluate the need for hedging strategies, including the use of derivative financial instruments, to 

mitigate the effect of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations and expect to continue to use such instruments in the future to 

reduce foreign currency exposure to appreciation or depreciation in the value of certain foreign currencies. All hedging transactions 

are authorized and executed pursuant to regularly reviewed policies and procedures.

Revenues from our clients in the United Kingdom, Continental Europe and Rest of World represented 7.8%, 10.1% and 

6.3%, respectively, of our 2019 revenues, and are typically denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Accordingly, our 

operating results may be affected by fluctuations in the exchange rates, primarily the British pound and the Euro, as compared to 

the U.S. dollar.

A significant portion of our costs in India are denominated in the Indian rupee, representing approximately 20.7% of our 

global operating costs during 2019, and are subject to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. These foreign currency exchange 

rate fluctuations have an impact on our results of operations.

We have entered into a series of foreign exchange forward contracts that are designated as cash flow hedges of certain Indian 

rupee  denominated  payments  in  India. These  U.S.  dollar  /  Indian  rupee  hedges  are  intended  to  partially  offset  the  impact  of 

movement of exchange rates on future operating costs. As of December 31, 2019, the notional value and weighted average contract 

rates of these contracts were as follows:

2020

2021

Total

Notional Value 

(in millions)

Weighted Average

Contract Rate (Indian

rupee to U.S. dollar)

$

$

1,505

883

2,388

74.1

76.5

75.0

As of December 31, 2019, the net unrealized gain on our outstanding foreign exchange forward contracts designated as cash 

flow hedges was $31 million. Based upon a sensitivity analysis at December 31, 2019, which estimates the fair value of the 

contracts based upon market exchange rate fluctuations, a 10.0% change in the foreign currency exchange rate against the U.S. 

dollar with all other variables held constant would have resulted in a change in the fair value of our foreign exchange forward 

contracts designated as cash flow hedges of approximately $232 million.

A portion of our balance sheet is exposed to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, which may result in non-operating 

foreign currency exchange gains or losses upon remeasurement. In 2019, we reported foreign currency exchange losses, exclusive 

of hedging gains, of approximately $73 million, which were primarily attributed to the remeasurement of net monetary assets and 

liabilities denominated in currencies other than the functional currencies of our subsidiaries. As of December 31, 2019, we had 

$2,414  million  in  cash,  cash  equivalents  and  short-term  investments  denominated  in  Indian  rupees.  Based  upon  a  sensitivity 

analysis, a 10.0% change in the Indian rupee exchange rate against the U.S. dollar, with all other variables held constant, would 

have resulted in a change in the U.S. dollar reported value of these balances and a corresponding non-operating foreign currency 

exchange gain or loss of approximately $244 million.

We use foreign exchange forward contracts to provide an economic hedge against balance sheet exposure to certain monetary 

assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than the functional currency of the subsidiary. We entered into a series of 

foreign exchange forward contracts scheduled to mature in 2020. At December 31, 2019, the notional value of these outstanding 

contracts was $702 million and the net unrealized gain was $2 million. Based upon a sensitivity analysis of our foreign exchange 

forward  contracts  at  December 31,  2019,  which  estimates  the  fair  value  of  the  contracts  based  upon  market  exchange  rate 

fluctuations, a 10.0% change in the foreign currency exchange rate against the U.S. dollar with all other variables held constant 

would have resulted in a change in the fair value of approximately $18 million.

36

37

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Purchase Plan

Cognizant Technology Solutions Corporation 2004 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as amended

OECD

PSU

ROU

RSU

SaaSfocus

Samlink

SEC

SEZs

SLP

Softvision

Tax Reform Act

Term Loan

TMG

Top Tier

Zenith

Zone

2009 Incentive Plan

2017 Incentive Plan

SaaSforce Consulting Private Limited

Oy Samlink Ab

United States Securities and Exchange Commission

Performance Stock Units

Right of Use

Restricted Stock Units

Special Economic Zones

Special Leave Petition

Softvision, LLC

Tax Cuts and Jobs Act

Unsecured term loan

TMG Health, Inc.

Top Tier Consulting

Zenith Technologies Limited

Zone Limited

Compensation Plan

Cognizant Technology Solutions Corporation Amended and Restated 2009 Incentive

Cognizant Technology Solutions Corporation 2017 Incentive Award Plan

Table of Contents  

Table of Contents  

New Lease Standard

ASC Topic 842 “Leases”

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development

Foreign Currency Risk

We are exposed to foreign currency exchange rate risk in the ordinary course of doing business as we transact or hold a 
portion of our funds in foreign currencies, particularly the Indian rupee. Additionally, the United Kingdom's exit from the European 
Union and its effect on the British pound may subject us to increased volatility in foreign currency exchange rate movements. 
Accordingly, we periodically evaluate the need for hedging strategies, including the use of derivative financial instruments, to 
mitigate the effect of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations and expect to continue to use such instruments in the future to 
reduce foreign currency exposure to appreciation or depreciation in the value of certain foreign currencies. All hedging transactions 
are authorized and executed pursuant to regularly reviewed policies and procedures.

Revenues from our clients in the United Kingdom, Continental Europe and Rest of World represented 7.8%, 10.1% and 
6.3%, respectively, of our 2019 revenues, and are typically denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Accordingly, our 
operating results may be affected by fluctuations in the exchange rates, primarily the British pound and the Euro, as compared to 
the U.S. dollar.

A significant portion of our costs in India are denominated in the Indian rupee, representing approximately 20.7% of our 
global operating costs during 2019, and are subject to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. These foreign currency exchange 
rate fluctuations have an impact on our results of operations.

We have entered into a series of foreign exchange forward contracts that are designated as cash flow hedges of certain Indian 
rupee  denominated  payments  in  India. These  U.S.  dollar  /  Indian  rupee  hedges  are  intended  to  partially  offset  the  impact  of 
movement of exchange rates on future operating costs. As of December 31, 2019, the notional value and weighted average contract 
rates of these contracts were as follows:

2020
2021
Total

Notional Value 
(in millions)

Weighted Average
Contract Rate (Indian
rupee to U.S. dollar)

$

$

1,505
883
2,388

74.1
76.5
75.0

As of December 31, 2019, the net unrealized gain on our outstanding foreign exchange forward contracts designated as cash 
flow hedges was $31 million. Based upon a sensitivity analysis at December 31, 2019, which estimates the fair value of the 
contracts based upon market exchange rate fluctuations, a 10.0% change in the foreign currency exchange rate against the U.S. 
dollar with all other variables held constant would have resulted in a change in the fair value of our foreign exchange forward 
contracts designated as cash flow hedges of approximately $232 million.

A portion of our balance sheet is exposed to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, which may result in non-operating 
foreign currency exchange gains or losses upon remeasurement. In 2019, we reported foreign currency exchange losses, exclusive 
of hedging gains, of approximately $73 million, which were primarily attributed to the remeasurement of net monetary assets and 
liabilities denominated in currencies other than the functional currencies of our subsidiaries. As of December 31, 2019, we had 
$2,414  million  in  cash,  cash  equivalents  and  short-term  investments  denominated  in  Indian  rupees.  Based  upon  a  sensitivity 
analysis, a 10.0% change in the Indian rupee exchange rate against the U.S. dollar, with all other variables held constant, would 
have resulted in a change in the U.S. dollar reported value of these balances and a corresponding non-operating foreign currency 
exchange gain or loss of approximately $244 million.

We use foreign exchange forward contracts to provide an economic hedge against balance sheet exposure to certain monetary 
assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than the functional currency of the subsidiary. We entered into a series of 
foreign exchange forward contracts scheduled to mature in 2020. At December 31, 2019, the notional value of these outstanding 
contracts was $702 million and the net unrealized gain was $2 million. Based upon a sensitivity analysis of our foreign exchange 
forward  contracts  at  December 31,  2019,  which  estimates  the  fair  value  of  the  contracts  based  upon  market  exchange  rate 
fluctuations, a 10.0% change in the foreign currency exchange rate against the U.S. dollar with all other variables held constant 
would have resulted in a change in the fair value of approximately $18 million.

36

37

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents  

The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors, which is composed solely of independent directors, meets regularly with 

the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm and representatives of management to review accounting, financial 

reporting, internal control and audit matters, as well as the nature and extent of the audit effort. 

Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Internal 

control over financial reporting is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended 

and is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, our chief executive and chief financial officers and effected by our Board 

of Directors, management and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and 

the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and 

includes those policies and procedures that:

Pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions 

Provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in 

accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being 

made only in accordance with authorizations of our management and directors; and

• 

Provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of 

the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Our management assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 

2019.  In  making  this  assessment,  the  Company’s  management  used  the  criteria  set  forth  by  the  Committee  of  Sponsoring 

Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013). 

Based on its evaluation, our management has concluded that, as of December 31, 2019, our internal control over financial 

reporting was effective. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, the independent registered public accounting firm that audited the financial 

statements included in this annual report, has issued an attestation report on our internal control over financial reporting, as stated 

• 

• 

of our assets;

in their report which is included on page F-2.

Inherent Limitations of Internal Controls

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect all misstatements. 

Projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because 

of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Item 9B. Other Information

None.

Table of Contents  

Interest Rate Risk

We have a Credit Agreement providing for a $750 million unsecured Term Loan and a $1,750 million unsecured revolving 
credit facility, which are due to mature in November 2023. We are required under the Credit Agreement to make scheduled quarterly 
principal payments on the Term Loan. 

The Credit Agreement requires interest to be paid, at our option, at either the ABR or the Eurocurrency Rate (each as defined 
in the Credit Agreement), plus, in each case, an Applicable Margin (as defined in the Credit Agreement). Initially, the Applicable 
Margin is 0.875% with respect to Eurocurrency Rate loans and 0.00% with respect to ABR loans. Subsequently, the Applicable 
Margin with respect to Eurocurrency Rate loans may range from 0.75% to 1.125%, depending on our public debt ratings (or, if 
we  have  not  received  public  debt  ratings,  from 0.875% to 1.125%,  depending  on  our  Leverage  Ratio,  which  is  the  ratio  of 
indebtedness for borrowed money to Consolidated EBITDA, as defined in the Credit Agreement). Under the Credit Agreement, 
we are required to pay commitment fees on the unused portion of the revolving credit facility, which vary based on our public 
debt ratings (or, if we have not received public debt ratings, on the Leverage Ratio). Thus, our debt exposes us to market risk from 
changes in interest rates. We performed a sensitivity analysis to determine the effect of interest rate fluctuations on our interest 
expense. A 10.0% change in interest rates, with all other variables held constant, would have an immaterial effect on our reported 
interest expense. 

In  addition,  our  held-to-maturity  investment  securities  are  subject  to  market  risk  from  changes  in  interest  rates. As  of 
December 31, 2019, the fair market value of our held-to-maturity portfolio was $287 million. As of December 31, 2019, a 10% 
change in interest rates, with all other variables held constant, would have an immaterial effect on the fair market value of our 
held-to-maturity investment securities. We typically invest in highly rated securities and our policy generally limits the amount 
of credit exposure to any one issuer. Our investment policy requires investments to be investment grade with the objective of 
minimizing the potential risk of principal loss. 

Information provided by the sensitivity analysis of foreign currency risk and interest rate risk does not necessarily represent 

the actual changes that would occur under normal market conditions.

Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

The financial statements required to be filed pursuant to this Item 8 are appended to this Annual Report on Form 10-K. A 

list of the financial statements filed herewith is found in Part IV, “Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statements and Financial 
Statement Schedule.”

Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

None.

Item 9A. Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Our management, under the supervision and with the participation of our chief executive officer and our chief financial 
officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under 
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) as of December 31, 2019. Based on this evaluation, our chief executive officer 
and our chief financial officer concluded that, as of December 31, 2019, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under 
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) that occurred during the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2019 that has 
materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Management’s Responsibility for Financial Statements

Our  management is  responsible  for  the  integrity  and  objectivity  of  all  information  presented  in  this  annual  report. The 
consolidated financial statements were prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States 
of America and include amounts based on management’s best estimates and judgments. Management believes the consolidated 
financial statements fairly reflect the form and substance of transactions and that the financial statements fairly represent the 
Company’s financial position and results of operations.

38

39

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents  

The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors, which is composed solely of independent directors, meets regularly with 
the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm and representatives of management to review accounting, financial 
reporting, internal control and audit matters, as well as the nature and extent of the audit effort. 

Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Internal 
control over financial reporting is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended 
and is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, our chief executive and chief financial officers and effected by our Board 
of Directors, management and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and 
the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and 
includes those policies and procedures that:

• 

• 

• 

Pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions 
of our assets;

Provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in 
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being 
made only in accordance with authorizations of our management and directors; and

Provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of 
the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Our management assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 
2019.  In  making  this  assessment,  the  Company’s  management  used  the  criteria  set  forth  by  the  Committee  of  Sponsoring 
Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013). 

Based on its evaluation, our management has concluded that, as of December 31, 2019, our internal control over financial 
reporting was effective. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, the independent registered public accounting firm that audited the financial 
statements included in this annual report, has issued an attestation report on our internal control over financial reporting, as stated 
in their report which is included on page F-2.

Inherent Limitations of Internal Controls

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect all misstatements. 
Projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because 
of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Item 9B. Other Information

None.

Table of Contents  

Interest Rate Risk

We have a Credit Agreement providing for a $750 million unsecured Term Loan and a $1,750 million unsecured revolving 

credit facility, which are due to mature in November 2023. We are required under the Credit Agreement to make scheduled quarterly 

principal payments on the Term Loan. 

The Credit Agreement requires interest to be paid, at our option, at either the ABR or the Eurocurrency Rate (each as defined 

in the Credit Agreement), plus, in each case, an Applicable Margin (as defined in the Credit Agreement). Initially, the Applicable 

Margin is 0.875% with respect to Eurocurrency Rate loans and 0.00% with respect to ABR loans. Subsequently, the Applicable 

Margin with respect to Eurocurrency Rate loans may range from 0.75% to 1.125%, depending on our public debt ratings (or, if 

we  have  not  received  public  debt  ratings,  from 0.875% to 1.125%,  depending  on  our  Leverage  Ratio,  which  is  the  ratio  of 

indebtedness for borrowed money to Consolidated EBITDA, as defined in the Credit Agreement). Under the Credit Agreement, 

we are required to pay commitment fees on the unused portion of the revolving credit facility, which vary based on our public 

debt ratings (or, if we have not received public debt ratings, on the Leverage Ratio). Thus, our debt exposes us to market risk from 

changes in interest rates. We performed a sensitivity analysis to determine the effect of interest rate fluctuations on our interest 

expense. A 10.0% change in interest rates, with all other variables held constant, would have an immaterial effect on our reported 

interest expense. 

In  addition,  our  held-to-maturity  investment  securities  are  subject  to  market  risk  from  changes  in  interest  rates. As  of 

December 31, 2019, the fair market value of our held-to-maturity portfolio was $287 million. As of December 31, 2019, a 10% 

change in interest rates, with all other variables held constant, would have an immaterial effect on the fair market value of our 

held-to-maturity investment securities. We typically invest in highly rated securities and our policy generally limits the amount 

of credit exposure to any one issuer. Our investment policy requires investments to be investment grade with the objective of 

minimizing the potential risk of principal loss. 

Information provided by the sensitivity analysis of foreign currency risk and interest rate risk does not necessarily represent 

the actual changes that would occur under normal market conditions.

Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

The financial statements required to be filed pursuant to this Item 8 are appended to this Annual Report on Form 10-K. A 

list of the financial statements filed herewith is found in Part IV, “Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statements and Financial 

Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

Statement Schedule.”

None.

Item 9A. Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Our management, under the supervision and with the participation of our chief executive officer and our chief financial 

officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under 

the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) as of December 31, 2019. Based on this evaluation, our chief executive officer 

and our chief financial officer concluded that, as of December 31, 2019, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under 

the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) that occurred during the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2019 that has 

materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Management’s Responsibility for Financial Statements

Our  management is  responsible  for  the  integrity  and  objectivity  of  all  information  presented  in  this  annual  report. The 

consolidated financial statements were prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States 

of America and include amounts based on management’s best estimates and judgments. Management believes the consolidated 

financial statements fairly reflect the form and substance of transactions and that the financial statements fairly represent the 

Company’s financial position and results of operations.

38

39

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents  

Table of Contents  

Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules

PART III

PART IV

The information relating to our executive officers in response to this item is contained in part under the caption “Our Executive 

Officers” in Part I of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. 

We have adopted a written code of ethics, entitled “Core Values and Code of Ethics,” that applies to all of our employees, 
including  our  principal  executive  officer,  principal  financial  officer,  principal  accounting  officer  and  controller,  or  persons 
performing  similar  functions.  We  make  available  our  code  of  ethics  free  of  charge  through  our  website  which  is  located  at 
www.cognizant.com. We intend to post on our website all disclosures that are required by law or Nasdaq Stock Market listing 
standards concerning any amendments to, or waivers from, any provision of our code of ethics.

(a)

    (1) Consolidated Financial Statements.

          Reference is made to the Index to Consolidated Financial Statements on Page F-1.

    (2) Consolidated Financial Statement Schedule.

          Reference is made to the Index to Financial Statement Schedule on Page F-1.

The remaining information required by this item will be included in our definitive proxy statement for the 2020 Annual 

Meeting of Stockholders and is incorporated herein by reference to such proxy statement.

Schedules other than as listed above are omitted as not required or inapplicable or because the required information is 

provided in the consolidated financial statements, including the notes thereto.

Item 11. Executive Compensation

The information required by this item will be included in our definitive proxy statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting of 

Stockholders and is incorporated herein by reference to such proxy statement.

Number

Exhibit Description

Form

File No.

Exhibit

Date

Filed or Furnished

Herewith

Incorporated by Reference

    (3) Exhibits.

EXHIBIT INDEX

Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder 

Matters

The information required by this item will be included in our definitive proxy statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting of 

Stockholders and is incorporated herein by reference to such proxy statement.

Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

The information required by this item will be included in our definitive proxy statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting of 

Stockholders and is incorporated herein by reference to such proxy statement.

Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services

The information required by this item will be included in our definitive proxy statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting of 

Stockholders and is incorporated herein by reference to such proxy statement.

8-K

000-24429

3.1

6/7/2018

8-K

000-24429

3.1

9/20/2018

S-4/A 333-101216

4.2

1/30/2003

Filed

Directors and Officers

10-Q

000-24429

10.1

8/7/2013

10.3†

Form of Amended and Restated Executive 

10-K

000-24429

10.3

2/27/2018

3.1

3.2

4.1

4.2

Restated Certificate of Incorporation, dated 

June 5, 2018

Amended and Restated Bylaws, as adopted 

on September 24, 2018

Specimen Certificate for shares of Class A 

common stock

Description of Capital Stock

10.1†

Form of Indemnification Agreement for 

10.2†

Form of Amended and Restated Executive 

Employment and Non-Disclosure, Non-

Competition, and Invention Assignment 

Agreement, between the Company and each 

of the following Executive Officers: Brian 

Humphries, Karen McLoughlin, Matthew 

Friedrich, Becky Schmitt, Dharmendra 

Kumar Sinha and Robert Telesmanic

Employment and Non-Disclosure, Non-

Competition, and Invention Assignment 

Agreement, between the Company and each 

of the following Executive Officers: 

Malcolm Frank and Santosh Thomas

Offer Letter, by and between the Company 

and Brian Humphries, acknowledged and 

agreed November 30, 2018

2004 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (as 

amended and restated effective as of 

February 27, 2018)

Form of Stock Option Certificate

Cognizant Technology Solutions 

Corporation Amended and Restated 2009 

Incentive Compensation Plan, effective 

March 9, 2015

Form of Cognizant Technology Solutions 

Corporation Stock Option Agreement

Form of Cognizant Technology Solutions 

Corporation Notice of Grant of Stock 

Option

10.4†

10.5†

10.6†

10.7†

10.8†

10.9†

10-K

000-24429

10.4

2/26/2013

10-K

000-24429

10.4

2/19/2019

8-K

10-Q

000-24429

000-24429

10.1

10.1

6/7/2018

11/8/2004

10-Q

000-24429

10.1

5/4/2015

8-K

000-24429

10.1

7/6/2009

8-K

000-24429

10.2

7/6/2009

40

41

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents  

Table of Contents  

PART III

PART IV

Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules

The information relating to our executive officers in response to this item is contained in part under the caption “Our Executive 

Officers” in Part I of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. 

We have adopted a written code of ethics, entitled “Core Values and Code of Ethics,” that applies to all of our employees, 

including  our  principal  executive  officer,  principal  financial  officer,  principal  accounting  officer  and  controller,  or  persons 

performing  similar  functions.  We  make  available  our  code  of  ethics  free  of  charge  through  our  website  which  is  located  at 

www.cognizant.com. We intend to post on our website all disclosures that are required by law or Nasdaq Stock Market listing 

standards concerning any amendments to, or waivers from, any provision of our code of ethics.

(a)

    (1) Consolidated Financial Statements.
          Reference is made to the Index to Consolidated Financial Statements on Page F-1.

    (2) Consolidated Financial Statement Schedule.
          Reference is made to the Index to Financial Statement Schedule on Page F-1.

    (3) Exhibits.

The remaining information required by this item will be included in our definitive proxy statement for the 2020 Annual 

Meeting of Stockholders and is incorporated herein by reference to such proxy statement.

Schedules other than as listed above are omitted as not required or inapplicable or because the required information is 

provided in the consolidated financial statements, including the notes thereto.

Item 11. Executive Compensation

EXHIBIT INDEX

The information required by this item will be included in our definitive proxy statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting of 

Stockholders and is incorporated herein by reference to such proxy statement.

Number

Exhibit Description

Form

File No.

Exhibit

Date

Filed or Furnished
Herewith

Incorporated by Reference

Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder 

Matters

The information required by this item will be included in our definitive proxy statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting of 

Stockholders and is incorporated herein by reference to such proxy statement.

Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

The information required by this item will be included in our definitive proxy statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting of 

Stockholders and is incorporated herein by reference to such proxy statement.

Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services

The information required by this item will be included in our definitive proxy statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting of 

Stockholders and is incorporated herein by reference to such proxy statement.

3.1

3.2

4.1

4.2

10.1†

10.2†

10.3†

10.4†

10.5†

10.6†

10.7†

10.8†

10.9†

Restated Certificate of Incorporation, dated 
June 5, 2018
Amended and Restated Bylaws, as adopted 
on September 24, 2018

Specimen Certificate for shares of Class A 
common stock

Description of Capital Stock

Form of Indemnification Agreement for 
Directors and Officers
Form of Amended and Restated Executive 
Employment and Non-Disclosure, Non-
Competition, and Invention Assignment 
Agreement, between the Company and each 
of the following Executive Officers: Brian 
Humphries, Karen McLoughlin, Matthew 
Friedrich, Becky Schmitt, Dharmendra 
Kumar Sinha and Robert Telesmanic

Form of Amended and Restated Executive 
Employment and Non-Disclosure, Non-
Competition, and Invention Assignment 
Agreement, between the Company and each 
of the following Executive Officers: 
Malcolm Frank and Santosh Thomas

Offer Letter, by and between the Company 
and Brian Humphries, acknowledged and 
agreed November 30, 2018

2004 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (as 
amended and restated effective as of 
February 27, 2018)

Form of Stock Option Certificate

Cognizant Technology Solutions 
Corporation Amended and Restated 2009 
Incentive Compensation Plan, effective 
March 9, 2015

Form of Cognizant Technology Solutions 
Corporation Stock Option Agreement

Form of Cognizant Technology Solutions 
Corporation Notice of Grant of Stock 
Option

8-K

000-24429

3.1

6/7/2018

8-K

000-24429

3.1

9/20/2018

S-4/A 333-101216

4.2

1/30/2003

10-Q

000-24429

10.1

8/7/2013

Filed

10-K

000-24429

10.3

2/27/2018

10-K

000-24429

10.4

2/26/2013

10-K

000-24429

10.4

2/19/2019

8-K

10-Q

000-24429

000-24429

10.1

10.1

6/7/2018

11/8/2004

10-Q

000-24429

10.1

5/4/2015

8-K

000-24429

10.1

7/6/2009

8-K

000-24429

10.2

7/6/2009

40

41

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents  

Number

101.INS

Inline XBRL Instance Document - the

instance document does not appear in the

Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags

are embedded within the Inline XBRL

document.

Document

101.SCH Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema

101.CAL Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension

Calculation Linkbase Document

101.DEF

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension

Definition Linkbase Document

101.LAB Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label

Linkbase Document

101.PRE

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension

Presentation Linkbase Document

104

Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted

as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit

101)

(3) of Form 10-K.

Item 16. Form 10-K Summary

None.

Filed

Filed

Filed

Filed

Filed

Filed

Filed

†

A management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement required to be filed as an exhibit pursuant to Item 15(a)

Table of Contents  

Number

10.10†

10.11†

10.12†

10.13†

10.14†

10.15†

10.16†

10.17†

10.18†

10.19†

10.20†

10.21

10.22

10.23

21.1

23.1

31.1

31.2

32.1

32.2

Exhibit Description

Form

File No.

Exhibit

Date

Filed or Furnished
Herewith

Incorporated by Reference

Exhibit Description

Form

File No.

Exhibit

Date

Filed or Furnished

Herewith

Incorporated by Reference

8-K

000-24429

10.3

7/6/2009

8-K

000-24429

10.4

7/6/2009

8-K

000-24429

10.5

7/6/2009

8-K

000-24429

10.6

7/6/2009

8-K

000-24429

10.7

7/6/2009

8-K

000-24429

10.8

7/6/2009

8-K

000-24429

10.1

6/7/2017

10-Q

000-24429

10.2

8/3/2017

10-Q

000-24429

10.3

8/3/2017

10-Q

000-24429

10.4

8/3/2017

10-Q
8-K

000-24429
000-24429

10.5
10.1

8/3/2017
3/14/2017

8-K

000-24429

10.1

11/9/2018

10-K

000-24429

10.27

2/19/2019

Form of Cognizant Technology Solutions 
Corporation Restricted Stock Unit Award 
Agreement Time-Based Vesting

Form of Cognizant Technology Solutions 
Corporation Notice of Award of Restricted 
Stock Units Time-Based Vesting

Form of Cognizant Technology Solutions 
Corporation Restricted Stock Unit Award 
Agreement Performance-Based Vesting

Form of Cognizant Technology Solutions 
Corporation Notice of Award of Restricted 
Stock Units Performance-Based Vesting

Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award 
Agreement Non-Employee Director 
Deferred Issuance
Form of Cognizant Technology Solutions 
Corporation Notice of Award of Restricted 
Stock Units Non-Employee Director 
Deferred Issuance
Cognizant Technology Solutions 
Corporation 2017 Incentive Award Plan

Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Grant 
Notice

Form of Performance-Based Restricted 
Stock Unit Award Grant Notice

Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Grant 
Notice

Form of Stock Option Grant Notice and 
Stock Option Agreement

Form of Accelerated Stock Repurchase 
Agreement

Credit Agreement, dated as of November 5, 
2018, among Cognizant Technology 
Solutions Corporation, Cognizant 
Worldwide Limited, certain financial 
institutions party thereto and JPMorgan 
Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent.

Offer of Settlement, dated October 11, 2018, 
by Cognizant Technology Solutions 
Corporation to the U.S. Securities and 
Exchange Commission

List of subsidiaries of the Company

Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Certification Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and 
15d-14(a) of the Exchange Act, as Adopted 
Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-
Oxley Act of 2002 (Chief Executive 
Officer)

Certification Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and 
15d-14(a) of the Exchange Act, as Adopted 
Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-
Oxley Act of 2002 (Chief Financial Officer)

Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 
Section 1350 (Chief Executive Officer)

Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 
Section 1350 (Chief Financial Officer)

Filed

Filed

Filed

Filed

Furnished

Furnished

42

43

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents  

Table of Contents  

Exhibit Description

Form

File No.

Exhibit

Date

Filed or Furnished

Herewith

Incorporated by Reference

Number

101.INS

Exhibit Description

Form

File No.

Exhibit

Date

Filed or Furnished
Herewith

Incorporated by Reference

Inline XBRL Instance Document - the
instance document does not appear in the
Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags
are embedded within the Inline XBRL
document.

101.SCH Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema

Document

101.CAL Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension

Calculation Linkbase Document

101.DEF

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension
Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label

101.PRE

104

Linkbase Document
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension
Presentation Linkbase Document
Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted
as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit
101)

Filed

Filed

Filed

Filed

Filed

Filed

Filed

†

A management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement required to be filed as an exhibit pursuant to Item 15(a)
(3) of Form 10-K.

Item 16. Form 10-K Summary

None.

42

43

8-K

000-24429

10.3

7/6/2009

8-K

000-24429

10.4

7/6/2009

8-K

000-24429

10.5

7/6/2009

8-K

000-24429

10.6

7/6/2009

8-K

000-24429

10.7

7/6/2009

8-K

000-24429

10.8

7/6/2009

8-K

000-24429

10.1

6/7/2017

10-Q

000-24429

10.2

8/3/2017

10-Q

000-24429

10.3

8/3/2017

10-Q

000-24429

10.4

8/3/2017

10-Q

8-K

000-24429

000-24429

10.5

10.1

8/3/2017

3/14/2017

8-K

000-24429

10.1

11/9/2018

Number

10.10†

10.11†

10.12†

10.13†

10.14†

10.15†

Form of Cognizant Technology Solutions 

Corporation Restricted Stock Unit Award 

Agreement Time-Based Vesting

Form of Cognizant Technology Solutions 

Corporation Notice of Award of Restricted 

Stock Units Time-Based Vesting

Form of Cognizant Technology Solutions 

Corporation Restricted Stock Unit Award 

Agreement Performance-Based Vesting

Form of Cognizant Technology Solutions 

Corporation Notice of Award of Restricted 

Stock Units Performance-Based Vesting

Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award 

Agreement Non-Employee Director 

Deferred Issuance

Form of Cognizant Technology Solutions 

Corporation Notice of Award of Restricted 

Stock Units Non-Employee Director 

Deferred Issuance

10.16†

Cognizant Technology Solutions 

Corporation 2017 Incentive Award Plan

10.17†

Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Grant 

10.18†

Form of Performance-Based Restricted 

Stock Unit Award Grant Notice

10.19†

Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Grant 

Notice

Notice

10.20†

Form of Stock Option Grant Notice and 

Stock Option Agreement

10.21

10.22

Form of Accelerated Stock Repurchase 

Agreement

Credit Agreement, dated as of November 5, 

2018, among Cognizant Technology 

Solutions Corporation, Cognizant 

Worldwide Limited, certain financial 

institutions party thereto and JPMorgan 

Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent.

by Cognizant Technology Solutions 

Corporation to the U.S. Securities and 

Exchange Commission

List of subsidiaries of the Company

Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Certification Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and 

15d-14(a) of the Exchange Act, as Adopted 

Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-

Oxley Act of 2002 (Chief Executive 

Officer)

Certification Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and 

15d-14(a) of the Exchange Act, as Adopted 

Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-

Oxley Act of 2002 (Chief Financial Officer)

Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 

Section 1350 (Chief Executive Officer)

Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 

Section 1350 (Chief Financial Officer)

21.1

23.1

31.1

31.2

32.1

32.2

10.23

Offer of Settlement, dated October 11, 2018, 

10-K

000-24429

10.27

2/19/2019

Filed

Filed

Filed

Filed

Furnished

Furnished

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents  

Table of Contents  

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused 

this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

SIGNATURES

COGNIZANT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS CORPORATION

INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE

COGNIZANT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS CORPORATION

By:

    /S/    BRIAN HUMPHRIES
Brian Humphries,

Chief Executive Officer

(Principal Executive Officer)

Date:

February 14, 2020

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following 

persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

Signature

Title

Date

Consolidated Financial Statements:

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Consolidated Statements of Financial Position as of December 31, 2019 and 2018

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the years ended December  31, 2019, 2018 and 2017

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Financial Statement Schedule:

Schedule of Valuation and Qualifying Accounts for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017

F-47

   Page

F-2

F-4

F-5

F-6

F-7

F-8

F-9

/s/    BRIAN HUMPHRIES
Brian Humphries

Chief Executive Officer and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)

/s/    KAREN MCLOUGHLIN
Karen McLoughlin

Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)

/s/    ROBERT TELESMANIC
Robert Telesmanic

Controller and Chief Accounting Officer
(Principal Accounting Officer)

/s/    MICHAEL PATSALOS-FOX
Michael Patsalos-Fox

Chairman of the Board and Director

/s/    ZEIN  ABDALLA
Zein Abdalla

  Director

/s/    MAUREEN  BREAKIRON-EVANS
Maureen Breakiron-Evans

  Director

/s/    JOHN M. DINEEN
John M. Dineen

/s/    FRANCISCO D'SOUZA
Francisco D'Souza

/s/    JOHN N. FOX, JR.
John N. Fox, Jr.

/s/    JOHN E. KLEIN
John E. Klein

/s/    LEO S. MACKAY, JR.
Leo S. Mackay, Jr.

/s/    JOSEPH M. VELLI
Joseph M. Velli

/s/    SANDRA S. WIJNBERG
Sandra S. Wijnberg

  Director

  Director

  Director

  Director

  Director

  Director

Director

February 14, 2020

February 14, 2020

February 14, 2020

February 14, 2020

February 14, 2020

February 14, 2020

February 14, 2020

February 14, 2020

February 14, 2020

February 14, 2020

February 14, 2020

February 14, 2020

February 14, 2020

44

F-1

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
  
   
Table of Contents  

Table of Contents  

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused 

this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

SIGNATURES

COGNIZANT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS CORPORATION

INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE

By:

    /S/    BRIAN HUMPHRIES

Consolidated Financial Statements:

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Consolidated Statements of Financial Position as of December 31, 2019 and 2018

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the years ended December  31, 2019, 2018 and 2017

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Financial Statement Schedule:

   Page

F-2
F-4

F-5

F-6

F-7

F-8

F-9

Schedule of Valuation and Qualifying Accounts for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017

F-47

COGNIZANT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS CORPORATION

Brian Humphries,

Chief Executive Officer

(Principal Executive Officer)

Date:

February 14, 2020

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following 

persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

Signature

Title

Date

/s/    BRIAN HUMPHRIES

Brian Humphries

Chief Executive Officer and Director

(Principal Executive Officer)

/s/    KAREN MCLOUGHLIN

Karen McLoughlin

Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial Officer)

/s/    ROBERT TELESMANIC

Robert Telesmanic

Controller and Chief Accounting Officer

(Principal Accounting Officer)

/s/    MICHAEL PATSALOS-FOX

Chairman of the Board and Director

/s/    MAUREEN  BREAKIRON-EVANS

  Director

Michael Patsalos-Fox

/s/    ZEIN  ABDALLA

Zein Abdalla

Maureen Breakiron-Evans

/s/    JOHN M. DINEEN

John M. Dineen

/s/    JOHN N. FOX, JR.

John N. Fox, Jr.

/s/    JOHN E. KLEIN

John E. Klein

  Director

  Director

  Director

  Director

/s/    FRANCISCO D'SOUZA

  Director

Francisco D'Souza

/s/    LEO S. MACKAY, JR.

  Director

Leo S. Mackay, Jr.

/s/    JOSEPH M. VELLI

Joseph M. Velli

/s/    SANDRA S. WIJNBERG

Sandra S. Wijnberg

  Director

Director

February 14, 2020

February 14, 2020

February 14, 2020

February 14, 2020

February 14, 2020

February 14, 2020

February 14, 2020

February 14, 2020

February 14, 2020

February 14, 2020

February 14, 2020

February 14, 2020

February 14, 2020

44

F-1

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
  
   
Table of Contents  

Table of Contents  

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that 

could have a material effect on the financial statements.

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of Cognizant Technology Solutions Corporation

Opinions on the Financial Statements and Internal Control over Financial Reporting

We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements of financial position of Cognizant Technology Solutions Corporation 
and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, and the related consolidated statements of operations, 
of comprehensive income, of stockholders’ equity and of cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 
2019, including the related notes and financial statement schedule listed in the accompanying index (collectively referred to as 
the  “consolidated  financial  statements”). We  also  have  audited  the  Company's  internal  control  over  financial  reporting  as  of 
December 31, 2019, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of 
Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).  

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position 
of the Company as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years 
in the period ended December 31, 2019 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. 
Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of 
December 31, 2019, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the COSO.

Changes in Accounting Principles

As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company changed the manner in which it accounts for leases 
in 2019 and the manner in which it accounts for revenues from contracts with customers in 2018.

Basis for Opinions

The Company's management is responsible for these consolidated financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control 
over  financial  reporting,  and  for  its  assessment  of  the  effectiveness  of  internal  control  over  financial  reporting,  included  in 
Management's Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting appearing under Item 9A. Our responsibility is to express 
opinions on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and on the Company's internal control over financial reporting based 
on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) 
(PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and 
the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the 
audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether 
due to error or fraud, and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.  

Our audits of the consolidated financial statements included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement 
of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. 
Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial 
statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, 
as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. Our audit of internal control over financial 
reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness 
exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits 
also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits 
provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability 
of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted 
accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain 
to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets 
of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial 
statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are 
being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable 

Because  of  its  inherent  limitations,  internal  control  over  financial  reporting  may  not  prevent  or  detect  misstatements. Also, 

projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because 

of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Critical Audit Matters

The  critical  audit  matter  communicated  below  is  a  matter  arising  from  the  current  period  audit  of  the  consolidated  financial 

statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that (i) relates to accounts or 

disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (ii) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or 

complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial 

statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on 

the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.

Revenue Recognition - Expected Labor Costs to Complete for Certain Fixed-Price Contracts

As described in Notes 1 and 2 to the consolidated financial statements, fixed-price contracts comprised $6 billion of the Company’s 

total revenues for the year ended December 31, 2019, which includes performance obligations where control is transferred over 

time. For performance obligations where control is transferred over time, revenues are recognized based on the extent of progress 

towards completion of the performance obligation. The selection of the method to measure progress towards completion requires 

judgment and is based on the nature of the deliverables to be provided. Management recognizes revenues related to fixed-price 

contracts for application development and systems integration services, consulting or other technology services as the service is 

performed using the cost to cost method, under which the total value of revenues is recognized on the basis of the percentage that 

each contract’s total labor cost to date bears to the total expected labor costs. The cost to cost method requires estimation of future 

costs,  which  is  updated  as  the  project  progresses  to  reflect  the  latest  available  information.  Revenues  related  to  fixed-price 

application maintenance, testing and business process services are recognized based on management’s right to invoice for services 

performed for contracts in which the invoicing is representative of the value being delivered. If management’s invoicing is not 

consistent with value delivered, revenues are recognized as the service is performed based on the cost to cost method described 

above.

The principal considerations for our determination that performing procedures relating to expected labor costs to complete for 

certain fixed-price contracts is a critical audit matter are the significant judgment used by management in developing total expected 

labor  costs  to  complete  fixed-price  contracts  and  the  high  degree  of  auditor  judgment,  subjectivity,  and  effort  in  performing 

procedures and evaluating audit evidence relating to total expected labor costs.

Addressing the matter involved performing procedures and evaluating audit evidence in connection with forming our overall 

opinion on the consolidated financial statements. These procedures included testing the effectiveness of controls relating to the 

revenue recognition process, including over the development of expected labor costs to complete fixed-price contracts. These 

procedures also included, among others, evaluating and testing management’s process for developing total expected labor costs 

for a sample of contracts, which included evaluating the reasonableness of the total expected labor cost assumptions used by 

management.  Evaluating  the  reasonableness  of  the  assumptions  related  to  the  total  expected  labor  costs  involved  assessing 

management’s ability to reasonably develop total expected labor costs by (i) performing a comparison of actual labor costs incurred 

with expected labor costs for similar completed projects and (ii) evaluating the timely identification of circumstances that may 

warrant a modification to previous labor cost estimates, including actual labor costs in excess of estimates.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

New York, New York

February 14, 2020

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 1997. 

F-2

F-3

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents  

Table of Contents  

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of Cognizant Technology Solutions Corporation

Opinions on the Financial Statements and Internal Control over Financial Reporting

We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements of financial position of Cognizant Technology Solutions Corporation 

and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, and the related consolidated statements of operations, 

of comprehensive income, of stockholders’ equity and of cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 

2019, including the related notes and financial statement schedule listed in the accompanying index (collectively referred to as 

the  “consolidated  financial  statements”). We  also  have  audited  the  Company's  internal  control  over  financial  reporting  as  of 

December 31, 2019, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of 

Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).  

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position 

of the Company as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years 

in the period ended December 31, 2019 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. 

Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of 

December 31, 2019, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the COSO.

Changes in Accounting Principles

Basis for Opinions

As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company changed the manner in which it accounts for leases 

in 2019 and the manner in which it accounts for revenues from contracts with customers in 2018.

The Company's management is responsible for these consolidated financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control 

over  financial  reporting,  and  for  its  assessment  of  the  effectiveness  of  internal  control  over  financial  reporting,  included  in 

Management's Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting appearing under Item 9A. Our responsibility is to express 

opinions on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and on the Company's internal control over financial reporting based 

on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) 

(PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and 

the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the 

audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether 

due to error or fraud, and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.  

Our audits of the consolidated financial statements included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement 

of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. 

Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial 

statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, 

as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. Our audit of internal control over financial 

reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness 

exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits 

also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits 

provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability 

of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted 

accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain 

to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets 

of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial 

statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are 

being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable 

assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that 
could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because  of  its  inherent  limitations,  internal  control  over  financial  reporting  may  not  prevent  or  detect  misstatements. Also, 
projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because 
of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Critical Audit Matters

The  critical  audit  matter  communicated  below  is  a  matter  arising  from  the  current  period  audit  of  the  consolidated  financial 
statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that (i) relates to accounts or 
disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (ii) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or 
complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial 
statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on 
the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.

Revenue Recognition - Expected Labor Costs to Complete for Certain Fixed-Price Contracts

As described in Notes 1 and 2 to the consolidated financial statements, fixed-price contracts comprised $6 billion of the Company’s 
total revenues for the year ended December 31, 2019, which includes performance obligations where control is transferred over 
time. For performance obligations where control is transferred over time, revenues are recognized based on the extent of progress 
towards completion of the performance obligation. The selection of the method to measure progress towards completion requires 
judgment and is based on the nature of the deliverables to be provided. Management recognizes revenues related to fixed-price 
contracts for application development and systems integration services, consulting or other technology services as the service is 
performed using the cost to cost method, under which the total value of revenues is recognized on the basis of the percentage that 
each contract’s total labor cost to date bears to the total expected labor costs. The cost to cost method requires estimation of future 
costs,  which  is  updated  as  the  project  progresses  to  reflect  the  latest  available  information.  Revenues  related  to  fixed-price 
application maintenance, testing and business process services are recognized based on management’s right to invoice for services 
performed for contracts in which the invoicing is representative of the value being delivered. If management’s invoicing is not 
consistent with value delivered, revenues are recognized as the service is performed based on the cost to cost method described 
above.

The principal considerations for our determination that performing procedures relating to expected labor costs to complete for 
certain fixed-price contracts is a critical audit matter are the significant judgment used by management in developing total expected 
labor  costs  to  complete  fixed-price  contracts  and  the  high  degree  of  auditor  judgment,  subjectivity,  and  effort  in  performing 
procedures and evaluating audit evidence relating to total expected labor costs.

Addressing the matter involved performing procedures and evaluating audit evidence in connection with forming our overall 
opinion on the consolidated financial statements. These procedures included testing the effectiveness of controls relating to the 
revenue recognition process, including over the development of expected labor costs to complete fixed-price contracts. These 
procedures also included, among others, evaluating and testing management’s process for developing total expected labor costs 
for a sample of contracts, which included evaluating the reasonableness of the total expected labor cost assumptions used by 
management.  Evaluating  the  reasonableness  of  the  assumptions  related  to  the  total  expected  labor  costs  involved  assessing 
management’s ability to reasonably develop total expected labor costs by (i) performing a comparison of actual labor costs incurred 
with expected labor costs for similar completed projects and (ii) evaluating the timely identification of circumstances that may 
warrant a modification to previous labor cost estimates, including actual labor costs in excess of estimates.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
New York, New York
February 14, 2020

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 1997. 

F-2

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Table of Contents  

COGNIZANT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION
(in millions, except par values)

Current assets:

Assets

Cash and cash equivalents
Short-term investments
Trade accounts receivable, net of allowances of $67 and $78, respectively
Other current assets

Total current assets
Property and equipment, net
Operating lease assets, net
Goodwill
Intangible assets, net
Deferred income tax assets, net
Long-term investments
Other noncurrent assets

Total assets

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

Current liabilities:

Accounts payable
Deferred revenue
Short-term debt
Operating lease liabilities
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

Total current liabilities

Deferred revenue, noncurrent
Operating lease liabilities, noncurrent
Deferred income tax liabilities, net
Long-term debt
Long-term income taxes payable
Other noncurrent liabilities

Total liabilities

Commitments and contingencies (See Note 15)
Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, $0.10 par value, 15.0 shares authorized, none issued
Class A common stock, $0.01 par value, 1,000 shares authorized, 548 and 577 shares issued

and outstanding at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively

Additional paid-in capital
Retained earnings
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

Total stockholders’ equity
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

At December 31,

2019

2018

2,645
779
3,256
931
7,611
1,309
926
3,979
1,041
585
17
736
16,204

239
313
38
202
2,191
2,983
23
745
35
700
478
218
5,182

$

$

$

1,161
3,350
3,190
909
8,610
1,394
—
3,481
1,150
442
80
689
15,846

215
286
9
—
2,200
2,710
62
—
183
736
478
253
4,422

—

—

5
33
11,022
(38)
11,022
16,204

$

6
47
11,485
(114)
11,424
15,846

$

$

$

$

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

COGNIZANT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(in millions, except per share data)

Cost of revenues (exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense shown

Revenues

Operating expenses:

separately below)

Selling, general and administrative expenses

Restructuring charges

Depreciation and amortization expense

Income from operations

Other income (expense), net:

Interest income

Interest expense

Other, net

Foreign currency exchange gains (losses), net

Total other income (expense), net

Income before provision for income taxes

Provision for income taxes

Income (loss) from equity method investments

Net income

Basic earnings per share

Diluted earnings per share

Year Ended December 31,

2019

2018

2017

$

16,783

$

16,125

$

14,810

10,634

2,972

217

507

2,453

176

(26)

(65)

5

90

2,543

(643)

(58)

1,842

3.30

3.29

559

1

560

9,838

3,007

19

460

2,801

177

(27)

(152)

(2)

(4)

2,797

(698)

2

2,101

3.61

3.60

582

2

584

9,152

2,697

72

408

2,481

133

(23)

67

(3)

174

2,655

(1,153)

2

1,504

2.54

2.53

593

2

595

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding—Basic

Dilutive effect of shares issuable under stock-based compensation plans

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding—Diluted

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

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COGNIZANT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in millions, except per share data)

Revenues

Operating expenses:

Cost of revenues (exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense shown

separately below)

Selling, general and administrative expenses

Restructuring charges

Depreciation and amortization expense

Income from operations

Other income (expense), net:

Interest income

Interest expense

Foreign currency exchange gains (losses), net

Other, net

Total other income (expense), net

Income before provision for income taxes

Provision for income taxes

Income (loss) from equity method investments

Net income

Basic earnings per share

Diluted earnings per share

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding—Basic

Dilutive effect of shares issuable under stock-based compensation plans

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding—Diluted

Year Ended December 31,

2019

2018

2017

$

16,783

$

16,125

$

14,810

10,634

2,972

217

507

2,453

176
(26)
(65)
5

90

2,543
(643)
(58)
1,842

3.30

3.29

559

1

560

$

$

$

$

$

$

9,838

3,007

19

460

2,801

177
(27)
(152)
(2)
(4)
2,797
(698)
2

2,101

3.61

3.60

582

2

584

$

$

$

9,152

2,697

72

408

2,481

133
(23)
67
(3)
174

2,655
(1,153)
2

1,504

2.54

2.53

593

2

595

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

COGNIZANT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION

(in millions, except par values)

Assets

At December 31,

2019

2018

$

$

Trade accounts receivable, net of allowances of $67 and $78, respectively

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

16,204

15,846

$

$

$

$

Current assets:

Cash and cash equivalents

Short-term investments

Other current assets

Total current assets

Property and equipment, net

Operating lease assets, net

Goodwill

Intangible assets, net

Deferred income tax assets, net

Long-term investments

Other noncurrent assets

Total assets

Current liabilities:

Accounts payable

Deferred revenue

Short-term debt

Operating lease liabilities

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

Total current liabilities

Deferred revenue, noncurrent

Operating lease liabilities, noncurrent

Deferred income tax liabilities, net

Long-term debt

Long-term income taxes payable

Other noncurrent liabilities

Total liabilities

Commitments and contingencies (See Note 15)

Stockholders’ equity:

Additional paid-in capital

Retained earnings

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

Total stockholders’ equity

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

2,645

779

3,256

931

7,611

1,309

926

3,979

1,041

585

17

736

239

313

38

202

2,191

2,983

23

745

35

700

478

218

1,161

3,350

3,190

909

8,610

1,394

—

3,481

1,150

442

80

689

2,200

2,710

215

286

9

—

62

—

183

736

478

253

5,182

4,422

—

5

33

11,022

(38)

11,022

16,204

$

$

—

6

47

11,485

(114)

11,424

15,846

Preferred stock, $0.10 par value, 15.0 shares authorized, none issued

Class A common stock, $0.01 par value, 1,000 shares authorized, 548 and 577 shares issued

and outstanding at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

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COGNIZANT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(in millions)

COGNIZANT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(in millions, except per share data)

Net income

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:

Foreign currency translation adjustments

Change in unrealized gains and losses on cash flow hedges

Change in unrealized losses on available-for-sale investment securities

Other comprehensive income (loss)

Comprehensive income

Year Ended December 31,

2019

2018

2017

$

1,842

$

2,101

$

1,504

39

29

8

76

$

1,918

$

(65)
(118)
—
(183)
1,918

111

76
(3)
184

$

1,688

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

F-6

Balance, December 31, 2016

608

$

$

358

$

10,478

$

(114) $

10,728

Class A Common Stock

Shares    

Amount

Additional

Paid-in

Capital

Retained

Earnings

Accumulated

Other

Comprehensive

Income (Loss)

 Total

Net income

Other comprehensive income (loss)

Common stock issued, stock-based

compensation plans

Stock-based compensation expense

Repurchases of common stock

Dividends declared, $0.45 per share

Balance, December 31, 2017

Cumulative effect of changes in 

accounting principle (1)

Net income

Other comprehensive income (loss)

Common stock issued, stock-based

compensation plans

Stock-based compensation expense

Repurchases of common stock

Dividends declared, $0.80 per share

Balance, December 31, 2018

Cumulative effect of changes in 

accounting principle (2)

Net income

Other comprehensive income (loss)

Common stock issued, stock-based

compensation plans

Stock-based compensation expense

Repurchases of common stock

Dividends declared, $0.80 per share

Balance, December 31, 2019

—

—

9

—

(29)

—

588

(17)

—

577

—

—

6

—

—

—

—

7

—

189

221

(719)

181

267

(450)

—

—

—

49

—

—

—

47

—

—

—

159

217

(390)

—

33

1,504

—

—

—

(1,170)

(268)

10,544

122

2,101

(811)

(471)

11,485

1,842

—

—

—

2

—

—

—

(1,856)

(451)

—

184

—

—

—

—

70

(1)

—

(183)

(114)

—

—

—

—

—

—

76

—

—

—

—

1,504

184

189

221

(1,889)

(268)

10,669

121

2,101

(183)

181

267

(1,261)

(471)

11,424

2

1,842

76

159

217

(2,247)

(451)

(36)

—

548

$

(1)

—

5

$

$

11,022

$

(38) $

11,022

(1) 

(2) 

Reflects the adoption of the New Revenue Standard as well as ASU 2018-02 "Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects 

from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income" on January 1, 2018.

Reflects the adoption of the New Lease Standard as described in Note 1 and Note 7.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

6

—

—

—

—

—

—

6

—

—

—

—

—

—

6

—

—

—

—

—

F-7

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents  

Table of Contents  

COGNIZANT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(in millions, except per share data)

Class A Common Stock

Shares    

Amount

Additional
Paid-in
Capital

Retained
Earnings

Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)

Balance, December 31, 2016

608

$

$

358

$

10,478

$

COGNIZANT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(in millions)

Net income

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:

Foreign currency translation adjustments

Change in unrealized gains and losses on cash flow hedges

Change in unrealized losses on available-for-sale investment securities

Other comprehensive income (loss)

Comprehensive income

Year Ended December 31,

2019

2018

2017

$

1,842

$

2,101

$

1,504

39

29

8

76

(65)

(118)

—

(183)

111

76

(3)

184

$

1,918

$

1,918

$

1,688

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

Net income

Other comprehensive income (loss)

Common stock issued, stock-based

compensation plans

Stock-based compensation expense

Repurchases of common stock

Dividends declared, $0.45 per share

Balance, December 31, 2017

Cumulative effect of changes in 

accounting principle (1)

Net income

Other comprehensive income (loss)

Common stock issued, stock-based

compensation plans

Stock-based compensation expense

Repurchases of common stock

Dividends declared, $0.80 per share

Balance, December 31, 2018

Cumulative effect of changes in 

accounting principle (2)

Net income

Other comprehensive income (loss)

Common stock issued, stock-based

compensation plans

Stock-based compensation expense

Repurchases of common stock

Dividends declared, $0.80 per share

Balance, December 31, 2019

—

—

9

—

(29)

—

588

—

—

6

—

(17)

—

577

—

—

—

7

—

(36)

—

6

—

—

—

—

—

—

6

—

—

—

—

—

—

6

—

—

—

—

—
(1)
—

—

—

189

221
(719)
—

49

—

—

181

267
(450)
—

47

—

—

—

159

217
(390)
—

1,504

—

—

—
(1,170)
(268)
10,544

122

2,101

—

—

—
(811)
(471)
11,485

2

1,842

—

—

—
(1,856)
(451)
11,022

$

(114) $
—

184

—

—

—

—

70

(1)
—
(183)

—

—

—

—
(114)

—

—

76

—

—

—

—
(38) $

 Total

10,728

1,504

184

189

221
(1,889)
(268)
10,669

121

2,101
(183)

181

267
(1,261)
(471)
11,424

2

1,842

76

159

217
(2,247)
(451)
11,022

548

$

5

$

33

$

(1) 

(2) 

Reflects the adoption of the New Revenue Standard as well as ASU 2018-02 "Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects 
from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income" on January 1, 2018.
Reflects the adoption of the New Lease Standard as described in Note 1 and Note 7.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

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Table of Contents  

COGNIZANT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in millions)

Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating

activities:

2019

Year Ended December 31,
2018

2017

$

1,842

$

2,101

$

1,504

Depreciation and amortization
Deferred income taxes
Stock-based compensation expense
Other

Changes in assets and liabilities:

Trade accounts receivable
Other current and noncurrent assets
Accounts payable
Deferred revenue, current and noncurrent
Other current and noncurrent liabilities

Net cash provided by operating activities
Cash flows from investing activities:

Purchases of property and equipment
Purchases of available-for-sale investment securities
Proceeds from maturity or sale of available-for-sale investment

securities

Purchases of held-to-maturity investment securities
Proceeds from maturity of held-to-maturity investment securities
Purchases of other investments
Proceeds from maturity or sale of other investments
Payments for business combinations, net of cash acquired, and equity

and cost method investments

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
Cash flows from financing activities:

Issuance of common stock under stock-based compensation plans
Repurchases of common stock
Repayment of term loan borrowings and finance lease and earnout

obligations

Net change in notes outstanding under the revolving credit facility
Proceeds from debt modification
Debt issuance costs
Dividends paid

Net cash (used in) financing activities
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

Supplemental information:

Cash paid for income taxes during the year
Cash interest paid during the year

$

$
$

526
(306)
217
119

37
159
8
56
(159)
2,499

(392)
(333)

2,107
(693)
1,498
(483)
501

(617)
1,588

159
(2,247)

(28)
—
—
—
(453)
(2,569)
(34)
1,484
1,161
2,645

870
25

$

$
$

498
8
267
125

(365)
(8)
(4)
(86)
56
2,592

(377)
(1,630)

1,838
(1,363)
1,164
(513)
365

(1,111)
(1,627)

181
(1,261)

(91)
(75)
25
(4)
(468)
(1,693)
(36)
(764)
1,925
1,161

597
21

$

$
$

443
124
221
(71)

(249)
(270)
16
18
671
2,407

(284)
(3,120)

3,404
(1,221)
404
(385)
836

(216)
(582)

189
(1,889)

(95)
75
—
—
(265)
(1,985)
51
(109)
2,034
1,925

587
21

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

COGNIZANT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Dollars in millions, except share data)

Note 1 — Business Description and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

The terms “Cognizant,” “we,” “our,” “us” and “the Company” refer to Cognizant Technology Solutions Corporation and its 

subsidiaries unless the context indicates otherwise.

Description of Business. We are one of the world’s leading professional services companies, transforming clients’ business, 

operating and technology models for the digital era. Our services include digital services and solutions, consulting, application 

development,  systems  integration,  application  testing,  application  maintenance,  infrastructure  services  and  business  process 

services. Digital services have become an increasingly important part of our portfolio, aligning with our clients' focus on becoming 

data-enabled, customer-centric and differentiated businesses. We tailor our services and solutions to specific industries with an 

integrated global delivery model that employs client service and delivery teams based at client locations and dedicated global and 

regional delivery centers.

in consolidation. 

Basis of Presentation, Principles of Consolidation and Use of Estimates. The consolidated financial statements are presented 

in accordance with GAAP and reflect the consolidated financial position, results of operations, comprehensive income and cash 

flows of our consolidated subsidiaries for all periods presented. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated 

The preparation of financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported 

amounts in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying disclosures. We evaluate our estimates on a continuous basis. 

We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the 

circumstances. The actual amounts may vary from the estimates used in the preparation of the accompanying consolidated financial 

statements. We have reclassified certain prior period amounts to conform to current period presentation.

Cash and Cash Equivalents and Investments. Cash and cash equivalents consist of all cash balances, including money market 

funds, certificates of deposits and commercial paper that have a maturity, at the date of purchase, of 90 days or less.

We determine the appropriate classification of our investments in marketable securities at the date of purchase and reevaluate 

such designation at each balance sheet date. Our held-to-maturity investment securities are financial instruments for which we 

have the intent and ability to hold to maturity and we classify these securities with maturities less than one year as short-term 

investments. Any held-to-maturity investment securities with maturities beyond one year from the balance sheet date are classified 

as noncurrent. Held-to-maturity securities are reported at amortized cost. Interest and amortization of premiums and discounts for 

debt securities are included in interest income.

  On  a  quarterly  basis,  we  evaluate  our  held-to-maturity  investments  for  possible  other-than-temporary  impairment  by 

reviewing quantitative and qualitative factors. If we do not intend to sell the security and it is not more likely than not that we will 

be required to sell the security before recovery of our amortized cost, we evaluate quantitative and qualitative criteria to determine 

whether we expect to recover the amortized cost basis of the security. If we do not expect to recover the entire amortized cost basis 

of the security, we consider the security to be other-than-temporarily impaired and we record the difference between the security’s 

amortized cost basis and its recoverable amount in earnings and the difference between the security’s recoverable amount and fair 

value in other comprehensive income. If the fair value of the security is less than its cost basis and if we intend to sell the security 

or it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis, the security is 

also considered other-than-temporarily impaired and we recognize the entire difference between the security’s amortized cost basis 

and its fair value in earnings. 

Short-term Financial Assets and Liabilities. Cash and certain cash equivalents, trade receivables, accounts payable and other 

accrued liabilities are short-term in nature and, accordingly, their carrying values approximate fair value.

Property  and  Equipment.  Property  and  equipment  are  stated  at  cost,  net  of  accumulated  depreciation.  Depreciation  is 

calculated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Leasehold improvements are amortized on a straight-

line basis over the shorter of the term of the lease or the estimated useful life of the asset. Deposits paid towards acquisition of 

long-lived assets and the cost of assets not put in use before the balance sheet date are disclosed under the caption "Capital work-

in-progress" in Note 6.

Leases. Our lease asset classes primarily consist of operating leases for office space, data centers and equipment. At inception 

of a contract, we determine whether a contract contains a lease, and if a lease is identified, whether it is an operating or finance 

F-8

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Table of Contents  

COGNIZANT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in millions)

Cash flows from operating activities:

Net income

activities:

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating

Year Ended December 31,

2019

2018

2017

$

1,842

$

2,101

$

1,504

Depreciation and amortization

Deferred income taxes

Stock-based compensation expense

Other

Changes in assets and liabilities:

Trade accounts receivable

Other current and noncurrent assets

Accounts payable

Deferred revenue, current and noncurrent

Other current and noncurrent liabilities

Net cash provided by operating activities

Cash flows from investing activities:

Purchases of property and equipment

Purchases of available-for-sale investment securities

Proceeds from maturity or sale of available-for-sale investment

securities

Purchases of held-to-maturity investment securities

Proceeds from maturity of held-to-maturity investment securities

Purchases of other investments

Proceeds from maturity or sale of other investments

Payments for business combinations, net of cash acquired, and equity

and cost method investments

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

Cash flows from financing activities:

Issuance of common stock under stock-based compensation plans

Repurchases of common stock

Repayment of term loan borrowings and finance lease and earnout

obligations

Net change in notes outstanding under the revolving credit facility

Proceeds from debt modification

Debt issuance costs

Dividends paid

Net cash (used in) financing activities

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

Supplemental information:

Cash paid for income taxes during the year

Cash interest paid during the year

526

(306)

217

119

37

159

8

56

(159)

2,499

(392)

(333)

2,107

(693)

1,498

(483)

501

(617)

1,588

159

(2,247)

(28)

—

—

—

(453)

(2,569)

(34)

1,484

1,161

2,645

870

25

498

8

267

125

(365)

(8)

(4)

(86)

56

2,592

(377)

(1,630)

1,838

(1,363)

1,164

(513)

365

(1,111)

(1,627)

181

(1,261)

(91)

(75)

25

(4)

(468)

(1,693)

(36)

(764)

1,925

1,161

597

21

443

124

221

(71)

(249)

(270)

16

18

671

2,407

(284)

(3,120)

3,404

(1,221)

404

(385)

836

(216)

(582)

189

(1,889)

(95)

75

—

—

(265)

(1,985)

51

(109)

2,034

1,925

587

21

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

COGNIZANT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in millions, except share data)

Note 1 — Business Description and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

The terms “Cognizant,” “we,” “our,” “us” and “the Company” refer to Cognizant Technology Solutions Corporation and its 

subsidiaries unless the context indicates otherwise.

Description of Business. We are one of the world’s leading professional services companies, transforming clients’ business, 
operating and technology models for the digital era. Our services include digital services and solutions, consulting, application 
development,  systems  integration,  application  testing,  application  maintenance,  infrastructure  services  and  business  process 
services. Digital services have become an increasingly important part of our portfolio, aligning with our clients' focus on becoming 
data-enabled, customer-centric and differentiated businesses. We tailor our services and solutions to specific industries with an 
integrated global delivery model that employs client service and delivery teams based at client locations and dedicated global and 
regional delivery centers.

Basis of Presentation, Principles of Consolidation and Use of Estimates. The consolidated financial statements are presented 
in accordance with GAAP and reflect the consolidated financial position, results of operations, comprehensive income and cash 
flows of our consolidated subsidiaries for all periods presented. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated 
in consolidation. 

The preparation of financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported 
amounts in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying disclosures. We evaluate our estimates on a continuous basis. 
We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the 
circumstances. The actual amounts may vary from the estimates used in the preparation of the accompanying consolidated financial 
statements. We have reclassified certain prior period amounts to conform to current period presentation.

Cash and Cash Equivalents and Investments. Cash and cash equivalents consist of all cash balances, including money market 

funds, certificates of deposits and commercial paper that have a maturity, at the date of purchase, of 90 days or less.

We determine the appropriate classification of our investments in marketable securities at the date of purchase and reevaluate 
such designation at each balance sheet date. Our held-to-maturity investment securities are financial instruments for which we 
have the intent and ability to hold to maturity and we classify these securities with maturities less than one year as short-term 
investments. Any held-to-maturity investment securities with maturities beyond one year from the balance sheet date are classified 
as noncurrent. Held-to-maturity securities are reported at amortized cost. Interest and amortization of premiums and discounts for 
debt securities are included in interest income.

  On  a  quarterly  basis,  we  evaluate  our  held-to-maturity  investments  for  possible  other-than-temporary  impairment  by 
reviewing quantitative and qualitative factors. If we do not intend to sell the security and it is not more likely than not that we will 
be required to sell the security before recovery of our amortized cost, we evaluate quantitative and qualitative criteria to determine 
whether we expect to recover the amortized cost basis of the security. If we do not expect to recover the entire amortized cost basis 
of the security, we consider the security to be other-than-temporarily impaired and we record the difference between the security’s 
amortized cost basis and its recoverable amount in earnings and the difference between the security’s recoverable amount and fair 
value in other comprehensive income. If the fair value of the security is less than its cost basis and if we intend to sell the security 
or it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis, the security is 
also considered other-than-temporarily impaired and we recognize the entire difference between the security’s amortized cost basis 
and its fair value in earnings. 

Short-term Financial Assets and Liabilities. Cash and certain cash equivalents, trade receivables, accounts payable and other 

accrued liabilities are short-term in nature and, accordingly, their carrying values approximate fair value.

Property  and  Equipment.  Property  and  equipment  are  stated  at  cost,  net  of  accumulated  depreciation.  Depreciation  is 
calculated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Leasehold improvements are amortized on a straight-
line basis over the shorter of the term of the lease or the estimated useful life of the asset. Deposits paid towards acquisition of 
long-lived assets and the cost of assets not put in use before the balance sheet date are disclosed under the caption "Capital work-
in-progress" in Note 6.

Leases. Our lease asset classes primarily consist of operating leases for office space, data centers and equipment. At inception 
of a contract, we determine whether a contract contains a lease, and if a lease is identified, whether it is an operating or finance 

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lease. In determining whether a contract contains a lease we consider whether (1) we have the right to obtain substantially all of 
the economic benefits from the use of the asset throughout the term of the contract, (2) we have the right to direct how and for 
what purpose the asset is used throughout the term of the contract and (3) we have the right to operate the asset throughout the 
term of the contract without the lessor having the right to change the terms of the contract. Some of our lease agreements contain 
both lease and non-lease components that we account for as a single lease component for all of our lease asset classes.

Our ROU lease assets represent our right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and may include any advance lease 
payments made and any initial direct costs, and exclude lease incentives. Our lease liabilities represent our obligation to make 
lease  payments  arising  from  the  contractual  terms  of  the  lease.  ROU  lease  assets  and  lease  liabilities  are  recognized  at  the 
commencement of the lease and are calculated using the present value of lease payments over the lease term. Typically, our lease 
agreements do not provide sufficient detail to arrive at an implicit interest rate. Therefore, we use our estimated country-specific 
incremental borrowing rate based on information available at the commencement date of the lease to calculate the present value 
of the lease payments. In estimating our country-specific incremental borrowing rates, we consider market rates of comparable 
collateralized borrowings for similar terms. Our lease terms may include the option to extend or terminate the lease before the end 
of the contractual lease term. Our ROU lease assets and lease liabilities include these options when it is reasonably certain that 
they will be exercised. 

A portion of our real estate lease costs is subject to annual changes in the CPI. The changes to the CPI are treated as variable 
lease payments and are recognized in the period in which the obligation for those payments is incurred. Other variable lease costs 
primarily relate to adjustments for common area maintenance, utilities and property tax. These variable costs are recognized in 
the period in which the obligation for those payments is incurred.

Prior to the adoption of the New Lease Standard on January 1, 2019, we were not required to recognize ROU lease assets 
and lease liabilities on our consolidated statement of financial position for operating leases. See Note 7 for additional information 
on the impact of adoption of this standard.

Internal Use Software. We capitalize certain costs that are incurred to purchase, develop and implement internal-use software 
during the application development phase, which primarily include coding, testing and certain data conversion activities. Capitalized 
costs are amortized on a straight-line basis over the useful life of the software. Costs incurred in performing planning and post-
implementation activities are expensed as incurred.

Software to be Sold, Leased or Marketed. We capitalize costs incurred after technological feasibility is reached but before 
software is available for general release to clients, which primarily include coding and testing activities. Once the product is ready 
for general release, capitalized costs are amortized over the useful life of the software.

Business Combinations. We account for business combinations using the acquisition method, which requires the identification 
of  the  acquirer,  the  determination  of  the  acquisition  date  and  the  allocation  of  the  purchase  price  paid  by  the  acquirer  to  the 
identifiable  tangible  and  intangible  assets  acquired,  the  liabilities  assumed,  including  any  contingent  consideration  and  any 
noncontrolling interest in the acquiree at their acquisition date fair values. Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price 
over the fair value of net assets acquired, including the amount assigned to identifiable intangible assets. Identifiable intangible 
assets with finite lives are amortized over their useful lives. Acquisition-related costs are expensed in the periods in which the 
costs are incurred. The results of operations of acquired businesses are included in our consolidated financial statements from the 
acquisition date.

During the fourth quarter of 2019, the Company adjusted the allocation of the purchase price of certain prior period acquisitions 
that included revenue contracts with the sellers of the acquired businesses. As a result, we recorded a balance sheet adjustment to 
decrease total assets (primarily impacting intangible assets, goodwill and deferred income taxes) and total liabilities (primarily 
impacting  deferred  revenue)  by  approximately  $70  million  each.  The  impact  of  the  adjustment  to  our  operating  results  was 
immaterial. Management concluded that the adjustment was not material to any previously issued consolidated financial statements 
or to the consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2019. 

Equity Method Investments. Equity investments that give us the ability to exercise significant influence, but not control, over 
an investee are accounted for using the equity method of accounting and recorded in the caption "Long-term investments" on our 
consolidated statements of financial position. Equity method investments are initially recorded at cost. We periodically review the 
carrying value of our equity method investments to determine if there has been an other-than-temporary decline in carrying value. 
The Company's proportionate share of the net income or loss of the investee is recorded in the caption "Income (loss) from equity 
method investments" on our consolidated statements of operations. The investment balance is increased or decreased for cash 
contributions or distributions to or from these investees. 

Long-lived  Assets  and  Finite-lived  Intangible  Assets.  We  review  long-lived  assets  and  certain  finite-lived  identifiable 
intangibles for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset group may 

which value is delivered to the customer.

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F-11

not be recoverable. We recognize an impairment loss when the sum of undiscounted expected future cash flows is less than the 

carrying amount of such asset groups. The impairment loss is determined as the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset 

group exceeds its fair value. Intangible assets consist primarily of client relationships and developed technology, which are being 

amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives.

Goodwill and Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets. We evaluate goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment 

at least annually, or as circumstances warrant. Goodwill is evaluated at the reporting unit level by comparing the fair value of the 

reporting unit with its carrying amount including goodwill. An impairment of goodwill exists if the carrying amount of the reporting 

unit exceeds its fair value. The impairment loss is the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value, 

limited to the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. For indefinite-lived intangible assets, if our annual qualitative 

assessment indicates that it is more-likely-than-not that an indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired, we test the assets for 

impairment by comparing the fair value of such assets to their carrying value. If an impairment is indicated, a write down to the 

fair value of indefinite-lived intangible asset is recorded.

Stock Repurchase Program. Under the Board of Directors authorized stock repurchase program, the Company is authorized 

to repurchase its Class A common stock through open market purchases, including under a trading plan adopted pursuant to Rule 

10b5-1 of the Exchange Act, or in private transactions, including through ASR agreements entered into with financial institutions, 

in accordance with applicable federal securities laws. We account for the repurchased shares as constructively retired. Shares are 

returned to the status of authorized and unissued shares at the time of repurchase or in the periods they are delivered, if repurchased 

under an ASR. To reflect share repurchases in the consolidated statements of financial position, we (1) reduce common stock for 

the par value of the shares, (2) reduce additional paid-in capital for the amount in excess of par during the period in which the 

shares are repurchased and (3) record any residual amount in excess of available additional paid-in capital to retained earnings. 

Upfront payments related to ASRs  are accounted for  as a reduction to stockholders’ equity in the consolidated statements of 

financial position in the period the payments are made.

Revenue Recognition. We recognize revenues as we transfer control of deliverables (products, solutions and services) to 

our clients in an amount reflecting the consideration to which we expect to be entitled. To recognize revenues, we apply the 

following five step approach: (1) identify the contract with a customer, (2) identify the performance obligations in the contract, 

(3) determine the transaction price, (4) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract, and (5) recognize 

revenues when a performance obligation is satisfied. We account for a contract when it has approval and commitment from all 

parties, the rights of the parties are identified, payment terms are identified, the contract has commercial substance and collectability 

of consideration is probable. We apply judgment in determining the customer’s ability and intention to pay based on a variety of 

factors including the customer’s historical payment experience.

For performance obligations where control is transferred over time, revenues are recognized based on the extent of progress 

towards completion of the performance obligation. The selection of the method to measure progress towards completion requires 

judgment and is based on the nature of the deliverables to be provided. 

Revenues related to fixed-price contracts for application development and systems integration services, consulting or other 

technology services are recognized as the service is performed using the cost to cost method, under which the total value of revenues 

is recognized on the basis of the percentage that each contract’s total labor cost to date bears to the total expected labor costs. 

Revenues related to fixed-price application maintenance, testing and business process services are recognized based on our right 

to invoice for services performed for contracts in which the invoicing is representative of the value being delivered. If our invoicing 

is not consistent with value delivered, revenues are recognized as the service is performed based on the cost to cost method described 

above. The cost to cost method requires estimation of future costs, which is updated as the project progresses to reflect the latest 

available information; such estimates and changes in estimates involve the use of judgment. The cumulative impact of any revision 

in estimates is reflected in the financial reporting period in which the change in estimate becomes known and any anticipated 

losses on contracts are recognized immediately. 

Revenues related to fixed-price hosting and infrastructure services are recognized based on our right to invoice for services 

performed for contracts in which the invoicing is representative of the value being delivered. If our invoicing is not consistent 

with value delivered, revenues are recognized on a straight-line basis unless revenues are earned and obligations are fulfilled in a 

different pattern. The revenue recognition method applied to the types of contracts described above provides the most faithful 

depiction of performance towards satisfaction of our performance obligations; for example, the cost to cost method is used when 

the value of services provided to the customer is best represented by the costs expended to deliver those services. 

Revenues related to our time-and-materials, transaction-based or volume-based contracts are recognized over the period the 

services are provided either using an output method such as labor hours, or a method that is otherwise consistent with the way in 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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lease. In determining whether a contract contains a lease we consider whether (1) we have the right to obtain substantially all of 

the economic benefits from the use of the asset throughout the term of the contract, (2) we have the right to direct how and for 

what purpose the asset is used throughout the term of the contract and (3) we have the right to operate the asset throughout the 

term of the contract without the lessor having the right to change the terms of the contract. Some of our lease agreements contain 

both lease and non-lease components that we account for as a single lease component for all of our lease asset classes.

Our ROU lease assets represent our right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and may include any advance lease 

payments made and any initial direct costs, and exclude lease incentives. Our lease liabilities represent our obligation to make 

lease  payments  arising  from  the  contractual  terms  of  the  lease.  ROU  lease  assets  and  lease  liabilities  are  recognized  at  the 

commencement of the lease and are calculated using the present value of lease payments over the lease term. Typically, our lease 

agreements do not provide sufficient detail to arrive at an implicit interest rate. Therefore, we use our estimated country-specific 

incremental borrowing rate based on information available at the commencement date of the lease to calculate the present value 

of the lease payments. In estimating our country-specific incremental borrowing rates, we consider market rates of comparable 

collateralized borrowings for similar terms. Our lease terms may include the option to extend or terminate the lease before the end 

of the contractual lease term. Our ROU lease assets and lease liabilities include these options when it is reasonably certain that 

they will be exercised. 

A portion of our real estate lease costs is subject to annual changes in the CPI. The changes to the CPI are treated as variable 

lease payments and are recognized in the period in which the obligation for those payments is incurred. Other variable lease costs 

primarily relate to adjustments for common area maintenance, utilities and property tax. These variable costs are recognized in 

the period in which the obligation for those payments is incurred.

Prior to the adoption of the New Lease Standard on January 1, 2019, we were not required to recognize ROU lease assets 

and lease liabilities on our consolidated statement of financial position for operating leases. See Note 7 for additional information 

on the impact of adoption of this standard.

Internal Use Software. We capitalize certain costs that are incurred to purchase, develop and implement internal-use software 

during the application development phase, which primarily include coding, testing and certain data conversion activities. Capitalized 

costs are amortized on a straight-line basis over the useful life of the software. Costs incurred in performing planning and post-

implementation activities are expensed as incurred.

Software to be Sold, Leased or Marketed. We capitalize costs incurred after technological feasibility is reached but before 

software is available for general release to clients, which primarily include coding and testing activities. Once the product is ready 

for general release, capitalized costs are amortized over the useful life of the software.

Business Combinations. We account for business combinations using the acquisition method, which requires the identification 

of  the  acquirer,  the  determination  of  the  acquisition  date  and  the  allocation  of  the  purchase  price  paid  by  the  acquirer  to  the 

identifiable  tangible  and  intangible  assets  acquired,  the  liabilities  assumed,  including  any  contingent  consideration  and  any 

noncontrolling interest in the acquiree at their acquisition date fair values. Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price 

over the fair value of net assets acquired, including the amount assigned to identifiable intangible assets. Identifiable intangible 

assets with finite lives are amortized over their useful lives. Acquisition-related costs are expensed in the periods in which the 

costs are incurred. The results of operations of acquired businesses are included in our consolidated financial statements from the 

acquisition date.

During the fourth quarter of 2019, the Company adjusted the allocation of the purchase price of certain prior period acquisitions 

that included revenue contracts with the sellers of the acquired businesses. As a result, we recorded a balance sheet adjustment to 

decrease total assets (primarily impacting intangible assets, goodwill and deferred income taxes) and total liabilities (primarily 

impacting  deferred  revenue)  by  approximately  $70  million  each.  The  impact  of  the  adjustment  to  our  operating  results  was 

immaterial. Management concluded that the adjustment was not material to any previously issued consolidated financial statements 

or to the consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2019. 

Equity Method Investments. Equity investments that give us the ability to exercise significant influence, but not control, over 

an investee are accounted for using the equity method of accounting and recorded in the caption "Long-term investments" on our 

consolidated statements of financial position. Equity method investments are initially recorded at cost. We periodically review the 

carrying value of our equity method investments to determine if there has been an other-than-temporary decline in carrying value. 

The Company's proportionate share of the net income or loss of the investee is recorded in the caption "Income (loss) from equity 

method investments" on our consolidated statements of operations. The investment balance is increased or decreased for cash 

contributions or distributions to or from these investees. 

Long-lived  Assets  and  Finite-lived  Intangible  Assets.  We  review  long-lived  assets  and  certain  finite-lived  identifiable 

intangibles for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset group may 

not be recoverable. We recognize an impairment loss when the sum of undiscounted expected future cash flows is less than the 
carrying amount of such asset groups. The impairment loss is determined as the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset 
group exceeds its fair value. Intangible assets consist primarily of client relationships and developed technology, which are being 
amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives.

Goodwill and Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets. We evaluate goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment 
at least annually, or as circumstances warrant. Goodwill is evaluated at the reporting unit level by comparing the fair value of the 
reporting unit with its carrying amount including goodwill. An impairment of goodwill exists if the carrying amount of the reporting 
unit exceeds its fair value. The impairment loss is the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value, 
limited to the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. For indefinite-lived intangible assets, if our annual qualitative 
assessment indicates that it is more-likely-than-not that an indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired, we test the assets for 
impairment by comparing the fair value of such assets to their carrying value. If an impairment is indicated, a write down to the 
fair value of indefinite-lived intangible asset is recorded.

Stock Repurchase Program. Under the Board of Directors authorized stock repurchase program, the Company is authorized 
to repurchase its Class A common stock through open market purchases, including under a trading plan adopted pursuant to Rule 
10b5-1 of the Exchange Act, or in private transactions, including through ASR agreements entered into with financial institutions, 
in accordance with applicable federal securities laws. We account for the repurchased shares as constructively retired. Shares are 
returned to the status of authorized and unissued shares at the time of repurchase or in the periods they are delivered, if repurchased 
under an ASR. To reflect share repurchases in the consolidated statements of financial position, we (1) reduce common stock for 
the par value of the shares, (2) reduce additional paid-in capital for the amount in excess of par during the period in which the 
shares are repurchased and (3) record any residual amount in excess of available additional paid-in capital to retained earnings. 
Upfront payments related to ASRs  are  accounted for  as a reduction to stockholders’ equity in the consolidated  statements of 
financial position in the period the payments are made.

Revenue Recognition. We recognize revenues as we transfer control of deliverables (products, solutions and services) to 
our clients in an amount reflecting the consideration to which we expect to be entitled. To recognize revenues, we apply the 
following five step approach: (1) identify the contract with a customer, (2) identify the performance obligations in the contract, 
(3) determine the transaction price, (4) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract, and (5) recognize 
revenues when a performance obligation is satisfied. We account for a contract when it has approval and commitment from all 
parties, the rights of the parties are identified, payment terms are identified, the contract has commercial substance and collectability 
of consideration is probable. We apply judgment in determining the customer’s ability and intention to pay based on a variety of 
factors including the customer’s historical payment experience.

For performance obligations where control is transferred over time, revenues are recognized based on the extent of progress 
towards completion of the performance obligation. The selection of the method to measure progress towards completion requires 
judgment and is based on the nature of the deliverables to be provided. 

Revenues related to fixed-price contracts for application development and systems integration services, consulting or other 
technology services are recognized as the service is performed using the cost to cost method, under which the total value of revenues 
is recognized on the basis of the percentage that each contract’s total labor cost to date bears to the total expected labor costs. 
Revenues related to fixed-price application maintenance, testing and business process services are recognized based on our right 
to invoice for services performed for contracts in which the invoicing is representative of the value being delivered. If our invoicing 
is not consistent with value delivered, revenues are recognized as the service is performed based on the cost to cost method described 
above. The cost to cost method requires estimation of future costs, which is updated as the project progresses to reflect the latest 
available information; such estimates and changes in estimates involve the use of judgment. The cumulative impact of any revision 
in estimates is reflected in the financial reporting period in which the change in estimate becomes known and any anticipated 
losses on contracts are recognized immediately. 

Revenues related to fixed-price hosting and infrastructure services are recognized based on our right to invoice for services 
performed for contracts in which the invoicing is representative of the value being delivered. If our invoicing is not consistent 
with value delivered, revenues are recognized on a straight-line basis unless revenues are earned and obligations are fulfilled in a 
different pattern. The revenue recognition method applied to the types of contracts described above provides the most faithful 
depiction of performance towards satisfaction of our performance obligations; for example, the cost to cost method is used when 
the value of services provided to the customer is best represented by the costs expended to deliver those services. 

Revenues related to our time-and-materials, transaction-based or volume-based contracts are recognized over the period the 
services are provided either using an output method such as labor hours, or a method that is otherwise consistent with the way in 
which value is delivered to the customer.

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Revenues related to our non-hosted software license arrangements that do not require significant modification or customization 
of the underlying software are recognized when the software is delivered as control is transferred at a point in time. For software 
license arrangements that require significant functionality enhancements or modification of the software, revenues for the software 
license and related services are recognized as the services are performed in accordance with the methods applicable to application 
development  and  systems  integration  services  described  above.  In  software  hosting  arrangements,  the  rights  provided  to  the 
customer, such as ownership of a license, contract termination provisions and the feasibility of the client to operate the software, 
are considered in determining whether the arrangement includes a license or a service. Sales and usage-based fees promised in 
exchange for licenses of intellectual property are not recognized as revenue until the uncertainty related to the variable amounts 
is resolved. Revenues related to software maintenance and support are generally recognized on a straight-line basis over the contract 
period.

Incentive  revenues,  volume  discounts,  or  any  other  form  of  variable  consideration  is  estimated  using  either  the  sum  of 
probability weighted amounts in a range of possible consideration amounts (expected value), or the single most likely amount in 
a  range  of  possible  consideration  amounts  (most  likely  amount),  depending  on  which  method  better  predicts  the  amount  of 
consideration to which we may be entitled. We include in the transaction price variable consideration only to the extent it is probable 
that a significant reversal of revenues recognized will not occur when the uncertainty associated with the variable consideration 
is resolved. Our estimates of variable consideration and determination of whether and when to include estimated amounts in the 
transaction price may involve judgment and are based largely on an assessment of our anticipated performance and all information 
that is reasonably available to us.

Revenues also include the reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses. Our warranties generally provide a customer with 
assurance that the related deliverable will function as the parties intended because it complies with agreed-upon specifications and 
is therefore not considered an additional performance obligation in the contract.

We  may  enter  into  arrangements  that  consist  of  multiple  performance  obligations.  Such  arrangements  may  include  any 
combination of our deliverables. To the extent a contract includes multiple promised deliverables, we apply judgment to determine 
whether promised deliverables are capable of being distinct and are distinct in the context of the contract. If these criteria are not 
met, the promised deliverables are accounted for as a combined performance obligation. For arrangements with multiple distinct 
performance obligations, we allocate consideration among the performance obligations based on their relative standalone selling 
price. Standalone selling price is the price at which we would sell a promised good or service separately to the customer.  When 
not directly observable, we typically estimate standalone selling price by using the expected cost plus a margin approach. We 
typically establish a standalone selling price range for our deliverables, which is reassessed on a periodic basis or when facts and 
circumstances change.

We assess the timing of the transfer of goods or services to the customer as compared to the timing of payments to determine 
whether a significant financing component exists. As a practical expedient, we do not assess the existence of a significant financing 
component when the difference between payment and transfer of deliverables is a year or less. If the difference in timing arises 
for reasons other than the provision of finance to either the customer or us, no financing component is deemed to exist. The primary 
purpose of our invoicing terms is to provide customers with simplified and predictable ways of purchasing our services, not to 
receive or provide financing from or to customers. We do not consider set up or transition fees paid upfront by our customers to 
represent a financing component, as such fees are required to encourage customer commitment to the project and protect us from 
early termination of the contract.

Our contracts may be modified to add, remove or change existing performance obligations. The accounting for modifications 
to our contracts involves assessing whether the services added to an existing contract are distinct and whether the pricing is at the 
standalone selling price. Services added that are not distinct are accounted for on a cumulative catch up basis, while those that are 
distinct are accounted for prospectively, either as a separate contract if the additional services are priced at the standalone selling 
price, or as a termination of the existing contract and creation of a new contract if not priced at the standalone selling price. Services 
added to our application development and systems integration service contracts are typically not distinct, while services added to 
our other contracts, including application maintenance, testing and business process services contracts, are typically distinct.

From time to time, we may enter into arrangements with third party suppliers to resell products or services. In such cases, 
we evaluate whether we are the principal (i.e., report revenues on a gross basis) or agent (i.e., report revenues on a net basis). In 
doing so, we first evaluate whether we control the good or service before it is transferred to the customer. If we control the good 
or service before it is transferred to the customer, we are the principal; if not, we are the agent. Determining whether we control 
the good or service before it is transferred to the customer may require judgment. 

Prior to the adoption of the New Revenue Standard on January 1, 2018, revenues were earned and recognized when all of 
the following criteria were met: evidence of an arrangement existed, the price was fixed or determinable, the services had been 
F-12

rendered and collectability was reasonably assured. Contingent or incentive revenues were recognized when the contingency was 

satisfied and we concluded the amounts were earned. Volume discounts were recorded as a reduction of revenues as services were 

provided. Revenues also included the reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses.

Trade Accounts Receivable, Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities. We classify our right to consideration in exchange for 

deliverables as either a receivable or a contract asset. A receivable is a right to consideration that is unconditional (i.e., only the 

passage of time is required before payment is due). For example, we recognize a receivable for revenues related to our time and 

materials and transaction or volume-based contracts when earned regardless of whether amounts have been billed. We present 

such receivables in "Trade accounts receivable, net" in our consolidated statements of financial position at their net estimated 

realizable value. A contract asset is a right to consideration that is conditional upon factors other than the passage of time. Contract 

assets are presented in "Other current assets" in our consolidated statements of financial position and primarily relate to unbilled 

amounts on fixed-price contracts utilizing the cost to cost method of revenue recognition. Our contract liabilities, or deferred 

revenue, consist of advance payments from clients and billings in excess of revenues recognized. We classify deferred revenue as 

current or noncurrent based on the timing of when we expect to recognize the revenues. 

During the fourth quarter of 2019, we determined that it is preferable to change our accounting policy to net certain amounts 

due to customers, such as discounts and rebates, with trade accounts receivable, in order to better align with industry practice and 

better reflect amounts due from our customers on our consolidated statements of financial position. As a result, we netted $99 

million of amounts due to customers, which would have otherwise been included in the caption "Accrued expenses and other 

current liabilities", within the caption "Trade accounts receivable, net" in our consolidated statement of financial position as of 

December 31, 2019. We applied this change in accounting policy retrospectively and decreased "Trade accounts receivable, net" 

and "Accrued expenses and other current liabilities" by $67 million as of December 31, 2018. The impact of the adjustment to our 

consolidated statements of financial position was immaterial for all periods presented and there was no impact to our operating 

results or cash flows. 

Our contract assets and contract liabilities are reported on a net basis by contract at the end of each reporting period. The 

difference between the opening and closing balances of our contract assets and contract liabilities primarily results from the timing 

difference between our performance obligations and the client’s payment. We receive payments from clients based on the terms 

established in our contracts, which vary by contract type. 

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts. We maintain an allowance for doubtful accounts to provide for the estimated amount of 

trade  accounts  receivables  that  may  not  be  collected. The  allowance  is  based  upon  an  assessment  of  client  creditworthiness, 

historical payment experience, the age of outstanding receivables and other applicable factors. We evaluate the collectability of 

our trade accounts receivable on an on-going basis and write off accounts when they are deemed to be uncollectable. 

Costs  to  Fulfill.  Recurring  operating  costs  for  contracts  with  customers  are  recognized  as  incurred.  Certain  eligible, 

nonrecurring costs (i.e., set-up or transition costs) are capitalized when such costs (1) relate directly to the contract, (2) generate 

or enhance resources of the Company that will be used in satisfying the performance obligation in the future, and (3) are expected 

to be recovered. These costs are expensed ratably over the estimated life of the customer relationship, including expected contract 

renewals. In determining the estimated life of the customer relationship, we evaluate the average contract term, on a portfolio basis 

by nature of the services to be provided, and apply judgment in evaluating the rate of technological and industry change. Capitalized 

amounts are monitored regularly for impairment. Impairment losses are recorded when projected remaining undiscounted operating 

cash flows are not sufficient to recover the carrying amount of the capitalized costs to fulfill.

Stock-Based Compensation. Stock-based compensation expense for awards of equity instruments to employees and non-

employee directors is determined based on the grant date fair value of those awards. We recognize these compensation costs net 

of an estimated forfeiture rate over the requisite service period of the award. Forfeitures are estimated on the date of grant and 

revised if actual or expected forfeiture activity differs materially from original estimates.

Foreign Currency. The assets and liabilities of our foreign subsidiaries whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar are 

translated into U.S. dollars from functional currencies at current exchange rates while revenues and expenses are translated from 

functional  currencies  at  average  monthly  exchange  rates.  The  resulting  translation  adjustments  are  recorded  in  the  caption 

"Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)" on the consolidated statements of financial position.

Foreign currency transactions and balances are those that are denominated in a currency other than the entity’s functional 

currency. The entity's functional currency is the currency of the primary economic environment in which it operates. The U.S. 

dollar is the functional currency for some of our foreign subsidiaries. For these subsidiaries, transactions and balances denominated 

in the local currency are foreign currency transactions. Foreign currency transactions and balances related to non-monetary assets 

and liabilities are remeasured to the functional currency of the entity at historical exchange rates while monetary assets and liabilities 

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Table of Contents  

Table of Contents  

Revenues related to our non-hosted software license arrangements that do not require significant modification or customization 

of the underlying software are recognized when the software is delivered as control is transferred at a point in time. For software 

license arrangements that require significant functionality enhancements or modification of the software, revenues for the software 

license and related services are recognized as the services are performed in accordance with the methods applicable to application 

development  and  systems  integration  services  described  above.  In  software  hosting  arrangements,  the  rights  provided  to  the 

customer, such as ownership of a license, contract termination provisions and the feasibility of the client to operate the software, 

are considered in determining whether the arrangement includes a license or a service. Sales and usage-based fees promised in 

exchange for licenses of intellectual property are not recognized as revenue until the uncertainty related to the variable amounts 

is resolved. Revenues related to software maintenance and support are generally recognized on a straight-line basis over the contract 

period.

Incentive  revenues,  volume  discounts,  or  any  other  form  of  variable  consideration  is  estimated  using  either  the  sum  of 

probability weighted amounts in a range of possible consideration amounts (expected value), or the single most likely amount in 

a  range  of  possible  consideration  amounts  (most  likely  amount),  depending  on  which  method  better  predicts  the  amount  of 

consideration to which we may be entitled. We include in the transaction price variable consideration only to the extent it is probable 

that a significant reversal of revenues recognized will not occur when the uncertainty associated with the variable consideration 

is resolved. Our estimates of variable consideration and determination of whether and when to include estimated amounts in the 

transaction price may involve judgment and are based largely on an assessment of our anticipated performance and all information 

that is reasonably available to us.

Revenues also include the reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses. Our warranties generally provide a customer with 

assurance that the related deliverable will function as the parties intended because it complies with agreed-upon specifications and 

is therefore not considered an additional performance obligation in the contract.

We  may  enter  into  arrangements  that  consist  of  multiple  performance  obligations.  Such  arrangements  may  include  any 

combination of our deliverables. To the extent a contract includes multiple promised deliverables, we apply judgment to determine 

whether promised deliverables are capable of being distinct and are distinct in the context of the contract. If these criteria are not 

met, the promised deliverables are accounted for as a combined performance obligation. For arrangements with multiple distinct 

performance obligations, we allocate consideration among the performance obligations based on their relative standalone selling 

price. Standalone selling price is the price at which we would sell a promised good or service separately to the customer.  When 

not directly observable, we typically estimate standalone selling price by using the expected cost plus a margin approach. We 

typically establish a standalone selling price range for our deliverables, which is reassessed on a periodic basis or when facts and 

circumstances change.

We assess the timing of the transfer of goods or services to the customer as compared to the timing of payments to determine 

whether a significant financing component exists. As a practical expedient, we do not assess the existence of a significant financing 

component when the difference between payment and transfer of deliverables is a year or less. If the difference in timing arises 

for reasons other than the provision of finance to either the customer or us, no financing component is deemed to exist. The primary 

purpose of our invoicing terms is to provide customers with simplified and predictable ways of purchasing our services, not to 

receive or provide financing from or to customers. We do not consider set up or transition fees paid upfront by our customers to 

represent a financing component, as such fees are required to encourage customer commitment to the project and protect us from 

early termination of the contract.

Our contracts may be modified to add, remove or change existing performance obligations. The accounting for modifications 

to our contracts involves assessing whether the services added to an existing contract are distinct and whether the pricing is at the 

standalone selling price. Services added that are not distinct are accounted for on a cumulative catch up basis, while those that are 

distinct are accounted for prospectively, either as a separate contract if the additional services are priced at the standalone selling 

price, or as a termination of the existing contract and creation of a new contract if not priced at the standalone selling price. Services 

added to our application development and systems integration service contracts are typically not distinct, while services added to 

our other contracts, including application maintenance, testing and business process services contracts, are typically distinct.

From time to time, we may enter into arrangements with third party suppliers to resell products or services. In such cases, 

we evaluate whether we are the principal (i.e., report revenues on a gross basis) or agent (i.e., report revenues on a net basis). In 

doing so, we first evaluate whether we control the good or service before it is transferred to the customer. If we control the good 

or service before it is transferred to the customer, we are the principal; if not, we are the agent. Determining whether we control 

the good or service before it is transferred to the customer may require judgment. 

Prior to the adoption of the New Revenue Standard on January 1, 2018, revenues were earned and recognized when all of 

the following criteria were met: evidence of an arrangement existed, the price was fixed or determinable, the services had been 

rendered and collectability was reasonably assured. Contingent or incentive revenues were recognized when the contingency was 
satisfied and we concluded the amounts were earned. Volume discounts were recorded as a reduction of revenues as services were 
provided. Revenues also included the reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses.

Trade Accounts Receivable, Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities. We classify our right to consideration in exchange for 
deliverables as either a receivable or a contract asset. A receivable is a right to consideration that is unconditional (i.e., only the 
passage of time is required before payment is due). For example, we recognize a receivable for revenues related to our time and 
materials and transaction or volume-based contracts when earned regardless of whether amounts have been billed. We present 
such receivables in "Trade accounts receivable, net" in our consolidated statements of financial position at their net estimated 
realizable value. A contract asset is a right to consideration that is conditional upon factors other than the passage of time. Contract 
assets are presented in "Other current assets" in our consolidated statements of financial position and primarily relate to unbilled 
amounts on fixed-price contracts utilizing the cost to cost method of revenue recognition. Our contract liabilities, or deferred 
revenue, consist of advance payments from clients and billings in excess of revenues recognized. We classify deferred revenue as 
current or noncurrent based on the timing of when we expect to recognize the revenues. 

During the fourth quarter of 2019, we determined that it is preferable to change our accounting policy to net certain amounts 
due to customers, such as discounts and rebates, with trade accounts receivable, in order to better align with industry practice and 
better reflect amounts due from our customers on our consolidated statements of financial position. As a result, we netted $99 
million of amounts due to customers, which would have otherwise been included in the caption "Accrued expenses and other 
current liabilities", within the caption "Trade accounts receivable, net" in our consolidated statement of financial position as of 
December 31, 2019. We applied this change in accounting policy retrospectively and decreased "Trade accounts receivable, net" 
and "Accrued expenses and other current liabilities" by $67 million as of December 31, 2018. The impact of the adjustment to our 
consolidated statements of financial position was immaterial for all periods presented and there was no impact to our operating 
results or cash flows. 

Our contract assets and contract liabilities are reported on a net basis by contract at the end of each reporting period. The 
difference between the opening and closing balances of our contract assets and contract liabilities primarily results from the timing 
difference between our performance obligations and the client’s payment. We receive payments from clients based on the terms 
established in our contracts, which vary by contract type. 

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts. We maintain an allowance for doubtful accounts to provide for the estimated amount of 
trade  accounts  receivables  that  may  not  be  collected. The  allowance  is  based  upon  an  assessment  of  client  creditworthiness, 
historical payment experience, the age of outstanding receivables and other applicable factors. We evaluate the collectability of 
our trade accounts receivable on an on-going basis and write off accounts when they are deemed to be uncollectable. 

Costs  to  Fulfill.  Recurring  operating  costs  for  contracts  with  customers  are  recognized  as  incurred.  Certain  eligible, 
nonrecurring costs (i.e., set-up or transition costs) are capitalized when such costs (1) relate directly to the contract, (2) generate 
or enhance resources of the Company that will be used in satisfying the performance obligation in the future, and (3) are expected 
to be recovered. These costs are expensed ratably over the estimated life of the customer relationship, including expected contract 
renewals. In determining the estimated life of the customer relationship, we evaluate the average contract term, on a portfolio basis 
by nature of the services to be provided, and apply judgment in evaluating the rate of technological and industry change. Capitalized 
amounts are monitored regularly for impairment. Impairment losses are recorded when projected remaining undiscounted operating 
cash flows are not sufficient to recover the carrying amount of the capitalized costs to fulfill.

Stock-Based Compensation. Stock-based compensation expense for awards of equity instruments to employees and non-
employee directors is determined based on the grant date fair value of those awards. We recognize these compensation costs net 
of an estimated forfeiture rate over the requisite service period of the award. Forfeitures are estimated on the date of grant and 
revised if actual or expected forfeiture activity differs materially from original estimates.

Foreign Currency. The assets and liabilities of our foreign subsidiaries whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar are 
translated into U.S. dollars from functional currencies at current exchange rates while revenues and expenses are translated from 
functional  currencies  at  average  monthly  exchange  rates.  The  resulting  translation  adjustments  are  recorded  in  the  caption 
"Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)" on the consolidated statements of financial position.

Foreign currency transactions and balances are those that are denominated in a currency other than the entity’s functional 
currency. The entity's functional currency is the currency of the primary economic environment in which it operates. The U.S. 
dollar is the functional currency for some of our foreign subsidiaries. For these subsidiaries, transactions and balances denominated 
in the local currency are foreign currency transactions. Foreign currency transactions and balances related to non-monetary assets 
and liabilities are remeasured to the functional currency of the entity at historical exchange rates while monetary assets and liabilities 

F-12

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Table of Contents  

Table of Contents  

are remeasured to the functional currency of the entity at current exchange rates. Foreign currency exchange gains or losses from 
remeasurement  are  included  in  the  caption  "Foreign  currency  exchange  gain  (losses),  net"  on  our  consolidated  statements  of 
operations together with gains or losses on our undesignated foreign currency hedges.

Derivative Financial Instruments. Derivative financial instruments are recorded on our consolidated statements of financial 
position as either an asset or liability measured at its fair value as of the reporting date. Our derivative financial instruments consist 
primarily of foreign exchange forward contracts. For derivative financial instruments to qualify for hedge accounting, the following 
criteria must be met: (1) the hedging instrument must be designated as a hedge; (2) the hedged exposure must be specifically 
identifiable and must expose us to risk; and (3) it must be expected that a change in fair value of the derivative financial instrument 
and an opposite change in the fair value of the hedged exposure will have a high degree of correlation. Changes in our derivatives’ 
fair values are recognized in net income unless specific hedge accounting and documentation criteria are met (i.e., the instruments 
are designated and accounted for as hedges). We record the effective portion of the unrealized gains and losses on our derivative 
financial instruments that are designated as cash flow hedges in the caption "Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)" in 
the consolidated statements of financial position. Any ineffectiveness or excluded portion of a designated cash flow hedge is 
recognized in net income. Upon occurrence of the hedged transaction, the gains and losses on the derivative are recognized in net 
income.

Income Taxes. We provide for income taxes utilizing the asset and liability method of accounting. Under this method, deferred 
income taxes are recorded to reflect the tax consequences in future years of differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities 
and their financial reporting amounts at each balance sheet date, based on enacted tax laws and statutory tax rates applicable to 
the periods in which the differences are expected to affect taxable income. If it is determined that it is more likely than not that 
future tax benefits associated with a deferred income tax asset will not be realized, a valuation allowance is provided. The effect 
of a change in tax rates on deferred income tax assets and liabilities is recognized in the provision for income taxes in the period 
that includes the enactment date. 

Our provision for income taxes also includes the impact of provisions established for uncertain income tax positions, as well 
as any related penalties and interest. We adjust these reserves in light of changing facts and circumstances, such as the closing of 
a tax audit. To the extent that the final outcome of these matters differs from the amounts recorded, such differences will impact 
the provision for income taxes in the period in which such determination is made.

Earnings Per Share. Basic EPS is computed by dividing earnings available to common stockholders by the weighted-average 
number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS includes all potential dilutive common stock in the weighted 
average shares outstanding. We exclude from the calculation of diluted EPS options with exercise prices that are greater than the 
average market price and shares related to stock-based awards whose combined exercise price and unamortized fair value were 
greater in each of those periods than the average market price of our common stock for the period, because their effect would be 
anti-dilutive. We excluded less than 1 million of anti-dilutive shares in each of 2019, 2018 and 2017 from our diluted EPS calculation. 
We include performance stock unit awards in the dilutive potential common shares when they become contingently issuable per 
the authoritative guidance and exclude the awards when they are not contingently issuable.

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

Date Issued

and Topic

Date Adopted

and Method

May 2014

January 1, 2018

Revenue

Modified 

Retrospective

Description

Impact

As a result of the adoption, we recorded an 

adjustment  to  opening  retained  earnings  of 

approximately $121 million.

February 2016

January 1, 2019

Leases

Effective Date 

Method

See Note 7 for the impact of adoption of this 

standard.

The  new  standard,  as  amended,  sets  forth  a 

single comprehensive model for recognizing 

and  reporting  revenues.  The  standard  also 

requires 

additional 

financial 

statement 

disclosures that enable users to understand the 

nature,  amount,  timing  and  uncertainty  of 

revenues and cash flows relating to customer 

contracts.  The  standard  allows  for 

two 

methods  of  adoption:  the  full  retrospective 

adoption,  which  requires  the  standard  to  be 

applied to each prior period presented, or the 

modified 

retrospective  adoption,  which 

requires the cumulative effect of adoption to 

be  recognized  as  an  adjustment  to  opening 

retained earnings in the period of adoption.

The  new  standard  replaces  the  existing 

guidance on leases and requires the lessee to 

recognize a ROU asset and a lease liability for 

all leases with lease terms greater than twelve 

months.  For  finance 

leases, 

the 

lessee 

recognizes interest expense and amortization 

of the ROU asset, and for operating leases, the 

lessee  recognizes  total  lease  expense  on  a 

straight-line basis. The standard offers several 

practical expedients for transition and certain 

expedients specific to lessees or lessors. The 

standard allows for two methods of adoption: 

retrospective  to  each  prior  reporting  period 

presented  with  the  cumulative  effect  of 

adoption  recognized  at  the  beginning  of  the 

earliest period presented or the effective date 

method,  which 

is 

retrospective 

to 

the 

beginning of the period of adoption through a 

cumulative-effect adjustment.

amendments  do  not  require  an  accounting 

change for securities held at a discount. Upon 

adoption,  entities  are  required  to  use  a 

modified  retrospective  transition  with  the 

cumulative  effect  adjustment  recognized  to 

retained  earnings  as  of  the  beginning  of  the 

period of adoption.

This  update  aligns  the  accounting  for  costs 

incurred to implement a CCA that is a service 

arrangement with the guidance on capitalizing 

costs associated with developing or obtaining 

internal-use software. In addition, this update 

clarifies  the  financial  statement  presentation 

requirement  for  capitalized  implementation 

costs and related amortization of such costs. 

This update shortens the amortization period 

for  certain  callable  debt  securities  held  at  a 

The adoption of this update did not have an 

impact  on  our  consolidated 

financial 

premium 

to 

the  earliest  call  date.  The 

statements.

The adoption of this update did not have an 

impact  on  our  consolidated 

financial 

statements.

March 2017

January 1, 2019

Nonrefundable

Fees and Other

Modified 

Retrospective

Costs

Early adoption 

on January 1, 

2019

Prospective

August 2018

Customer’s

Accounting for

Implementation

Costs Incurred

in a CCA that is

a Service

Contract

F-14

F-15

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
are remeasured to the functional currency of the entity at current exchange rates. Foreign currency exchange gains or losses from 

remeasurement  are  included  in  the  caption  "Foreign  currency  exchange  gain  (losses),  net"  on  our  consolidated  statements  of 

operations together with gains or losses on our undesignated foreign currency hedges.

Derivative Financial Instruments. Derivative financial instruments are recorded on our consolidated statements of financial 

position as either an asset or liability measured at its fair value as of the reporting date. Our derivative financial instruments consist 

primarily of foreign exchange forward contracts. For derivative financial instruments to qualify for hedge accounting, the following 

criteria must be met: (1) the hedging instrument must be designated as a hedge; (2) the hedged exposure must be specifically 

identifiable and must expose us to risk; and (3) it must be expected that a change in fair value of the derivative financial instrument 

and an opposite change in the fair value of the hedged exposure will have a high degree of correlation. Changes in our derivatives’ 

fair values are recognized in net income unless specific hedge accounting and documentation criteria are met (i.e., the instruments 

are designated and accounted for as hedges). We record the effective portion of the unrealized gains and losses on our derivative 

financial instruments that are designated as cash flow hedges in the caption "Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)" in 

the consolidated statements of financial position. Any ineffectiveness or excluded portion of a designated cash flow hedge is 

recognized in net income. Upon occurrence of the hedged transaction, the gains and losses on the derivative are recognized in net 

income.

Income Taxes. We provide for income taxes utilizing the asset and liability method of accounting. Under this method, deferred 

income taxes are recorded to reflect the tax consequences in future years of differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities 

and their financial reporting amounts at each balance sheet date, based on enacted tax laws and statutory tax rates applicable to 

the periods in which the differences are expected to affect taxable income. If it is determined that it is more likely than not that 

future tax benefits associated with a deferred income tax asset will not be realized, a valuation allowance is provided. The effect 

of a change in tax rates on deferred income tax assets and liabilities is recognized in the provision for income taxes in the period 

that includes the enactment date. 

Our provision for income taxes also includes the impact of provisions established for uncertain income tax positions, as well 

as any related penalties and interest. We adjust these reserves in light of changing facts and circumstances, such as the closing of 

a tax audit. To the extent that the final outcome of these matters differs from the amounts recorded, such differences will impact 

the provision for income taxes in the period in which such determination is made.

Earnings Per Share. Basic EPS is computed by dividing earnings available to common stockholders by the weighted-average 

number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS includes all potential dilutive common stock in the weighted 

average shares outstanding. We exclude from the calculation of diluted EPS options with exercise prices that are greater than the 

average market price and shares related to stock-based awards whose combined exercise price and unamortized fair value were 

greater in each of those periods than the average market price of our common stock for the period, because their effect would be 

anti-dilutive. We excluded less than 1 million of anti-dilutive shares in each of 2019, 2018 and 2017 from our diluted EPS calculation. 

We include performance stock unit awards in the dilutive potential common shares when they become contingently issuable per 

the authoritative guidance and exclude the awards when they are not contingently issuable.

Table of Contents  

Table of Contents  

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

Impact
As a result of the adoption, we recorded an 
adjustment  to  opening  retained  earnings  of 
approximately $121 million.

See Note 7 for the impact of adoption of this 
standard.

Date Issued
and Topic
May 2014

Date Adopted
and Method
January 1, 2018

Revenue

Modified 
Retrospective

February 2016

January 1, 2019

Leases

Effective Date 
Method

financial 

additional 

Description
The  new  standard,  as  amended,  sets  forth  a 
single comprehensive model for recognizing 
and  reporting  revenues.  The  standard  also 
statement 
requires 
disclosures that enable users to understand the 
nature,  amount,  timing  and  uncertainty  of 
revenues and cash flows relating to customer 
contracts.  The  standard  allows  for 
two 
methods  of  adoption:  the  full  retrospective 
adoption,  which  requires  the  standard  to  be 
applied to each prior period presented, or the 
modified 
retrospective  adoption,  which 
requires the cumulative effect of adoption to 
be  recognized  as  an  adjustment  to  opening 
retained earnings in the period of adoption.

the 

leases, 

The  new  standard  replaces  the  existing 
guidance on leases and requires the lessee to 
recognize a ROU asset and a lease liability for 
all leases with lease terms greater than twelve 
months.  For  finance 
lessee 
recognizes interest expense and amortization 
of the ROU asset, and for operating leases, the 
lessee  recognizes  total  lease  expense  on  a 
straight-line basis. The standard offers several 
practical expedients for transition and certain 
expedients specific to lessees or lessors. The 
standard allows for two methods of adoption: 
retrospective  to  each  prior  reporting  period 
presented  with  the  cumulative  effect  of 
adoption  recognized  at  the  beginning  of  the 
earliest period presented or the effective date 
method,  which 
the 
beginning of the period of adoption through a 
cumulative-effect adjustment.

retrospective 

to 

is 

March 2017

January 1, 2019

Nonrefundable
Fees and Other
Costs

Modified 
Retrospective

Early adoption 
on January 1, 
2019

Prospective

August 2018

Customer’s
Accounting for
Implementation
Costs Incurred
in a CCA that is
a Service
Contract

to 

This update shortens the amortization period 
for  certain  callable  debt  securities  held  at  a 
premium 
the  earliest  call  date.  The 
amendments  do  not  require  an  accounting 
change for securities held at a discount. Upon 
adoption,  entities  are  required  to  use  a 
modified  retrospective  transition  with  the 
cumulative  effect  adjustment  recognized  to 
retained  earnings  as  of  the  beginning  of  the 
period of adoption.

This  update  aligns  the  accounting  for  costs 
incurred to implement a CCA that is a service 
arrangement with the guidance on capitalizing 
costs associated with developing or obtaining 
internal-use software. In addition, this update 
clarifies  the  financial  statement  presentation 
requirement  for  capitalized  implementation 
costs and related amortization of such costs. 

The adoption of this update did not have an 
impact  on  our  consolidated 
financial 
statements.

The adoption of this update did not have an 
impact  on  our  consolidated 
financial 
statements.

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Table of Contents  

New Accounting Pronouncement

Date Issued
and Topic
June 2016

Financial
Instruments-
Credit Losses

Description

the  Company’s 

Effective Date
January 1, 2020 The new standard requires the measurement 
and recognition of expected credit losses using 
the  current  expected  credit  loss  model  for 
financial assets held at amortized cost, which 
includes 
trade  accounts 
receivable,  certain  financial  instruments  and 
contract  assets.  It  replaces  the  existing 
incurred  loss  impairment  model  with  an 
expected  loss  methodology.  The  recorded 
credit  losses  are  adjusted  each  period  for 
changes in expected lifetime credit losses. The 
standard 
requires  a  cumulative  effect 
adjustment  to  the  statement  of  financial 
position  as  of  the  beginning  of  the  first 
reporting  period  in  which  the  guidance  is 
effective.

Impact
We do not expect the adoption of this update 
to  have  a  material  impact  on  our  financial 
statements.

Note 2 — Revenues

Disaggregation of Revenues

The tables below present disaggregated revenues from contracts with clients by client location, service line and contract-
type for each of our business segments. We believe this disaggregation best depicts how the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty 
of our revenues and cash flows are affected by industry, market and other economic factors. Our consulting and technology services 
include consulting, application development, systems integration, and application testing services as well as software solutions 
and related services while our outsourcing services include application maintenance, infrastructure and business process services. 
Revenues are attributed to geographic regions based upon client location. Substantially all of the revenue in our North America 
region relates to operations in the United States. 

Financial
Services

Healthcare

Year Ended
December 31, 2019

Products and
Resources

(in millions)

Communications,
Media and
Technology

Total

$

$

$

$

$

$

4,137
484
728
1,212
520
5,869

3,782
2,087
5,869

3,651
1,922
296
5,869

$

$

$

$

$

$

4,147
130
341
471
77
4,695

2,564
2,131
4,695

1,845
1,635
1,215
4,695

$

$

$

$

$

$

2,678
380
453
833
259
3,770

2,295
1,475
3,770

1,632
1,730
408
3,770

$

$

$

$

$

$

1,764
319
169
488
197
2,449

1,305
1,144
2,449

1,528
803
118
2,449

$

$

$

$

$

$

12,726
1,313
1,691
3,004
1,053
16,783

9,946
6,837
16,783

8,656
6,090
2,037
16,783

Revenues
Geography:

North America

United Kingdom
Continental Europe

Europe - Total
Rest of World
Total

Service line:

Consulting and technology services
Outsourcing services

Total

Type of contract:

Time and materials
Fixed-price
Transaction or volume-based

Total

F-16

F-17

Table of Contents  

Revenues (1)

Geography:

North America

United Kingdom

Continental Europe

Europe - Total

Rest of World

Total

Service line:

Consulting and technology services

Outsourcing services

Total

Type of contract:

Time and materials

Fixed-price

Transaction or volume-based

Total

$

$

$

$

$

$

Financial

Services

Healthcare

Communications,

Media and

Technology

Total

Year Ended

December 31, 2018

Products and

Resources

(in millions)

4,162

$

4,254

$

2,397

$

1,480

$

12,293

91

270

361

53

358

440

798

220

344

187

531

186

1,274

1,563

2,837

995

5,845

$

4,668

$

3,415

$

2,197

$

16,125

$

$

$

2,553

2,115

4,668

1,836

1,852

980

$

$

$

2,024

1,391

3,415

1,506

1,521

388

1,161

1,036

2,197

$

$

9,309

6,816

16,125

1,366

$

734

97

8,470

5,966

1,689

5,845

$

4,668

$

3,415

$

2,197

$

16,125

481

666

1,147

536

3,571

2,274

5,845

3,762

1,859

224

$

$

$

(1)  

On January 1, 2018, we adopted the New Revenue Standard using the modified retrospective method. Results for 

reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2018 are presented under the New Revenue Standard, while prior 

period amounts are not adjusted and continue to be reported in accordance with our historical accounting policies. 

The following table presents information related to the capitalized costs to fulfill, such as setup or transition activities. Costs 

to fulfill are recorded in "Other noncurrent assets" in our consolidated statements of financial position and the amortization expense 

of costs to fulfill is included in "Cost of revenues" in our consolidated statement of operations. Costs to obtain contracts were 

immaterial for the period disclosed.

Costs to Fulfill

Beginning balance

Costs capitalized

Amortization expense

Impairment charge

Ending balance

2019

2018

(in millions)

$

400

189

(79)

(25)

485

$

303

167

(70)

—

400

$

$

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents  

New Accounting Pronouncement

Date Issued

and Topic

Financial

Instruments-

Credit Losses

Effective Date

Description

Impact

June 2016

January 1, 2020 The new standard requires the measurement 

We do not expect the adoption of this update 

to  have  a  material  impact  on  our  financial 

statements.

and recognition of expected credit losses using 

the  current  expected  credit  loss  model  for 

financial assets held at amortized cost, which 

includes 

the  Company’s 

trade  accounts 

receivable,  certain  financial  instruments  and 

contract  assets.  It  replaces  the  existing 

incurred  loss  impairment  model  with  an 

expected  loss  methodology.  The  recorded 

credit  losses  are  adjusted  each  period  for 

changes in expected lifetime credit losses. The 

standard 

requires  a  cumulative  effect 

adjustment  to  the  statement  of  financial 

position  as  of  the  beginning  of  the  first 

reporting  period  in  which  the  guidance  is 

effective.

Note 2 — Revenues

Disaggregation of Revenues

The tables below present disaggregated revenues from contracts with clients by client location, service line and contract-

type for each of our business segments. We believe this disaggregation best depicts how the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty 

of our revenues and cash flows are affected by industry, market and other economic factors. Our consulting and technology services 

include consulting, application development, systems integration, and application testing services as well as software solutions 

and related services while our outsourcing services include application maintenance, infrastructure and business process services. 

Revenues are attributed to geographic regions based upon client location. Substantially all of the revenue in our North America 

region relates to operations in the United States. 

Revenues

Geography:

North America

United Kingdom

Continental Europe

Europe - Total

Rest of World

Total

Service line:

Consulting and technology services

Outsourcing services

Total

Type of contract:

Time and materials

Fixed-price

Transaction or volume-based

Total

$

$

$

$

$

$

Financial

Services

Healthcare

Communications,

Media and

Technology

Total

Year Ended

December 31, 2019

Products and

Resources

(in millions)

4,137

$

4,147

$

2,678

$

1,764

$

12,726

130

341

471

77

380

453

833

259

319

169

488

197

1,313

1,691

3,004

1,053

5,869

$

4,695

$

3,770

$

2,449

$

16,783

484

728

1,212

520

3,782

2,087

5,869

3,651

1,922

296

$

$

$

2,564

2,131

4,695

1,845

1,635

1,215

4,695

$

$

$

$

F-16

$

$

$

2,295

1,475

3,770

1,632

1,730

408

1,305

1,144

2,449

$

$

9,946

6,837

16,783

1,528

$

803

118

8,656

6,090

2,037

5,869

$

3,770

$

2,449

$

16,783

Table of Contents  

Revenues (1)
Geography:

North America

United Kingdom
Continental Europe

Europe - Total
Rest of World
Total

Service line:

Consulting and technology services
Outsourcing services

Total

Type of contract:

Time and materials
Fixed-price
Transaction or volume-based

Total

Financial
Services

Healthcare

Year Ended
December 31, 2018

Products and
Resources

(in millions)

Communications,
Media and
Technology

Total

$

$

$

$

$

$

4,162
481
666
1,147
536
5,845

3,571
2,274
5,845

3,762
1,859
224
5,845

$

$

$

$

$

$

4,254
91
270
361
53
4,668

2,553
2,115
4,668

1,836
1,852
980
4,668

$

$

$

$

$

$

2,397
358
440
798
220
3,415

2,024
1,391
3,415

1,506
1,521
388
3,415

$

$

$

$

$

$

1,480
344
187
531
186
2,197

1,161
1,036
2,197

1,366
734
97
2,197

$

$

$

$

$

$

12,293
1,274
1,563
2,837
995
16,125

9,309
6,816
16,125

8,470
5,966
1,689
16,125

(1)  

On January 1, 2018, we adopted the New Revenue Standard using the modified retrospective method. Results for 
reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2018 are presented under the New Revenue Standard, while prior 
period amounts are not adjusted and continue to be reported in accordance with our historical accounting policies. 

Costs to Fulfill

The following table presents information related to the capitalized costs to fulfill, such as setup or transition activities. Costs 
to fulfill are recorded in "Other noncurrent assets" in our consolidated statements of financial position and the amortization expense 
of costs to fulfill is included in "Cost of revenues" in our consolidated statement of operations. Costs to obtain contracts were 
immaterial for the period disclosed.

2019

2018

$

(in millions)
400
189
(79)
(25)
485

$

303
167
(70)
—
400

Beginning balance

Costs capitalized
Amortization expense
Impairment charge

Ending balance

$

$

F-17

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents  

Contract Balances

Table of Contents  

2019

A contract asset is a right to consideration that is conditional upon factors other than the passage of time. Contract assets are 
presented in "Other current assets" in our consolidated statements of financial position and primarily relate to unbilled amounts 
on fixed-price contracts utilizing the cost to cost method of revenue recognition. The table below shows significant movements 
in contract assets:

2019

2018

Beginning balance

Revenues recognized during the period but not billed
Amounts reclassified to trade accounts receivable

Ending balance

$

$

$

(in millions)
305
313
(284)
334

$

306
285
(286)
305

Our contract liabilities, or deferred revenue, consist of advance payments and billings in excess of revenues recognized. The 

table below shows significant movements in the deferred revenue balances (current and noncurrent): 

2019

2018

The allocations of preliminary purchase price to the fair value of the aggregate assets acquired and liabilities assumed were 

Beginning balance

Amounts billed but not recognized as revenues
Revenues recognized related to the opening balance of deferred revenue
Other (1)
Ending balance

$

$

(1) 

See the Business Combinations section in Note 1.

$

(in millions)
348
319
(261)
(70)
336

$

431
204
(287)
—
348

as follows: 

Cash

Current assets

assets

Revenues recognized during the year ended December 31, 2019 for performance obligations satisfied or partially satisfied 

in previous periods were immaterial.

Remaining Performance Obligations

As of December 31, 2019, the aggregate amount of transaction price allocated to remaining performance obligations, was 
$1,647 million, of which approximately 70% is expected to be recognized as revenues within 2 years. Disclosure is not required 
for performance obligations that meet any of the following criteria: 

(1)  contracts with a duration of one year or less as determined under the New Revenue Standard,

(2)  contracts for which we recognize revenues based on the right to invoice for services performed, 

(3)  variable consideration allocated entirely to a wholly unsatisfied performance obligation or to a wholly unsatisfied 
promise to transfer a distinct good or service that forms part of a single performance obligation in accordance with 
ASC 606-10-25-14(b), for which the criteria in ASC 606-10-32-40 have been met, or 

2018

In 2018, we completed the following five business combinations:

(4)  variable consideration in the form of a sales-based or usage based royalty promised in exchange for a license of 

•  Bolder, a provider of revenue cycle management solutions to the healthcare industry in the United States.

intellectual property. 

Many of our performance obligations meet one or more of these exemptions and therefore are not included in the remaining 

performance obligation amount disclosed above.

Note 3 — Business Combinations

All acquisitions completed during the three years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 were not individually or in the 
aggregate material to our operations or cash flow. Accordingly, pro forma results have not been presented. We have allocated the 
purchase price related to these transactions to tangible and intangible assets and liabilities, including non-deductible goodwill, 
based on their estimated fair values. The primary items that generated goodwill are the value of the acquired assembled workforces 
and synergies between the acquired companies and us, neither of which qualify as an amortizable intangible asset.

F-18

F-19

In 2019, we acquired 100% ownership in the following:

•  Mustache, a creative content agency based in the United States, that extends our capabilities in creating original and 

branded content for digital, broadcast and social mediums (acquired on January 15, 2019).

•  Meritsoft, a financial software company based in Ireland, that complements our service offerings to capital markets 

institutions (acquired on March 4, 2019).

•  Samlink, a developer of services and solutions for the financial sector based in Finland, that strengthens our banking 

capabilities and brings with it a strategic partnership with three Finnish financial institutions to transform and operate 

a shared core banking platform (acquired on April 1, 2019).

•  Zenith, a life sciences company based in Ireland, that extends our service capabilities for connected biopharmaceutical 

and medical device manufacturers (acquired on July 29, 2019).

•  Contino, a technology consulting firm that extends our capabilities in enterprise DevOps and cloud transformation 

(acquired on October 31, 2019).

Property, plant and equipment and other noncurrent

Non-deductible goodwill

Customer relationship intangible assets

Other intangible assets

Current liabilities

Noncurrent liabilities

Contino

Meritsoft

Zenith

Others

Total

(dollars in millions)

$

$

14

$

$

$

7

16

4

198

29

2

(11)

(10)

6

1

147

46

29

(3)

(12)

9

52

6

76

73

4

(35)

(17)

15

21

14

21

19

6

(22)

(10)

Weighted

Average

Useful Life

10.7 years

6.1 years

45

95

25

442

167

41

(71)

(49)

695

Purchase price, inclusive of contingent consideration

$

235

$

228

$

168

$

64

$

For acquisitions completed in 2019, the allocation is preliminary and will be finalized as soon as practicable within the 

measurement period, but in no event later than one year following the date of acquisition. 

•  Hedera Consulting, a business advisory and data analytics service provider in Belgium and the Netherlands.

•  Softvision, a digital engineering and consulting company with significant operations in Romania and India that focuses 

on agile development of custom cloud-based software and platforms for clients primarily in the United States.

•  ATG, a United States based consulting company that helps companies plan, implement and optimize automated cloud-

based quote-to-cash business processes and technologies.

•  SaaSfocus, a Salesforce services provider in Australia.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents  

Contract Balances

in contract assets:

Beginning balance

Ending balance

Revenues recognized during the period but not billed

Amounts reclassified to trade accounts receivable

presented in "Other current assets" in our consolidated statements of financial position and primarily relate to unbilled amounts 

on fixed-price contracts utilizing the cost to cost method of revenue recognition. The table below shows significant movements 

2019

2018

(in millions)

$

305

313

(284)

334

$

(in millions)

348

319

(261)

(70)

336

$

$

306

285

(286)

305

431

204

(287)

—

348

$

$

$

$

Our contract liabilities, or deferred revenue, consist of advance payments and billings in excess of revenues recognized. The 

table below shows significant movements in the deferred revenue balances (current and noncurrent): 

Amounts billed but not recognized as revenues

Revenues recognized related to the opening balance of deferred revenue

Beginning balance

Other (1)

Ending balance

(1) 

See the Business Combinations section in Note 1.

in previous periods were immaterial.

Remaining Performance Obligations

Revenues recognized during the year ended December 31, 2019 for performance obligations satisfied or partially satisfied 

As of December 31, 2019, the aggregate amount of transaction price allocated to remaining performance obligations, was 

$1,647 million, of which approximately 70% is expected to be recognized as revenues within 2 years. Disclosure is not required 

for performance obligations that meet any of the following criteria: 

(1)  contracts with a duration of one year or less as determined under the New Revenue Standard,

(2)  contracts for which we recognize revenues based on the right to invoice for services performed, 

(3)  variable consideration allocated entirely to a wholly unsatisfied performance obligation or to a wholly unsatisfied 

promise to transfer a distinct good or service that forms part of a single performance obligation in accordance with 

ASC 606-10-25-14(b), for which the criteria in ASC 606-10-32-40 have been met, or 

Many of our performance obligations meet one or more of these exemptions and therefore are not included in the remaining 

intellectual property. 

performance obligation amount disclosed above.

Note 3 — Business Combinations

All acquisitions completed during the three years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 were not individually or in the 

aggregate material to our operations or cash flow. Accordingly, pro forma results have not been presented. We have allocated the 

purchase price related to these transactions to tangible and intangible assets and liabilities, including non-deductible goodwill, 

based on their estimated fair values. The primary items that generated goodwill are the value of the acquired assembled workforces 

and synergies between the acquired companies and us, neither of which qualify as an amortizable intangible asset.

A contract asset is a right to consideration that is conditional upon factors other than the passage of time. Contract assets are 

In 2019, we acquired 100% ownership in the following:

Table of Contents  

2019

•  Mustache, a creative content agency based in the United States, that extends our capabilities in creating original and 

branded content for digital, broadcast and social mediums (acquired on January 15, 2019).

•  Meritsoft, a financial software company based in Ireland, that complements our service offerings to capital markets 

institutions (acquired on March 4, 2019).

•  Samlink, a developer of services and solutions for the financial sector based in Finland, that strengthens our banking 
capabilities and brings with it a strategic partnership with three Finnish financial institutions to transform and operate 
a shared core banking platform (acquired on April 1, 2019).

•  Zenith, a life sciences company based in Ireland, that extends our service capabilities for connected biopharmaceutical 

and medical device manufacturers (acquired on July 29, 2019).

•  Contino, a technology consulting firm that extends our capabilities in enterprise DevOps and cloud transformation 

(acquired on October 31, 2019).

2019

2018

The allocations of preliminary purchase price to the fair value of the aggregate assets acquired and liabilities assumed were 

as follows: 

Cash
Current assets
Property, plant and equipment and other noncurrent

assets

Non-deductible goodwill
Customer relationship intangible assets
Other intangible assets
Current liabilities
Noncurrent liabilities
Purchase price, inclusive of contingent consideration

Contino

Meritsoft

Zenith

Others

Total

$

$

7
16

(dollars in millions)
$
14
6

9
52

$

4
198
29
2
(11)
(10)
235

$

1
147
46
29
(3)
(12)
228

$

6
76
73
4
(35)
(17)
168

$

$

$

15
21

45
95

14
21
19
6
(22)
(10)
64

$

25
442
167
41
(71)
(49)
695

Weighted
Average
Useful Life

10.7 years
6.1 years

(4)  variable consideration in the form of a sales-based or usage based royalty promised in exchange for a license of 

•  Bolder, a provider of revenue cycle management solutions to the healthcare industry in the United States.

For acquisitions completed in 2019, the allocation is preliminary and will be finalized as soon as practicable within the 

measurement period, but in no event later than one year following the date of acquisition. 

2018

In 2018, we completed the following five business combinations:

•  Hedera Consulting, a business advisory and data analytics service provider in Belgium and the Netherlands.

•  Softvision, a digital engineering and consulting company with significant operations in Romania and India that focuses 

on agile development of custom cloud-based software and platforms for clients primarily in the United States.

•  ATG, a United States based consulting company that helps companies plan, implement and optimize automated cloud-

based quote-to-cash business processes and technologies.

•  SaaSfocus, a Salesforce services provider in Australia.

F-18

F-19

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents  

Table of Contents  

The allocation of purchase price to the fair value of the aggregate assets acquired and liabilities assumed was as follows:

Note 4 — Restructuring Charges

Cash
Current assets
Property, plant and equipment and other noncurrent assets
Non-deductible goodwill
Customer relationship intangible assets
Other intangible assets
Trademark
Current liabilities
Noncurrent liabilities
Purchase price

Softvision

Bolder

Others

 Total

( dollars in millions)

$

$

4
54
7
385
133
9
—
(47)
(4)
541

$

$

7
32
7
335
113
17
9
(11)
(37)
472

$

$

4
15
1
76
30
1
—
(9)
(9)
109

$

$

15
101
15
796
276
27
9
(67)
(50)
1,122

Weighted
Average
Useful Life

10.3 years
3.7 years
Indefinite

2017

In 2017, we completed the following five business combinations:

•  Brilliant, an intelligent products and solutions company based in Japan specializing in digital strategy, product design 
and engineering, the IoT, and enterprise mobility that expands our digital transformation portfolio and capabilities.

•  Top Tier, a U.S. healthcare management consulting firm that strengthens our consulting service offerings within the 

healthcare consulting market.

•  TMG, a leading national provider of business process services to the U.S. government healthcare market that further 

strengthens our business process-as-a-service solutions for government and public health programs. 

•  Netcentric, a provider of digital experience and marketing solutions for some of the world's most recognized brands 
and an independent Adobe partner in Europe that will enhance our ability to deliver business critical digital experience 
solutions. 

•  Zone,  an  independent  full-service  digital  agency  in  the  UK  specializing  in  customer  experience,  digital  strategy, 
technology and content creation that will enhance and expand our digital interactive expertise in experience design, 
human science-driven insights and analytics.

The allocation of purchase price to the fair value of the aggregate assets acquired and liabilities assumed was as follows:

The 2020 Fit for Growth Plan charges include $5 million of costs incurred in 2019 related to our exit from certain content-

Cash
Current assets
Property, plant and equipment and other noncurrent assets
Non-deductible goodwill
Customer relationship intangible assets
Other intangible assets
Current liabilities
Noncurrent liabilities
Purchase price

Weighted Average
Useful Life

10.6 years
2.4 years

Fair Value

(in millions)
8
$
47
19
125
147
4
(50)
(67)
233

$

Changes in our accrued employee separation costs, for both our realignment program and our 2020 Fit for Growth Plan, 

included in "Accrued expenses and other current liabilities" in our consolidated statement of financial position, are presented in 

The accrued employee separation costs as of December 31, 2017 were immaterial.

F-20

F-21

In 2017, we began a realignment program with the objective of improving our client focus, our cost structure and the efficiency 

and effectiveness of our delivery while continuing to drive revenue growth. As part of the realignment program, we incurred 

Executive Transition Costs, employee separation costs, employee retention costs and third party realignment costs. Our third party 

realignment costs include professional fees related to the development of our realignment program and facility exit costs. 

Over the next two years, we intend to implement our 2020 Fit for Growth Plan, which is expected to involve significant 

investments in technology, sales and marketing, talent re-skilling, acquisitions and partnerships to further sharpen our strategic 

positioning in key digital areas as well as our strategic decision to exit certain content-related services. The 2020 Fit for Growth 

Plan involves certain measures, which commenced in the fourth quarter of 2019, to optimize our cost structure in order to partially 

fund these investments and advance our growth agenda.

The total costs related to our realignment program and our 2020 Fit for Growth Plan are reported in "Restructuring charges" 

in our consolidated statements of operations. We do not allocate these charges to individual segments in internal management 

reports used by the chief operating decision maker. Accordingly, such expenses are separately disclosed in our segment reporting 

as “unallocated costs”. See Note 19.

Charges related to our realignment program and our 2020 Fit for Growth Plan were as follows:

Realignment Program:

Employee separation costs

Executive Transition Costs

Employee retention costs

Third party realignment costs

2020 Fit for Growth Plan:

Employee separation costs

Employee retention costs

Facility exit costs

Total restructuring charges

related services.

the table below. 

Balance - December 31, 2018

Employee separation costs accrued

Payments made

Balance - December 31, 2019

Years Ended December 31,

2019

2018

2017

(in millions)

$

$

$

$

217

$

$

64

22

45

38

45

2

1

$

$

18

—

—

1

—

—

—

19

(in millions)

53

—

—

19

—

—

—

72

—

109

62

47

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents  

Table of Contents  

The allocation of purchase price to the fair value of the aggregate assets acquired and liabilities assumed was as follows:

Note 4 — Restructuring Charges

Cash

Current assets

Property, plant and equipment and other noncurrent assets

Non-deductible goodwill

Customer relationship intangible assets

Other intangible assets

Trademark

Current liabilities

Noncurrent liabilities

Purchase price

2017

Softvision

Bolder

Others

 Total

( dollars in millions)

$

$

$

$

4

54

7

385

133

9

—

(47)

(4)

7

32

7

335

113

17

9

(11)

(37)

4

15

1

76

30

1

—

(9)

(9)

$

541

$

472

$

109

$

1,122

Weighted

Average

Useful Life

10.3 years

3.7 years

Indefinite

15

101

15

796

276

27

9

(67)

(50)

In 2017, we completed the following five business combinations:

•  Brilliant, an intelligent products and solutions company based in Japan specializing in digital strategy, product design 

and engineering, the IoT, and enterprise mobility that expands our digital transformation portfolio and capabilities.

•  Top Tier, a U.S. healthcare management consulting firm that strengthens our consulting service offerings within the 

healthcare consulting market.

•  TMG, a leading national provider of business process services to the U.S. government healthcare market that further 

strengthens our business process-as-a-service solutions for government and public health programs. 

•  Netcentric, a provider of digital experience and marketing solutions for some of the world's most recognized brands 

and an independent Adobe partner in Europe that will enhance our ability to deliver business critical digital experience 

solutions. 

•  Zone,  an  independent  full-service  digital  agency  in  the  UK  specializing  in  customer  experience,  digital  strategy, 

technology and content creation that will enhance and expand our digital interactive expertise in experience design, 

human science-driven insights and analytics.

The allocation of purchase price to the fair value of the aggregate assets acquired and liabilities assumed was as follows:

In 2017, we began a realignment program with the objective of improving our client focus, our cost structure and the efficiency 
and effectiveness of our delivery while continuing to drive revenue growth. As part of the realignment program, we incurred 
Executive Transition Costs, employee separation costs, employee retention costs and third party realignment costs. Our third party 
realignment costs include professional fees related to the development of our realignment program and facility exit costs. 

Over the next two years, we intend to implement our 2020 Fit for Growth Plan, which is expected to involve significant 
investments in technology, sales and marketing, talent re-skilling, acquisitions and partnerships to further sharpen our strategic 
positioning in key digital areas as well as our strategic decision to exit certain content-related services. The 2020 Fit for Growth 
Plan involves certain measures, which commenced in the fourth quarter of 2019, to optimize our cost structure in order to partially 
fund these investments and advance our growth agenda.

The total costs related to our realignment program and our 2020 Fit for Growth Plan are reported in "Restructuring charges" 
in our consolidated statements of operations. We do not allocate these charges to individual segments in internal management 
reports used by the chief operating decision maker. Accordingly, such expenses are separately disclosed in our segment reporting 
as “unallocated costs”. See Note 19.

Charges related to our realignment program and our 2020 Fit for Growth Plan were as follows:

Realignment Program:

Employee separation costs

Executive Transition Costs

Employee retention costs

Third party realignment costs

2020 Fit for Growth Plan:

Employee separation costs

Employee retention costs

Facility exit costs

Total restructuring charges

Years Ended December 31,

2019

2018

2017

(in millions)

$

$

64

22

45

38

45

2

1

$

217

$

18

—

—

1

—

—

—

19

$

$

53

—

—

19

—

—

—

72

Property, plant and equipment and other noncurrent assets

Non-deductible goodwill

Customer relationship intangible assets

Cash

Current assets

Other intangible assets

Current liabilities

Noncurrent liabilities

Purchase price

Fair Value

(in millions)

Weighted Average

Useful Life

$

$

8

47

19

125

147

4

(50)

(67)

233

The 2020 Fit for Growth Plan charges include $5 million of costs incurred in 2019 related to our exit from certain content-

related services.

Changes in our accrued employee separation costs, for both our realignment program and our 2020 Fit for Growth Plan, 
included in "Accrued expenses and other current liabilities" in our consolidated statement of financial position, are presented in 
the table below. 

10.6 years

2.4 years

Balance - December 31, 2018

Employee separation costs accrued
Payments made

Balance - December 31, 2019

The accrued employee separation costs as of December 31, 2017 were immaterial.

(in millions)

—
109
62
47

$

$

F-20

F-21

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents  

Note 5 — Investments

Our investments were as follows as of December 31:

Short-term investments:

Equity investment security
Available-for-sale investment securities

Held-to-maturity investment securities
Time deposits (1)

Total short-term investments

Long-term investments:

Equity and cost method investments
Held-to-maturity investment securities

Total long-term investments

2019

2018

(in millions)

$

$

$

$

26
—

287
466
779

17
—

17

$

$

$

$

25
1,760

1,065
500
3,350

74
6

80

(1) 

Includes $414 million and $423 million in restricted time deposits as of December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, 
respectively. See Note 11.

Equity Investment Security

Our equity investment security is a U.S. dollar denominated investment in a fixed income mutual fund. Realized and unrealized 

The amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses and fair value of held-to-maturity investment securities at December 31, 

gains and losses were immaterial for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018.

2019 were as follows:

Available-for-Sale Investment Securities

During 2019, all of our available-for-sale investment securities either matured or were sold. We determine the cost of the 
securities sold based on the specific identification method. Proceeds from sales of available-for-sale investment securities and the 
gross gains and losses that have been included in earnings as a result of those sales were as follows:

Short-term investments, due within one year:

Corporate and other debt securities

Commercial paper

2019

2018

2017

Total short-term held-to-maturity investments

Proceeds from sales of available-for-sale investment securities

Gross gains
Gross losses

Net realized gains (losses) on sales of available-for-sale investment securities

(in millions)

$

$

$

1,712

6
(5)

1

$

$

$

1,285

$

2,922

— $
(4)

(4)

$

1
(3)

(2)

The amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses and fair value of available-for-sale investment securities at December 31, 

2018 were as follows:

Amortized
Cost

Unrealized
Gains

Unrealized
Losses

Fair
Value

U.S. Treasury and agency debt securities

Corporate and other debt securities

Certificates of deposit and commercial paper

Asset-backed securities

Municipal debt securities

$

$

630

420

296

336

90

Total available-for-sale investment securities

$

1,772

$

(in millions)

1

—

—

—

—

1

$

$

(6)
(4)
—
(2)
(1)
(13)

$

625

416

296

334

89

$

1,760

F-22

Table of Contents  

The fair value and related unrealized losses of available-for-sale investment securities in a continuous unrealized loss position 

for less than 12 months and for 12 months or longer were as follows as of December 31, 2018:

U.S. Treasury and agency debt securities

$

$

— $

$

$

$

Corporate and other debt securities

Certificates of deposit and commercial paper

Asset-backed securities

Municipal debt securities

Total

Less than 12 Months

12 Months or More

Total

Fair

Value

Unrealized

Losses

Fair

Value

Unrealized

Losses

Fair

Value

Unrealized

Losses

84

108

295

93

17

(1)

—

—

—

(in millions)

446

254

—

179

64

943

(6)

(3)

—

(2)

(1)

530

362

295

272

81

(6)

(4)

—

(2)

(1)

$

597

$

(1)

$

$

(12)

$

1,540

$

(13)

The unrealized losses for the above securities as of December 31, 2018 were primarily attributable to changes in interest 

rates. The gross unrealized gains and losses in the above tables were recorded, net of tax, in "Accumulated other comprehensive 

income (loss)" in our consolidated statement of financial position.

Held-to-Maturity Investment Securities

Our held-to-maturity investment securities consist of Indian rupee denominated investments primarily in commercial paper 

and international corporate bonds. Our investment guidelines are to purchase securities that are investment grade at the time of 

acquisition. We monitor the credit ratings of the securities in our portfolio on an ongoing basis. The basis for the measurement of 

fair value of our held-to-maturity investments is Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

The amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses and fair value of held-to-maturity investment securities at December 31, 

2018 were as follows:

Amortized

Cost

Unrealized

Gains

Unrealized

Losses

Fair

Value

(in millions)

101

186

287

$

$

— $

— $

—

—

— $

— $

101

186

287

Amortized

Cost

Unrealized

Gains

Unrealized

Losses

Fair

Value

(in millions)

$

— $

— $

546

519

1,065

6

—

—

—

546

518

1,064

6

(1)

(1)

—

(1)

Short-term investments:

Corporate and other debt securities

Commercial paper

Total short-term held-to-maturity investments

Long-term investments:

Corporate and other debt securities

Total held-to-maturity investment securities

$

1,071

$

— $

$

1,070

$

$

$

F-23

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$

597

$

$

84

108

295

93

17

Asset-backed securities

Municipal debt securities

Total

U.S. Treasury and agency debt securities

$

Corporate and other debt securities

Certificates of deposit and commercial paper

— $
(1)
—

—

—
(1)

$

(in millions)

446

254

—

179

64

943

$

$

(6)
(3)
—
(2)
(1)
(12)

$

$

530

362

295

272

81

$

1,540

$

(6)
(4)
—
(2)
(1)
(13)

Table of Contents  

The fair value and related unrealized losses of available-for-sale investment securities in a continuous unrealized loss position 

for less than 12 months and for 12 months or longer were as follows as of December 31, 2018:

Less than 12 Months

12 Months or More

Total

Fair
Value

Unrealized
Losses

Fair
Value

Unrealized
Losses

Fair
Value

Unrealized
Losses

Table of Contents  

Note 5 — Investments

Our investments were as follows as of December 31:

Short-term investments:

Equity investment security

Available-for-sale investment securities

Held-to-maturity investment securities

Time deposits (1)

Total short-term investments

Long-term investments:

Equity and cost method investments

Held-to-maturity investment securities

Total long-term investments

respectively. See Note 11.

Equity Investment Security

Available-for-Sale Investment Securities

2019

2018

(in millions)

$

$

$

$

26

—

287

466

779

17

—

17

$

$

$

$

25

1,760

1,065

500

3,350

74

6

80

Gross gains

Gross losses

Net realized gains (losses) on sales of available-for-sale investment securities

$

$

$

(in millions)

$

$

$

— $

(4)

(4)

$

1

(3)

(2)

The amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses and fair value of available-for-sale investment securities at December 31, 

2018 were as follows:

U.S. Treasury and agency debt securities

Corporate and other debt securities

Certificates of deposit and commercial paper

Asset-backed securities

Municipal debt securities

Amortized

Cost

Unrealized

Gains

Unrealized

Losses

Fair

Value

$

$

$

$

(in millions)

630

420

296

336

90

(6)

(4)

—

(2)

(1)

625

416

296

334

89

Total available-for-sale investment securities

$

1,772

$

$

(13)

$

1,760

6

(5)

1

1

—

—

—

—

1

(1) 

Includes $414 million and $423 million in restricted time deposits as of December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, 

The unrealized losses for the above securities as of December 31, 2018 were primarily attributable to changes in interest 
rates. The gross unrealized gains and losses in the above tables were recorded, net of tax, in "Accumulated other comprehensive 
income (loss)" in our consolidated statement of financial position.

Held-to-Maturity Investment Securities

Our held-to-maturity investment securities consist of Indian rupee denominated investments primarily in commercial paper 
and international corporate bonds. Our investment guidelines are to purchase securities that are investment grade at the time of 
acquisition. We monitor the credit ratings of the securities in our portfolio on an ongoing basis. The basis for the measurement of 
fair value of our held-to-maturity investments is Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

Our equity investment security is a U.S. dollar denominated investment in a fixed income mutual fund. Realized and unrealized 

The amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses and fair value of held-to-maturity investment securities at December 31, 

gains and losses were immaterial for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018.

2019 were as follows:

During 2019, all of our available-for-sale investment securities either matured or were sold. We determine the cost of the 

securities sold based on the specific identification method. Proceeds from sales of available-for-sale investment securities and the 

gross gains and losses that have been included in earnings as a result of those sales were as follows:

Short-term investments, due within one year:

Corporate and other debt securities
Commercial paper

2019

2018

2017

Total short-term held-to-maturity investments

Amortized
Cost

Unrealized
Gains

Unrealized
Losses

Fair
Value

$

$

101
186
287

$

$

(in millions)

— $
—
— $

— $
—
— $

101
186
287

Proceeds from sales of available-for-sale investment securities

1,712

1,285

$

2,922

The amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses and fair value of held-to-maturity investment securities at December 31, 

2018 were as follows:

Short-term investments:

Corporate and other debt securities
Commercial paper

Total short-term held-to-maturity investments

Long-term investments:

Corporate and other debt securities

Total held-to-maturity investment securities

Amortized
Cost

Unrealized
Gains

Unrealized
Losses

Fair
Value

$

$

546
519
1,065

6
1,071

$

$

(in millions)

— $
—
—

—
— $

— $
(1)
(1)

—
(1)

$

546
518
1,064

6
1,070

F-22

F-23

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents  

Table of Contents  

The fair value and related unrealized losses of held-to-maturity investment securities in a continuous unrealized loss position 

for less than 12 months and for 12 months or longer were as follows as of December 31, 2019: 

Less than 12 Months

12 Months or More

Total

Fair
Value

Unrealized
Losses

Fair
Value

Unrealized
Losses

Fair
Value

Unrealized
Losses

Corporate and other debt securities
Commercial Paper

Total

$

$

42
70
112

$

$

— $
—
— $

(in millions)
— $
—
— $

— $
—
— $

42
70
112

$

$

—
—
—

The fair value and related unrealized losses of held-to-maturity investment securities in a continuous unrealized loss position 

for less than 12 months and for 12 months or longer were as follows as of December 31, 2018: 

Less than 12 Months

12 Months or More

Total

Fair
Value

Unrealized
Losses

Fair
Value

Unrealized
Losses

Fair
Value

Unrealized
Losses

Corporate and other debt securities
Commercial paper

Total

$

$

263
268
531

$

$

— $
(1)
(1)

$

$

(in millions)
57
—
57

$

— $
—
— $

320
268
588

$

$

—
(1)
(1)

At each reporting date, the Company performs an evaluation of held-to-maturity securities to determine if the unrealized 
losses  are  other-than-temporary.  We  do  not  consider  any  of  the  investments  to  be  other-than-temporarily  impaired  as  of 
December 31, 2019. 

During the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, there were no transfers of investments between our available-for-sale 

and held-to-maturity investment portfolios.

Equity and Cost Method Investments

As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, we had equity method investments of $9 million and $66 million, respectively, which 
primarily consist of a 49% ownership interest in a strategic consulting firm specializing in the use of human sciences to help 
business leaders better understand customer behavior. Our investments are assessed for impairment whenever factors indicate an 
other-than-temporary  decline  in  carrying  value  has  occurred. As  a  result  of  recent  events  indicating  one  of  our  investments 
experienced an other-than-temporary impairment, we assessed its fair value and determined that the carrying value exceeded the 
fair value. As such, we recorded an impairment charge of $57 million in the fourth quarter of 2019 within the caption "Income 
(loss) from equity method investments" in our consolidated statement of operations. In determining the fair value of the equity 
method investment we considered results from the following valuation methodologies: income approach, based on discounted 
future cash flows, market approach, based on current market multiples and net asset value approach, based on the assets and 
liabilities of the investee. The basis for the measurement of fair value for this equity method investment is Level 3 in the fair value 
hierarchy.

As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, we had cost method investments of $8 million. 

Adoption of the New Lease Standard

F-24

F-25

Note 6 — Property and Equipment, net

Property and equipment were as follows as of December 31:

Buildings

Computer equipment

Computer software

Furniture and equipment

Land

Leasehold land

Capital work-in-progress

Leasehold improvements

Sub-total

Estimated Useful Life (Years)

2019

2018

$

(in millions)

$

30

3 – 5

3 – 8

5 – 9

lease term

Shorter of the lease term or

the life of the asset

790

516

820

702

11

—

133

379

3,351

(2,042)

839

412

721

639

19

60

156

338

3,184

(1,790)

1,394

Accumulated depreciation and amortization

Property and equipment, net

$

1,309

$

Depreciation and amortization expense related to property and equipment was $363 million, $347 million and $313 million 

for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. 

The gross amount of property and equipment recorded under finance leases was $30 million as of December 31, 2019. The 

gross amount of property and equipment recorded under capital leases was $73 million as of December 31, 2018. In 2019, as a 

result of the adoption of the New Lease Standard, we reclassified leasehold land and a built-to-suit building lease asset from 

"Property and equipment, net" to "Operating lease assets, net". See Note 7 for additional information. Accumulated amortization 

and amortization expense for our finance lease assets was $14 million as of December 31, 2019 and $11 million for the year ended 

December 31, 2019, respectively. Accumulated amortization and amortization expense related to our capital lease assets were 

immaterial as of and for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017.

The gross amount of property and equipment recorded for software to be sold, leased or marketed reported in the caption 

"Computer software" above was $129 million and $85 million, as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Accumulated 

amortization for software to be sold, leased or marketed was $46 million and $24 million as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, 

respectively. Amortization expense for software to be sold, leased or marketed recorded as property and equipment was $22 million 

and $14 million for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 respectively, and was immaterial for the year ended December 

31, 2017.

Note 7 — Leases

On January 1, 2019, we adopted the New Lease Standard using the effective date method applied to all lease contracts 

existing as of January 1, 2019. Under the effective date method, results for reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2019 

are presented under the New Lease Standard. We elected the package of practical expedients that permits us to not reassess prior 

conclusions related to contracts containing leases, lease classification and initial direct costs. Prior period amounts are not adjusted 

and continue to be reported in accordance with our historical accounting policies.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents  

Table of Contents  

The fair value and related unrealized losses of held-to-maturity investment securities in a continuous unrealized loss position 

for less than 12 months and for 12 months or longer were as follows as of December 31, 2019: 

Corporate and other debt securities

Commercial Paper

Total

Less than 12 Months

12 Months or More

Total

Fair

Value

Unrealized

Losses

Fair

Value

Unrealized

Losses

Fair

Value

Unrealized

Losses

(in millions)

42

70

112

$

$

— $

— $

— $

—

—

—

— $

— $

— $

42

70

112

$

$

—

—

—

The fair value and related unrealized losses of held-to-maturity investment securities in a continuous unrealized loss position 

for less than 12 months and for 12 months or longer were as follows as of December 31, 2018: 

Corporate and other debt securities

Commercial paper

Total

Less than 12 Months

12 Months or More

Total

Fair

Value

Unrealized

Losses

Fair

Value

Unrealized

Losses

Fair

Value

Unrealized

Losses

263

268

531

$

$

— $

(1)

(1)

$

(in millions)

57

—

57

$

$

— $

—

— $

320

268

588

$

$

—

(1)

(1)

At each reporting date, the Company performs an evaluation of held-to-maturity securities to determine if the unrealized 

losses  are  other-than-temporary.  We  do  not  consider  any  of  the  investments  to  be  other-than-temporarily  impaired  as  of 

December 31, 2019. 

During the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, there were no transfers of investments between our available-for-sale 

$

$

$

$

and held-to-maturity investment portfolios.

Equity and Cost Method Investments

As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, we had equity method investments of $9 million and $66 million, respectively, which 

primarily consist of a 49% ownership interest in a strategic consulting firm specializing in the use of human sciences to help 

business leaders better understand customer behavior. Our investments are assessed for impairment whenever factors indicate an 

other-than-temporary  decline  in  carrying  value  has  occurred. As  a  result  of  recent  events  indicating  one  of  our  investments 

experienced an other-than-temporary impairment, we assessed its fair value and determined that the carrying value exceeded the 

fair value. As such, we recorded an impairment charge of $57 million in the fourth quarter of 2019 within the caption "Income 

(loss) from equity method investments" in our consolidated statement of operations. In determining the fair value of the equity 

method investment we considered results from the following valuation methodologies: income approach, based on discounted 

future cash flows, market approach, based on current market multiples and net asset value approach, based on the assets and 

liabilities of the investee. The basis for the measurement of fair value for this equity method investment is Level 3 in the fair value 

hierarchy.

Note 6 — Property and Equipment, net

Property and equipment were as follows as of December 31:

Buildings
Computer equipment
Computer software
Furniture and equipment
Land
Leasehold land
Capital work-in-progress

Leasehold improvements

Sub-total

Accumulated depreciation and amortization

Property and equipment, net

Estimated Useful Life (Years)

2019

2018

30
3 – 5
3 – 8
5 – 9

lease term

Shorter of the lease term or
the life of the asset

(in millions)
$
790
516
820
702
11
—
133

839
412
721
639
19
60
156

379
3,351
(2,042)
1,309

$

338
3,184
(1,790)
1,394

$

$

Depreciation and amortization expense related to property and equipment was $363 million, $347 million and $313 million 

for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. 

The gross amount of property and equipment recorded under finance leases was $30 million as of December 31, 2019. The 
gross amount of property and equipment recorded under capital leases was $73 million as of December 31, 2018. In 2019, as a 
result of the adoption of the New Lease Standard, we reclassified leasehold land and a built-to-suit building lease asset from 
"Property and equipment, net" to "Operating lease assets, net". See Note 7 for additional information. Accumulated amortization 
and amortization expense for our finance lease assets was $14 million as of December 31, 2019 and $11 million for the year ended 
December 31, 2019, respectively. Accumulated amortization and amortization expense related to our capital lease assets were 
immaterial as of and for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017.

The gross amount of property and equipment recorded for software to be sold, leased or marketed reported in the caption 
"Computer software" above was $129 million and $85 million, as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Accumulated 
amortization for software to be sold, leased or marketed was $46 million and $24 million as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, 
respectively. Amortization expense for software to be sold, leased or marketed recorded as property and equipment was $22 million 
and $14 million for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 respectively, and was immaterial for the year ended December 
31, 2017.

Note 7 — Leases

As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, we had cost method investments of $8 million. 

Adoption of the New Lease Standard

On January 1, 2019, we adopted the New Lease Standard using the effective date method applied to all lease contracts 
existing as of January 1, 2019. Under the effective date method, results for reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2019 
are presented under the New Lease Standard. We elected the package of practical expedients that permits us to not reassess prior 
conclusions related to contracts containing leases, lease classification and initial direct costs. Prior period amounts are not adjusted 
and continue to be reported in accordance with our historical accounting policies.

F-24

F-25

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents  

Table of Contents  

 The impact of adoption primarily relates to the recognition of ROU operating lease assets and operating lease liabilities on 
our consolidated statement of financial position for all operating leases with a term greater than twelve months. The accounting 
for our finance leases remained substantially unchanged. The following table provides the impact of adoption of the New Lease 
Standard on our consolidated statement of financial position as of January 1, 2019:

Location on Statement of Financial Position

Property and equipment, net(1)
Operating lease assets, net(1) (2) (3)

Total assets

Operating lease liabilities(2) (3)
Operating lease liabilities, noncurrent(2) (3)
Accrued expenses and other liabilities(3)
Other noncurrent liabilities(3)

Total liabilities

Retained earnings(4)

January 1, 2019

(in millions)

(81)
839
758

191
670
(10)
(95)
756

2

$

$

$

$

$

(1)  

(2)  

(3)  

Reflects  the  reclassification  of  leasehold  land  and  a  built-to-suit  lease  asset  from  "Property  and  equipment,  net"  to 
"Operating lease assets, net".

Represents the recognition of operating lease assets and liabilities (current and noncurrent), as defined by the New Lease 
Standard, including the liability for a built-to-suit lease that was previously accounted for as a capital lease under the 
former lease guidance.

Represents the reclassification of deferred rent from "Accrued expenses and other liabilities" and "Other noncurrent 
liabilities" to "Operating lease assets, net" and the reclassification of built-to-suit lease liabilities from "Accrued expenses 
and other liabilities" and "Other noncurrent liabilities" to "Operating lease liabilities" and "Operating lease liabilities, 
noncurrent".

(4) 

Represents  the  net  impact  of  the  derecognition  of  a  built-to-suit  lease  under  the  former  lease  guidance  and  the  re-
establishment of that lease as an operating lease under the New Lease Standard.

The adoption of the New Lease Standard did not materially impact our consolidated statement of operations or our consolidated 

statement of cash flows.

The following table provides information on the weighted average remaining lease term and weighted average discount rate 

for our operating leases: 

Operating Lease Term and Discount Rate

Weighted average remaining lease term

Weighted-average discount rate

The following table provides supplemental cash flow information related to our operating leases: 

Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of operating lease liabilities

$

ROU assets obtained in exchange for operating lease liabilities

Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of finance lease liabilities and ROU assets obtained in exchange for 

finance lease liabilities were each immaterial for the year ended December 31, 2019. 

The following table provides the schedule of maturities of our operating lease liabilities, under the New Lease Standard, as 

The following table provides information on the components of our operating and finance leases included in our consolidated 

2018, which were accounted for in accordance with our historical accounting policies. 

The following table provides the schedule of our future minimum payments on our operating leases, as of December 31, 

statement of financial position:

Leases

Assets

Location on Statement of Financial Position

December 31, 2019

(in millions)

ROU operating lease assets

Operating lease assets, net

ROU finance lease assets

Property and equipment, net

Total

Liabilities

Current

Operating lease

Finance lease

Noncurrent

Operating lease

Finance lease

Operating lease liabilities

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

Operating lease liabilities, noncurrent

Other noncurrent liabilities

Total

$

$

$

$

926

16

942

202

11

745

15

973

Our operating lease cost was $264 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 and included $18 million of variable lease 
cost. Our short term lease rental expense was $16 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. Lease interest expense related 
to our finance leases for year ended December 31, 2019 was immaterial.

F-26

F-27

As of December 31, 2019, we had $316 million of additional obligations related to operating leases whose lease term had 

yet to commence and which are therefore not included in our statement of financial position. These leases are primarily related to 

real estate and will commence in various months in 2020 and 2021 with lease terms of 1 year to 11 years.

of December 31, 2019:

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

Thereafter

Interest

Total lease payments

Total lease liabilities

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

Thereafter

Total minimum lease payments

December 31, 2019

6.0 years

6.0%

2019

(in millions)

232

274

Operating lease

obligations

(in millions)

249

217

167

132

96

273

1,134

(187)

947

226

197

157

121

90

197

988

Operating lease

obligations

(in millions)

$

$

$

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Location on Statement of Financial Position

Property and equipment, net(1)

Operating lease assets, net(1) (2) (3)

Total assets

Operating lease liabilities(2) (3)

Operating lease liabilities, noncurrent(2) (3)

Accrued expenses and other liabilities(3)

Other noncurrent liabilities(3)

Total liabilities

Retained earnings(4)

Table of Contents  

Table of Contents  

 The impact of adoption primarily relates to the recognition of ROU operating lease assets and operating lease liabilities on 

The following table provides information on the weighted average remaining lease term and weighted average discount rate 

our consolidated statement of financial position for all operating leases with a term greater than twelve months. The accounting 

for our operating leases: 

for our finance leases remained substantially unchanged. The following table provides the impact of adoption of the New Lease 

Standard on our consolidated statement of financial position as of January 1, 2019:

January 1, 2019

(in millions)

Operating Lease Term and Discount Rate

Weighted average remaining lease term

Weighted-average discount rate

The following table provides supplemental cash flow information related to our operating leases: 

Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of operating lease liabilities

$

ROU assets obtained in exchange for operating lease liabilities

December 31, 2019

6.0 years

6.0%

2019

(in millions)

232

274

Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of finance lease liabilities and ROU assets obtained in exchange for 

finance lease liabilities were each immaterial for the year ended December 31, 2019. 

The following table provides the schedule of maturities of our operating lease liabilities, under the New Lease Standard, as 

"Operating lease assets, net".

former lease guidance.

noncurrent".

(1)  

Reflects  the  reclassification  of  leasehold  land  and  a  built-to-suit  lease  asset  from  "Property  and  equipment,  net"  to 

(2)  

Represents the recognition of operating lease assets and liabilities (current and noncurrent), as defined by the New Lease 

Standard, including the liability for a built-to-suit lease that was previously accounted for as a capital lease under the 

(3)  

Represents the reclassification of deferred rent from "Accrued expenses and other liabilities" and "Other noncurrent 

liabilities" to "Operating lease assets, net" and the reclassification of built-to-suit lease liabilities from "Accrued expenses 

and other liabilities" and "Other noncurrent liabilities" to "Operating lease liabilities" and "Operating lease liabilities, 

(4) 

Represents  the  net  impact  of  the  derecognition  of  a  built-to-suit  lease  under  the  former  lease  guidance  and  the  re-

establishment of that lease as an operating lease under the New Lease Standard.

The adoption of the New Lease Standard did not materially impact our consolidated statement of operations or our consolidated 

of December 31, 2019:

2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
Thereafter

Total lease payments

Interest

Total lease liabilities

Operating lease
obligations

(in millions)

249
217
167
132
96
273
1,134
(187)
947

$

The following table provides information on the components of our operating and finance leases included in our consolidated 

2018, which were accounted for in accordance with our historical accounting policies. 

The following table provides the schedule of our future minimum payments on our operating leases, as of December 31, 

2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
Thereafter

Total minimum lease payments

Operating lease
obligations

(in millions)

$

$

226
197
157
121
90
197
988

As of December 31, 2019, we had $316 million of additional obligations related to operating leases whose lease term had 
yet to commence and which are therefore not included in our statement of financial position. These leases are primarily related to 
real estate and will commence in various months in 2020 and 2021 with lease terms of 1 year to 11 years.

Location on Statement of Financial Position

December 31, 2019

(in millions)

statement of cash flows.

statement of financial position:

Leases

Assets

ROU operating lease assets

Operating lease assets, net

ROU finance lease assets

Property and equipment, net

Total

Liabilities

Current

Operating lease

Finance lease

Noncurrent

Operating lease

Finance lease

Operating lease liabilities

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

Operating lease liabilities, noncurrent

Other noncurrent liabilities

Total

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

(81)

839

758

191

670

(10)

(95)

756

2

926

16

942

202

11

745

15

973

Our operating lease cost was $264 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 and included $18 million of variable lease 

cost. Our short term lease rental expense was $16 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. Lease interest expense related 

to our finance leases for year ended December 31, 2019 was immaterial.

F-26

F-27

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in millions)
$

152
365
152
126
795

$

$

265
2,106
240
93
2,704

$

$

(6)
(2)
(8)
(2)
(18)

$

$

411
2,469
384
217
3,481

January 1,
2018

Goodwill
Additions and
Adjustments

Foreign Currency
Translation
Adjustments

December
31, 2018

(1) 

See the Business Combinations section in Note 1.

Segment

Financial Services
Healthcare
Products and Resources
Communications, Media and Technology

Total goodwill

Table of Contents  

Table of Contents  

Note 8 — Goodwill and Intangible Assets, net

Note 9 — Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities

Changes in goodwill by our reportable segments were as follows for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018: 

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities were as follows as of December 31:

Segment

January 1,
2019

Goodwill
Additions and
Adjustments

Foreign Currency
Translation
Adjustments

(in millions)

Other(1)

December 31,
2019

Financial Services
Healthcare
Products and Resources
Communications, Media and Technology

Total goodwill

$

$

411
2,469
384
217
3,481

$

$

288
86
18
49
441

$

$

$

(2)
—
1
1
— $

3
40
14
—
57

$

$

700
2,595
417
267
3,979

2019

2018

(in millions)

$

1,239

$

251

8

—

152

137

24

380

1,216

256

25

28

162

110

34

369

Compensation and benefits

Customer volume and other incentives (1)

Derivative financial instruments

FCPA Accrual (2)

Income taxes

Professional fees

Travel and entertainment

Other

(1)  

(2) 

Refer to Note 15.

Note 10 — Debt

Total accrued expenses and other current liabilities

$

2,191

$

2,200

See the Trade Accounts Receivable, Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities section in Note 1.

In 2018, we entered into a Credit Agreement providing for a $750 million Term Loan and a $1,750 million unsecured revolving 

credit facility, which are due to mature in November 2023. We are required under the Credit Agreement to make scheduled quarterly 

The Credit Agreement requires interest to be paid, at our option, at either the ABR or the Eurocurrency Rate (each as defined 

in the Credit Agreement), plus, in each case, an Applicable Margin (as defined in the Credit Agreement). Initially, the Applicable 

Margin is 0.875% with respect to Eurocurrency Rate loans and 0.00% with respect to ABR loans. Subsequently, the Applicable 

Margin with respect to Eurocurrency Rate loans may range from 0.75% to 1.125%, depending on our public debt ratings (or, if 

we  have  not  received  public  debt  ratings,  from 0.875% to 1.125%,  depending  on  our  Leverage  Ratio,  which  is  the  ratio  of 

indebtedness for borrowed money to Consolidated EBITDA, as defined in the Credit Agreement). Under the Credit Agreement, 

we are required to pay commitment fees on the unused portion of the revolving credit facility, which vary based on our public 

debt ratings (or, if we have not received public debt ratings, on the Leverage Ratio). As the interest rates on our Term Loan and 

any notes outstanding under the revolving credit facility are variable, the fair value of our debt balances approximates their carrying 

value as of December 31, 2019 and 2018.

The Credit Agreement contains customary affirmative and negative covenants as well as a financial covenant. The financial 

covenant is tested at the end of each fiscal quarter and requires us to maintain a Leverage Ratio, which is the ratio of indebtedness 

for borrowed money to Consolidated EBITDA, as defined in the Credit Agreement, not in excess of 3.50 to 1.00, or for a period 

of up to four quarters following certain material acquisitions, 3.75 to 1.00. We were in compliance with all debt covenants and 

representations of the Credit Agreement as of December 31, 2019.

Short-term Debt

The following summarizes our short-term debt balances as of December 31:

Term loan - current maturities

$

38

2.6% $

9

3.3%

2019

Weighted Average

Interest Rate

Amount

(in millions)

Amount

(in millions)

2018

Weighted Average

Interest Rate

F-29

Based on our most recent goodwill impairment assessment performed as of October 31, 2019, we concluded that the goodwill 

principal payments on the Term Loan. 

in each of our reporting units was not at risk of impairment. We have not recognized any impairment losses on our goodwill.

Components of intangible assets were as follows as of December 31:

2019

2018

Gross Carrying
Amount

Accumulated
Amortization

Net Carrying
Amount

Gross Carrying
Amount

Accumulated
Amortization

Net Carrying
Amount

$

Customer relationships
Developed technology
Indefinite life trademarks
Other

Total intangible assets

$

1,181
388
72
71
1,712

$

$

(390)
(239)
—
(42)
(671)

$

$

$

(in millions)
791
149
72
29
1,041

$

1,277
355
72
64
1,768

$

$

(398)
(187)
—
(33)
(618)

$

$

879
168
72
31
1,150

Other  than  certain  trademarks  with  indefinite  lives,  our  intangible  assets  have  finite  lives  and,  as  such,  are  subject  to 
amortization. Amortization of intangible assets totaled $162 million for 2019, $151 million for 2018 and $130 million for 2017. 

The following table provides the estimated amortization expense related to our existing intangible assets for the next five 

In 2019, our India subsidiary entered into a 13 billion Indian rupee ($182 million at the December 31, 2019 exchange rate) 

years.

working capital facility, which requires us to repay any balances within 90 days from the date of disbursement. 

Estimated Amortization

(in millions)

144
140
132
90
83

2020
2021
2022
2023
2024

$

F-28

$

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents  

Table of Contents  

Note 8 — Goodwill and Intangible Assets, net

Note 9 — Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities

Changes in goodwill by our reportable segments were as follows for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018: 

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities were as follows as of December 31:

Segment

Financial Services

Healthcare

Products and Resources

Communications, Media and Technology

January 1,

2019

Goodwill

Additions and

Adjustments

Foreign Currency

Translation

Adjustments

(in millions)

Other(1)

December 31,

2019

$

$

288

$

$

$

411

2,469

384

217

86

18

49

(2)

—

1

1

3

40

14

—

57

700

2,595

417

267

Total goodwill

$

3,481

$

441

$

— $

$

3,979

(1) 

See the Business Combinations section in Note 1.

Segment

Financial Services

Healthcare

Products and Resources

Communications, Media and Technology

Total goodwill

January 1,

2018

Goodwill

Additions and

Adjustments

Foreign Currency

Translation

Adjustments

December

31, 2018

$

$

265

2,106

240

93

$

2,704

$

(in millions)

152

365

152

126

795

$

$

$

(6)

(2)

(8)

(2)

411

2,469

384

217

(18)

$

3,481

Based on our most recent goodwill impairment assessment performed as of October 31, 2019, we concluded that the goodwill 

in each of our reporting units was not at risk of impairment. We have not recognized any impairment losses on our goodwill.

Components of intangible assets were as follows as of December 31:

2019

2018

Gross Carrying

Amount

Accumulated

Amortization

Net Carrying

Amount

Gross Carrying

Amount

Accumulated

Amortization

Net Carrying

Amount

Customer relationships

$

1,181

$

$

$

1,277

$

$

Developed technology

Indefinite life trademarks

Other

388

72

71

(390)

(239)

—

(42)

(in millions)

791

149

72

29

355

72

64

(398)

(187)

—

(33)

879

168

72

31

Total intangible assets

$

1,712

$

(671)

$

1,041

$

1,768

$

(618)

$

1,150

Other  than  certain  trademarks  with  indefinite  lives,  our  intangible  assets  have  finite  lives  and,  as  such,  are  subject  to 

amortization. Amortization of intangible assets totaled $162 million for 2019, $151 million for 2018 and $130 million for 2017. 

Compensation and benefits
Customer volume and other incentives (1)
Derivative financial instruments
FCPA Accrual (2)
Income taxes

Professional fees

Travel and entertainment

Other

2019

2018

(in millions)

$

1,239

$

251

8
—

152

137

24

380

1,216

256

25
28

162

110

34

369

Total accrued expenses and other current liabilities

$

2,191

$

2,200

(1)  
(2) 

See the Trade Accounts Receivable, Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities section in Note 1.
Refer to Note 15.

Note 10 — Debt

In 2018, we entered into a Credit Agreement providing for a $750 million Term Loan and a $1,750 million unsecured revolving 
credit facility, which are due to mature in November 2023. We are required under the Credit Agreement to make scheduled quarterly 
principal payments on the Term Loan. 

The Credit Agreement requires interest to be paid, at our option, at either the ABR or the Eurocurrency Rate (each as defined 
in the Credit Agreement), plus, in each case, an Applicable Margin (as defined in the Credit Agreement). Initially, the Applicable 
Margin is 0.875% with respect to Eurocurrency Rate loans and 0.00% with respect to ABR loans. Subsequently, the Applicable 
Margin with respect to Eurocurrency Rate loans may range from 0.75% to 1.125%, depending on our public debt ratings (or, if 
we  have  not  received  public  debt  ratings,  from 0.875% to 1.125%,  depending  on  our  Leverage  Ratio,  which  is  the  ratio  of 
indebtedness for borrowed money to Consolidated EBITDA, as defined in the Credit Agreement). Under the Credit Agreement, 
we are required to pay commitment fees on the unused portion of the revolving credit facility, which vary based on our public 
debt ratings (or, if we have not received public debt ratings, on the Leverage Ratio). As the interest rates on our Term Loan and 
any notes outstanding under the revolving credit facility are variable, the fair value of our debt balances approximates their carrying 
value as of December 31, 2019 and 2018.

The Credit Agreement contains customary affirmative and negative covenants as well as a financial covenant. The financial 
covenant is tested at the end of each fiscal quarter and requires us to maintain a Leverage Ratio, which is the ratio of indebtedness 
for borrowed money to Consolidated EBITDA, as defined in the Credit Agreement, not in excess of 3.50 to 1.00, or for a period 
of up to four quarters following certain material acquisitions, 3.75 to 1.00. We were in compliance with all debt covenants and 
representations of the Credit Agreement as of December 31, 2019.

The following table provides the estimated amortization expense related to our existing intangible assets for the next five 

In 2019, our India subsidiary entered into a 13 billion Indian rupee ($182 million at the December 31, 2019 exchange rate) 

years.

working capital facility, which requires us to repay any balances within 90 days from the date of disbursement. 

Estimated Amortization

(in millions)

$

144

140

132

90

83

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

Short-term Debt

The following summarizes our short-term debt balances as of December 31:

Term loan - current maturities

$

38

2.6% $

9

3.3%

2019

Weighted Average
Interest Rate

Amount

(in millions)

Amount

(in millions)

2018

Weighted Average
Interest Rate

F-28

F-29

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents  

Long-term Debt

The following summarizes our long-term debt balances as of December 31:

Term loan
Less:

Current maturities
Deferred financing costs

Long-term debt, net of current maturities

The following represents the schedule of maturities of our term loan:

2019

2018

(in millions)
741

$

(38)
(3)
700

$

750

(9)
(5)
736

$

$

Year

2020
2021
2022
2023

Amounts
(in millions)

38
38
38
627
741

$

$

Note 11 — Income Taxes

Income before provision for income taxes shown below is based on the geographic location to which such income was 

attributed for years ended December 31: 

2019

2018

2017

United States
Foreign

Income before provision for income taxes

$

$

931
1,612
2,543

(in millions)
947
$
1,850
2,797

$

The provision for income taxes consisted of the following components for the years ended December 31:

Current:

Federal and state
Foreign

Total current provision

Deferred:

Federal and state
Foreign

Total deferred (benefit) provision
Total provision for income taxes

2019

2018

(in millions)

$

$

549
400
949

(320)
14
(306)
643

$

$

241
449
690

1
7
8
698

$

$

$

$

810
1,845
2,655

2017

767
262
1,029

102
22
124
1,153

We  are  involved  in  an  ongoing  dispute  with  the  ITD  in  connection  with  a  previously  disclosed  2016  share  repurchase 
transaction undertaken by CTS India to repurchase shares from its shareholders (non-Indian Cognizant entities) valued at $2.8 
billion. As a result of that transaction, which was undertaken pursuant to a plan approved by the Court in Chennai, India, we 
previously  paid  $135  million  in  Indian  income  taxes  -  an  amount  we  believe  includes  all  the  applicable  taxes  owed  for  this 
transaction under Indian law. In March 2018, we received a communication from the ITD asserting that the ITD is owed an 
additional 33 billion Indian rupees ($463 million at the December 31, 2019 exchange rate) on the 2016 transaction. Immediately 
thereafter, the ITD placed an attachment on certain of our India bank accounts. In addition to the dispute on the 2016 transaction, 
we are also involved in another ongoing dispute with the ITD relating to a 2013 transaction undertaken by CTS India to repurchase 
shares from its shareholders valued at $523 million (the two disputes collectively referred to as the "ITD Dispute").

Table of Contents  

In April 2018, the Court admitted our writ petition for a stay of the actions of the ITD and lifted the ITD’s attachment on 

our bank accounts. As part of the interim stay order, we deposited 5 billion Indian rupees ($70 million at the December 31, 2019

exchange rate and $71 million at the December 31, 2018 exchange rate) representing 15% of the disputed tax amount related to 

the 2016 transaction, with the ITD. These amounts are presented in "Other current assets" in our consolidated statements of financial 

position. In addition, the Court also placed a lien on certain time deposits of CTS India in the amount of 28 billion Indian rupees 

($393 million at the December 31, 2019 exchange rate and $404 million at the December 31, 2018 exchange rate), which is the 

remainder of the disputed tax amount related to the 2016 transaction. The affected time deposits are considered restricted assets 

and we have reported them in “Short-term investments” in our consolidated statements of financial position. As of December 31, 

2019 and 2018, the restricted time deposits balance was $414 million and $423 million, respectively, including a portion of the 

interest previously earned on such deposits.

In June 2019, the Court dismissed our previously admitted writ petitions on the ITD Dispute, holding that the Company 

must exhaust other remedies, such as pursuing the matter before other appellate bodies, for resolution of the ITD Dispute prior to 

intervention by the Court. The Court did not issue a ruling on the substantive issue of whether we owe additional tax as a result 

of either the 2016 or the 2013 transaction. In July 2019, we appealed the Court’s orders before the Division Bench. In September 

2019, the Division Bench partly allowed the Company’s appeal, but did not issue a ruling on the substantive issue of the tax 

implications of the transactions. In October 2019, we filed a SLP before the Supreme Court of India. The Supreme Court has 

scheduled the next hearing on the SLP at the end of February 2020 and has instructed the ITD to maintain status quo until a ruling 

is issued.

ended December 31:

We believe we have paid all applicable taxes owed on both the 2016 and the 2013 transactions. Accordingly, we have not 

recorded any reserves for these matters as of December 31, 2019.

The reconciliation between our effective income tax rate and the U.S. federal statutory rate were as follows for the years 

Tax expense, at U.S. federal statutory rate

$

534

21.0

$

587

21.0

$

929

35.0

2019

%

2018

%

2017

%

(Dollars in millions)

State and local income taxes, net of federal

benefit

Non-taxable income for Indian tax purposes

Rate differential on foreign earnings

Net impact related to the implementation of the

Tax Reform Act

Net impact related to the India Tax Law

Recognition of previously unrecognized income

tax benefits related to uncertain tax positions

Credits and other incentives

Other

59

(90)

145

—

21

—

(57)

31

643

2.3

(3.5)

5.7

0.0

0.8

0.0

(2.2)

1.2

25.3

56

(146)

206

(5)

—

(12)

(19)

31

698

2.0

(5.2)

7.4

(0.2)

—

(0.4)

(0.7)

1.1

25.0

39

(216)

(76)

617

—

(73)

(37)

(30)

1.5

(8.2)

(2.9)

23.2

—

(2.7)

(1.4)

(1.1)

43.4

Total provision for income taxes

$

$

$

1,153

F-30

F-31

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents  

Long-term Debt

The following summarizes our long-term debt balances as of December 31:

Term loan

Less:

Current maturities

Deferred financing costs

Long-term debt, net of current maturities

The following represents the schedule of maturities of our term loan:

2019

2018

(in millions)

741

$

(38)

(3)

700

$

750

(9)

(5)

736

$

$

Year

2020

2021

2022

2023

Amounts

(in millions)

38

38

38

627

741

$

$

Income before provision for income taxes shown below is based on the geographic location to which such income was 

Table of Contents  

In April 2018, the Court admitted our writ petition for a stay of the actions of the ITD and lifted the ITD’s attachment on 
our bank accounts. As part of the interim stay order, we deposited 5 billion Indian rupees ($70 million at the December 31, 2019
exchange rate and $71 million at the December 31, 2018 exchange rate) representing 15% of the disputed tax amount related to 
the 2016 transaction, with the ITD. These amounts are presented in "Other current assets" in our consolidated statements of financial 
position. In addition, the Court also placed a lien on certain time deposits of CTS India in the amount of 28 billion Indian rupees 
($393 million at the December 31, 2019 exchange rate and $404 million at the December 31, 2018 exchange rate), which is the 
remainder of the disputed tax amount related to the 2016 transaction. The affected time deposits are considered restricted assets 
and we have reported them in “Short-term investments” in our consolidated statements of financial position. As of December 31, 
2019 and 2018, the restricted time deposits balance was $414 million and $423 million, respectively, including a portion of the 
interest previously earned on such deposits.

In June 2019, the Court dismissed our previously admitted writ petitions on the ITD Dispute, holding that the Company 
must exhaust other remedies, such as pursuing the matter before other appellate bodies, for resolution of the ITD Dispute prior to 
intervention by the Court. The Court did not issue a ruling on the substantive issue of whether we owe additional tax as a result 
of either the 2016 or the 2013 transaction. In July 2019, we appealed the Court’s orders before the Division Bench. In September 
2019, the Division Bench partly allowed the Company’s appeal, but did not issue a ruling on the substantive issue of the tax 
implications of the transactions. In October 2019, we filed a SLP before the Supreme Court of India. The Supreme Court has 
scheduled the next hearing on the SLP at the end of February 2020 and has instructed the ITD to maintain status quo until a ruling 
is issued.

We believe we have paid all applicable taxes owed on both the 2016 and the 2013 transactions. Accordingly, we have not 

recorded any reserves for these matters as of December 31, 2019.

The reconciliation between our effective income tax rate and the U.S. federal statutory rate were as follows for the years 

ended December 31:

Tax expense, at U.S. federal statutory rate
State and local income taxes, net of federal

benefit

Non-taxable income for Indian tax purposes
Rate differential on foreign earnings
Net impact related to the implementation of the

Tax Reform Act

Net impact related to the India Tax Law
Recognition of previously unrecognized income
tax benefits related to uncertain tax positions

Credits and other incentives
Other

Total provision for income taxes

$

2019

%

2018

%

2017

%

$

534

21.0

$

587

21.0

$

929

35.0

(Dollars in millions)

59
(90)
145

—
21

—
(57)
31
643

2.3
(3.5)
5.7

0.0
0.8

0.0
(2.2)
1.2
25.3

$

56
(146)
206

(5)
—

(12)
(19)
31
698

2.0
(5.2)
7.4

(0.2)
—

(0.4)
(0.7)
1.1
25.0

$

39
(216)
(76)

617
—

(73)
(37)
(30)
1,153

1.5
(8.2)
(2.9)

23.2
—

(2.7)
(1.4)
(1.1)
43.4

The provision for income taxes consisted of the following components for the years ended December 31:

Note 11 — Income Taxes

attributed for years ended December 31: 

United States

Foreign

Income before provision for income taxes

Current:

Federal and state

Foreign

Deferred:

Federal and state

Foreign

Total current provision

Total deferred (benefit) provision

Total provision for income taxes

2019

2018

2017

931

1,612

2,543

(in millions)

947

1,850

2,797

2019

2018

2017

(in millions)

$

$

$

549

400

949

(320)

14

(306)

643

241

449

690

1

7

8

$

$

$

810

1,845

2,655

767

262

1,029

102

22

124

$

698

$

1,153

$

$

$

$

We  are  involved  in  an  ongoing  dispute  with  the  ITD  in  connection  with  a  previously  disclosed  2016  share  repurchase 

transaction undertaken by CTS India to repurchase shares from its shareholders (non-Indian Cognizant entities) valued at $2.8 

billion. As a result of that transaction, which was undertaken pursuant to a plan approved by the Court in Chennai, India, we 

previously  paid  $135  million  in  Indian  income  taxes  -  an  amount  we  believe  includes  all  the  applicable  taxes  owed  for  this 

transaction under Indian law. In March 2018, we received a communication from the ITD asserting that the ITD is owed an 

additional 33 billion Indian rupees ($463 million at the December 31, 2019 exchange rate) on the 2016 transaction. Immediately 

thereafter, the ITD placed an attachment on certain of our India bank accounts. In addition to the dispute on the 2016 transaction, 

we are also involved in another ongoing dispute with the ITD relating to a 2013 transaction undertaken by CTS India to repurchase 

shares from its shareholders valued at $523 million (the two disputes collectively referred to as the "ITD Dispute").

F-30

F-31

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents  

Table of Contents  

The significant components of deferred income tax assets and liabilities recorded on the consolidated statements of financial 

We conduct business globally and file income tax returns in the United States, including federal and state, as well as various 

position were as follows as of December 31: 

Deferred income tax assets:
Net operating losses
Revenue recognition
Compensation and benefits
MAT and credit carryforwards
Expenses not currently deductible

Less: valuation allowance

Deferred income tax assets, net

Deferred income tax liabilities:

Depreciation and amortization
Deferred costs
Other

Deferred income tax liabilities
Net deferred income tax assets

2019

2018

(in millions)

$

$

27
39
171
307
352
896
(24)
872

187
110
25
322
550

$

$

13
51
150
340
60
614
(11)
603

256
79
9
344
259

At December 31, 2019, we had foreign and U.S. net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $39 million and $80 
million, respectively. We have recorded valuation allowances on certain net operating loss carryforwards. As of December 31, 
2019 and 2018, deferred income tax assets related to the MAT carryforwards were $176 million and $228 million, respectively. 
The calculation of the MAT includes all profits realized by our Indian subsidiaries and any MAT paid is creditable against future 
corporate income tax, subject to certain limitations. Our existing MAT carryforwards expire between March 2024 and March 2032 
and we expect to fully utilize them within the applicable expiration periods of 15 years.

Our Indian subsidiaries are primarily export-oriented and are eligible for certain income tax holiday benefits granted by the 
government of India for export activities conducted within SEZs for periods of up to 15 years. Our SEZ income tax holiday benefits 
are currently scheduled to expire in whole or in part through the year 2028 and may be extended on a limited basis for an additional 
five years per unit if certain reinvestment criteria are met. Our Indian profits ineligible for SEZ benefits are subject to corporate 
income tax at the rate of 34.94%. In addition, all Indian profits, including those generated within SEZs, are subject to the MAT.  
The current rate of MAT for the India fiscal years starting on or after April 1, 2019 is 17.47%. For the years ended December 31, 
2019, 2018 and 2017, the effect of the income tax holidays granted by the Indian government was to reduce the overall income 
tax provision and increase net income by $90 million, $146 million and $217 million, respectively, and increase diluted EPS by 
$0.16, $0.25 and $0.36, respectively. 

In December 2019, the Government of India enacted the India Tax Law effective retroactively to April 1, 2019 that enables 
Indian companies to elect to be taxed at a lower income tax rate of 25.17%, as compared to the current income tax rate of 34.94%. 
Once a company elects into the lower income tax rate, a company may not benefit from any tax holidays associated with SEZs 
and certain other tax incentives, including MAT carryforwards, and may not reverse its election.

Our current intent is to elect into the new tax regime once our MAT carryforwards are fully or substantially utilized. While 
our existing MAT carryforwards expire between March 2024 and March 2032, we expect to fully or substantially utilize our 
existing MAT carryforwards in or after the India financial year starting April 1, 2022. Our intent is based on a number of assumptions 
and financial projections. An election into the new tax law regime prior to utilization of our MAT carryforwards will result in a 
write-off of any remaining deferred income tax assets relating to the MAT carryforwards. As a result of the enactment of the India 
Tax Law, we recorded a one-time net income tax expense of $21 million due to the revaluation to the lower income tax rate of our 
India net deferred income tax assets that are expected to reverse after we elect into the new tax regime. 

We consider our earnings in India to be indefinitely reinvested, which is consistent with our ongoing strategy to expand our 
Indian operations, including through infrastructure investments. As of December 31, 2019, the amount of unrepatriated Indian 
earnings was approximately $5,242 million. If all of our accumulated unrepatriated Indian earnings were to be repatriated, based 
on our current interpretation of India tax law, we estimate that we would incur an additional income tax expense of approximately 
$1,101 million. This estimate is subject to change based on tax legislation developments in India and other jurisdictions as well 
as judicial and interpretive developments of applicable tax laws. 

foreign jurisdictions. Tax years that remain subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service are 2012 and onward, and 

years that remain subject to examination by state authorities vary by state. Years under examination by foreign tax authorities are 

2001 and onward. In addition, transactions between our affiliated entities are arranged in accordance with applicable transfer 

pricing laws, regulations and relevant guidelines. As a result, and due to the interpretive nature of certain aspects of these laws 

and guidelines, we have pending applications for APAs before the taxing authorities in some of our most significant jurisdictions.

We record incremental tax expense, based upon the more-likely-than-not standard, for any uncertain tax positions. In addition, 

when applicable, we adjust the previously recorded income tax expense to reflect examination results when the position is effectively 

settled or otherwise resolved. Our ongoing evaluations of the more-likely-than-not outcomes of the examinations and related tax 

positions require judgment and can result in adjustments that increase or decrease our effective income tax rate, as well as impact 

our operating results. The specific timing of when the resolution of each tax position will be reached is uncertain.

Changes in unrecognized income tax benefits were as follows for the years ended December 31: 

Balance, beginning of year

Additions based on tax positions related to the current year

Additions for tax positions of prior years

Additions for tax positions of acquired subsidiaries

Reductions for tax positions due to lapse of statutes of limitations

Reductions for tax positions of prior years

Settlements

Foreign currency exchange movement

Balance, end of year

2019

2018

2017

(in millions)

$

117

$

$

151

22

14

—

—

(1)

—

—

97

8

19

6

(12)

—

—

(1)

117

$

152

$

$

17

2

—

(41)

(32)

—

—

97

At December 31, 2019, the unrecognized income tax benefits would affect our effective income tax rate, if recognized. 

While the Company believes uncertain tax positions may be settled or resolved within the next twelve months, it is difficult to 

estimate the income tax impact of these potential resolutions at this time. We recognize accrued interest and any penalties associated 

with  uncertain  tax  positions  as  part  of  our  provision  for  income  taxes. The  total  amount  of  accrued  interest  and  penalties  at 

December 31, 2019 and 2018 was approximately $16 million and $11 million, respectively, and relates to U.S. and foreign tax 

matters. The amounts of interest and penalties recorded in the provision for income taxes in 2019, 2018 and 2017 were immaterial. 

Note 12 — Derivative Financial Instruments

In the normal course of business, we use foreign exchange forward contracts to manage foreign currency exchange rate risk. 

The estimated fair value of the foreign exchange forward contracts considers the following items: discount rate, timing and amount 

of  cash  flow  and  counterparty  credit  risk.  Derivatives  may  give  rise  to  credit  risks  from  the  possible  non-performance  by 

counterparties. Credit risk is limited to the fair value of those contracts that are favorable to us. We have limited our credit risk by 

entering into derivative transactions only with highly-rated financial institutions, limiting the amount of credit exposure with any 

one financial institution and conducting ongoing evaluation of the creditworthiness of the financial institutions with which we do 

business. In addition, all the assets and liabilities related to our foreign exchange forward contracts set forth in the below table are 

subject to master netting arrangements, such as the ISDA, with each individual counterparty. These master netting arrangements 

generally provide for net settlement of all outstanding contracts with the counterparty in the case of an event of default or a 

termination event. We have presented all the assets and liabilities related to our foreign exchange forward contracts on a gross 

basis, with no offsets, in our consolidated statements of financial position. There is no financial collateral (including cash collateral) 

posted or received by us related to our foreign exchange forward contracts.

F-32

F-33

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents  

Table of Contents  

The significant components of deferred income tax assets and liabilities recorded on the consolidated statements of financial 

position were as follows as of December 31: 

Deferred income tax assets:

Net operating losses

Revenue recognition

Compensation and benefits

MAT and credit carryforwards

Expenses not currently deductible

Less: valuation allowance

Deferred income tax assets, net

Deferred income tax liabilities:

Depreciation and amortization

Deferred costs

Other

Deferred income tax liabilities

Net deferred income tax assets

2019

2018

(in millions)

$

$

27

39

171

307

352

896

(24)

872

187

110

25

322

550

13

51

150

340

60

614

(11)

603

256

79

9

344

259

$

$

At December 31, 2019, we had foreign and U.S. net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $39 million and $80 

million, respectively. We have recorded valuation allowances on certain net operating loss carryforwards. As of December 31, 

2019 and 2018, deferred income tax assets related to the MAT carryforwards were $176 million and $228 million, respectively. 

The calculation of the MAT includes all profits realized by our Indian subsidiaries and any MAT paid is creditable against future 

corporate income tax, subject to certain limitations. Our existing MAT carryforwards expire between March 2024 and March 2032 

and we expect to fully utilize them within the applicable expiration periods of 15 years.

Our Indian subsidiaries are primarily export-oriented and are eligible for certain income tax holiday benefits granted by the 

government of India for export activities conducted within SEZs for periods of up to 15 years. Our SEZ income tax holiday benefits 

are currently scheduled to expire in whole or in part through the year 2028 and may be extended on a limited basis for an additional 

five years per unit if certain reinvestment criteria are met. Our Indian profits ineligible for SEZ benefits are subject to corporate 

income tax at the rate of 34.94%. In addition, all Indian profits, including those generated within SEZs, are subject to the MAT.  

The current rate of MAT for the India fiscal years starting on or after April 1, 2019 is 17.47%. For the years ended December 31, 

2019, 2018 and 2017, the effect of the income tax holidays granted by the Indian government was to reduce the overall income 

tax provision and increase net income by $90 million, $146 million and $217 million, respectively, and increase diluted EPS by 

$0.16, $0.25 and $0.36, respectively. 

In December 2019, the Government of India enacted the India Tax Law effective retroactively to April 1, 2019 that enables 

Indian companies to elect to be taxed at a lower income tax rate of 25.17%, as compared to the current income tax rate of 34.94%. 

Once a company elects into the lower income tax rate, a company may not benefit from any tax holidays associated with SEZs 

and certain other tax incentives, including MAT carryforwards, and may not reverse its election.

Our current intent is to elect into the new tax regime once our MAT carryforwards are fully or substantially utilized. While 

our existing MAT carryforwards expire between March 2024 and March 2032, we expect to fully or substantially utilize our 

existing MAT carryforwards in or after the India financial year starting April 1, 2022. Our intent is based on a number of assumptions 

and financial projections. An election into the new tax law regime prior to utilization of our MAT carryforwards will result in a 

write-off of any remaining deferred income tax assets relating to the MAT carryforwards. As a result of the enactment of the India 

Tax Law, we recorded a one-time net income tax expense of $21 million due to the revaluation to the lower income tax rate of our 

India net deferred income tax assets that are expected to reverse after we elect into the new tax regime. 

We consider our earnings in India to be indefinitely reinvested, which is consistent with our ongoing strategy to expand our 

Indian operations, including through infrastructure investments. As of December 31, 2019, the amount of unrepatriated Indian 

earnings was approximately $5,242 million. If all of our accumulated unrepatriated Indian earnings were to be repatriated, based 

on our current interpretation of India tax law, we estimate that we would incur an additional income tax expense of approximately 

$1,101 million. This estimate is subject to change based on tax legislation developments in India and other jurisdictions as well 

as judicial and interpretive developments of applicable tax laws. 

We conduct business globally and file income tax returns in the United States, including federal and state, as well as various 
foreign jurisdictions. Tax years that remain subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service are 2012 and onward, and 
years that remain subject to examination by state authorities vary by state. Years under examination by foreign tax authorities are 
2001 and onward. In addition, transactions between our affiliated entities are arranged in accordance with applicable transfer 
pricing laws, regulations and relevant guidelines. As a result, and due to the interpretive nature of certain aspects of these laws 
and guidelines, we have pending applications for APAs before the taxing authorities in some of our most significant jurisdictions.

We record incremental tax expense, based upon the more-likely-than-not standard, for any uncertain tax positions. In addition, 
when applicable, we adjust the previously recorded income tax expense to reflect examination results when the position is effectively 
settled or otherwise resolved. Our ongoing evaluations of the more-likely-than-not outcomes of the examinations and related tax 
positions require judgment and can result in adjustments that increase or decrease our effective income tax rate, as well as impact 
our operating results. The specific timing of when the resolution of each tax position will be reached is uncertain.

Changes in unrecognized income tax benefits were as follows for the years ended December 31: 

Balance, beginning of year

Additions based on tax positions related to the current year
Additions for tax positions of prior years
Additions for tax positions of acquired subsidiaries
Reductions for tax positions due to lapse of statutes of limitations
Reductions for tax positions of prior years
Settlements
Foreign currency exchange movement

Balance, end of year

2019

2018

2017

(in millions)
97
$
8
19
6
(12)
—
—
(1)
117

$

$

$

117
22
14
—
—
(1)
—
—
152

$

$

151
17
2
—
(41)
(32)
—
—
97

At December 31, 2019, the unrecognized income tax benefits would affect our effective income tax rate, if recognized. 
While the Company believes uncertain tax positions may be settled or resolved within the next twelve months, it is difficult to 
estimate the income tax impact of these potential resolutions at this time. We recognize accrued interest and any penalties associated 
with  uncertain  tax  positions  as  part  of  our  provision  for  income  taxes. The  total  amount  of  accrued  interest  and  penalties  at 
December 31, 2019 and 2018 was approximately $16 million and $11 million, respectively, and relates to U.S. and foreign tax 
matters. The amounts of interest and penalties recorded in the provision for income taxes in 2019, 2018 and 2017 were immaterial. 

Note 12 — Derivative Financial Instruments

In the normal course of business, we use foreign exchange forward contracts to manage foreign currency exchange rate risk. 
The estimated fair value of the foreign exchange forward contracts considers the following items: discount rate, timing and amount 
of  cash  flow  and  counterparty  credit  risk.  Derivatives  may  give  rise  to  credit  risks  from  the  possible  non-performance  by 
counterparties. Credit risk is limited to the fair value of those contracts that are favorable to us. We have limited our credit risk by 
entering into derivative transactions only with highly-rated financial institutions, limiting the amount of credit exposure with any 
one financial institution and conducting ongoing evaluation of the creditworthiness of the financial institutions with which we do 
business. In addition, all the assets and liabilities related to our foreign exchange forward contracts set forth in the below table are 
subject to master netting arrangements, such as the ISDA, with each individual counterparty. These master netting arrangements 
generally provide for net settlement of all outstanding contracts with the counterparty in the case of an event of default or a 
termination event. We have presented all the assets and liabilities related to our foreign exchange forward contracts on a gross 
basis, with no offsets, in our consolidated statements of financial position. There is no financial collateral (including cash collateral) 
posted or received by us related to our foreign exchange forward contracts.

F-32

F-33

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents  

Table of Contents  

The following table provides information on the location and fair values of derivative financial instruments included in our 

The following table provides information on the location and amounts of pre-tax gains and losses on our cash flow hedges 

consolidated statements of financial position as of December 31:

for the year ended December 31:

Designation of Derivatives

Location on Statement of
Financial Position

2019

2018

Assets

Liabilities

Assets

Liabilities

(in millions)

Foreign exchange forward contracts -
Designated as cash flow hedging
instruments

Foreign exchange forward contracts -

Not designated as cash flow hedging
instruments

Total

Cash Flow Hedges

Other current assets
Other noncurrent assets
Accrued expenses and

other current liabilities
Other noncurrent liabilities

Total

Other current assets
Accrued expenses and

other current liabilities

Total

$

$

32
8

—
—
40

3

—
3
43

$

— $
—

7
2
9

—

1
1
10

$

$

11
15

—
—
26

1

—
1
27

$

$

—
—

21
9
30

—

4
4
34

We have entered into a series of foreign exchange forward contracts that are designated as cash flow hedges of Indian rupee 
denominated payments in India. These contracts are intended to partially offset the impact of movement of exchange rates on 
future operating costs and are scheduled to mature each month during 2020 and 2021. Under these contracts, we purchase Indian 
rupees and sell U.S. dollars. The changes in fair value of these contracts are initially reported in the caption "Accumulated other 
comprehensive income (loss)" in our consolidated statements of financial position and are subsequently reclassified to earnings 
in the same period the forecasted Indian rupee denominated payments are recorded in earnings. As of December 31, 2019, we 
estimate that $21 million, net of tax, of the net gains related to derivatives designated as cash flow hedges reported in the caption 
"Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)" in our consolidated statements of financial position is expected to be reclassified 
into earnings within the next 12 months.

The notional value of our outstanding contracts by year of maturity and the net unrealized gains and losses included in the 
caption "Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)" in our consolidated statements of financial position, for such contracts 
were as follows as of December 31:

2019

2018

Foreign exchange forward

contracts - Designated as cash

flow hedging instruments

Derivative Gains/Losses 

Change in

Recognized

in Accumulated Other

Comprehensive Income (Loss)

(effective portion)

2019

2018

Location of Net Derivative

Gains Reclassified

from Accumulated Other

Comprehensive Income (Loss)

into Income

(effective portion)

(in millions)

Net Gains Reclassified

from Accumulated Other

Comprehensive Income (Loss)

into Income

(effective portion)

2019

2018

$

39

$

(87)

Cost of revenues

Selling, general and

administrative expenses

Total

$

$

3

1

4

$

$

61

10

71

The activity related to the change in net unrealized gains and losses on our cash flow hedges included in "Accumulated other 

comprehensive income (loss)" in our consolidated statements of stockholders equity is presented in Note 14.

Other Derivatives

We use foreign exchange forward contracts to provide an economic hedge against balance sheet exposures to certain monetary 

assets and liabilities denominated in currencies, other than the functional currency of our foreign subsidiaries, primarily the Indian 

rupee, British pound and Euro. We entered into a series of foreign exchange forward contracts that are scheduled to mature in 

2020. Realized gains or losses and changes in the estimated fair value of these derivative financial instruments are recorded in the 

caption "Foreign currency exchange gains (losses), net" in our consolidated statements of operations.

Additional information related to our outstanding foreign exchange forward contracts not designated as hedging instruments 

was as follows as of December 31:

2019

2018

Notional

Market Value

Notional

Market Value

Contracts outstanding

$

702

$

507

$

(3)

(in millions)

2

$

The following table provides information on the location and amounts of realized and unrealized pre-tax gains on our other 

derivative financial instruments for the year ended December 31: 

Foreign exchange forward contracts - Not designated as hedging

instruments

Foreign currency exchange

gains (losses), net

$

8

$

31

Location of Net Gains

on Derivative Instruments

Amount of Net Gains 

on Derivative Instruments

2019

2018

(in millions)

Note 13 — Fair Value Measurements

We measure our cash equivalents, certain investments, contingent consideration liabilities and foreign exchange forward 

contracts at fair value. The authoritative guidance defines fair value as the exit price, or the amount that would be received to sell 

an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants as of the measurement date. The 

authoritative guidance also establishes a fair value hierarchy that is intended to increase consistency and comparability in fair 

value measurements and related disclosures. The fair value hierarchy is based on inputs to valuation techniques that are used to 

measure fair value that are either observable or unobservable. Observable inputs reflect assumptions market participants would 

use in pricing an asset or liability based on market data obtained from independent sources while unobservable inputs reflect a 

reporting entity’s pricing based upon their own market assumptions.

Upon settlement or maturity of the cash flow hedge contracts, we record the related gains or losses, based on our designation 
at the commencement of the contract, with the related hedged Indian rupee denominated expense reported within the caption "Cost 
of revenues" and "Selling, general and administrative expenses" in our consolidated statements of operations.

F-34

F-35

2019
2020
2021
Total notional value of contracts outstanding
Net unrealized gains (losses) included in accumulated other comprehensive income

(loss), net of taxes

$

$

$

26

$

(3)

The related cash flow impacts of all of our derivative activities are reflected as cash flows from operating activities.

(in millions)
—
1,505
883
2,388

1,388
780
—
2,168

$

$

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Designation of Derivatives

Assets

Liabilities

Assets

Liabilities

Location on Statement of

Financial Position

2019

2018

(in millions)

Foreign exchange forward contracts -

Designated as cash flow hedging

instruments

Other current assets

$

$

— $

$

Other noncurrent assets

Accrued expenses and

other current liabilities

Other noncurrent liabilities

Total

Other current assets

Accrued expenses and

other current liabilities

Total

32

8

—

—

40

3

—

3

43

—

7

2

9

—

1

1

10

11

15

—

—

26

1

—

1

27

—

—

21

9

30

—

4

4

34

Foreign exchange forward contracts -

Not designated as cash flow hedging

instruments

Total

Cash Flow Hedges

We have entered into a series of foreign exchange forward contracts that are designated as cash flow hedges of Indian rupee 

denominated payments in India. These contracts are intended to partially offset the impact of movement of exchange rates on 

future operating costs and are scheduled to mature each month during 2020 and 2021. Under these contracts, we purchase Indian 

rupees and sell U.S. dollars. The changes in fair value of these contracts are initially reported in the caption "Accumulated other 

comprehensive income (loss)" in our consolidated statements of financial position and are subsequently reclassified to earnings 

in the same period the forecasted Indian rupee denominated payments are recorded in earnings. As of December 31, 2019, we 

estimate that $21 million, net of tax, of the net gains related to derivatives designated as cash flow hedges reported in the caption 

"Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)" in our consolidated statements of financial position is expected to be reclassified 

into earnings within the next 12 months.

The notional value of our outstanding contracts by year of maturity and the net unrealized gains and losses included in the 

caption "Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)" in our consolidated statements of financial position, for such contracts 

were as follows as of December 31:

2019

2020

2021

Total notional value of contracts outstanding

Net unrealized gains (losses) included in accumulated other comprehensive income

(loss), net of taxes

2019

2018

(in millions)

$

$

$

—

1,505

883

2,388

26

$

$

$

1,388

780

—

2,168

(3)

Upon settlement or maturity of the cash flow hedge contracts, we record the related gains or losses, based on our designation 

at the commencement of the contract, with the related hedged Indian rupee denominated expense reported within the caption "Cost 

of revenues" and "Selling, general and administrative expenses" in our consolidated statements of operations.

Table of Contents  

Table of Contents  

The following table provides information on the location and fair values of derivative financial instruments included in our 

The following table provides information on the location and amounts of pre-tax gains and losses on our cash flow hedges 

consolidated statements of financial position as of December 31:

for the year ended December 31:

Change in
Derivative Gains/Losses 
Recognized
in Accumulated Other
Comprehensive Income (Loss)
(effective portion)

2019

2018

Location of Net Derivative
Gains Reclassified
from Accumulated Other
Comprehensive Income (Loss)
into Income
(effective portion)

(in millions)

Net Gains Reclassified
from Accumulated Other
Comprehensive Income (Loss)
into Income
(effective portion)

2019

2018

Foreign exchange forward

contracts - Designated as cash
flow hedging instruments

$

39

$

(87)

Cost of revenues

Selling, general and

administrative expenses

Total

$

$

3

1

4

$

$

61

10

71

The activity related to the change in net unrealized gains and losses on our cash flow hedges included in "Accumulated other 

comprehensive income (loss)" in our consolidated statements of stockholders equity is presented in Note 14.

$

$

$

$

Other Derivatives

We use foreign exchange forward contracts to provide an economic hedge against balance sheet exposures to certain monetary 
assets and liabilities denominated in currencies, other than the functional currency of our foreign subsidiaries, primarily the Indian 
rupee, British pound and Euro. We entered into a series of foreign exchange forward contracts that are scheduled to mature in 
2020. Realized gains or losses and changes in the estimated fair value of these derivative financial instruments are recorded in the 
caption "Foreign currency exchange gains (losses), net" in our consolidated statements of operations.

Additional information related to our outstanding foreign exchange forward contracts not designated as hedging instruments 

was as follows as of December 31:

Contracts outstanding

2019

2018

Notional

Market Value

Notional

Market Value

$

702

$

(in millions)

2

$

507

$

(3)

The following table provides information on the location and amounts of realized and unrealized pre-tax gains on our other 

derivative financial instruments for the year ended December 31: 

Location of Net Gains
on Derivative Instruments

Amount of Net Gains 
on Derivative Instruments

2019

2018

(in millions)

Foreign exchange forward contracts - Not designated as hedging

instruments

Foreign currency exchange

gains (losses), net

$

8

$

31

The related cash flow impacts of all of our derivative activities are reflected as cash flows from operating activities.

Note 13 — Fair Value Measurements

We measure our cash equivalents, certain investments, contingent consideration liabilities and foreign exchange forward 
contracts at fair value. The authoritative guidance defines fair value as the exit price, or the amount that would be received to sell 
an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants as of the measurement date. The 
authoritative guidance also establishes a fair value hierarchy that is intended to increase consistency and comparability in fair 
value measurements and related disclosures. The fair value hierarchy is based on inputs to valuation techniques that are used to 
measure fair value that are either observable or unobservable. Observable inputs reflect assumptions market participants would 
use in pricing an asset or liability based on market data obtained from independent sources while unobservable inputs reflect a 
reporting entity’s pricing based upon their own market assumptions.

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Table of Contents  

The fair value hierarchy consists of the following three levels:

•  Level 1 – Inputs are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

•  Level 2 – Inputs are quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in an active market, quoted prices for identical or similar 
assets  or  liabilities  in  markets  that  are  not  active,  inputs  other  than  quoted  prices  that  are  observable  and  market-
corroborated inputs which are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data.

•  Level 3 – Inputs are derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs or value drivers are 

unobservable.

The  following  table  summarizes  our  financial  assets  and  (liabilities)  measured  at  fair  value  on  a  recurring  basis  as  of 

Certificates of deposit and commercial paper

December 31, 2019: 

Cash equivalents:

Money market funds
Short-term investments:
Time deposits(1)
Equity investment security

Other current assets

Foreign exchange forward contracts

Other noncurrent assets

Foreign exchange forward contracts
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities:
Foreign exchange forward contracts
Contingent consideration liabilities

Other noncurrent liabilities

Foreign exchange forward contracts
Contingent consideration liabilities

(1) Includes $414 million in restricted time deposits. See Note 11.

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Total

(in millions)

$

1,646

$

— $

— $

1,646

—
26

—

—

—
—

—
—

466
—

35

8

(8)
—

(2)
—

—
—

—

—

—
(8)

—
(30)

466
26

35

8

(8)
(8)

(2)
(30)

The  following  table  summarizes  our  financial  assets  and  (liabilities)  measured  at  fair  value  on  a  recurring  basis  as  of 

Table of Contents  

December 31, 2018:

Cash equivalents:

Money market funds

Bank deposits

Short-term investments:

Time deposits(1)

Equity investment security

Available-for-sale investment securities:

U.S. Treasury and agency debt securities

Corporate and other debt securities

Certificates of deposit and commercial paper

Asset-backed securities

Municipal debt securities

Other current assets:

Foreign exchange forward contracts

Other noncurrent assets:

Foreign exchange forward contracts

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities:

Foreign exchange forward contracts

Other noncurrent liabilities:

Foreign exchange forward contracts

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Total

(in millions)

$

$

— $

— $

103

—

—

570

—

25

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

32

68

500

—

55

416

296

334

89

12

15

(25)

(9)

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

103

32

68

500

25

625

416

296

334

89

12

15

(25)

(9)

(1) Includes $423 million in restricted time deposits. See Note 11

We measure the fair value of money market funds and U.S. Treasury securities based on quoted prices in active markets for 

identical assets and therefore classify these assets as Level 1. The fair value of our equity security invested in an open-ended 

mutual fund is based on the published daily net asset value at which investors can freely subscribe to or redeem from the fund. 

The fair value of commercial paper, certificates of deposit, U.S. government agency securities, municipal debt securities, debt 

securities issued by supranational institutions, U.S. and international corporate bonds and foreign government debt securities is 

measured  based  on  relevant  trade  data,  dealer  quotes,  or  model-driven  valuations  using  significant  inputs  derived  from  or 

corroborated by observable market data, such as yield curves and credit spreads. We measure the fair value of our asset-backed 

securities using model-driven valuations based on significant inputs derived from or corroborated by observable market data such 

as dealer quotes, available trade information, spread data, current market assumptions on prepayment speeds and defaults and 

historical data on deal collateral performance. The carrying value of the time deposits approximated fair value as of December 31, 

2019 and 2018.

We estimate the fair value of each foreign exchange forward contract by using a present value of expected cash flows model. 

This model calculates the difference between the current market forward price and the contracted forward price for each foreign 

exchange contract and applies the difference in the rates to each outstanding contract. The market forward rates include a discount 

and credit risk factor. The amounts are aggregated by type of contract and maturity.

We estimate the fair value of our contingent consideration liabilities associated with our acquisitions utilizing one or more 

significant  inputs  that  are  unobservable.  We  calculate  the fair  value  of  the  contingent  consideration  liabilities  based  on  the 

probability-weighted expected performance of the acquired entity against the target performance metric, discounted to present 

value when appropriate. Contingent consideration liabilities were immaterial as of December 31, 2018.

During the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, there were no transfers among Level 1, Level 2 or Level 3 

financial assets and liabilities.

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Table of Contents  

Table of Contents  

The fair value hierarchy consists of the following three levels:

•  Level 1 – Inputs are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

•  Level 2 – Inputs are quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in an active market, quoted prices for identical or similar 

assets  or  liabilities  in  markets  that  are  not  active,  inputs  other  than  quoted  prices  that  are  observable  and  market-

corroborated inputs which are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data.

•  Level 3 – Inputs are derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs or value drivers are 

The  following  table  summarizes  our  financial  assets  and  (liabilities)  measured  at  fair  value  on  a  recurring  basis  as  of 

unobservable.

December 31, 2019: 

Cash equivalents:

Money market funds

Short-term investments:

Time deposits(1)

Equity investment security

Other current assets

Foreign exchange forward contracts

Other noncurrent assets

Foreign exchange forward contracts

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities:

Foreign exchange forward contracts

Contingent consideration liabilities

Other noncurrent liabilities

Foreign exchange forward contracts

Contingent consideration liabilities

(1) Includes $414 million in restricted time deposits. See Note 11.

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Total

(in millions)

$

1,646

$

— $

— $

1,646

—

26

—

—

—

—

—

—

466

—

35

8

(8)

—

(2)

—

—

—

—

—

—

(8)

—

(30)

466

26

35

8

(8)

(8)

(2)

(30)

The  following  table  summarizes  our  financial  assets  and  (liabilities)  measured  at  fair  value  on  a  recurring  basis  as  of 

December 31, 2018:

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Total

Cash equivalents:

Money market funds
Bank deposits
Certificates of deposit and commercial paper

Short-term investments:
Time deposits(1)
Equity investment security
Available-for-sale investment securities:

U.S. Treasury and agency debt securities
Corporate and other debt securities
Certificates of deposit and commercial paper
Asset-backed securities
Municipal debt securities

Other current assets:

Foreign exchange forward contracts

Other noncurrent assets:

Foreign exchange forward contracts
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities:
Foreign exchange forward contracts

Other noncurrent liabilities:

Foreign exchange forward contracts

$

(in millions)

— $
32
68

— $
—
—

500
—

55
416
296
334
89

12

15

(25)

(9)

—
—

—
—
—
—
—

—

—

—

—

$

103
—
—

—
25

570
—
—
—
—

—

—

—

—

103
32
68

500
25

625
416
296
334
89

12

15

(25)

(9)

(1) Includes $423 million in restricted time deposits. See Note 11

We measure the fair value of money market funds and U.S. Treasury securities based on quoted prices in active markets for 
identical assets and therefore classify these assets as Level 1. The fair value of our equity security invested in an open-ended 
mutual fund is based on the published daily net asset value at which investors can freely subscribe to or redeem from the fund. 
The fair value of commercial paper, certificates of deposit, U.S. government agency securities, municipal debt securities, debt 
securities issued by supranational institutions, U.S. and international corporate bonds and foreign government debt securities is 
measured  based  on  relevant  trade  data,  dealer  quotes,  or  model-driven  valuations  using  significant  inputs  derived  from  or 
corroborated by observable market data, such as yield curves and credit spreads. We measure the fair value of our asset-backed 
securities using model-driven valuations based on significant inputs derived from or corroborated by observable market data such 
as dealer quotes, available trade information, spread data, current market assumptions on prepayment speeds and defaults and 
historical data on deal collateral performance. The carrying value of the time deposits approximated fair value as of December 31, 
2019 and 2018.

We estimate the fair value of each foreign exchange forward contract by using a present value of expected cash flows model. 
This model calculates the difference between the current market forward price and the contracted forward price for each foreign 
exchange contract and applies the difference in the rates to each outstanding contract. The market forward rates include a discount 
and credit risk factor. The amounts are aggregated by type of contract and maturity.

We estimate the fair value of our contingent consideration liabilities associated with our acquisitions utilizing one or more 
significant  inputs  that  are  unobservable.  We  calculate  the fair  value  of  the  contingent  consideration  liabilities  based  on  the 
probability-weighted expected performance of the acquired entity against the target performance metric, discounted to present 
value when appropriate. Contingent consideration liabilities were immaterial as of December 31, 2018.

During the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, there were no transfers among Level 1, Level 2 or Level 3 

financial assets and liabilities.

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Table of Contents  

Note 14 — Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Changes  in  "Accumulated  other  comprehensive  income  (loss)"  by  component  were  as  follows  for  the  years  ended 

Changes  in  "Accumulated  other  comprehensive  income  (loss)"  by  component  were  as  follows  for  the  year  ended 

December 31, 2019:

Foreign currency translation adjustments:

Beginning balance

Change in foreign currency translation adjustments

Ending balance

Unrealized (losses) on available-for-sale investment securities:

Beginning balance

Net gains arising during the period

Reclassification of net gains to Other, net

Net change

Ending balance

Unrealized (losses) gains on cash flow hedges:

Beginning balance

Unrealized gains arising during the period

Reclassifications of net (gains) to:

Cost of revenues

Selling, general and administrative expenses

Net change

Ending balance

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss):

Beginning balance

Other comprehensive income (loss)

Ending balance

Before Tax
Amount

2019

Tax
Effect 

(in millions)

Net of Tax
Amount

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

(108)
45
(63)

$

$

5
(6)
(1)

(12)
13
(1)
12

—

(4)
39

(3)
(1)
35

31

(124)
92
(32)

$

4
(4)
—
(4)
$ —

$

$

$

$

1
(7)

1

—
(6)
(5)

10
(16)
(6)

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

(103)
39
(64)

(8)
9
(1)
8

—

(3)
32

(2)
(1)
29

26

(114)
76
(38)

Table of Contents  

December 31, 2018 and 2017:

Before Tax

Amount

Net of Tax

Amount

Before Tax

Amount

Net of Tax

Amount

2018

Tax

Effect

2017

Tax

Effect

(in millions)

— $

(38)

(149)

$

— $

(149)

(65)

(103)

111

(38)

—

$

— $

111

(38)

Foreign currency translation adjustments:

Beginning balance

Change in foreign currency

translation adjustments

Ending balance

Unrealized (losses) on available-for-sale

investment securities:

Beginning balance

Cumulative effect of change in

accounting principle

Net unrealized (losses) arising

during the period

Reclassification of net losses to

Other, net

Net change

Ending balance

Unrealized gains (losses) on cash flow

hedges:

Beginning balance

Unrealized (losses) gains arising

during the period

Reclassifications of net (gains)

losses to:

Cost of revenues

Selling, general and

administrative expenses

Net change

Ending balance

Accumulated other comprehensive

income (loss):

Beginning balance

Other comprehensive income

(loss)

Ending balance

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

(38)

(70)

(108)

(11)

—

(5)

4

(1)

(12)

154

(87)

(61)

(10)

(158)

(4)

105

(229)

(124)

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

Note 15 — Commitments and Contingencies

5

5

4

2

(1)

(1)

—

4

23

15

2

40

1

(35)

45

10

$

$

$

$

$

$

(7)

(1)

(3)

3

(1)

(8)

(46)

(8)

(118)

(3)

70

(184)

(114)

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

(6)

$

2

$

—

(7)

2

(5)

(11)

$

$

(4)

—

(4)

1

(3)

(7)

(109)

(20)

103

154

(104)

209

105

$

$

$

(83)

(16)

76

115

(114)

184

70

$

$

$

—

(1)

3

2

4

26

4

(27)

(39)

(10)

(25)

(35)

(39)

$

115

51

$

(12)

$

39

(64)

232

(57)

175

We are involved in various claims and legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. We accrue a liability 

when a loss is considered probable and the amount can be reasonably estimated. When a material loss contingency is reasonably 

possible but not probable, we do not record a liability, but instead disclose the nature and the amount of the claim, and an estimate 

of the loss or range of loss, if such an estimate can be made. Legal fees are expensed as incurred. While we do not expect that the 

ultimate resolution of any existing claims and proceedings (other than the specific matters described below, if decided adversely), 

individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on our financial position, an unfavorable outcome in some or 

all of these proceedings could have a material adverse impact on results of operations or cash flows for a particular period. This 

assessment is based on our current understanding of relevant facts and circumstances. As such, our view of these matters is subject 

to inherent uncertainties and may change in the future.

F-38

F-39

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency translation adjustments:

Change in foreign currency translation adjustments

Unrealized (losses) on available-for-sale investment securities:

Net gains arising during the period

Reclassification of net gains to Other, net

Beginning balance

Ending balance

Beginning balance

Net change

Ending balance

Unrealized (losses) gains on cash flow hedges:

Beginning balance

Unrealized gains arising during the period

Reclassifications of net (gains) to:

Cost of revenues

Selling, general and administrative expenses

Net change

Ending balance

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss):

Beginning balance

Ending balance

Other comprehensive income (loss)

Before Tax

Amount

Net of Tax

Amount

2019

Tax

Effect 

(in millions)

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

(108)

45

(63)

(12)

13

(1)

12

—

(4)

39

(3)

(1)

35

31

(124)

92

(32)

$ —

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

5

(6)

(1)

4

(4)

—

(4)

1

(7)

1

—

(6)

(5)

10

(16)

(6)

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

(103)

39

(64)

(8)

9

(1)

8

—

(3)

32

(2)

(1)

29

26

(114)

76

(38)

Table of Contents  

Table of Contents  

Note 14 — Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Changes  in  "Accumulated  other  comprehensive  income  (loss)"  by  component  were  as  follows  for  the  years  ended 

December 31, 2018 and 2017:

Changes  in  "Accumulated  other  comprehensive  income  (loss)"  by  component  were  as  follows  for  the  year  ended 

December 31, 2019:

Before Tax
Amount

2018

Tax
Effect

Net of Tax
Amount

Before Tax
Amount

(in millions)

2017

Tax
Effect

Net of Tax
Amount

Foreign currency translation adjustments:

Beginning balance

Change in foreign currency
translation adjustments

Ending balance

Unrealized (losses) on available-for-sale

investment securities:
Beginning balance

Cumulative effect of change in

accounting principle

Net unrealized (losses) arising

during the period

Reclassification of net losses to

Other, net

Net change

Ending balance

Unrealized gains (losses) on cash flow

hedges:

Beginning balance

Unrealized (losses) gains arising

during the period

Reclassifications of net (gains)

losses to:

Cost of revenues

Selling, general and

administrative expenses

Net change

Ending balance

Accumulated other comprehensive

income (loss):

Beginning balance

Other comprehensive income

(loss)

Ending balance

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

(38)

(70)

(108)

(11)

—

(5)

4

(1)

(12)

154

(87)

(61)

(10)

(158)

(4)

105

(229)

(124)

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

— $

(38)

5

5

4

(1)

2

(1)
—

4

$

$

$

(65)
(103)

(7)

(1)

(3)

3
(1)
(8)

(39)

$

115

23

15

2

40

1

(35)

45

10

$

$

$

(64)

(46)

(8)
(118)
(3)

70

(184)
(114)

Note 15 — Commitments and Contingencies

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

(149)

$

— $

(149)

111
(38)

—

$

— $

111
(38)

(6)

$

2

$

(4)

—

(4)

1
(3)
(7)

—

3

(1)
2

4

$

(12)

$

39

(57)

175

26

4
(27)
(39)

(10)

(25)
(35)

$

$

$

(83)

(16)
76

115

(114)

184

70

—

(7)

2
(5)
(11)

51

232

(109)

(20)
103

154

(104)

209

105

$

$

$

$

$

We are involved in various claims and legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. We accrue a liability 
when a loss is considered probable and the amount can be reasonably estimated. When a material loss contingency is reasonably 
possible but not probable, we do not record a liability, but instead disclose the nature and the amount of the claim, and an estimate 
of the loss or range of loss, if such an estimate can be made. Legal fees are expensed as incurred. While we do not expect that the 
ultimate resolution of any existing claims and proceedings (other than the specific matters described below, if decided adversely), 
individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on our financial position, an unfavorable outcome in some or 
all of these proceedings could have a material adverse impact on results of operations or cash flows for a particular period. This 
assessment is based on our current understanding of relevant facts and circumstances. As such, our view of these matters is subject 
to inherent uncertainties and may change in the future.

F-38

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Table of Contents  

Table of Contents  

On February 28, 2019, a ruling of the Supreme Court of India interpreting the India Defined Contribution Obligation altered 
historical understandings of the obligation, extending it to cover additional portions of the employee’s income. As a result, the 
ongoing contributions of our affected employees and the Company were required to be increased. In the first quarter of 2019, we 
accrued $117 million with respect to prior periods, assuming retroactive application of the Supreme Court’s ruling, in "Selling, 
general and administrative expenses" in our consolidated statements of operations. There is significant uncertainty as to how the 
liability should be calculated as it is impacted by multiple variables, including the period of assessment, the application with 
respect to certain current and former employees and whether interest and penalties may be assessed. Since the ruling, a variety of 
trade  associations  and  industry  groups  have  advocated  to  the  Indian  government, highlighting  the  harm  to  the  information 
technology sector, other industries and job growth in India that would result from a retroactive application of the ruling. It is 
possible the Indian government will review the matter and there is a substantial question as to whether the Indian government will 
apply the Supreme Court’s ruling on a retroactive basis. As such, the ultimate amount of our obligation may be materially different 
from the amount accrued.

In February 2019, we completed our previously disclosed internal investigation focused on whether certain payments relating 
to Company-owned facilities in India were made improperly and in violation of the FCPA and other applicable laws. We also 
announced a resolution of the previously disclosed investigations by the United States DOJ and SEC into the matters that were 
the subject of our internal investigation. In connection with this resolution, in February 2019 we paid approximately $28 million
to the DOJ and SEC, an amount consistent with our December 31, 2018 accrual for this matter. The DOJ also issued a declination 
letter, declining to take any additional action against the Company. 

On October 5, 2016, October 27, 2016 and November 18, 2016, three putative securities class action complaints were filed 
in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, naming us and certain of our current and former officers as 
defendants. These complaints were consolidated into a single action and on April 7, 2017, the lead plaintiffs filed a consolidated 
amended complaint on behalf of a putative class of persons and entities who purchased our common stock during the period 
between February 27, 2015 and September 29, 2016, naming us and certain of our current and former officers as defendants and 
alleging violations of the Exchange Act, based on allegedly false or misleading statements related to potential violations of the 
FCPA, our business, prospects and operations, and the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting and our 
disclosure controls and procedures. The lead plaintiffs seek an award of compensatory damages, among other relief, and their 
reasonable costs and expenses, including attorneys’ fees. Defendants filed a motion to dismiss the consolidated amended complaint 
on June 6, 2017. On August 8, 2018, the Court issued an order which granted the motion to dismiss in part, including dismissal 
of all claims against current officers of the Company, and denied them in part. On September 7, 2018, we filed a motion in the 
United States District Court for the District of New Jersey to certify the August 8, 2018 order for immediate appeal to the United 
States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1292(b). On October 18, 2018, the District Court issued an 
order granting our motion, and staying the action pending the outcome of our appeal petition to the Third Circuit. On October 29, 
2018, we filed a petition for permission to appeal with the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. On March 6, 2019, 
the Third Circuit denied our petition without prejudice. In an order dated March 19, 2019, the District Court directed the lead 
plaintiffs to provide the defendants with a proposed amended complaint. On April 26, 2019, lead plaintiffs filed their second 
amended complaint. We filed a motion to dismiss the second amended complaint on June 10, 2019.

On October 31, 2016, November 15, 2016 and November 18, 2016, three putative shareholder derivative complaints were 
filed in New Jersey Superior Court, Bergen County, naming us, all of our then current directors and certain of our current and 
former officers as defendants. These actions were consolidated in an order dated January 24, 2017. The complaints assert claims 
for breach of fiduciary duty, corporate waste, unjust enrichment, abuse of control, mismanagement, and/or insider selling by 
defendants. On March 16, 2017, the parties filed a stipulation deferring all further proceedings pending a final, non-appealable 
ruling on the then anticipated motion to dismiss the consolidated putative securities class action. On April 26, 2017, in lieu of 
ordering  the  stipulation  filed  by  the  parties,  the  New  Jersey  Superior  Court  deferred  further  proceedings  by  dismissing  the 
consolidated putative shareholder derivative litigation without prejudice but permitting the parties to file a motion to vacate the 
dismissal in the future. 

On February 22, 2017, April 7, 2017 and May 10, 2017, three additional putative shareholder derivative complaints alleging 
similar claims were filed in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, naming us and certain of our current 
and former directors and officers as defendants. These complaints asserted claims similar to those in the previously-filed putative 
shareholder derivative actions. In an order dated June 20, 2017, the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey 
consolidated these actions into a single action, appointed lead plaintiff and lead counsel, and stayed all further proceedings pending 
a final, non-appealable ruling on the motions to dismiss the consolidated putative securities class action. On October 30, 2018, 
lead plaintiff filed a consolidated verified derivative complaint.

On March 11, 2019, a seventh putative shareholder derivative complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the 
District of New Jersey, naming us, certain of our current and former directors, and certain of our current and former officers as 
defendants. The complaint in that action asserts claims similar to those in the previously-filed putative shareholder derivative 
F-40

actions. On May 14, 2019, the Court approved a stipulation that (i) consolidated this action with the putative shareholder derivative 

suits that were previously filed in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey; and (ii) stayed all of these suits 

pending a final, non-appealable order on the motion to dismiss the second amended complaint in the securities class action.

We are presently unable to predict the duration, scope or result of the consolidated putative securities class action, the putative 

shareholder derivative actions or any other lawsuits. As such, we are presently unable to develop a reasonable estimate of a possible 

loss or range of losses, if any, and thus have not recorded any accruals related to these matters. While the Company intends to 

defend the lawsuits vigorously, these lawsuits and any other related lawsuits are subject to inherent uncertainties, the actual cost 

of such litigation will depend upon many unknown factors and the outcome of the litigation is necessarily uncertain. 

We have indemnification and expense advancement obligations pursuant to our bylaws and indemnification agreements with 

respect to certain current and former members of senior management and the Company’s directors. In connection with the matters 

that were the subject of our previously disclosed internal investigation, the DOJ and SEC investigations and the related litigation, 

we have received and expect to continue to receive requests under such indemnification agreements and our bylaws to provide 

funds for legal fees and other expenses. We have expensed such costs incurred through December 31, 2019. 

We have maintained directors and officers insurance and have recorded an insurance receivable of $20 million as of December 

31, 2019, reported in "Other current assets," related to the recovery of a portion of the indemnification expenses and costs related 

to the putative securities class action complaints. We are unable to make a reliable estimate of the eventual cash flows by period 

related to the indemnification and expense advancement obligations described here.

See Note 11 for information relating to the ITD Dispute.

Many of our engagements involve projects that are critical to the operations of our clients’ business and provide benefits 

that are difficult to quantify. Any failure in a client’s systems or our failure to meet our contractual obligations to our clients, 

including any breach involving a client’s confidential information or sensitive data, or our obligations under applicable laws or 

regulations could result in a claim for substantial damages against us, regardless of our responsibility for such failure. Although 

we attempt to contractually limit our liability for damages arising from negligent acts, errors, mistakes, or omissions in rendering 

our services, there can be no assurance that the limitations of liability set forth in our contracts will be enforceable in all instances 

or will otherwise protect us from liability for damages. Although we have general liability insurance coverage, including coverage 

for errors or omissions, there can be no assurance that such coverage will cover all types of claims, continue to be available on 

reasonable terms or will be available in sufficient amounts to cover one or more large claims, or that the insurer will not disclaim 

coverage as to any future claim. The successful assertion of one or more large claims against us that exceed or are not covered by 

our insurance coverage or changes in our insurance policies, including premium increases or the imposition of large deductible 

or co-insurance requirements, could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial position and 

cash flows for a particular period. 

In  the  normal  course  of  business  and  in  conjunction  with  certain  client  engagements,  we  have  entered  into  contractual 

arrangements through which we may be obligated to indemnify clients or other parties with whom we conduct business with 

respect to certain matters. These arrangements can include provisions whereby we agree to hold the indemnified party and certain 

of their affiliated entities harmless with respect to third-party claims related to such matters as our breach of certain representations 

or covenants, our intellectual property infringement, our gross negligence or willful misconduct or certain other claims made 

against certain parties. Payments by us under any of these arrangements are generally conditioned on the client making a claim 

and providing us with full control over the defense and settlement of such claim. It is not possible to determine the maximum 

potential liability under these indemnification agreements due to the unique facts and circumstances involved in each particular 

agreement. Historically, we have not made material payments under these indemnification agreements and therefore they have 

not had a material impact on our operating results, financial position, or cash flows. However, if events arise requiring us to make 

payment for indemnification claims under our indemnification obligations in contracts we have entered, such payments could 

have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial position and cash flows for a particular period. 

Note 16 — Employee Benefits

We contribute to defined contribution plans in the United States and Europe, including 401(k) savings and supplemental 

retirement plans in the United States. Total expenses for our contributions to these plans were $117 million, $108 million and $91

million for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

We maintain employee benefit plans that cover substantially all India-based employees. The employees’ provident fund, 

pension  and  family  pension  plans  are  statutorily  defined  contribution  retirement  benefit  plans.  Under  the  plans,  employees 

contribute up to 12.0% of their eligible compensation, which is matched by an equal contribution by the Company. For these plans, 

we recognized a contribution expense of $101 million, $88 million and $86 million for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018

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On February 28, 2019, a ruling of the Supreme Court of India interpreting the India Defined Contribution Obligation altered 

historical understandings of the obligation, extending it to cover additional portions of the employee’s income. As a result, the 

ongoing contributions of our affected employees and the Company were required to be increased. In the first quarter of 2019, we 

accrued $117 million with respect to prior periods, assuming retroactive application of the Supreme Court’s ruling, in "Selling, 

general and administrative expenses" in our consolidated statements of operations. There is significant uncertainty as to how the 

liability should be calculated as it is impacted by multiple variables, including the period of assessment, the application with 

respect to certain current and former employees and whether interest and penalties may be assessed. Since the ruling, a variety of 

trade  associations  and  industry  groups  have  advocated  to  the  Indian  government, highlighting  the  harm  to  the  information 

technology sector, other industries and job growth in India that would result from a retroactive application of the ruling. It is 

possible the Indian government will review the matter and there is a substantial question as to whether the Indian government will 

apply the Supreme Court’s ruling on a retroactive basis. As such, the ultimate amount of our obligation may be materially different 

from the amount accrued.

In February 2019, we completed our previously disclosed internal investigation focused on whether certain payments relating 

to Company-owned facilities in India were made improperly and in violation of the FCPA and other applicable laws. We also 

announced a resolution of the previously disclosed investigations by the United States DOJ and SEC into the matters that were 

the subject of our internal investigation. In connection with this resolution, in February 2019 we paid approximately $28 million

to the DOJ and SEC, an amount consistent with our December 31, 2018 accrual for this matter. The DOJ also issued a declination 

letter, declining to take any additional action against the Company. 

On October 5, 2016, October 27, 2016 and November 18, 2016, three putative securities class action complaints were filed 

in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, naming us and certain of our current and former officers as 

defendants. These complaints were consolidated into a single action and on April 7, 2017, the lead plaintiffs filed a consolidated 

amended complaint on behalf of a putative class of persons and entities who purchased our common stock during the period 

between February 27, 2015 and September 29, 2016, naming us and certain of our current and former officers as defendants and 

alleging violations of the Exchange Act, based on allegedly false or misleading statements related to potential violations of the 

FCPA, our business, prospects and operations, and the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting and our 

disclosure controls and procedures. The lead plaintiffs seek an award of compensatory damages, among other relief, and their 

reasonable costs and expenses, including attorneys’ fees. Defendants filed a motion to dismiss the consolidated amended complaint 

on June 6, 2017. On August 8, 2018, the Court issued an order which granted the motion to dismiss in part, including dismissal 

of all claims against current officers of the Company, and denied them in part. On September 7, 2018, we filed a motion in the 

United States District Court for the District of New Jersey to certify the August 8, 2018 order for immediate appeal to the United 

States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1292(b). On October 18, 2018, the District Court issued an 

order granting our motion, and staying the action pending the outcome of our appeal petition to the Third Circuit. On October 29, 

2018, we filed a petition for permission to appeal with the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. On March 6, 2019, 

the Third Circuit denied our petition without prejudice. In an order dated March 19, 2019, the District Court directed the lead 

plaintiffs to provide the defendants with a proposed amended complaint. On April 26, 2019, lead plaintiffs filed their second 

amended complaint. We filed a motion to dismiss the second amended complaint on June 10, 2019.

On October 31, 2016, November 15, 2016 and November 18, 2016, three putative shareholder derivative complaints were 

filed in New Jersey Superior Court, Bergen County, naming us, all of our then current directors and certain of our current and 

former officers as defendants. These actions were consolidated in an order dated January 24, 2017. The complaints assert claims 

for breach of fiduciary duty, corporate waste, unjust enrichment, abuse of control, mismanagement, and/or insider selling by 

defendants. On March 16, 2017, the parties filed a stipulation deferring all further proceedings pending a final, non-appealable 

ruling on the then anticipated motion to dismiss the consolidated putative securities class action. On April 26, 2017, in lieu of 

ordering  the  stipulation  filed  by  the  parties,  the  New  Jersey  Superior  Court  deferred  further  proceedings  by  dismissing  the 

consolidated putative shareholder derivative litigation without prejudice but permitting the parties to file a motion to vacate the 

dismissal in the future. 

On February 22, 2017, April 7, 2017 and May 10, 2017, three additional putative shareholder derivative complaints alleging 

similar claims were filed in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, naming us and certain of our current 

and former directors and officers as defendants. These complaints asserted claims similar to those in the previously-filed putative 

shareholder derivative actions. In an order dated June 20, 2017, the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey 

consolidated these actions into a single action, appointed lead plaintiff and lead counsel, and stayed all further proceedings pending 

a final, non-appealable ruling on the motions to dismiss the consolidated putative securities class action. On October 30, 2018, 

lead plaintiff filed a consolidated verified derivative complaint.

On March 11, 2019, a seventh putative shareholder derivative complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the 

District of New Jersey, naming us, certain of our current and former directors, and certain of our current and former officers as 

defendants. The complaint in that action asserts claims similar to those in the previously-filed putative shareholder derivative 

F-40

actions. On May 14, 2019, the Court approved a stipulation that (i) consolidated this action with the putative shareholder derivative 
suits that were previously filed in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey; and (ii) stayed all of these suits 
pending a final, non-appealable order on the motion to dismiss the second amended complaint in the securities class action.

We are presently unable to predict the duration, scope or result of the consolidated putative securities class action, the putative 
shareholder derivative actions or any other lawsuits. As such, we are presently unable to develop a reasonable estimate of a possible 
loss or range of losses, if any, and thus have not recorded any accruals related to these matters. While the Company intends to 
defend the lawsuits vigorously, these lawsuits and any other related lawsuits are subject to inherent uncertainties, the actual cost 
of such litigation will depend upon many unknown factors and the outcome of the litigation is necessarily uncertain. 

We have indemnification and expense advancement obligations pursuant to our bylaws and indemnification agreements with 
respect to certain current and former members of senior management and the Company’s directors. In connection with the matters 
that were the subject of our previously disclosed internal investigation, the DOJ and SEC investigations and the related litigation, 
we have received and expect to continue to receive requests under such indemnification agreements and our bylaws to provide 
funds for legal fees and other expenses. We have expensed such costs incurred through December 31, 2019. 

We have maintained directors and officers insurance and have recorded an insurance receivable of $20 million as of December 
31, 2019, reported in "Other current assets," related to the recovery of a portion of the indemnification expenses and costs related 
to the putative securities class action complaints. We are unable to make a reliable estimate of the eventual cash flows by period 
related to the indemnification and expense advancement obligations described here.

See Note 11 for information relating to the ITD Dispute.

Many of our engagements involve projects that are critical to the operations of our clients’ business and provide benefits 
that are difficult to quantify. Any failure in a client’s systems or our failure to meet our contractual obligations to our clients, 
including any breach involving a client’s confidential information or sensitive data, or our obligations under applicable laws or 
regulations could result in a claim for substantial damages against us, regardless of our responsibility for such failure. Although 
we attempt to contractually limit our liability for damages arising from negligent acts, errors, mistakes, or omissions in rendering 
our services, there can be no assurance that the limitations of liability set forth in our contracts will be enforceable in all instances 
or will otherwise protect us from liability for damages. Although we have general liability insurance coverage, including coverage 
for errors or omissions, there can be no assurance that such coverage will cover all types of claims, continue to be available on 
reasonable terms or will be available in sufficient amounts to cover one or more large claims, or that the insurer will not disclaim 
coverage as to any future claim. The successful assertion of one or more large claims against us that exceed or are not covered by 
our insurance coverage or changes in our insurance policies, including premium increases or the imposition of large deductible 
or co-insurance requirements, could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial position and 
cash flows for a particular period. 

In  the  normal  course  of  business  and  in  conjunction  with  certain  client  engagements,  we  have  entered  into  contractual 
arrangements through which we may be obligated to indemnify clients or other parties with whom we conduct business with 
respect to certain matters. These arrangements can include provisions whereby we agree to hold the indemnified party and certain 
of their affiliated entities harmless with respect to third-party claims related to such matters as our breach of certain representations 
or covenants, our intellectual property infringement, our gross negligence or willful misconduct or certain other claims made 
against certain parties. Payments by us under any of these arrangements are generally conditioned on the client making a claim 
and providing us with full control over the defense and settlement of such claim. It is not possible to determine the maximum 
potential liability under these indemnification agreements due to the unique facts and circumstances involved in each particular 
agreement. Historically, we have not made material payments under these indemnification agreements and therefore they have 
not had a material impact on our operating results, financial position, or cash flows. However, if events arise requiring us to make 
payment for indemnification claims under our indemnification obligations in contracts we have entered, such payments could 
have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial position and cash flows for a particular period. 

Note 16 — Employee Benefits

We contribute to defined contribution plans in the United States and Europe, including 401(k) savings and supplemental 
retirement plans in the United States. Total expenses for our contributions to these plans were $117 million, $108 million and $91
million for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

We maintain employee benefit plans that cover substantially all India-based employees. The employees’ provident fund, 
pension  and  family  pension  plans  are  statutorily  defined  contribution  retirement  benefit  plans.  Under  the  plans,  employees 
contribute up to 12.0% of their eligible compensation, which is matched by an equal contribution by the Company. For these plans, 
we recognized a contribution expense of $101 million, $88 million and $86 million for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018
F-41

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Table of Contents  

and 2017, respectively. On February 28, 2019, a ruling of the Supreme Court of India altered historical understandings of the 
obligation under these plans, extending them to cover additional portions of the employee’s income. In the first quarter of 2019, 
we accrued $117 million with respect to prior periods, assuming retroactive application of the Supreme Court’s ruling, in "Selling, 
general and administrative expenses" in our consolidated statements of operations. See Note 15 for further information.

We also maintain a gratuity plan in India that is a statutory post-employment benefit plan providing defined lump sum 
benefits. We make annual contributions to the employees’ gratuity fund established with a government-owned insurance corporation 
to fund a portion of the estimated obligation. Accordingly, our liability for the gratuity plan reflected the undiscounted benefit 
obligation payable as of the balance sheet date, which was based upon the employees’ salary and years of service. As of December 31, 
2019 and 2018, the amount accrued under the gratuity plan was $135 million and $141 million, which is net of fund assets of $160
million and $136 million, respectively. Expense recognized by us was $38 million, $53 million and $40 million for the years ended 
December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Note 17 — Stock-Based Compensation Plans

The Company's 2017 Incentive Plan and the Purchase Plan provide for the issuance of up to 48.8 million (plus any shares 
underlying outstanding awards that are forfeited under the 2009 Incentive Plan) and 40.0 million shares, respectively, of Class A 
common stock to eligible employees. The 2017 Incentive Plan does not affect any awards outstanding under the 2009 Incentive 
Plan. As of December 31, 2019, we have 34.3 million and 8.9 million shares available for grant under the 2017 Incentive Plan 
and the Purchase Plan, respectively.

Unvested at January 1, 2019

milestones. 

Granted

Vested

Forfeited

immaterial.

The allocation of total stock-based compensation expense between cost of revenues and selling, general and administrative 

expenses as well as the related income tax benefit were as follows for the three years ended December 31:

$70.77, $81.98 and $60.77, respectively.

Cost of revenues
Selling, general and administrative expenses
Total stock-based compensation expense

Income tax benefit

2019

2018

2017

$

$
$

54
163
217
39

(in millions)
62
$
205
267
66

$
$

$

$
$

55
166
221
101

Restricted Stock Units and Performance Stock Units

We  granted  RSUs  that  vest  proportionately  in  quarterly  or  annual  installments  ranging  from  one  year  to  four  years  to 
employees, including our executive officers. Stock-based compensation expense relating to RSUs is recognized on a straight-line 
basis over the requisite service period. A summary of the activity for RSUs granted under our stock-based compensation plans as 
of December 31, 2019 and changes during the year then ended is presented below: 

Unvested at January 1, 2019
Granted
Vested
Forfeited

Unvested at December 31, 2019

Number of
Units
(in millions)

Weighted Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
(in dollars)

5.0
3.0
(2.6)
(0.9)
4.5

$

$

69.64
64.12
67.43
70.11
67.07

As of December 31, 2019, $241 million of total remaining unrecognized stock-based compensation cost related to RSUs is 

expected to be recognized over the weighted-average remaining requisite service period of 1.9 years.

The total vesting date fair value of vested RSUs was $170 million, $194 million and $169 million for the years ended 
December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The weighted-average grant date fair value of RSUs granted in 2019, 2018 and 
2017 was $64.12, $74.94 and $67.56, respectively.

We granted PSUs that vest over periods ranging from one year to four years to employees, including our executive officers. 
The vesting of PSUs is contingent on both meeting certain financial performance targets and continued service. Stock-based 
compensation costs for PSUs that vest proportionally are recognized on a graded-vesting basis over the vesting period based on 
the most probable outcome of the performance conditions. If the minimum performance targets are not met, no compensation cost 
is recognized and any recognized compensation cost is reversed.

A summary of the activity for PSUs granted under our stock-based compensation plans as of December 31, 2019 and changes 

during  the  year  then  ended  is  presented  below. The  presentation  reflects  the  number  of  PSUs  at  the  maximum  performance 

Number of

Units

(in millions)

Weighted Average

Grant Date

Fair Value

(in dollars)

3.3

2.1

(1.3)

(0.7)

(1.4)

2.0

$

$

71.59

70.77

60.05

75.35

81.77

69.73

Adjustment at the conclusion of the performance measurement period

Unvested at December 31, 2019

As  of  December 31,  2019,  we  have  estimated  that  the  minimum  performance  threshold  will  not  be  achieved  for  most 

outstanding  PSU  awards. Accordingly,  the  total  remaining  unrecognized  stock-based  compensation  cost  related  to  PSUs  is 

The total vesting date fair value of vested PSUs was $82 million, $53 million and $60 million for the years ended December 

31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The weighted-average grant date fair value of PSUs granted in 2019, 2018 and 2017 was 

All RSUs and PSUs have dividend equivalent rights, which entitle holders to the same dividend value per share as holders 

of common stock. Dividend equivalent rights are subject to the same vesting and other terms and conditions as the corresponding 

unvested RSUs and PSUs and are accumulated and paid when the underlying shares vest. The fair value of RSUs and PSUs is 

determined based on the number of stock units granted and the quoted price of our stock at date of grant. 

The Purchase Plan

The Purchase Plan provides for eligible employees to purchase shares of Class A common stock at a price of 90% of 

the lesser of: (a) the fair market value of a share of Class A common stock on the first date of the purchase period or (b) the fair 

market value of a share of Class A common stock on the last date of the purchase period. Stock-based compensation expense 

for the Purchase Plan is recognized over the vesting period of three months on a straight-line basis.

The fair values of the options granted under the Purchase Plan, were estimated at the date of grant during the years ended 

December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017 based upon the following assumptions and were as follows: 

2019

2018

2017

1.3%

24.9%

0.25

2.2%

1.0%

21.0%

0.25

1.9%

1.0%

24.3%

0.25

0.9%

$

9.82

$ 10.87

$

9.23

Dividend yield

Weighted average volatility factor

Weighted average expected life (in years)

Weighted average risk-free interest rate

Weighted average grant date fair value

with a total fair value of approximately $28 million.

Note 18 — Related Party Transactions

During the year ended December 31, 2019, we issued 2.8 million shares of Class A common stock under the Purchase Plan 

Brackett B. Denniston, III was the Interim General Counsel and an executive officer of the Company from December 2016 

until May 15, 2017, during which period Mr. Denniston was also a Senior Counsel at the law firm of Goodwin Procter LLP. During 

the year ended December 31, 2017 Goodwin performed legal services for the Company for which it earned approximately $4 

million. The provision of legal services from Goodwin was reviewed and approved by our Audit Committee. During the years 

ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, Goodwin was not a related party of the Company. 

In  2018,  we  provided  $100  million  of  initial  funding  to  the  Cognizant  U.S.  Foundation,  which  is  focused  on  science, 

technology, engineering and math education in the United States. The expense was reported in the caption "Selling, general and 

administrative expenses" in our consolidated statement of operations. Additionally, two of our executive officers served as directors 

of the Cognizant U.S. Foundation in 2019 and 2018.

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and 2017, respectively. On February 28, 2019, a ruling of the Supreme Court of India altered historical understandings of the 

obligation under these plans, extending them to cover additional portions of the employee’s income. In the first quarter of 2019, 

we accrued $117 million with respect to prior periods, assuming retroactive application of the Supreme Court’s ruling, in "Selling, 

general and administrative expenses" in our consolidated statements of operations. See Note 15 for further information.

We also maintain a gratuity plan in India that is a statutory post-employment benefit plan providing defined lump sum 

benefits. We make annual contributions to the employees’ gratuity fund established with a government-owned insurance corporation 

to fund a portion of the estimated obligation. Accordingly, our liability for the gratuity plan reflected the undiscounted benefit 

obligation payable as of the balance sheet date, which was based upon the employees’ salary and years of service. As of December 31, 

2019 and 2018, the amount accrued under the gratuity plan was $135 million and $141 million, which is net of fund assets of $160

million and $136 million, respectively. Expense recognized by us was $38 million, $53 million and $40 million for the years ended 

December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Note 17 — Stock-Based Compensation Plans

The Company's 2017 Incentive Plan and the Purchase Plan provide for the issuance of up to 48.8 million (plus any shares 

underlying outstanding awards that are forfeited under the 2009 Incentive Plan) and 40.0 million shares, respectively, of Class A 

common stock to eligible employees. The 2017 Incentive Plan does not affect any awards outstanding under the 2009 Incentive 

Plan. As of December 31, 2019, we have 34.3 million and 8.9 million shares available for grant under the 2017 Incentive Plan 

and the Purchase Plan, respectively.

The allocation of total stock-based compensation expense between cost of revenues and selling, general and administrative 

expenses as well as the related income tax benefit were as follows for the three years ended December 31:

Cost of revenues

Selling, general and administrative expenses

Total stock-based compensation expense

Income tax benefit

Restricted Stock Units and Performance Stock Units

We  granted  RSUs  that  vest  proportionately  in  quarterly  or  annual  installments  ranging  from  one  year  to  four  years  to 

of December 31, 2019 and changes during the year then ended is presented below: 

2019

2018

2017

(in millions)

$

$

$

54

163

217

39

$

$

$

62

205

267

66

$

$

$

55

166

221

101

Number of

Units

(in millions)

Weighted Average

Grant Date

Fair Value

(in dollars)

5.0

3.0

(2.6)

(0.9)

4.5

$

$

69.64

64.12

67.43

70.11

67.07

Unvested at January 1, 2019

Granted

Vested

Forfeited

Unvested at December 31, 2019

As of December 31, 2019, $241 million of total remaining unrecognized stock-based compensation cost related to RSUs is 

expected to be recognized over the weighted-average remaining requisite service period of 1.9 years.

The total vesting date fair value of vested RSUs was $170 million, $194 million and $169 million for the years ended 

December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The weighted-average grant date fair value of RSUs granted in 2019, 2018 and 

2017 was $64.12, $74.94 and $67.56, respectively.

We granted PSUs that vest over periods ranging from one year to four years to employees, including our executive officers. 

The vesting of PSUs is contingent on both meeting certain financial performance targets and continued service. Stock-based 

compensation costs for PSUs that vest proportionally are recognized on a graded-vesting basis over the vesting period based on 

the most probable outcome of the performance conditions. If the minimum performance targets are not met, no compensation cost 

is recognized and any recognized compensation cost is reversed.

A summary of the activity for PSUs granted under our stock-based compensation plans as of December 31, 2019 and changes 
during  the  year  then  ended  is  presented  below. The  presentation  reflects  the  number  of  PSUs  at  the  maximum  performance 
milestones. 

Unvested at January 1, 2019
Granted
Vested
Forfeited
Adjustment at the conclusion of the performance measurement period

Unvested at December 31, 2019

Number of
Units
(in millions)

Weighted Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
(in dollars)

3.3
2.1
(1.3)
(0.7)
(1.4)
2.0

$

$

71.59
70.77
60.05
75.35
81.77
69.73

As  of  December 31,  2019,  we  have  estimated  that  the  minimum  performance  threshold  will  not  be  achieved  for  most 
outstanding  PSU  awards. Accordingly,  the  total  remaining  unrecognized  stock-based  compensation  cost  related  to  PSUs  is 
immaterial.

The total vesting date fair value of vested PSUs was $82 million, $53 million and $60 million for the years ended December 
31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The weighted-average grant date fair value of PSUs granted in 2019, 2018 and 2017 was 
$70.77, $81.98 and $60.77, respectively.

All RSUs and PSUs have dividend equivalent rights, which entitle holders to the same dividend value per share as holders 
of common stock. Dividend equivalent rights are subject to the same vesting and other terms and conditions as the corresponding 
unvested RSUs and PSUs and are accumulated and paid when the underlying shares vest. The fair value of RSUs and PSUs is 
determined based on the number of stock units granted and the quoted price of our stock at date of grant. 

The Purchase Plan

The Purchase Plan provides for eligible employees to purchase shares of Class A common stock at a price of 90% of 

the lesser of: (a) the fair market value of a share of Class A common stock on the first date of the purchase period or (b) the fair 
market value of a share of Class A common stock on the last date of the purchase period. Stock-based compensation expense 
for the Purchase Plan is recognized over the vesting period of three months on a straight-line basis.

employees, including our executive officers. Stock-based compensation expense relating to RSUs is recognized on a straight-line 

The fair values of the options granted under the Purchase Plan, were estimated at the date of grant during the years ended 

basis over the requisite service period. A summary of the activity for RSUs granted under our stock-based compensation plans as 

December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017 based upon the following assumptions and were as follows: 

Dividend yield
Weighted average volatility factor
Weighted average expected life (in years)
Weighted average risk-free interest rate
Weighted average grant date fair value

2019

2018

2017

1.3%
24.9%
0.25
2.2%

1.0%
21.0%
0.25
1.9%

1.0%
24.3%
0.25
0.9%

$

9.82

$ 10.87

$

9.23

During the year ended December 31, 2019, we issued 2.8 million shares of Class A common stock under the Purchase Plan 

with a total fair value of approximately $28 million.

Note 18 — Related Party Transactions

Brackett B. Denniston, III was the Interim General Counsel and an executive officer of the Company from December 2016 
until May 15, 2017, during which period Mr. Denniston was also a Senior Counsel at the law firm of Goodwin Procter LLP. During 
the year ended December 31, 2017 Goodwin performed legal services for the Company for which it earned approximately $4 
million. The provision of legal services from Goodwin was reviewed and approved by our Audit Committee. During the years 
ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, Goodwin was not a related party of the Company. 

In  2018,  we  provided  $100  million  of  initial  funding  to  the  Cognizant  U.S.  Foundation,  which  is  focused  on  science, 
technology, engineering and math education in the United States. The expense was reported in the caption "Selling, general and 
administrative expenses" in our consolidated statement of operations. Additionally, two of our executive officers served as directors 
of the Cognizant U.S. Foundation in 2019 and 2018.

F-42

F-43

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents  

Note 19 — Segment Information

Our reportable segments are: 

•  Financial Services, which consists of our banking and insurance operating segments;

•  Healthcare, which consists of our healthcare and life sciences operating segments;

•  Products and Resources, which consists of our retail and consumer goods; manufacturing, logistics, energy, and utilities; 

and travel and hospitality operating segments; and

•  Communications, Media and Technology, which includes our communications and media operating segment and our 

technology operating segment.

Our sales managers, account executives, account managers and project teams are aligned in accordance with the specific 
industries they serve. Our chief operating decision maker evaluates the Company's performance and allocates resources based on 
segment revenues and operating profit. Segment operating profit is defined as income from operations before unallocated costs. 
Generally, operating expenses for each operating segment have similar characteristics and are subject to the same factors, pressures 
and challenges. However, the economic environment and its effects on industries served by our operating segments may affect 
revenues and operating expenses to differing degrees. 

In 2019, we made certain changes to the internal measurement of segment operating profits for the purpose of evaluating 
segment performance and resource allocation. The primary reason for the change was to charge to our business segments costs 
that are directly managed and controlled by them. Specifically, segment operating profit now includes certain benefit, immigration, 
recruitment and sales and field marketing costs, which were previously included in "unallocated costs." We have reported our 
2019 segment operating profits using the new allocation methodology and have restated the 2018 results to conform to the new 
methodology. Additionally, we combined our energy and utilities operating segment with our manufacturing and logistics operating 
segment for our internal reporting. Our products and resources segment, which was previously comprised of four operating segments 
((i) retail and consumer goods; (ii) manufacturing and logistics; (iii) travel and hospitality; and (iv) energy and utilities) is now 
comprised of three operating segments ((i) retail and consumer goods; (ii) manufacturing, logistics, energy and utilities; and (iii) 
travel and hospitality). This change reflects how this operating segment is currently managed and reported to chief operating 
decision makers but will not affect our reportable segment financial results.

Expenses included in segment operating profit consist principally of direct selling and delivery costs (including stock-based 
compensation expense) as well as a per employee charge for use of our global delivery centers and infrastructure. Certain selling, 
general and administrative expenses, the excess or shortfall of incentive compensation for commercial and delivery personnel as 
compared to target, costs related to our realignment program, a portion of depreciation and amortization and the impact of the 
settlements of our cash flow hedges are not allocated to individual segments in internal management reports used by the chief 
operating decision maker. Accordingly, such expenses are excluded from segment operating profit and are separately disclosed as 
“unallocated costs” and adjusted against our total income from operations. The incremental accrual related to the India Defined 
Contribution Obligation recorded in 2019 has been excluded from segment operating profits for the year ended December 31, 
2019. Additionally, the initial funding of the Cognizant U.S. Foundation recorded in 2018 has been excluded from segment operating 
profits for the year ended December 31, 2018. These costs are included in "unallocated costs" in the table below. Additionally, 
management  has  determined  that  it  is  not  practical  to  allocate  identifiable  assets  by  segment,  since  such  assets  are  used 
interchangeably among the segments.

For revenues by reportable segment and geographic area, please see Note 2. 

Table of Contents  

Segment operating profits by reportable segment were as follows:

Financial Services

Healthcare

Products and Resources

Communications, Media and Technology

Total segment operating profit

Less: unallocated costs

Income from operations

2019

2018

2017(1)

(in millions)

1,605

1,261

1,028

732

4,626

2,173

2,453

1,713

1,416

1,023

692

4,844

2,043

2,801

1,771

1,301

923

601

4,596

2,115

2,481

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

2019

2018

2017

(in millions)

445

104

760

1,309

436

105

853

1,394

360

63

901

1,324

$

$

$

$

(1) 

As described above, in 2019 we made changes to the internal measurement of segment operating profits. While we have 

restated the 2018 results to conform to the new methodology, it is impracticable for us to restate our 2017 segment 

operating results as the detailed information required for the allocation of such costs to the segments is not reasonably 

available.

Geographic Area Information

Long-lived assets by geographic area are as follows:

Long-lived Assets:(1)

North America(2)

Europe

Rest of World(3)

Total

Long-lived assets include property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization.

(1) 

(2) 

(3) 

Substantially all relates to the United States.

Substantially all relates to India.

F-44

F-45

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents  

Note 19 — Segment Information

Our reportable segments are: 

•  Financial Services, which consists of our banking and insurance operating segments;

•  Healthcare, which consists of our healthcare and life sciences operating segments;

•  Products and Resources, which consists of our retail and consumer goods; manufacturing, logistics, energy, and utilities; 

and travel and hospitality operating segments; and

•  Communications, Media and Technology, which includes our communications and media operating segment and our 

technology operating segment.

Our sales managers, account executives, account managers and project teams are aligned in accordance with the specific 

industries they serve. Our chief operating decision maker evaluates the Company's performance and allocates resources based on 

segment revenues and operating profit. Segment operating profit is defined as income from operations before unallocated costs. 

Generally, operating expenses for each operating segment have similar characteristics and are subject to the same factors, pressures 

and challenges. However, the economic environment and its effects on industries served by our operating segments may affect 

revenues and operating expenses to differing degrees. 

In 2019, we made certain changes to the internal measurement of segment operating profits for the purpose of evaluating 

segment performance and resource allocation. The primary reason for the change was to charge to our business segments costs 

that are directly managed and controlled by them. Specifically, segment operating profit now includes certain benefit, immigration, 

recruitment and sales and field marketing costs, which were previously included in "unallocated costs." We have reported our 

2019 segment operating profits using the new allocation methodology and have restated the 2018 results to conform to the new 

methodology. Additionally, we combined our energy and utilities operating segment with our manufacturing and logistics operating 

segment for our internal reporting. Our products and resources segment, which was previously comprised of four operating segments 

((i) retail and consumer goods; (ii) manufacturing and logistics; (iii) travel and hospitality; and (iv) energy and utilities) is now 

comprised of three operating segments ((i) retail and consumer goods; (ii) manufacturing, logistics, energy and utilities; and (iii) 

travel and hospitality). This change reflects how this operating segment is currently managed and reported to chief operating 

decision makers but will not affect our reportable segment financial results.

Expenses included in segment operating profit consist principally of direct selling and delivery costs (including stock-based 

compensation expense) as well as a per employee charge for use of our global delivery centers and infrastructure. Certain selling, 

general and administrative expenses, the excess or shortfall of incentive compensation for commercial and delivery personnel as 

compared to target, costs related to our realignment program, a portion of depreciation and amortization and the impact of the 

settlements of our cash flow hedges are not allocated to individual segments in internal management reports used by the chief 

operating decision maker. Accordingly, such expenses are excluded from segment operating profit and are separately disclosed as 

“unallocated costs” and adjusted against our total income from operations. The incremental accrual related to the India Defined 

Contribution Obligation recorded in 2019 has been excluded from segment operating profits for the year ended December 31, 

2019. Additionally, the initial funding of the Cognizant U.S. Foundation recorded in 2018 has been excluded from segment operating 

profits for the year ended December 31, 2018. These costs are included in "unallocated costs" in the table below. Additionally, 

management  has  determined  that  it  is  not  practical  to  allocate  identifiable  assets  by  segment,  since  such  assets  are  used 

interchangeably among the segments.

For revenues by reportable segment and geographic area, please see Note 2. 

Table of Contents  

Segment operating profits by reportable segment were as follows:

Financial Services
Healthcare
Products and Resources
Communications, Media and Technology
Total segment operating profit

Less: unallocated costs

Income from operations

2019

2018

2017(1)

$

$

1,605
1,261
1,028
732
4,626
2,173
2,453

(in millions)
1,713
$
1,416
1,023
692
4,844
2,043
2,801

$

$

$

1,771
1,301
923
601
4,596
2,115
2,481

(1) 

As described above, in 2019 we made changes to the internal measurement of segment operating profits. While we have 
restated the 2018 results to conform to the new methodology, it is impracticable for us to restate our 2017 segment 
operating results as the detailed information required for the allocation of such costs to the segments is not reasonably 
available.

Geographic Area Information

Long-lived assets by geographic area are as follows:

Long-lived Assets:(1)
North America(2)
Europe
Rest of World(3)
Total

2019

2018

2017

(in millions)

$

$

445

104

760

1,309

$

$

436

105

853

1,394

$

$

360

63

901

1,324

(1) 
(2) 
(3) 

Long-lived assets include property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization.
Substantially all relates to the United States.
Substantially all relates to India.

F-44

F-45

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cognizant Technology Solutions Corporation

Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

For the Years Ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 

(in millions)

Trade accounts receivable allowance for doubtful

Valuation allowance—deferred income tax assets:

Warranty accrual:

Description

accounts:

2019

2018

2017

2019

2018

2017

2019

2018

2017

Balance at

Beginning of

Period

Charged to

Costs and

Expenses

Charged to

Other

Accounts

(in millions)

Deductions

/Other

Balance at

End of

Period

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

78

65

48

32

30

26

11

10

10

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

(11)

13

15

33

32

30

15

1

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

— $

— $

— $

3

$

— $

— $

— $

— $

— $

— $

— $

— $

1

32

30

26

2

$

$

$

$

$

— $

— $

67

78

65

33

32

30

24

11

10

Table of Contents  

Table of Contents  

Note 20 — Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)

Summarized quarterly results for the two years ended December 31, 2019 are as follows: 

2019

March 31

June 30

September 30

December 31

Full Year

Three Months Ended

Revenues
Cost of revenues (exclusive of depreciation

and amortization expense shown
separately below)

Selling, general and administrative expenses
Restructuring charges
Depreciation and amortization expense
Income from operations
Net income
Basic earnings per share (1)
Diluted earnings per share (1)

(in millions, except per share data)

4,110

$

4,141

$

4,248

$

4,284

$

16,783

2,575
871
2
123
539
441
0.77
0.77

$
$

2,629
719
49
125
619
509
0.90
0.90

$
$

2,681
706
65
127
669
497
0.90
0.90

$
$

2,749
676
101
132
626
395
0.72
0.72

$
$

10,634
2,972
217
507
2,453
1,842
3.30
3.29

$
$

2018

March 31

June 30

September 30

December 31

Full Year

Three Months Ended

Revenues
Cost of revenues (exclusive of depreciation

and amortization expense shown
separately below)

Selling, general and administrative expenses
Restructuring charges
Depreciation and amortization expense
Income from operations
Net income
Basic earnings per share (1)
Diluted earnings per share (1)

$

3,912

$

4,006

$

4,078

$

4,129

$

16,125

(in millions, except per share data)

2,401
710
1
107
693
520
0.89
0.88

$
$

2,417
805
—
114
670
456
0.78
0.78

$
$

2,480
723
11
119
745
477
0.82
0.82

$
$

2,540
769
7
120
693
648
1.12
1.12

$
$

$
$

9,838
3,007
19
460
2,801
2,101
3.61
3.60

(1) 

The sum of the quarterly basic and diluted earnings per share for each of the four quarters may not equal the earnings 
per share for the year due to rounding.

Note 21 — Subsequent Events

Dividend

On February 3, 2020, our Board of Directors approved the Company's declaration of a $0.22 per share dividend with a record 

date of February 18, 2020 and a payment date of February 28, 2020. 

Share Repurchase Program

In February 2020, our Board of Directors increased our stock repurchase program authorization from $5.5 billion to $7.5 

billion, excluding fees and expenses, and eliminated the expiration date of the program. 

F-46

F-47

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents  

Table of Contents  

Note 20 — Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)

Summarized quarterly results for the two years ended December 31, 2019 are as follows: 

Cognizant Technology Solutions Corporation

Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
For the Years Ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 
(in millions)

Description

Trade accounts receivable allowance for doubtful

Balance at
Beginning of
Period

Charged to
Costs and
Expenses

Charged to
Other
Accounts

(in millions)

Deductions
/Other

Balance at
End of
Period

accounts:

2019
2018
2017

Warranty accrual:

2019
2018
2017

Valuation allowance—deferred income tax assets:

2019
2018
2017

$
$
$

$
$
$

$
$
$

78
65
48

32
30
26

11
10
10

$
$
$

$
$
$

$
$
$

(11)
13
15

33
32
30

$
$
$

$
$
$

$
15
1
$
— $

— $
— $
$

3

— $
— $
— $

— $
— $
— $

— $
— $
$

1

32
30
26

$
$
$

2
$
— $
— $

67
78
65

33
32
30

24
11
10

Three Months Ended

March 31

June 30

September 30

December 31

Full Year

(in millions, except per share data)

4,110

$

4,141

$

4,248

$

4,284

$

16,783

2,575

2,629

2,681

2,749

871

2

123

539

441

0.77

0.77

710

1

107

693

520

0.89

0.88

$

$

$

$

719

49

125

619

509

0.90

0.90

805

—

114

670

456

0.78

0.78

$

$

$

$

706

65

127

669

497

0.90

0.90

723

11

119

745

477

0.82

0.82

$

$

$

$

676

101

132

626

395

0.72

0.72

769

7

120

693

648

1.12

1.12

$

$

$

$

10,634

2,972

217

507

2,453

1,842

3.30

3.29

9,838

3,007

19

460

2,801

2,101

3.61

3.60

Three Months Ended

March 31

June 30

September 30

December 31

Full Year

(in millions, except per share data)

$

3,912

$

4,006

$

4,078

$

4,129

$

16,125

2,401

2,417

2,480

2,540

2019

Revenues

Cost of revenues (exclusive of depreciation

and amortization expense shown

separately below)

Selling, general and administrative expenses

Restructuring charges

Depreciation and amortization expense

Income from operations

Net income

Basic earnings per share (1)

Diluted earnings per share (1)

2018

Revenues

Cost of revenues (exclusive of depreciation

and amortization expense shown

separately below)

Selling, general and administrative expenses

Restructuring charges

Depreciation and amortization expense

Income from operations

Net income

Basic earnings per share (1)

Diluted earnings per share (1)

$

$

$

$

per share for the year due to rounding.

Note 21 — Subsequent Events

Dividend

Share Repurchase Program

(1) 

The sum of the quarterly basic and diluted earnings per share for each of the four quarters may not equal the earnings 

On February 3, 2020, our Board of Directors approved the Company's declaration of a $0.22 per share dividend with a record 

date of February 18, 2020 and a payment date of February 28, 2020. 

In February 2020, our Board of Directors increased our stock repurchase program authorization from $5.5 billion to $7.5 

billion, excluding fees and expenses, and eliminated the expiration date of the program. 

F-46

F-47

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
I, Brian Humphries, certify that: 

CERTIFICATION

CERTIFICATION

EXHIBIT 31.1 

EXHIBIT 31.2

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Cognizant Technology Solutions Corporation;

I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Cognizant Technology Solutions Corporation;

Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material 
fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not 
misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly 
present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and 
for, the periods presented in this report;

The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and 
procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting 
(as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a) 

b) 

c) 

d) 

Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be 
designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its 
consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period 
in which this report is being prepared;

Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial 
reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of 
financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with 
generally accepted accounting principles;

Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report 
our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period 
covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred 
during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual 
report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control 
over financial reporting; and

I, Karen McLoughlin, certify that: 

1. 

2. 

Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material 

fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not 

misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. 

Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly 

present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and 

for, the periods presented in this report;

4. 

The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and 

procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting 

(as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a) 

Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be 

designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its 

consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period 

in which this report is being prepared;

b) 

Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial 

reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of 

financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with 

generally accepted accounting principles;

c) 

Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report 

our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period 

covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d) 

Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred 

during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual 

report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control 

over financial reporting; and

5. 

The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control 
over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or 
persons performing the equivalent functions): 

5. 

The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control 

over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or 

persons performing the equivalent functions): 

a) 

b) 

All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over 
financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, 
summarize and report financial information; and

a) 

All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over 

financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, 

summarize and report financial information; and

Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role 
in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

b) 

Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role 

in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Dated: February 14, 2020

/s/ BRIAN HUMPHRIES

Brian Humphries
Chief Executive Officer 
(Principal Executive Officer)

Dated: February 14, 2020

/s/ KAREN MCLOUGHLIN

Karen McLoughlin

Chief Financial Officer 

(Principal Financial Officer)

1. 

2. 

I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Cognizant Technology Solutions Corporation;

Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material 

fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not 

misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. 

Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly 

present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and 

for, the periods presented in this report;

4. 

The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and 

procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting 

(as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a) 

Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be 

designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its 

consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period 

in which this report is being prepared;

b) 

Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial 

reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of 

financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with 

generally accepted accounting principles;

c) 

Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report 

our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period 

covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d) 

Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred 

during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual 

report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control 

over financial reporting; and

I, Brian Humphries, certify that: 

I, Karen McLoughlin, certify that: 

CERTIFICATION

CERTIFICATION

EXHIBIT 31.1 

EXHIBIT 31.2

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Cognizant Technology Solutions Corporation;

Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material 
fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not 
misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly 
present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and 
for, the periods presented in this report;

The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and 
procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting 
(as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

5. 

The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control 

5. 

over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or 

persons performing the equivalent functions): 

a) 

All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over 

financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, 

summarize and report financial information; and

b) 

Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role 

in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

a) 

b) 

c) 

d) 

Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be 
designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its 
consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period 
in which this report is being prepared;

Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial 
reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of 
financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with 
generally accepted accounting principles;

Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report 
our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period 
covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred 
during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual 
report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control 
over financial reporting; and

The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control 
over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or 
persons performing the equivalent functions): 

a) 

b) 

All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over 
financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, 
summarize and report financial information; and

Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role 
in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Dated: February 14, 2020

Dated: February 14, 2020

/s/ BRIAN HUMPHRIES

Brian Humphries

Chief Executive Officer 

(Principal Executive Officer)

/s/ KAREN MCLOUGHLIN

Karen McLoughlin
Chief Financial Officer 
(Principal Financial Officer)

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, 
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO 
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002* 

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, 

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO 

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002* 

EXHIBIT 32.1 

EXHIBIT 32.2

In connection with the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Cognizant Technology Solutions Corporation (the 

In connection with the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Cognizant Technology Solutions Corporation (the 

“Company”) for the period ended December 31, 2019 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof 
(the “Report”), the undersigned, Brian Humphries, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, hereby certifies, pursuant to 18 
U.S.C. Section 1350, that: 

“Company”) for the period ended December 31, 2019 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof 

(the “Report”), the undersigned, Karen McLoughlin, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, hereby certifies, pursuant to 18 

(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of

(1)  The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 

1934; and

(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results

(2)  The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results 

of operations of the Company.

Dated: February 14, 2020

/s/ BRIAN HUMPHRIES

Brian Humphries
Chief Executive Officer 
(Principal Executive Officer)

U.S.C. Section 1350, that: 

1934; and 

of operations of the Company. 

Dated: February 14, 2020

/s/ KAREN MCLOUGHLIN

Karen McLoughlin

Chief Financial Officer 

(Principal Financial Officer)

_____________________

_____________________

* A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to Cognizant Technology Solutions
Corporation and will be retained by Cognizant Technology Solutions Corporation and furnished to the Securities and
Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.

*  A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to Cognizant Technology Solutions 

Corporation and will be retained by Cognizant Technology Solutions Corporation and furnished to the Securities and 

Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, 

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO 

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002* 

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, 
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO 
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002* 

EXHIBIT 32.1 

EXHIBIT 32.2

In connection with the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Cognizant Technology Solutions Corporation (the 

In connection with the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Cognizant Technology Solutions Corporation (the 

“Company”) for the period ended December 31, 2019 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof 

(the “Report”), the undersigned, Brian Humphries, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, hereby certifies, pursuant to 18 

“Company”) for the period ended December 31, 2019 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof 
(the “Report”), the undersigned, Karen McLoughlin, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, hereby certifies, pursuant to 18 
U.S.C. Section 1350, that: 

(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of

(1)  The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 

1934; and 

(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results

(2)  The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results 

of operations of the Company. 

Dated: February 14, 2020

/s/ KAREN MCLOUGHLIN

Karen McLoughlin
Chief Financial Officer 
(Principal Financial Officer)

U.S.C. Section 1350, that: 

1934; and

of operations of the Company.

Dated: February 14, 2020

/s/ BRIAN HUMPHRIES

Brian Humphries

Chief Executive Officer 

(Principal Executive Officer)

_____________________

_____________________

* A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to Cognizant Technology Solutions

Corporation and will be retained by Cognizant Technology Solutions Corporation and furnished to the Securities and

Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.

*  A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to Cognizant Technology Solutions 
Corporation and will be retained by Cognizant Technology Solutions Corporation and furnished to the Securities and 
Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.

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Powering the

Next Phase

of Growth

Corporate information

Directors
Michael Patsalos-Fox (CC) (FC) (GC) 
Chairman of the Board 
Cognizant

Former CEO                                               
Stroz Friedberg 

Former Chairman, the Americas   
McKinsey & Company 

Zein Abdalla (FC) (GC*) 
Former President 
PepsiCo

Vinita Bali  
Former CEO and Managing Director  
Britannia Industries

Former Vice President                                                                     
The Coca-Cola Company

Maureen Breakiron-Evans (AC*) (GC) 
Former CFO 
Towers Perrin

Archana Deskus 
Chief Information Officer 
Intel

John M. Dineen (AC) (FC*)  
Former President & CEO 
GE Healthcare

John N. Fox, Jr. (CC*) (GC) 
Former Vice Chairman 
Deloitte & Touche

Brian Humphries 
Chief Executive Officer 
Cognizant

Leo S. Mackay, Jr. (AC) (CC) 
Senior Vice President,                             
Ethics & Enterprise Assurance 
Lockheed Martin

Joseph M. Velli (AC) (CC) 
Former Senior Executive Vice President 
The Bank of New York

Sandra S. Wijnberg (AC) (FC) 
Former Partner 
Aquiline Holdings

Board committees

AC Audit

FC  Finance & Strategy

CC Management Development    
     & Compensation

GC Nominating, Governance & Public Affairs

 * Denotes committee chairperson

Executive officers
Brian Humphries 
Chief Executive Officer

Karen McLoughlin 
Chief Financial Officer

Executive offices
Glenpointe Centre West 
500 Frank W. Burr Blvd. 
Teaneck, NJ 07666 
Phone: 201.801.0233 
www.cognizant.com

Robert Telesmanic 
Senior Vice President,   
Controller and Chief Accounting Officer

Matthew Friedrich 
Executive Vice President,                  
General Counsel, Chief Corporate Affairs 
Officer and Secretary

Becky Schmitt 
Executive Vice President  
Chief People Officer

Dharmendra Kumar Sinha 
Executive Vice President  
President, North America

Malcolm Frank 
Executive Vice President 
President, Cognizant Digital Business

Balu Ganesh Ayyar 
Executive Vice President                 
President, Cognizant Digital Operations

Greg Hyttenrauch                               
Executive Vice President                 
President, Cognizant Digital Systems        
& Technology

Pradeep Shilige                                   
Executive Vice President                            
Head of Global Delivery

Form 10-K
A copy of the Company’s Annual Report 
on Form 10-K is available without charge 
upon request by contacting Investor 
Relations.

Common stock information
The Company’s Class A Common Stock 
(CTSH) is listed on the Nasdaq Global 
Select Market.

Annual meeting
The Company’s annual meeting  
of stockholders will be held on  
Tuesday, June 2, 2020 via live webcast at  
www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/
CTSH2020 
Online check-in begins at 9:15 am;  
meeting begins at 9:30 am.

Independent registered   
public accounting firm
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP 
300 Madison Avenue 
New York, NY 10017

Transfer agent
American Stock Transfer & 
Trust Company, LLC 
6201 15th Avenue 
Brooklyn, NY 11219

Investor relations
For more information, contact: 
Katie Royce                                            
Global Head of Investor Relations      
Katie.Royce@cognizant.com.

This Annual Report includes statements which may constitute forward-looking statements made pursuant 
to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, the accuracy of which 
are necessarily subject to risks, uncertainties, and assumptions as to future events that may not prove to be 
accurate. These statements include, but are not limited to, express or implied forward-looking statements 
relating to our expectations regarding opportunities in the marketplace, our cost structure, investment in and 
growth of our business, our realignment plans, the timing, cost and impact of the 2020 Fit for Growth Plan, 
our shift to digital solutions and services, our anticipated financial performance, our capital deployment plan 
and clarification, if any, by the Indian government as to the application of the Supreme Court’s ruling related 
to the India Defined Contribution Obligation. These statements are neither promises nor guarantees, but 
are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, which could cause 
actual  results  to  differ  materially  from  those  contemplated  in  these  forward-looking  statements.  Existing 
and prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, 
which  speak  only  as  of  the  date  hereof.  Factors  that  could  cause  actual  results  to  differ  materially  from 
those expressed or implied include general economic conditions, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, 
changes  in  the  regulatory  environment,  including  with  respect  to  immigration  and  taxes,  and  the  other 
factors discussed in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and other filings with the SEC. Cognizant 
undertakes  no  obligation to  update  or  revise  any forward-looking  statements, whether  as  a  result  of  new 
information, future events, or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities law.

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Engineering 

Modern 

Businesses

ANNUAL REP ORT 2019

370583_CGZ_AnnualReport_04_14_2020_MARKUP_CVR.indd   Letter V

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