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IQVIA

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FY2019 Annual Report · IQVIA
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UNITED STATES 
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION 
Washington, D.C. 20549 

FORM 10-K 

(Mark One) 
☒

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 

☐

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 
or 

For the transition period from                     to                      . 
Commission File Number: 001-35907 

IQVIA HOLDINGS INC. 

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of 
incorporation or organization)

27-1341991
(I.R.S. Employer 
Identification Number)

4820 Emperor Blvd., Durham, North Carolina 27703 
and 
83 Wooster Heights Road, Danbury, Connecticut 06810 
(Address of principal executive offices and Zip Code) 
(919) 998-2000 and (203) 448-4600 
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code) 

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

Title of each class
Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share

Trading Symbol(s)
IQV

Name of each exchange on which registered
New York Stock Exchange

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None 

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 Exchange 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 twelve 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 
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
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 

☐
Accelerated filer
Smaller reporting company ☐

☒  
☐
☐

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 Exchange Act).    Yes  ☐    No  ☒ 
The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant, based upon the closing sale price as reported 

on the New York Stock Exchange on June 28, 2019, the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second quarter, was approximately $28.6 billion. 

As of February 7, 2020, there were approximately 192,339,093 shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding. 

Portions  of  the  registrant’s  Proxy  Statement  for  the  2020  Annual  Meeting  of  Stockholders  are  incorporated  herein  by  reference  in  Part III  of  this  Annual 
Report on Form 10-K to the extent stated herein. Such proxy statement will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days of the registrant’s 
fiscal year ended December 31, 2019. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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IQVIA HOLDINGS INC.
FORM 10-K 

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

PART I 

Item  

1.
Business
1A. Risk Factors
1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
2.
3.
4.

Properties
Legal Proceedings
Mine Safety Disclosures

PART II 
Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity 

5.

Securities

Selected Financial Data
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

6.
7.
7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
8.
9.
9A. Controls and Procedures
9B. Other Information

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

PART III 
10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
11.
12.
13.
14.

Executive Compensation
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence
Principal Accountant Fees and Services

PART IV 

15.

16.

Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
Exhibit Index
Form 10-K Summary
Signatures

2

 
 
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS 

Except  for  any  historical  information  contained  herein,  the  matters  discussed  or  incorporated  by  reference  in  this  Annual 
Report on Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including Section 27A of 
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the 
“Exchange  Act”).  Such  forward-looking  statements  reflect,  among  other  things,  our  current  expectations,  our  forecasts  and  our 
anticipated results of operations, all of which are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause 
our actual results, performance or achievements, market trends, or industry results to differ materially from those expressed or implied 
by  such  forward-looking  statements.  Therefore,  any  statements  contained  herein  that  are  not  statements  of  historical  fact  may  be 
forward-looking  statements  and  should  be  evaluated  as  such.  Without  limiting  the  foregoing,  the  words  “anticipates,”  “believes,” 
“estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “may,” “plans,” “projects,” “should,” “targets,” “will” and the negative thereof and similar words 
and expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. 

We caution you that any such forward-looking statements are further qualified by important factors that could cause our actual 
operating  results  to  differ  materially  from  those  in  the  forward-looking  statements,  including  without  limitation,  that  most  of  our 
contracts may be terminated on short notice, and we may lose or experience delays with large client contracts or be unable to enter 
into new contracts; imposition of restrictions on our use of data by data suppliers or their refusal to license data to us; any failure by us 
to comply with contractual, regulatory or ethical requirements under our contracts, including current or changes to data protection and 
privacy  laws;  breaches  or  misuse  of  our  or  our  outsourcing  partners’  security  or  communications  systems;  hardware  and  software 
failures,  delays  in  the  operation  of  our  computer  and  communications  systems  or  the  failure  to  implement  system  enhancements; 
failure to meet our productivity or business transformation objectives; failure to successfully invest in growth opportunities; our ability 
to protect our intellectual property rights and our susceptibility to claims by others that we are infringing on their intellectual property 
rights; the expiration or inability to acquire third party licenses for technology or intellectual property; any failure by us to accurately 
and timely price and formulate cost estimates for contracts, or to document change orders; the rate at which our backlog converts to 
revenue; our ability to acquire, develop and implement technology necessary for our business; consolidation in the industries in which 
our clients operate; risks related to client or therapeutic concentration; the risks associated with operating on a global basis, including 
currency  or  exchange  rate  fluctuations  and  legal  compliance,  including  anti-corruption  laws;  risks  related  to  changes  in  accounting 
standards; general economic conditions in the markets in which we operate, including financial market conditions and risks related to 
sales to government entities; the risks associated with business disruptions caused by natural disasters, pandemics such as the COVID-
19 (coronavirus) or international conflict or other disruptions outside of our control; the impact of changes in tax laws and regulations; 
and our ability to successfully integrate, and achieve expected benefits from, our acquired businesses.

These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including those described in 
Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors.” If one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or if underlying assumptions prove incorrect, 
our actual results may vary materially from those expected, estimated or projected or as otherwise suggested by the forward-looking 
statements  that  we  make  for  a  number  of  reasons.  Given  these  uncertainties,  users  of  the  information  included  or  incorporated  by 
reference in this Form 10-K, including investors and prospective investors, are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-
looking statements. All forward-looking statements are made only as of the date hereof. We assume no obligation to update any such 
forward-looking information to reflect actual results or changes in the factors affecting such forward-looking information.

GENERAL 

When we use the terms “IQVIA,” the “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, we mean IQVIA 

Holdings Inc. and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, unless we state or the context implies otherwise. 

3

INDUSTRY AND MARKET DATA 

This annual report on Form 10-K includes market data and forecasts with respect to the healthcare industry. In some cases, we 
rely on and refer to market data and certain industry forecasts that were obtained from third party surveys, market research, consultant 
surveys, publicly available information and industry publications and surveys that we believe to be reliable. However, we have not 
independently  verified  data  from  industry  analyses  and  cannot  guarantee  their  accuracy  or  completeness.  We  believe  that  data 
regarding the industry, market size and its market position and market share within such industry provide general guidance but are 
inherently imprecise. Other industry and market data included in this annual report are from IQVIA analyses and have been identified 
accordingly,  including,  for  example,  IQVIA  Market  Prognosis,  which  is  a  subscription-based  service  that  provides  five-year 
pharmaceutical  market  forecasts  at  the  national,  regional  and  global  levels.  We  are  a  leading  global  information  provider  for  the 
healthcare industry and we maintain databases, produce market analyses and deliver information to clients in the ordinary course of 
our  business.  Our  information  is  widely  referenced  in  the  industry  and  used  by  governments,  payers,  academia,  the  life  sciences 
industry,  the  financial  community  and  others.  Most  of  this  information  is  available  on  a  subscription  basis.  Other  reports  and 
information are available publicly through our IQVIA Institute for Human Data Science (the “IQVIA Institute”). All such information 
is based upon our own market research, internal databases and published reports and has not been verified by any independent sources. 
Our  estimates  and  assumptions  involve  risks  and  uncertainties  and  are  subject  to  change  based  on  various  factors,  including  those 
discussed in Part I, Item IA, “Risk Factors”. These and other factors could cause results to differ materially from those expressed in 
the estimates and assumptions.

TRADEMARKS AND SERVICE MARKS 

All  trademarks,  trade  names,  product  names,  graphics  and  logos  of  IQVIA  contained  herein  are  trademarks  or  registered 
trademarks  of  IQVIA  Holdings  Inc.  or  its  subsidiaries,  as  applicable,  in  the  United  States  and/or  other  countries.  All  other  party 
trademarks, trade names, product names, graphics and logos contained herein are the property of their respective owners. The use or 
display  of  other  parties’  trademarks,  trade  names,  product  names,  graphics  or  logos  is  not  intended  to  imply,  and  should  not  be 
construed to imply, a relationship with, or endorsement or sponsorship of IQVIA Inc. or its subsidiaries by such other party.

Solely for convenience, the trademarks, service marks and trade names referred to in this annual report are listed without the ®, 
(sm) and (TM) symbols, but we will assert, to the fullest extent under applicable law, our rights or the rights of the applicable licensors 
to these trademarks, service marks and trade names. 

4

Item 1. Business 

Our Company 

PART I 

IQVIA  is  a  leading  global  provider  of  advanced  analytics,  technology  solutions  and  contract  research  services  to  the  life 
sciences  industry.  Formed  through  the  Merger  of  IMS  Health  and  Quintiles,  IQVIA  applies  human  data  science  –  leveraging  the 
analytic  rigor  and  clarity  of  data  science  to  the  ever-expanding  scope  of  human  science  –  to  enable  companies  to  reimagine  and 
develop new approaches to clinical development and commercialization, speed innovation, and accelerate improvements in healthcare 
outcomes.  Powered  by  the  IQVIA  CORE,  we  deliver  unique  and  actionable  insights  at  the  intersection  of  large  scale  analytics, 
transformative technology and extensive domain expertise as well as execution capabilities. With approximately 67,000 employees, 
we conduct operations in more than 100 countries.

We have one of the largest and most comprehensive collections of healthcare information in the world, which includes more 
than  800 million  comprehensive,  longitudinal,  non-identified  patient  records  spanning  sales,  prescription  and  promotional  data, 
medical  claims,  electronic  medical  records,  genomics,  and  social  media.  Our  scaled  and  growing  information  set  contains  over  35 
petabytes of proprietary data sourced from more than 150,000 data suppliers and covering over one million data feeds globally. Based 
on  this  data,  we  deliver  information  and  insights  on  over  85%  of  the  world’s  pharmaceuticals,  as  measured  by  2018  sales.  We 
standardize,  curate,  structure  and  integrate  this  information  by  applying  our  sophisticated  analytics  and  leveraging  our  global 
technology infrastructure. This helps our clients run their organizations more efficiently and make better decisions to improve their 
clinical,  commercial  and  financial  performance.  The  breadth  of  the  intelligent,  actionable  information  we  provide  is  not 
comprehensively  available  from  any  other  source  and  our  scope  of  information  would  be  difficult  and  costly  for  another  party  to 
replicate. 

We combine our proprietary information assets with advanced analytics, transformative technology and domain expertise to 
develop clinical and commercial capabilities that enable us to grow our relationships with healthcare stakeholders throughout the life 
science’s value chain. This set of capabilities includes:

•

•

•

•

•

•

A leading healthcare-specific global IT infrastructure, representing what we believe is one of the largest and most 
sophisticated information technology (“IT”) infrastructures in healthcare. We receive over 95 billion healthcare records 
annually,  and  our  infrastructure  then  connects  complex  healthcare  data  while  applying  a  wide  range  of  privacy, 
security,  operational,  legal  and  contractual  protections  for  data  in  response  to  local  law,  supplier  requirements  and 
industry leading practices;

Analytics-driven clinical development, which improves clinical trial design, site identification and patient recruitment 
by  empowering  therapeutic,  scientific,  and  domain  experts  with  expansive  levels  of  information,  including  product 
level tracking in 90 markets, and information about treatments and outcomes on more than 800 million non-identified 
patients globally; 

Robust real world solutions ecosystem, with sophisticated retrospective database analytics, prospective real world data 
collection technology platforms and scientific expertise, which enables us to address critical healthcare issues of cost, 
value and patient outcomes; 

A  growing  set  of  proprietary  clinical  and  commercial  applications,  which  helps  our  clients  increase  their  clinical 
operations performance, supports their regulatory and compliance needs and orchestrates their sales operations, sales 
management, multi-channel marketing and performance management; and 

A staff of approximately 67,000 employees across the globe, including over 23,000 Technology & Analytics Solutions 
employees,  approximately  35,000  Research  &  Development  Solutions  employees  and  approximately  7,000  Contract 
Sales & Medical Solutions employees. 

Integration of information, analytics, technology, and domain expertise through the IQVIA CORE, which enables 
us to provide our clients with more effective options to address their needs from Research and Development through 
commercialization  as  well  as  truly  innovative  breakthroughs  such  as  virtual  trials  and  global  real-world  evidence 
networks.

5

Our Market Opportunity 

We compete in a market of greater than $230 billion consisting of outsourced research and development, real-world evidence 
and connected health and technology enabled clinical and commercial operations markets for life sciences companies and the broader 
healthcare industry. The following sets forth our estimates for the size of our principal markets: 

•

•

•

Outsourced research and development: Biopharmaceutical spending on drug development totaled over $100 billion in 
2019.  Of  that  amount,  we  estimate  that  our  addressable  opportunity  (clinical  development  spending  excluding 
preclinical spending) was approximately $66 billion. The portion of this addressable opportunity that was outsourced 
in 2019, based on our estimates, was approximately $35 billion; 

Real-World  Evidence  and  connected  health:  Total  addressable  market  of  approximately  $80 billion  based  on  2019 
sales that consists of two relatively equal parts. First, the market for Real-World Evidence of approximately $40 billion 
includes  traditionally  defined  analytic  platforms  and  implementation,  medical  and  scientific  analytic  services, 
observation  studies  and  market  access.  Second,  the  market  for  connected  healthcare  of  approximately  $40 billion 
includes areas such as revenue cycle management, payer analytics and clinical decision support services; and 

Technology  enabled  commercial  operations:  Total  addressable  market  of  approximately  $50 billion  based  on  2019 
sales  that  includes  information,  data  warehousing,  IT  outsourcing,  software  applications  and  other  services  in  the 
broader market for IT services. This addressable market also includes commercial services such as recruiting, training, 
deploying  and  managing  global  sales  forces,  channel  management,  patient  engagement  services,  market  access 
consulting, brand communication, advisory services, and health information analytics and technology consulting. 

In  deriving  estimates  of  the  size  of  the  various  markets  described  above,  we  review  third-party  sources,  which  include 
estimates and forecasts of spending in various segments, in combination with internal IQVIA research and analysis informed by our 
experience  serving  these  segments,  as  well  as  projected  growth  rates  for  each  of  these  segments.  See  “Industry  and  Market  Data” 
above.   

We believe there are six key trends affecting our end markets that will create increasing demand for research and development 

services, technology & analytics solutions and contract and medical solutions: 

Growth  and  innovation  in  the  life  sciences  industry.  The  life  sciences  industry  is  a  large  and  critical  part  of  the  global 
healthcare system, and, according to the latest information available from the IQVIA Market Prognosis service, is estimated to have 
generated  approximately  $1.25  trillion  in  revenue  in  2019.  According  to  our  research,  revenue  growth  in  the  life  sciences  industry 
globally is expected to range from 3% to 6% between 2020 and 2024. According to the IQVIA Institute, it is estimated that spending 
on  pharmaceuticals  in  emerging  markets  will  expand  at  a  5%  to  8%  compound  annual  growth  rate  (“CAGR”)  through  2024.  The 
growth  of  emerging  markets  is  making  these  geographies  strategically  important  to  life  sciences  organizations  and,  consistent  with 
their approach in the developed markets, we expect these organizations to apply a high degree of sophistication to their commercial 
operations in these countries. For global companies, this requires highly localized knowledge and information assets, the development 
of market access strategies and performance benchmarking. In addition, local players are learning that they need to compete on the 
basis of improved information and analytics. 

Growth  in  Research  and  Development.  Spending  trends  in  research  and  development  are  impacted  as  a  result  of  several 
factors, including major biopharmaceutical companies’ efforts to replenish revenues lost from the so-called “patent cliff,” increased 
access  to  capital  by  the  small  and  midcap  biotechnology  industry,  and  recent  increases  in  pharmaceutical  approvals  by  regulatory 
authorities. The IQVIA Institute also estimates that approximately 270 new molecular entities (“NMEs”) are expected to be approved 
between 2020 and 2024, compared to 236 between 2015 and 2019, and 200 between 2010 and 2014. We believe that further research 
and  development  spending,  combined  with  the  continued  need  for  cost  efficiency  across  the  healthcare  landscape,  will  continue  to 
create opportunities for biopharmaceutical services companies, particularly those with a global reach and broad service offerings, to 
help biopharmaceutical companies with their pre- and post-launch solutions development and commercialization needs. 

6

Increased  Complexity  in  Research  and  Development.  Biopharmaceutical  companies  face  environments  in  which  it  has 
become  increasingly  difficult  to  operate.  Improved  standards  of  care  in  many  therapeutic  areas  and  the  emergence  of  new  types  of 
therapies, such as biologics, genetically targeted therapies, gene and stem cell therapies, and other treatment modalities have led to 
more  complex  development  and  regulatory  pathways.  We  believe  that  our  global  clinical  development  capabilities,  including  our 
expertise  in  biomarkers  and  genomics  and  our  global  laboratory  network,  position  us  well  to  help  biopharmaceutical  companies 
manage the complexities inherent in an environment where this type of expertise is important. For example, the IQVIA CORE helps 
us validate protocols to ensure studies in new disease areas have greater accuracy and also enables us, through innovations such as 
predictive analytics, to find patients who may not have been diagnosed.

Regulators require clinical trials involving local populations as part of the process for approving new pharmaceutical products, 
especially in certain Asian and emerging markets. Understanding the epidemiological and physiological differences in different ethnic 
populations and being able to conduct clinical trials locally in certain geographies will be important to pharmaceutical product growth 
strategies,  both  for  multinational  and  local/regional  biopharmaceutical  companies.  We  believe  that  our  global  clinical  development 
capabilities and unmatched presence in Asia and other emerging markets make us a strong partner for biopharmaceutical companies 
managing the complexities of international drug development. 

Financial  pressures  driving  the  need  for  increased  efficiency.  Despite  expected  accelerating  growth  in  the  global  life 
sciences market, we believe our clients will face increased operating margin pressure due to their changing product mix, pricing and 
reimbursement challenges, and rising costs of compliance. Product portfolios for life sciences companies have shifted toward specialty 
products  with  lower  peak  market  sales  potential  than  traditional  primary  care  medicines.  We  believe  that  the  need  for 
biopharmaceutical companies to maximize productivity and lower costs across their processes from research and development through 
commercial operations will cause them to look to partners as they enter into outsourcing arrangements to improve efficiency. Further, 
our  clients  are  looking  for  new  ways  to  simplify  processes  and  drive  operational  efficiencies  by  using  automation,  consolidating 
vendors and adopting new technology options such as hosted and cloud-based applications. This provides opportunities for technology 
services  vendors  to  capture  and  consolidate  internal  spending  by  providing  lower-cost  and  variable-cost  options  that  lower  clients’ 
research and development, selling, marketing and administrative costs. 

Evolving need to integrate and structure expanding sources of data. Over the past decade, many health systems around the 
world  have  focused  on  digitizing  medical  records.  While  such  records  theoretically  enhance  access  to  data,  relevant  information  is 
often unintegrated, unstructured, siloed in disparate software systems, or entered inconsistently. In addition, new sources of data from 
the  internet,  such  as  social  media  and  information  on  limited  patient  pools,  and  information  resulting  from  enhanced  diagnostic 
technologies are creating new sources of healthcare data. 

In  order  to  derive  valuable  insights  from  existing  and  expanding  sources  of  information,  clients  need  access  to  statistically 
significant data sets organized into databases that can be queried and analyzed. For example, real-world evidence studies demonstrate 
practical  and  clinical  efficacies,  which  we  believe  require  the  aggregation  and  integration  of  large  clinical  data  sets  across  all  care 
settings, types of therapies and patient cohorts. Longitudinal studies require analysis of non-identified patient diagnoses, treatments, 
procedures  and  laboratory  test  results  to  identify  types  of  patients  that  will  likely  best  respond  to  particular  therapies.  Finally, 
manufacturers  also  require  the  ability  to  analyze  social  media  activity  to  identify  unmet  patient  needs  and  support  for  new  orphan 
drugs.  This  information  is  highly  relevant  to  all  healthcare  stakeholders  and  we  believe  the  opportunity  to  more  broadly  apply 
healthcare data can only be realized through structuring, organizing and integrating new and existing forms of data in conjunction with 
sophisticated analytics. 

Need  for  demonstrated  value  in  healthcare.  Participants  in  the  healthcare  industry  are  focused  on  improving  quality  and 
reducing costs, both of which require assessment of quality and value of therapies and providers. As a result, physicians no longer 
make prescribing decisions in isolation, but rather in the context of guidance and rules from payers, integrated delivery networks and 
governments. We believe life sciences companies are working to bring alignment across constituents on the value of their treatments 
in order to successfully develop and commercialize new therapies. 

There is increasing pressure on life sciences companies to support and justify the value of their therapies. Many new drugs that 
are being approved are more expensive than existing therapies and will likely receive heightened scrutiny by regulators and payers to 
determine  whether  the  existing  treatment  options  would  be  sufficient.  Additionally,  many  new  specialty  drugs  are  molecular-based 
therapies and require a more detailed understanding of clinical factors and influencers that demonstrate therapeutic value. As a result, 
leading life sciences companies are utilizing more sophisticated outcome research and data analytics services. 

7

We believe we are well positioned to take advantage of these global trends in healthcare. Beyond our proprietary information 
assets,  we  have  developed  key  capabilities  to  assess  opportunities  to  develop  and  commercialize  therapies,  support  and  defend  the 
value of medicines and help our clients operate more efficiently through the application of insight-driven decision-making and cost-
efficient technology solutions. 

Our Growth Strategy 

We  believe  we  are  well  positioned  for  continued  growth  across  the  markets  we  serve.  Our  strategy  for  achieving  growth 

includes: 

Continue to innovate by leveraging our information, advanced analytics, transformative technology and significant domain 
expertise. As a leader in the development and commercialization of new pharmaceutical therapies, we can empower our therapeutic, 
scientific  and  domain  experts  with  expansive  levels  of  information  including  product  level  tracking  in  90  markets  and  information 
about  treatments  and  outcomes  on  more  than  800 million  non-identified  patients.  By  integrating  these  capabilities  in  the  IQVIA 
CORE, we have the ability to optimize the clinical trial process and enable our clients to reduce costs and get their products to market 
more quickly through more informed site selection, faster patient recruitment practices and virtual trials. We transform Real World 
Evidence  by  linking  prospective  and  retrospective  approaches  and  introduce  innovation  such  as  secondary  control  arms,  which 
eliminate the need for a placebo group. We bring best in class SaaS platforms, purpose built for life sciences, to our clients to help 
them run their clinical and commercial operations more efficiently. 

Build upon our extensive client relationships. We have a diversified base of over 8,000 clients in over 100 countries and have 
expanded our client value proposition to address a broader market for research and development and commercial operations which we 
estimate to be more than $230 billion in 2019. Through the combined offerings of research and development and commercial services 
we built a platform that allows us to be a more complete partner to our clients. 

Expand  portfolio  through  strategic  acquisitions.  We  have  and  expect  to  continue  to  acquire  assets  and  businesses  that 
strengthen our value proposition to clients. We have developed an internal capability to source, evaluate and integrate acquisitions that 
have created value for stockholders. As the global healthcare landscape evolves, we expect that there will be a growing number of 
acquisition  opportunities  across  the  life  sciences,  payer  and  provider  sectors.  We  expect  to  continue  to  invest  in  or  explore 
opportunities for strategic acquisitions to grow our platform and enhance our ability to provide more services to our clients. 

Expand  the  penetration  of  our  offerings  to  the  broader  healthcare  marketplace.  We  believe  that  substantial  opportunities 
exist  to  use  our  existing  technology  and  domain  expertise  to  serve  additional  healthcare  stakeholders  (payers,  providers,  healthcare 
professionals)  to  quantify  and  optimize  cost  of  care  delivery;  provide  registry  technology  to  professional  association  and  patient 
communities and support healthcare providers with system implementation and platform migration. 

Our Offerings 

We  offer  hundreds  of  distinct  services,  applications,  technology  platforms  and  solutions  to  help  our  clients  make  critical 
decisions  and  perform  better.  We  have  three  operating  segments:  Technology  &  Analytics  Solutions,  Research &  Development 
Solutions  and  Contract  Sales  &  Medical  Solutions.  Their  offerings  complement  each  other  and  can  provide  enhanced  value  to  our 
clients when delivered together, with each driving demand for the other. 

Our Technology & Analytics Solutions offerings include: 

Technology  platforms. We  provide  an  extensive  range  of  cloud-based  applications  and  associated  implementation  services. 
Software as a Service (“SaaS”) solutions that support a wide range of clinical and commercial processes, including clinical trial design 
and  planning,  site  start-up,  patient  consent,  site  payments,  content  management,  multi-channel  marketing,  real-world  evidence 
generation,  customer  relationship  management  (“CRM”),  performance  management,  incentive  compensation,  territory  alignment, 
roster  management,  call  planning,  compliance  and  safety  reporting  and  master  data  management.  These  solutions  are  used  by 
healthcare  companies  to  manage,  optimize  and  execute  their  clinical  and  commercial  strategies  in  an  orchestrated  manner  while 
addressing  their  regulatory  obligations.  Using  proprietary  algorithms,  we  combine  our  country-level  data,  healthcare  expertise  and 
therapeutic knowledge in over 100 countries to create our Global Market Insight family of offerings such as MIDAS, Analytics Link 
and  Disease  Insights,  which  provides  a  leading  source  of  insight  into  international  market  dynamics  and  are  used  by  most  large 
pharmaceutical companies.

Real World Solutions. We enable life sciences and provider customers to generate and disseminate evidence in a cost-efficient 
manner which informs health care decision making and ultimately improves patients’ outcomes. Our use of a wide range of privacy 
and  security  safeguards  protect  non-identified  patient-level  medical  claims,  prescriptions,  electronic  medical  records,  genomics, 

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patient  reported  outcome  and  social  media  data.  Our  scaled  information  networks  include  more  than  800  million  non-identified 
patients globally. We technology-enable these data flows by harmonizing them to common data models and loading them onto our 
proprietary evidence platforms for secure access by our customers. We provide access to deep clinical data in Oncology, Rare Disease, 
and other specialty areas. Our Natural Language Processing capabilities help us create structured data from unstructured clinical notes. 
We help our global customers across payers, providers, governments, and biopharmaceutical companies to answer critical questions 
about  healthcare  interventions  related  to  safety,  effectiveness,  and  value.  We  also  bring  together  stakeholders  across  healthcare  to 
collaborate in efforts to develop new information sources, more effective reimbursement models, and better patient outcomes. 

Analytics  and  consulting  services. We  provide  a  broad  set  of  strategic  and  implementation  consulting  services,  including 
advanced  analytics  and  commercial  processes  outsourcing  services  to  help  the  commercial  operations  of  life  sciences  companies 
successfully transform their commercial models, engage more effectively with the healthcare stakeholders and reduce their operating 
costs.  We  also  help  our  client’s  R&D  function  to  address  strategic  challenges  in  the  drug  development  process.  Our  global  teams 
leverage  local  market  knowledge,  deep  scientific  and  therapeutic  area  expertise  and  our  global  information  resources  to  assist  our 
clients with R&D strategy, portfolio, brand and commercial strategy, as well as pricing and market access and launch excellence.

Information offerings. Our national offerings comprise unique services in over 100 countries that provide consistent country 
level performance metrics related to sales of pharmaceutical products, prescribing trends, medical treatment and promotional activity 
across  multiple  channels  including  retail,  hospital  and  mail  order.  Our  sub-national  offerings  comprise  unique  services  in  over 
70 countries that provide a consistent measurement of sales or prescribing activity at the regional, zip code and individual prescriber 
level  (depending  on  regulation  in  the  relevant  country).  Our  widely  used  reference  database  that  tracks  approximately  20 million 
healthcare  professionals  in  over  100  countries,  providing  a  comprehensive  view  of  health  care  practitioners  that  is  critical  for  the 
commercial success of our clients’ marketing and sales initiatives. 

Our Research & Development Solutions offerings include: 

Project  Management  and  Clinical  Monitoring.  Drawing  upon  our  years  of  experience,  our  site  databases,  our  site 
relationships  and  our  highly  trained  staff,  our  solutions and  services  enables  the  efficient  conduct  and  coordination  of  multi-site 
clinical trials (generally Phase II-IV). Our service offerings include protocol design, feasibility and operational planning, site start up, 
patient  recruitment  and  clinical  site  monitoring.  By  infusing  technology  into  field-based  monitoring,  we  are  able  to  reduce  data 
collection steps and time.

Clinical  Trial  Support  Services.  Each  clinical  trial  requires  a  number  of  concurrent  services  and  data  streams.  We  offer  a 
broad range of functional services and consultation to support clinical trials through specialized expertise that help clients efficiently 
collect, analyze and report the quality data and evidence they need to gain regulatory approval. 

Q2  Solutions.  We  provide  our  clients  globally  scaled  end-to-end  clinical  trial  laboratory  and  research  services  through  our 
majority-owned  joint  venture  with Quest  Diagnostics  Incorporated  (“Quest”),  which was  formed  on July 1,  2015. We  offer the full 
range of central laboratory, genomic, bioanalytical, ADME, discovery, vaccine and biomarker laboratory services along with sample 
and consent tracking services supporting clinical trials offerings within the joint venture, which is referred to as Q2 Solutions. 

Strategic  Planning  and  Design.  By  bringing  our  data  science  capabilities  to  our  strategic  planning  and  design  services,  we 
offer  consultation  services  to  improve  decisions  and  performance  including  portfolio,  program  and  protocol  planning  and  design, 
biomarker  consultation,  benefit-risk  management,  regulatory  affairs,  biostatistics,  modeling  and  simulation,  and  personalized 
medicine. 

Virtual Trials. Utilizing our proprietary information assets and transformative technology, we bring trials directly to patients, 
with the objective of increasing participation and improving cycle times. Combining this with purpose-built processes and industry-
leading clinical capabilities, we help clients reach diverse and difficult to recruit patient populations.

Our principal Contract Sales & Medical Solutions offerings include: 

Health Care Provider Engagement Services. We partner with biopharmaceutical companies and other life sciences providers 
(e.g.,  medical  device  companies)  to  develop  and  deploy  tailored  stakeholder  engagement  solutions,  including  contract  sales  and 
market access professionals, which are focused on product sales and improving brand value at all stages of the product lifecycle from 
initial market entry to brands nearing patent expiry. 

Patient  Engagement  Services.  Our  nurse-based  programs  directly  engage  with  patients  to  help  improve  their  disease  and 
medication  understanding  through  interventional  and  non-interventional  support,  while  also  providing  assistance  in  navigating 
complex  reimbursement  coverage  issues.  Our  patient  engagement  services  combine  insight  from  clinical  trials  and  social  listening, 

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behavioral  design,  personal  and  innovative  eHealth  multichannel  interactions  across  multiple  sites  (e.g.,  the  physician’s  office, 
hospital,  pharmacy,  home),  that  act  as  an  extension  of  the  Health  Care  Provider  prescribed  treatment  course  which  can  lead  to 
improved adherence and better overall outcomes. 

Medical  Affairs  Services.  We  provide  a  range  of  scientific  strategy  and  medical  affairs  services  to  help  biopharmaceutical 
companies plan and transition from the clinical trial setting to commercialization. Beginning in the clinical trial stage, our services can 
deploy educators to clinical trial sites to accelerate patient recruitment and improve retention, assist in translation of complex clinical 
trial  data  into  a  compelling  scientific  platform  and  publication  strategy,  and,  provide  field  medical  teams  to  facilitate  scientific 
engagement with key opinion leaders and healthcare decision makers, before and after product approval. 

Our Clients 

Sales  to  companies  in  life  sciences,  including  pharmaceutical  companies,  biotechnology  companies,  device  and  diagnostic 
companies,  and  consumer  health  companies,  accounted  for  the  majority  of  our  revenues.  Nearly  all  of  the  top  100  global 
pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, measured by revenue, are clients, and many of these companies subscribe to reports and 
services in many countries. Other clients include payers, government and regulatory agencies, providers, pharmaceutical distributors, 
and pharmacies. Our client base is broad in scope and enables us to avoid dependence on any single client. No single client accounted 
for  10%  or  more  of  our  total  company  revenues  in  2019,  2018  or  2017.  As  of  December  31,  2019  the  largest  client  based  on  its 
percentage of total company revenue contributed approximately 5%.

Our Competition 

Our Technology & Analytics Solutions business competes with a broad and diverse set of businesses. While we believe no 
competitor provides the combination of geographical reach and breadth of its services, we generally compete in the countries in which 
we operate with other information, analytics, technology, services and consulting companies, as well as with the in-house capabilities 
of our clients. Also, we compete with certain government agencies, private payers and other healthcare stakeholders that provide their 
data  directly  to  others.  In  addition  to  country-by-country  competition,  we  have  a  number  of  regional  and  global  competitors  in  the 
marketplace  as  well.  Our  offerings  compete  with  various firms,  including  Accenture,  Aetion,  Boston  Health  Economics,  Cognizant 
Technology  Solutions,  Covance  Inc.,  Deloitte,  Evidera,  (now  part  of  PPD),  GfK,  LexisNexis  Risk  Solutions,  IBM,  Infosys,  Kantar 
Health,  McKinsey,  Nielsen,  OptumInsight,  PAREXEL  International  Corporation,  Press  Ganey,  RTI  Health  Solutions,  PRA  Health 
Sciences, Tempus, Veeva, and ZS Associates. We also compete with a broad range of new entrants and start-ups that are looking to 
bring new technologies and business models to healthcare information services and technology services. 

The  markets  for  Research &  Development  Solutions  offerings  are  highly  competitive,  and  we  compete  against  traditional 
contract  research  organizations  (“CROs”),  the  in-house  research  and  development  departments  of  biopharmaceutical  companies, 
universities, and teaching hospitals. Among the traditional CROs, there are several-hundred small, limited-service providers, several 
medium-sized firms and only a few full-service companies with global capabilities. Our primary competitors include Covance Inc., 
ICON  plc,  PAREXEL  International  Corporation,  Pharmaceutical  Product  Development,  Inc.,  PRA  Health  Sciences,  and  Syneos 
Health, among others. 

Our  Contract  Sales  &  Medical  Solutions  business  competes  against  the  in-house  sales  and  marketing  departments  of 
biopharmaceutical companies, other contract pharmaceutical sales and service organizations and consulting firms. Contract Sales & 
Medical  Solutions’  primary  competitor  in  the  United  States  is  Syneos  Health,  Publicis  and  United  Drug  plc.  Outside  of  the  United 
States, Contract Sales & Medical Solutions typically competes against single country or more regionally focused service providers, 
such as United Drug plc, Syneos Health, EPS Corporation and CMIC HOLDINGS Co., Ltd. 

Government Regulation 

Many  aspects  of  our  businesses  are  regulated  by  federal  and  state  laws,  rules  and  regulations.  Accordingly,  we  maintain  a 
robust compliance program aimed at ensuring we operate our business in compliance with all existing legal requirements material to 
the operation of our businesses. There are, however, occasionally uncertainties involving the application of various legal requirements, 
the violation of which could result in, among other things, fines or other sanctions. See Part I, Item 1A, "Risk Factors” for additional 
detail. 

Good Clinical Practice 

Good  Clinical  Practice  (“GCP”)  regulations  and  guidelines  are  the  industry  standard  for  the  conduct  of  clinical  trials  with 
respect to maintaining the integrity of the data and safety of the research subjects. The United States Food and Drug Administration 
(“FDA”),  the  European  Medicines  Agency  (“EMA”),  Japan’s  Ministry  of  Health,  Labour  and  Welfare  and  most  other  global 

10

regulatory  authorities  expect  that  study  results  and  data  submitted  to  such  authorities  be  based  on  clinical  trials  conducted  in 
accordance with GCP provisions. Records for clinical trials must be maintained for specified periods for inspection by the FDA and 
other regulators. 

Regulation of Drugs, Biologics and Medical Devices 

In the United States, pharmaceutical, biological and medical device products are subject to extensive regulation by the FDA. 
The  Federal  Food,  Drug,  and  Cosmetic  Act  (“FDC  Act”),  the  Public  Health  Service  Act  (“PHS  Act”),  and  other  federal  and  state 
statutes  and  regulations,  govern,  among  other  things,  the  research,  development,  testing,  manufacture,  storage,  recordkeeping, 
approval, labeling, promotion and marketing, distribution, post-approval monitoring and reporting, sampling, and import and export of 
pharmaceutical, biological and medical device products. Failure to comply with applicable United States requirements may subject a 
company to a variety of administrative or judicial sanctions, such as FDA refusal to approve a pending new drug application (“NDA”) 
for a new drug, a biologics license application (“BLA”) for a new biological product pre-market approval (“PMA”) or clearance for a 
new  medical  device,  warning  or  untitled  letters,  clinical  holds,  product  recalls,  product  seizures,  total  or  partial  suspension  of 
production or distribution, injunctions, fines, civil penalties, and criminal prosecution. 

Regulation of Patient Information 

Our  information  management  services  relate  to  the  processing  of  information  regarding  patient  diagnosis  and  treatment  of 
disease  and  are,  therefore,  subject  to  substantial  governmental  regulation.  In  addition,  the  confidentiality  of  patient-specific 
information and the circumstances under which such patient-specific records may be released for inclusion in our databases or used in 
other  aspects  of  our  business  is  heavily  regulated.  Federal,  state  and  foreign  governments  are  contemplating  or  have  proposed  or 
adopted additional legislation governing the possession, use and dissemination of personal data, such as personal health information 
and  personal  financial  data,  as  well  as  security  breach  notification  rules  for  loss  or  theft  of  such  data.  Additional  legislation  or 
regulation of this type might, among other things, require us to implement additional security measures and processes or bring within 
the legislation or regulation de-identified health or other data, each of which may require substantial expenditures or limit our ability 
to offer some of our services. 

In particular, personal health information is recognized in many countries such as the United States, the European Union, or 
EU, and several countries in Asia, as a special, sensitive category of personal information, subject to additional mandatory protections. 
Violations  of  data  protection  regulations  are  subject  to  administrative  penalties,  civil  money  penalties  and  criminal  prosecution, 
including corporate fines and personal liability. 

Regulation of Promotion, Marketing and Distribution of Pharmaceutical Products and Medical Devices 

Certain of our services are subject to detailed and comprehensive regulation in each geographic market in which we operate. 
Such regulation relates, among other things, to the distribution of drug samples, the marketing and promotion of approved products, 
the qualifications of sales representatives and the use of healthcare professionals in sales functions. 

In the United States, certain of our services are subject to numerous federal and state laws pertaining to promotional activities 
involving  pharmaceutical  products  and  medical  devices.    Certain  of  our  services  are  subject  to  the  FDA’s  regulations  against  “off-
label promotion,” which require sales representatives to restrict promotion of the approved product they are detailing to the approved 
labeling  for  the  product.  The  Prescription  Drug  Marketing  Act  imposes  licensing,  personnel  record  keeping,  packaging,  labeling, 
product  handling  and  facility  storage  and  security  requirements.  Other  federal  and  state  laws  prohibit  manufacturers,  suppliers  and 
providers  from  offering,  giving  or  receiving  kickbacks  or  other  remuneration  in  connection  with  ordering  or  recommending  the 
purchase or rental of healthcare items and services. The sale or distribution of pharmaceutical products and devices is also governed 
by  the  United  States  Federal  Trade  Commission  Act  and  state  consumer  protection  laws.  We  are  subject  to  similar  regulations 
currently in effect in the other countries where we offer Contract Sales & Medical Solutions. 

We are also subject to various laws and regulations that may apply to certain drug and device promotional practices, including, 
among others, various aspects of Medicare and federal healthcare programs. Violations of these laws and regulations may result in 
criminal and/or civil penalties, including possibly as an “aider and abettor.”  

Regulation of Laboratories 

Our  United  States  laboratories  are  subject  to  licensing  and  regulation  under  federal,  state  and  local  laws  relating  to  hazard 
communication and employee right-to-know regulations, and the safety and health of laboratory employees. Additionally, our United 
States laboratories are subject to applicable federal and state laws and regulations and licensing requirements relating to the handling, 
storage  and  disposal  of  hazardous  waste,  radioactive  materials  and  laboratory  specimens,  including  the  regulations  of  the 

11

Environmental  Protection  Agency,  the  Nuclear  Regulatory  Commission,  the  Department  of  Transportation,  the  National  Fire 
Protection Agency and the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”). The use of controlled substances in testing for 
drugs with a potential for abuse is regulated in the United States by the DEA and by similar regulatory bodies in other parts of the 
world. Our United States laboratories using controlled substances for testing purposes are licensed by the DEA. The regulations of the 
United States Department of Transportation, Public Health Service and Postal Service apply to the surface and air transportation of 
laboratory  specimens.  Our  laboratories  also  are  subject  to  International  Air  Transport  Association  regulations,  which  govern 
international shipments of laboratory specimens. Furthermore, when the materials are sent to a foreign country, the transportation of 
such materials becomes subject to the laws, rules and regulations of such foreign country. Our laboratories outside the United States 
are subject to applicable national laws governing matters such as licensing, the handling and disposal of medical specimens, genetic 
material, hazardous waste and radioactive materials, as well as the health and safety of laboratory employees. 

In  addition  to  its  comprehensive  regulation  of  safety  in  the  workplace,  the  United  States  Occupational  Safety  and  Health 
Administration has established extensive requirements relating to workplace safety for healthcare employers whose workers may be 
exposed to blood-borne pathogens such as HIV and the hepatitis B virus. Although we believe that we are currently in compliance in 
all material respects with such federal, state and local laws, failure to comply with such laws could subject us to denial of the right to 
conduct business, fines, criminal penalties and other enforcement actions. 

Further,  laboratories  that  analyze  human  blood  or  other  biological  samples  for  the  diagnosis  and  treatment  of  clinical  trial 
subjects must comply with Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (“CLIA”), as well as requirements established by various 
states. The failure to meet these requirements may result in civil penalties and suspension or revocation of the CLIA certification. 

Our Intellectual Property 

In addition to our proprietary data sets described above, we develop and use a number of proprietary methodologies, analytics, 
systems, technologies and other intellectual property in the conduct of our business. We rely upon a combination of legal, technical, 
and  administrative  safeguards  to  protect  our  proprietary  and  confidential  information  and  trade  secrets,  and  patent,  copyright  and 
trademark laws to protect other intellectual property rights. We consider our trademark and related names, marks and logos to be of 
material  importance  to  our  business,  and  we  have  registered  or  applied  for  registration  for  certain  of  these  trademarks  including 
IQVIA, in the United States and other jurisdictions and aggressively seek to protect them. Trademarks and service marks generally 
may be renewed indefinitely so long as they are in use and/or their registrations are properly maintained, and so long as they have not 
been found to have become generic. The technology and other intellectual property rights owned and licensed by us are of importance 
to our business, although our management believes that our business, as a whole, is not dependent upon any one intellectual property 
or group of such properties.

Our Employees 

As of December 31, 2019, we have approximately 67,000 employees worldwide. Almost all of these employees are full-time. 
None of our employees are covered by a collective bargaining agreement or are represented by a labor union. Employees in certain 
locations outside of the United States are represented by works councils as required by local laws. 

Available Information 

Our website address is www.iqvia.com, and our investor relations website is located at http://ir.iqvia.com. Information on our 
website is not incorporated by reference herein. Copies of our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current 
reports on Form 8-K and our Proxy Statements for our annual meetings of stockholders, and any amendments to those reports, as well 
as Section 16 reports filed by our insiders, are available free of charge on our website as soon as reasonably practicable after we file 
the  reports  with,  or  furnish  the  reports  to,  the  Securities  and  Exchange  Commission  (“SEC”).  In  addition,  the  SEC  maintains  an 
Internet site (http://www.sec.gov) containing reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that 
file electronically with the SEC. Information on the SEC’s website does not constitute part of this report. Also posted on our website 
are our certificate of incorporation and by-laws, the charters for our Audit Committee, Leadership Development and Compensation 
Committee and Nominating and Governance Committee, our Corporate Governance Guidelines, and our Code of Conduct governing 
our directors, officers and employees. Copies of our SEC reports and corporate governance information are available in print upon the 
request of any stockholder to our Investor Relations Department. Within the time period required by the SEC and the New York Stock 
Exchange (“NYSE”), we will post on our website any amendment to the Code of Conduct or any waiver of such policy applicable to 
any of our senior financial officers, executive officers or directors. 

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[Item 1A. Risk Factors

RISK FACTORS

We operate in a rapidly changing environment that involves a number of risks, some of which are beyond our control. You 
should  consider  carefully  the  risks  and  uncertainties  described  below  together  with  the  other  information  included  in  this  Annual 
Report on Form 10-K, including our consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this Annual Report on 
Form  10-K,  in  evaluating  our  Company.  The  occurrence  of  any  of  the  following  risks  may  materially  and  adversely  affect  our 
business, financial condition, results of operations and future prospects. 

Risks Relating to Our Business 

The potential loss or delay of our large contracts or of multiple contracts could adversely affect our results. 

Most of our Research & Development Solutions clients can terminate our contracts upon 30 to 90 days notice. Our clients may 

delay, terminate or reduce the scope of our contracts for a variety of reasons beyond our control, including but not limited to: 

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

decisions to forego or terminate a particular clinical trial; 

lack of available financing, budgetary limits or changing priorities; 

actions by regulatory authorities; 

production problems resulting in shortages of the drug being tested; 

failure of products being tested to satisfy safety requirements or efficacy criteria; 

unexpected or undesired clinical results for products; 

insufficient patient enrollment in a clinical trial; 

insufficient investigator recruitment; 

shift of business to a competitor or internal resources; 

product withdrawal following market launch; or 

shut down of manufacturing facilities. 

As a result, contract terminations, delays and alterations are a regular part of our Research & Development Solutions business. 
In the event of termination, our contracts often provide for fees for winding down the project, but these fees may not be sufficient for 
us to realize the full amount of revenues or profits anticipated under the related services contracts, and termination may result in lower 
resource utilization rates. In addition, we will not realize the full benefits of our backlog of contractually committed services if our 
clients  cancel,  delay  or  reduce  their  commitments  under  our  contracts  with  them,  which  may  occur  if, among  other things,  a  client 
decides to shift its business to a competitor or revoke our status as a preferred provider. Thus, the loss or delay of a large contract or 
the loss or delay of multiple contracts could adversely affect our revenues and profitability. We believe the risk of loss or delay of 
multiple contracts potentially has greater effect where we are party to broader partnering arrangements with global biopharmaceutical 
companies. 

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 We depend on third parties for data and support services. Our suppliers or providers might restrict our use of or refuse to 
license data or provide services, which could lead to our inability to access certain data or provide certain services and, as a result, 
materially and adversely affect our operating results and financial condition. 

Each of our Technology & Analytics Solutions information services is derived from data we collect from third parties. These 

data suppliers are numerous and diverse, reflecting the broad scope of information that we collect and use in our business. 

Although we typically enter into long-term contractual arrangements with many of these suppliers of data, at the time of entry 
into a new contract or renewal of an existing contract, suppliers may increase restrictions on our use of such data, increase the price 
they charge us for data or refuse altogether to license the data to us. In addition, during the term of any data supply contract, suppliers 
may fail to adhere to our data quality control standards or fail to deliver data. Further, although no single individual data supplier is 
material to our business, if a number of suppliers collectively representing a significant amount of data that we use for one or more of 
our  services  were  to  impose  additional  contractual  restrictions  on  our  use  of  or  access  to  data,  fail  to  adhere  to  our  quality-control 
standards, repeatedly fail to deliver data or refuse to provide data, now or in the future, our ability to provide those services to our 
clients could be materially adversely impacted, which may harm our operating results and financial condition. 

Additionally, we depend on third parties for support services to our business. Such support services include, but are not limited 
to, third-party transportation providers, suppliers of drugs for patients participating in clinical trials, suppliers of kits for use in our 
clinical trial laboratories business, suppliers of reagents for use in our testing equipment and providers of maintenance contracts for 
our  equipment.  The  failure  of  any  of  these  third parties  to  adequately  provide  the  critical  support  services  could  have  a  material 
adverse effect on our business. 

If  we  fail  to  perform  our  services  in  accordance  with  contractual  requirements,  regulatory  standards  and  ethical 

considerations, we could be subject to significant costs or liability and our reputation could be harmed. 

We contract with biopharmaceutical companies to perform a wide range of services to assist them in bringing new drugs to 
market. Our services include monitoring clinical trials, data and laboratory analysis, electronic data capture, patient recruitment and 
other related services, and we perform these services in a number of ways, including through physical and technology-enabled efforts. 
Such services are complex and subject to contractual requirements, regulatory standards and ethical considerations. For example, we 
must adhere to regulatory requirements such as the FDA and current GCP and Good Laboratory Practice requirements. If we fail to 
perform our services in accordance with these requirements, regulatory agencies may take action against us for failure to comply with 
applicable  regulations  governing  clinical  trials  or  sales  and  marketing  practices.  Such  actions  may  include  sanctions,  such  as 
injunctions  or  failure  of  such  regulatory  authorities  to  grant  marketing  approval  of  products,  delay,  suspension  or  withdrawal  of 
approvals, license revocation, product seizures or recalls, operational restrictions, civil or criminal penalties or prosecutions, damages 
or  fines.  Clients  may  also  bring  claims  against  us  for  breach  of  our  contractual  obligations  and  patients  in  the  clinical  trials  and 
patients taking drugs approved on the basis of those clinical trials may bring personal injury claims against us for negligence. Any 
such action could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition and reputation. 

Such consequences could arise if, among other things, the following occur: 

Improper  performance  of  our  services.  The  performance  of  clinical  development  services  is  complex  and  time-consuming. 
For example, we may make mistakes in conducting a clinical trial that could negatively impact or obviate the usefulness of the clinical 
trial or cause the results of the clinical trial to be reported improperly. If the clinical trial results are compromised, we could be subject 
to significant costs or liability, which could have an adverse impact on our ability to perform our services. As examples: 

•

•

•

non-compliance generally could result in the termination of ongoing clinical trials or sales and marketing projects or 
the disqualification of data for submission to regulatory authorities; 

compromise of data from a particular clinical trial, such as failure to verify that informed consent was obtained from 
patients, could require us to repeat the clinical trial under the terms of our contract at no further cost to our client, but at 
a substantial cost to us; and 

breach of a contractual term could result in liability for damages or termination of the contract. 

Large clinical trials can cost up to hundreds of millions of dollars, and while we endeavor to contractually limit our exposure 
to such risks, improper performance of our services could have an adverse effect on our financial condition, damage our reputation 
and result in the cancellation of current contracts by or failure to obtain future contracts from the affected client or other clients. 

14

Investigation of clients. From time to time, one or more of our clients are audited or investigated by regulatory authorities or 
enforcement agencies with respect to regulatory compliance of their clinical trials, programs or the marketing and sale of their drugs. 
In  these  situations,  we  have  often  provided  services  to  our  clients  with  respect  to  the  clinical  trials,  programs  or  activities  being 
audited or investigated, and we are called upon to respond to requests for information by the authorities and agencies. There is a risk 
that either our clients or regulatory authorities could claim that we performed our services improperly or that we are responsible for 
clinical trial or program compliance. If our clients or regulatory authorities make such claims against us and prove them, we could be 
subject to damages, fines or penalties. In addition, negative publicity regarding regulatory compliance of our clients’ clinical trials, 
programs or drugs could have an adverse effect on our business and reputation. 

Insufficient client funding to complete a clinical trial. As noted above, clinical trials can cost hundreds of millions of dollars. 
There is a risk that we may initiate a clinical trial for a client, and then the client becomes unwilling or unable to fund the completion 
of  the  clinical  trial.  In  such  a  situation,  notwithstanding  the  client’s  ability  or  willingness  to  pay  for  or  otherwise  facilitate  the 
completion of the clinical trial, we may be ethically bound to complete or wind down the clinical trial at our own expense. 

Security  breaches  and  unauthorized  use  of  our  IT  systems  and  information,  or  the  IT  systems  or  information  in  the 

possession of our vendors, could expose us, our clients, our data suppliers or others to risk of loss. 

We  rely  upon  the  security  of  our  computer  and  communications  systems  infrastructure  to  protect  us  from  cyberattacks  and 
unauthorized  access.  Cyberattacks  can  include  malware,  computer  viruses,  hacking  or  other  significant  disruption  of  our  computer, 
communications  and  related  systems.  Cyber  threats  are  rapidly  evolving  and  are  becoming  increasingly  sophisticated.  Despite  our 
efforts  to  ensure  the  integrity  of  our  systems,  as  cyber  threats  evolve  and  become  more  difficult  to  detect  and  successfully  defend 
against, one or more cyber threats might defeat the measures that we or our vendors take to anticipate, detect, avoid or mitigate such 
threats. Certain techniques used to obtain unauthorized access, introduce malicious software, disable or degrade service, or sabotage 
systems may be designed to remain dormant until a triggering event and we may be unable to anticipate these techniques or implement 
adequate preventative measures since techniques change frequently or are not recognized until launched, and because cyberattacks can 
originate from a wide variety of sources. Although we take steps to manage and avoid these risks and to prevent their recurrence, our 
preventive and remedial actions may not be successful. Such attacks, whether successful or unsuccessful, could result in our incurring 
costs related to, for example, rebuilding internal systems, defending against litigation, responding to regulatory inquiries or actions, 
paying damages or fines, or taking other remedial steps with respect to third parties. Publicity about vulnerabilities and attempted or 
successful incursions could damage our reputation with clients and data suppliers and reduce demand for our services. 

We  also  store  proprietary  and  sensitive  information  in  connection  with  our  business,  which  could  be  compromised  by  a 
cyberattack. To the extent that any disruption or security breach results in a loss or damage to our data, an inappropriate disclosure of 
proprietary or sensitive information, an inability to access data sources, or an inability to process data or provide our offerings to our 
clients, it could cause significant damage to our reputation, affect our relationships with our data suppliers and clients (including loss 
of suppliers and clients), lead to claims against us and ultimately harm our business. We may be required to incur significant costs to 
alleviate, remedy or protect against damage caused by these disruptions or security breaches in the future. We may also face inquiry or 
increased  scrutiny  from  government  agencies  as  a  result  of  any  such  disruption  or  breach.  While  we  have  insurance  coverage  for 
certain instances of a cyber security breach, our coverage may not be sufficient if we suffer a significant attack or multiple attacks. 
Any  such  breach  or  disruption  could  have  a  material  adverse  effect  on  our  operating  results  and  our  reputation  as  a  provider  of 
mission-critical services. 

Some  of  our  vendors  have  significant  responsibility  for  the  security  of  certain  of  our  data  centers  and  computer-based 
platforms. Also, our data suppliers have responsibility for security of their own computer and communications environments. These 
third parties face risks relating to cyber security similar to ours, which could disrupt their businesses and therefore materially impact 
ours. Accordingly, we are subject to any flaw in or breaches to their computer and communications systems or those that they operate 
for us, which could result in a material adverse effect on our business, operations and financial results. 

Failure  to  meet  productivity  objectives  under  our  internal  business  transformation  initiatives  could  adversely  impact  our 

competitiveness and harm our operating results. 

We  are  pursuing  business  transformation  initiatives  to  update  technology,  increase  innovation  and  obtain  operating 
efficiencies.  As  part  of  these  initiatives,  we  seek  to  improve  our  productivity,  flexibility,  quality,  functionality  and  cost  savings  by 
investing  in  the  development  and  implementation  of  global  platforms  and  integration  of  our  business  processes  and  functions  to 
achieve economies of scale. For example, we have assessed our site activation processes and are moving forward with implementing 
organizational and process changes and technology transformations to accelerate site start-up timelines.  We are also evaluating the 
customer  buying  experience,  implementing  technology  platforms  to  streamline  the  proposal  and  contracting  process  and  provide 
greater transparency to clients.  These various initiatives may not yield their intended gains, or be completed in timely manner, which 

15

may  impact  our  competitiveness  and  our  ability  to  meet  our  growth  objectives  and,  as  a  result,  materially  and  adversely  affect  our 
business, operating results and financial condition. 

If we are unsuccessful at investing in growth opportunities, our business could be materially and adversely affected. 

We  continue  to  invest  significantly  in  growth  opportunities,  including  the  development  and  acquisition  of  new  data, 
technologies and services to meet our clients’ needs. For example, we are expanding our services and technology offerings, such as 
the development of a cloud-based platform with a growing number of applications to support commercial operations for life sciences 
companies  (e.g.,  multi-channel  marketing,  marketing  campaign  management,  customer  relationship  management,  incentive 
compensation management, targeting and segmentation, performance management and other applications). We also continue to invest 
significantly  in  growth  opportunities  in  emerging  markets,  such  as  the  development,  launch  and  enhancement  of  services  in  China, 
India, Russia, Turkey, and other countries. We consider our presence in these markets to be an important component of our growth 
strategy. 

There is no assurance that our investment plans or growth strategy will be successful or will produce a sufficient or any return 
on our investments. Further, if we are unable to develop new technologies and services, clients do not purchase our new technologies 
and services, our new technologies and services do not work as intended or there are delays in the availability or adoption of our new 
technologies and services, then we may not be able to grow our business or growth may occur slower than anticipated. Additionally, 
although we expect continued growth in healthcare spending in emerging markets, such spending may occur more slowly or not at all, 
and we may not benefit from our investments in these markets.

 We plan to fund growth opportunities with cash from operations or from future financings. There can be no assurance that 

those sources will be available in sufficient amounts to fund future growth opportunities when needed. 

Any of the foregoing could have a material and adverse effect on our operating results and financial condition. 

Data protection, privacy and similar laws in the United States and around the world restrict access, use and disclosure of 
personal  information,  and  failure  to  comply  with  or  adapt  to  changes  in  these  laws  could  materially  and  adversely  harm  our 
business. 

The confidentiality, collection, use and disclosure of personal data, including individually identifiable health information and 
clinical trial patient-specific information, are subject to governmental regulation generally in the country that the personal data were 
collected  or  used.  For  example,  United  States  federal  regulations  under  the  Health  Insurance  Portability  and  Accountability  Act  of 
1996 (“HIPAA”) create specific requirements for the protection of the privacy and security of individual health information. These 
provisions  apply  to  both  “covered  entities”  (primarily  health  care  providers  and  health  insurers)  and  their  “business  associates”  or 
service providers.  As there are some instances where we are a HIPAA “business associate” of a “covered entity,” we can be directly 
liable for mishandling protected health information. Under HIPAA’s enforcement scheme, we can be subject to significant penalties in 
connection with HIPAA violations, along with the potential for significant other expenditures related to these activities. These rules 
require  individuals’  written  authorization  in  many  situations,  in  addition  to  any  required  informed  consent,  before  protected  health 
information may be used for research. We are both directly and indirectly affected by the privacy provisions surrounding individual 
authorizations  because  many  investigators  with  whom  we  are  involved  in  clinical  trials  are  directly  subject  to  them  as  a  HIPAA 
“covered  entity”  and  because  we  obtain  identifiable  health  information  from  third  parties  that  are  subject  to  such  regulations.  In 
general,  patient  health  information  is  among  the  most  sensitive  (and  highly  regulated)  of  personal  information  and  laws  and 
regulations around the United States and the world are designed to ensure that information about an individual’s healthcare is properly 
protected from inappropriate access, use and disclosure. Laws restricting access, use and disclosure of patient health information also 
include the European Union’s (“EU”) General Data Protection Regulation, Canada’s Personal Information Protection and Electronic 
Documents  Act  and  other  data  protection,  privacy,  data  security  and  similar  national,  state/provincial  and  local  laws.  In  the  EU 
personal  data  includes  any  information  that  relates  to  an  identified  or  identifiable  natural  person  with  health  information  carrying 
additional obligations, including obtaining the explicit consent from the individual for collection, use or disclosure of the information. 
In  addition,  we  are  subject  to  EU  rules  with  respect  to  cross-border  transfers  of  such  data  out  of  the  EU  (along  with  similar  data 
transfer requirements or data localization requirements in other countries). The United States, the EU and its member states, and other 
countries where we have operations, such as Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Philippines, Russia, 
Singapore, South Korea and Switzerland, continue to consider or have issued new privacy and data protection rules and regulations 
that relate to personal data and health information. 

16

We  have  established  frameworks,  models,  processes  and  technologies  to  manage  privacy  and  security  for  many  data  types, 
from a variety of sources, and under myriad privacy and data protection laws worldwide. In addition, we rely on our data suppliers to 
deliver information to us in a form and in a manner that complies with applicable privacy and data protection laws. These laws are 
complex and there is no assurance that the safeguards and controls employed by us or our data suppliers will be sufficient to prevent a 
breach of these laws, or that claims will not be filed against us or our data suppliers despite such safeguards and controls. Failure to 
comply with such laws, certain certification/registration and annual re-certification/registration provisions associated with these data 
protection and privacy regulations, and similar rules in various jurisdictions, or to resolve any serious privacy complaints, may result 
in, among other things, regulatory sanctions, criminal prosecution, civil liability, negative publicity, damage to our reputation, or data 
being  blocked  from  use  or  liability  under  contractual  provisions.  For  example,  in  July  2015,  indictments  were  issued  by  the  Seoul 
Central  District  Prosecutors’  Office  in  South  Korea  against  IMS  Korea  and  two  of  its  employees,  among  others,  alleging  improper 
handling  of  sensitive  health  information  in  violation  of  applicable  privacy  laws.  See  Item  3  “Legal  Proceedings”  for  additional 
information.

Laws and expectations relating to privacy continue to evolve, and we continue to adapt to changing needs. For example, the 
definition  of  “personally  identifiable  information”  and  “personal  data”  continues  to  evolve  and  broaden  and  many  new  laws  and 
regulations are being enacted. In addition, certain long-established programs have been (or are at risk of being) declared invalid (such 
as the EU-U.S. Safe Harbor framework that operated for many years but was struck down by European courts in 2015), so that this 
area  remains  in  a  state  of  flux.  Changes  to  these  programs  may  adversely  impact  our  ability  to  provide  services  to  our  clients  or 
develop new products or services. Federal, state and foreign governments are contemplating or have proposed or adopted additional 
legislation  governing  the  collection,  possession,  use  or  dissemination  of  personal  data,  such  as  personal  health  information,  and 
personal financial data as well as security breach notification rules for loss or theft of such data. Additional legislation or regulation of 
this type might, among other things, require us to implement new security measures and processes or bring within the legislation other 
personal  data  not  currently  regulated,  each  of  which  may  require  substantial  expenditures  or  limit  our  ability  to  offer  some  of  our 
services. Additionally, changes in these laws (including newly released interpretations of these laws by courts and regulatory bodies) 
may limit our data access, use and disclosure, and may require increased expenditures by us or may dictate that we not offer certain 
types of services. Any of the foregoing may have a material adverse impact on our ability to provide services to our clients or maintain 
our profitability.

There is ongoing concern from privacy advocates, regulators and others regarding data protection and privacy issues, and the 
number of jurisdictions with data protection and privacy laws has been increasing. Also, there are ongoing public policy discussions 
regarding whether the standards for de-identified, anonymous or pseudonymized health information are sufficient, and the risk of re-
identification sufficiently small, to adequately protect patient privacy. These discussions may lead to further restrictions on the use of 
such information. There can be no assurance that these initiatives or future initiatives will not adversely affect our ability to access and 
use data or to develop or market current or future services. 

Data protection, privacy and similar laws protect more than patient information, and although they vary by jurisdiction, these 
laws  can  extend  to  employee  information,  business  contact  information,  provider  information  and  other  information  relating  to 
identifiable  individuals.  Failure  to  comply  with  these  laws  may  result  in,  among  other  things,  civil  and  criminal  liability,  negative 
publicity,  damage  to  our  reputation  and  liability  under  contractual  provisions.  In  addition,  compliance  with  such  laws  may  require 
increased costs to us or may dictate that we not offer certain types of services. 

 The occurrence of any of the foregoing could impact our ability to provide the same level of service to our clients, require us 
to  modify  our  offerings  or  increase  our  costs,  which  could  materially  and  adversely  affect  our  operating  results  and  financial 
condition.

Our success depends on our ability to protect our intellectual property rights. 

Our success depends, in part, upon our ability to develop, use and protect our proprietary methodologies, analytics, systems, 
technologies  and  other  intellectual  property.  We  rely  upon  a  combination  of  trade  secrets,  confidentiality  policies,  nondisclosure, 
invention  assignment  and  other  contractual  arrangements,  and  patent,  copyright  and  trademark  laws,  to  protect  our  intellectual 
property rights. These laws are subject to change at any time and certain agreements may not be fully enforceable, which could further 
restrict our ability to protect our innovations. Further, these laws may not provide adequate protection for our intellectual property, 
particularly in countries in which the legal system provides less protection for intellectual property rights. Our intellectual property 
rights may not prevent competitors from independently developing services similar to or duplicative of ours. Further, the steps we take 
in  this  regard  might  not  be  adequate  to  prevent  or  deter  infringement  or  other  misappropriation  of  our  intellectual  property  by 
competitors, former employees or other third parties, and we might not be able to detect unauthorized use of, or take appropriate and 
timely steps to enforce, our intellectual property rights. 

17

 Our  ability  to  obtain,  protect  and  enforce  our  intellectual  property  rights  is  subject  to  general  litigation  or  third-party 
opposition risks, as well as the uncertainty as to the scope of protection, registrability, patentability, validity and enforceability of our 
intellectual property rights in each applicable country. Governments may adopt regulations, and government agencies or courts may 
render  decisions,  requiring  compulsory  licensing  of  intellectual  property  rights.  When  we  seek  to  enforce  our  intellectual  property 
rights, we may be subject to claims that the intellectual property rights are invalid or unenforceable. Litigation may be necessary in the 
future  to  enforce  our  intellectual  property  rights  and  to  protect  our  confidential  and  proprietary  information.  Litigation  brought  to 
protect and enforce our intellectual property rights could be costly, time consuming and distracting to management and could result in 
the  impairment  or  loss  of  portions  of  our  intellectual  property  rights.  Furthermore,  our  efforts  to  enforce  our  intellectual  property 
rights may be met with defenses, counterclaims and countersuits attacking the validity and enforceability of our intellectual property 
rights.  Our  inability  to  protect  our  proprietary  technology  against  unauthorized  copying  or  use,  as  well  as  any  costly  litigation  or 
diversion of our management’s attention and resources, could delay further sales or the implementation of our solutions, impair the 
functionality of our solutions, delay introductions of new solutions, result in our substituting inferior or more costly technologies into 
our solutions, or injure our reputation and harm our operating results and financial condition. 

The theft or unauthorized use or publication of our trade secrets and other confidential business information could reduce the 
differentiation of our services and harm our business; the value of our investment in development or business acquisitions could be 
reduced; and third parties might make claims against us related to losses of their confidential or proprietary information. In addition, 
we may not be able to discover or determine the extent of any unauthorized use of our proprietary rights. Third parties that license our 
proprietary  rights  also  may  take  actions  that  diminish  the  value  of  our  proprietary  rights  or  reputation.  The  protection  of  our 
intellectual  property  may  require  the  expenditure  of  significant  financial  and  managerial  resources.  Moreover,  the  steps  we  take  to 
protect our intellectual property may not adequately protect our rights or prevent third parties from infringing or misappropriating our 
proprietary rights. These incidents and claims could harm our business, reduce revenue, increase expenses and harm our reputation. 

We may be subject to claims by others that we are infringing on their intellectual property rights. 

Third  parties  may  assert  claims  that  we  or  our  clients  infringe  their  intellectual  property  rights  and  these  claims,  with  or 
without  merit,  could  be  expensive  to  litigate,  cause  us  to  incur  substantial  costs  and  divert  management  resources  and  attention  in 
defending  the  claim.  In  some  jurisdictions,  plaintiffs  can  also  seek  injunctive  relief  that  may  limit  the  operation  of  our  business  or 
prevent the marketing and selling of our services that infringe on the plaintiff’s intellectual property rights. To resolve these claims, 
we  may  enter  into  licensing  agreements  with  restrictive  terms  or  significant  fees,  stop  selling,  be  required  to  implement  costly 
redesigns  to  the  affected  services,  or  pay  damages  to  satisfy  contractual  obligations  to  others.  If  we  do  not  resolve  these  claims  in 
advance of a trial, there is no guarantee that we will be successful in court. These outcomes may have a material adverse impact on our 
business, operating results and financial condition. 

In  addition,  certain  contracts  with  our  suppliers  or  clients  contain  provisions  whereby  we  indemnify,  subject  to  certain 
limitations, the counterparty for damages suffered as a result of claims related to intellectual property infringement and the use of data. 
Claims made under these provisions could be expensive to litigate and could result in significant payments. 

 We rely on licenses from third parties to certain technology and intellectual property rights for some of our services and 

the licenses we currently have could terminate or expire. 

Some of our business services rely on technology or intellectual property rights owned and controlled by others. Our licenses 
to this technology or these intellectual property rights could be terminated or could expire. We may be unable to replace these licenses 
in  a  timely  manner.  Failure  to  renew  these  licenses,  or  renewals  of  these  licenses  on  less  advantageous  terms,  could  harm  our 
operating results and financial condition. 

Our financial results may be adversely affected if we underprice our contracts, overrun our cost estimates or fail to receive 

approval for or experience delays in documenting change orders. 

Most of our Research & Development Solutions contracts are either fee for service contracts or fixed-fee contracts. Our past 
financial  results  have  been,  and  our  future  financial  results  may  be,  adversely  impacted  if  we  initially  underprice  our  contracts  or 
otherwise overrun our cost estimates and are unable to successfully negotiate a change order. Change orders typically occur when the 
scope of work we perform needs to be modified from that originally contemplated by our contract with the client. Modifications can 
occur, for example, when there is a change in a key clinical trial assumption or parameter or a significant change in timing. Where we 
are not successful in converting out-of-scope work into change orders under our current contracts, we bear the cost of the additional 
work. Such underpricing, significant cost overruns or delay in documentation of change orders could have a material adverse effect on 
our business, results of operations, financial condition or cash flows. 

18

The relationship of backlog to revenues varies over time. 

Backlog  represents  future  revenues  for  our  Research &  Development  Solutions  business  from  work  not  yet  completed  or 
performed under signed binding commitments and signed contracts. Once work begins on a project, revenue is recognized over the 
duration of the project. Projects may be terminated or delayed by the client or delayed by regulatory authorities for reasons beyond our 
control. To the extent projects are delayed, the timing of our revenue could be affected. In the event that a client cancels a contract, we 
typically would be entitled to receive payment for all services performed up to the cancellation date and subsequent client-authorized 
services related to terminating the canceled project. Typically, however, we have no contractual right to the full amount of the revenue 
reflected in our backlog in the event of a contract cancellation. The duration of the projects included in our backlog, and the related 
revenue  recognition,  range  from  a  few  weeks  to  many  years.  Our  backlog  may  not  be  indicative  of  our  future  revenues  from  our 
Research &  Development  Solutions  business,  and  we  may  not  realize  all  the  anticipated  future  revenue  reflected  in  our  backlog.  A 
number of factors may affect backlog, including: 

•

•

•

•

the size, complexity and duration of the projects; 

the percentage of full services versus functional services; 

the cancellation or delay of projects; and 

change in the scope of work during the course of a project. 

Although an increase in backlog will generally result in an increase in revenues to be recognized over time (depending on the 
level of cancellations), an increase in backlog at a particular point in time does not necessarily correspond directly to an increase in 
revenues during a particular period. The extent to which contracts in backlog will result in revenue depends on many factors, including 
but  not  limited  to  delivery  against  projected  schedules,  the  need  for  scope  changes  (change  orders),  contract  cancellations  and  the 
nature, duration, size, complexity and phase of the contracts, each of which factors can vary significantly from time to time. 

The rate at which our backlog converts to revenue may vary over time for a variety of reasons. The revenue recognition on 
larger, more global projects could be slower than on smaller, less global projects for a variety of reasons, including but not limited to 
an extended period of negotiation between the time the project is awarded to us and the actual execution of the contract, as well as an 
increased timeframe for obtaining the necessary regulatory approvals. Additionally, the increased complexity of clinical trials and the 
need  to  enroll  precise  patient  populations  could  extend  the  length  of  clinical  trials  causing  revenue  to  be  recognized  over  a  longer 
period of time. Further, delayed projects will remain in backlog, unless otherwise canceled by the client, and will not generate revenue 
at the rate originally expected. Thus, the relationship of backlog to realized revenues may vary over time.

Our business depends on the continued effectiveness and availability of our information systems, including the information 

systems we use to provide our services to our clients, and failures of these systems may materially limit our operations. 

Due to the global nature of our business and our reliance on information systems to provide our services, we intend to increase 
our  use  of  web-enabled  and  other  integrated  information  systems  in  delivering  our  services.  We  also  provide  access  to  similar 
information systems to certain of our clients in connection with the services we provide them. As the breadth and complexity of our 
information  systems  continue  to  grow,  we  will  increasingly  be  exposed  to  the  risks  inherent  in  the  development,  integration  and 
ongoing operation of evolving information systems, including: 

•

•

•

disruption, impairment or failure of data centers, telecommunications facilities or other key infrastructure platforms; 

security  breaches  of,  cyberattacks  on  and  other  failures  or  malfunctions  in  our  critical  application  systems  or  their 
associated hardware; and 

excessive costs, excessive delays or other deficiencies in systems development and deployment. 

19

The materialization of any of these risks may impede the processing of data, the delivery of databases and services, and the 
day-to-day management of our business and could result in the corruption, loss or unauthorized disclosure of proprietary, confidential 
or other data. While we have disaster recovery plans in place, they might not adequately protect us in the event of a system failure. 
While many of our operations have disaster recovery plans in place, we currently do not have excess or standby computer processing 
or network capacity everywhere in the world to avoid disruption in the receipt, processing and delivery of data in the event of a system 
failure.  Despite  any  precautions  we  take,  damage  from  fire,  floods,  hurricanes,  power  loss,  telecommunications  failures,  computer 
viruses, break-ins and similar events at our various computer facilities could result in interruptions in the flow of data to our servers 
and from our servers to our clients. Corruption or loss of data may result in the need to repeat a clinical trial at no cost to the client, but 
at significant cost to us, the termination of a contract or damage to our reputation. 

In  addition,  any  failure  by  our  computer  environment  to  provide  sufficient  processing  or  network  capacity  to  transfer  data 
could result in interruptions in our service. In the event of a delay in the delivery of data, we could be required to transfer our data 
collection  operations  to  an  alternative  provider  of  server  hosting  services.  Such  a  transfer  could  result  in  significant  delays  in  our 
ability to deliver services to our clients and increase our costs. Additionally, significant delays in system enhancements or inadequate 
performance  of  new  or  upgraded  systems  once  completed  could  damage  our  reputation  and  harm  our  business.  Finally,  long-term 
disruptions in the infrastructure caused by events such as natural disasters, the outbreak of war, the escalation of hostilities and acts of 
terrorism, particularly involving cities in which we have offices, could adversely affect our businesses. Although we carry property 
and business interruption insurance, our coverage might not be adequate to compensate us for all losses that may occur. 

We have continued to undertake significant programs to optimize business processes with respect to our services. Our inability 
to effectively manage the implementation and adapt to new processes designed into new or upgraded systems in a timely and cost-
effective manner may result in disruption to our business and negatively affect our operations.  

We have entered into agreements with certain vendors to provide systems development and integration services that develop or 
license to us the IT platform for programs to optimize our business processes. If such vendors fail to perform as required or if there are 
substantial delays in developing, implementing and updating the IT platform, our client delivery may be impaired, and we may have to 
make  substantial  further  investments,  internally  or  with  third  parties,  to  achieve  our  objectives.  Additionally,  our  progress  may  be 
limited by parties with existing or claimed patents who seek to enjoin us from using preferred technology or seek license payments 
from us. Meeting our objectives is dependent on a number of factors which may not take place as we anticipate, including obtaining 
adequate technology-enabled services, creating IT-enabled services that our clients will find desirable and implementing our business 
model with respect to these services. Also, increased IT-related expenditures may negatively impact our profitability. 

We may experience challenges with the acquisition, development, enhancement or deployment of technology necessary for 

our business. 

We operate in businesses that require sophisticated computer systems and software for data collection, data processing, cloud-
based platforms, analytics, cryptography, statistical projections and forecasting, mobile computing, social media analytics and other 
applications  and  technologies,  particularly  in  our  Technology  &  Analytics  Solutions  and  Research  &  Development  Solutions 
businesses. We seek to address our technology risks by increasing our reliance on the use of innovations by cross-industry technology 
leaders and adapt these for our biopharmaceutical and healthcare industry clients. Some of these technologies supporting the industries 
we serve are changing rapidly and we must continue to adapt to these changes in a timely and effective manner at an acceptable cost. 
We  also  must  continue  to  deliver  data  to  our  clients  in  forms  that  are  easy  to  use  while  simultaneously  providing  clear  answers  to 
complex questions. There can be no guarantee that we will be able to develop, acquire or integrate new technologies, that these new 
technologies will meet our needs or those of our clients’ needs or achieve expected investment goals, or that we will be able to do so 
as  quickly  or  cost-effectively  as  our  competitors.  Significant  technological  change  could  render  certain  of  our  services  obsolete. 
Moreover, the introduction of new services embodying new technologies could render certain of our existing services obsolete. Our 
continued success will depend on our ability to adapt to changing technologies, manage and process ever-increasing amounts of data 
and  information  and  improve  the  performance,  features  and  reliability  of  our  services  in  response  to  changing  client  and  industry 
demands.  We  may  experience  difficulties  that  could  delay  or  prevent  the  successful  design,  development,  testing,  introduction  or 
marketing  of  our  services.  New  services,  or  enhancements  to  existing  services,  may  not  adequately  meet  our  own  requirements  or 
those of current and prospective clients or achieve any degree of significant market acceptance. These types of failures could have a 
material adverse effect on our operating results, financial condition and reputation. 

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Consolidation in the industries in which our clients operate may reduce the volume of services purchased by consolidated 

clients following an acquisition or merger, which could materially harm our operating results and financial condition. 

Mergers  or  consolidations  among  our  clients  have  in  the  past  and  could  in  the  future  reduce  the  number  of  our  clients  and 
potential clients. When companies consolidate, overlapping services previously purchased separately are usually purchased only once 
by  the  combined  entity,  leading  to  loss  of  revenue.  Other  services  that  were  previously  purchased  by  one  of  the  merged  or 
consolidated entities may be deemed unnecessary or cancelled. If our clients merge with or are acquired by other entities that are not 
our clients, or that use fewer of our services, they may discontinue or reduce their use of our services. There can be no assurance as to 
the degree to which we may be able to address the revenue impact of such consolidation. Any of these developments could materially 
harm our operating results and financial condition. 

We may be adversely affected by client or therapeutic concentration. 

Although we did not have any client that represented 10% or more of our revenues in 2019, 2018 and 2017, we derive the 
majority  of  our  revenues  from  a  number  of  large  clients.  If  any  large  client  decreases  or  terminates  its  relationship  with  us,  our 
business, results of operations or financial condition could be materially adversely affected.  

Additionally, conducting multiple clinical trials for different clients in a single therapeutic class involving drugs with the same 
or similar chemical action has in the past and may in the future adversely affect our business if some or all of the clinical trials are 
canceled  because  of  new  scientific  information  or  regulatory  judgments  that  affect  the  drugs  as  a  class  or  if  industry  consolidation 
results  in  the  rationalization  of  drug  development  pipelines.  Similarly,  marketing  and  selling  drugs  for  different  biopharmaceutical 
companies with similar chemical actions subjects us to risk if new scientific information or regulatory judgment prejudices the drugs 
as  a  class,  which  may  lead  to  compelled  or  voluntary  prescription  limitations  or  withdrawal  of  some  or  all  of  such  drugs  from  the 
market. 

Our  business  is  subject  to  international  economic,  political  and  other  risks  that  could  negatively  affect  our  results  of 

operations and financial condition. 

We have significant operations in countries that may require complex arrangements to deliver services throughout the world 
for  our  clients.  Additionally,  we  have  established  operations  in  locations  remote  from  our  most  developed  business  centers.  As  a 
result, we are subject to heightened risks inherent in conducting business internationally, including the following: 

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required compliance with a variety of local laws and regulations which may be materially different than those to which 
we are subject in the United States or which may change unexpectedly; for example, conducting a single clinical trial 
across multiple countries is complex, and issues in one country, such as a failure to comply with local regulations or 
restrictions, may affect the progress of the clinical trial in the other countries, for example, by limiting the amount of 
data  necessary  for  a  clinical  trial  to  proceed,  resulting  in  delays  or  potential  cancellation  of  contracts,  which  in  turn 
may result in loss of revenue; 

the  United  States  or  foreign  countries  could  enact  legislation  or  impose  regulations  or  other  restrictions,  including 
unfavorable labor regulations, tax policies or economic sanctions, which could have an adverse effect on our ability to 
conduct  business  in  or  expatriate  profits  from  the  countries  in  which  we  operate,  including  hiring,  retaining  and 
overseeing  qualified  management  personnel  for  managing  operations  in  multiple  countries,  differing  employment 
practices and labor issues, and tax-related risks, including the imposition of taxes and the lack of beneficial treaties, 
that result in a higher effective tax rate for us; 

foreign countries are expanding or may expand their regulatory framework with respect to patient informed consent, 
protection and compensation in clinical trials, which could delay or inhibit our ability to conduct clinical trials in such 
jurisdictions; 

the  regulatory  or  judicial  authorities  of  foreign  countries  may  not  enforce  legal  rights  and  recognize  business 
procedures in a manner in which we are accustomed or would reasonably expect; 

local, economic, political and social conditions, including potential hyperinflationary conditions, political instability, 
and  potential  nationalization,  repatriation,  expropriation,  price  controls  or  other  restrictive  government  actions, 
including changes in political and economic conditions may lead to changes in the business environment in which we 
operate, as well as changes in foreign currency exchange rates; 

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immigration  laws  are  subject  to  legislative  change  and  varying  standards  of  application  and  enforcement  due  to 
political  forces,  economic  conditions  or  other  events  (including  proposals  in  the  U.S.  to  change  limitations  on 
temporary  and  permanent  workers),  and  local  immigration  laws  may  require  us  to  meet  certain  other  legal 
requirements as a condition to obtaining or maintaining entry visas, which may impact our ability to provide services 
to our clients; 

potential  violations  of  local  laws  or  anti-bribery  laws,  such  as  the  United  States  Foreign  Corrupt  Practices  Act 
(“FCPA”),  and  the  UK  Bribery  Act,  may  cause  difficulty  in  managing  foreign  operations,  as  well  as  significant 
consequences to us if those laws are violated; 

regulatory changes and economic conditions following the UK’s exit from the EU (“Brexit”), including uncertainties 
as to its effect on trade laws, tariffs, instability and volatility in the global financial and currency markets, conflicting 
or redundant regulatory regimes in Europe, such as the European Medicines Agency (“EMA”) possible relocation from 
UK to a country within the European Union, and political stability; 

clients in foreign jurisdictions may have longer payment cycles, and it may be more difficult to collect receivables in 
foreign jurisdictions; and  

natural  disasters,  pandemics  such  as  the  COVID-19  (coronavirus),  or  international  conflict,  including  terrorist  acts, 
could  interrupt  our  services,  endanger  our  personnel,  lower  patient  visits  and  increase  patient  drop-out  rates,  cause 
delays in recruitment of new patients, decrease the productivity of our clinical research associates, cause other project 
delays or loss of clinical trial materials or results. 

These risks and uncertainties could negatively impact our ability to, among other things, perform large, global projects for our 
clients. Furthermore, our ability to deal with these issues could be affected by applicable United States laws and the need to protect 
our assets. Any such risks could have an adverse impact on our financial condition and results of operations.

Exchange rate fluctuations may affect our results of operations and financial condition. 

Because a large portion of our revenues and expenses are denominated in currencies other than the United States dollar and 
our financial statements are reported in United States dollars, changes in foreign currency exchange rates could significantly affect our 
results of operations and financial condition. Exchange rate fluctuations between local currencies and the United States dollar create 
risk in several ways, including: 

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•

Foreign Currency Translation Risk. The revenue and expenses of our foreign operations are generally denominated in 
local currencies and translated into United States dollars for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, exchange rate 
fluctuations  will  affect  the  translation  of  foreign  results  into  United  States  dollars  for  purposes  of  reporting  our 
consolidated results. 

Foreign Currency Transaction Risk. We are subject to foreign currency transaction risk for fluctuations in exchange 
rates during the period of time between the consummation and cash settlement of a transaction. We earn revenue from 
our service contracts over a period of several months and, in some cases, over several years. Accordingly, exchange 
rate fluctuations during this period may affect our profitability with respect to such contracts. 

We may limit these risks through exchange rate fluctuation provisions stated in our service contracts, or we may hedge our 
transaction  risk  with  foreign  currency  exchange  contracts  or  options.  We  have  not,  however,  hedged  all  of  our  foreign  currency 
transaction  risk,  and  we  may  experience  fluctuations  in  financial  results  from  our  operations  outside  the  United  States  and  foreign 
currency transaction risk associated with our service contracts. 

Due to the global nature of our business, we may be exposed to liabilities under anti-corruption laws, including the United 
States  Foreign  Corrupt  Practices  Act,  the  United  Kingdom  Bribery  Act  and  various  international  anti-corruption  laws,  and  any 
allegation or determination that we violated these laws could have a material adverse effect on our business. 

We are required to comply with the FCPA, the UK Bribery Act and other international anti-corruption laws, which prohibit 
companies from engaging in bribery including corruptly or improperly offering, promising, or providing money or anything else of 
value to non-United States officials and certain other recipients. In addition, the FCPA imposes certain books, records, and accounting 
control obligations on public companies and other issuers. We operate in parts of the world in which corruption can be common and 

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compliance with anti-bribery laws may conflict with local customs and practices. Our global operations face the risk of unauthorized 
payments or offers being made by employees, consultants, sales agents, and other business partners outside of our control or without 
our  authorization.  It  is  our  policy  to  implement  safeguards  to  prohibit  these  practices  by  our  employees  and  business  partners  with 
respect to our operations. However, irrespective of these safeguards, or as a result of monitoring compliance with such safeguards, it is 
possible that we or certain other parties may discover or receive information at some point that certain employees, consultants, sales 
agents,  or  other  business  partners  may  have  engaged  in  corrupt  conduct  for  which  we  might  be  held  responsible.  Violations  of  the 
FCPA, the UK Bribery Act or other international anti-corruption laws may result in restatements of, or irregularities in, our financial 
statements as well as severe criminal or civil sanctions, and we may be subject to other liabilities, which could negatively affect our 
business, operating results and financial condition. In some cases, companies that violate the FCPA may be debarred by the United 
States government and/or lose their United States export privileges. Changes in anti-corruption laws or enforcement priorities could 
also result in increased compliance requirements and related costs which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and 
results  of  operations.  In  addition,  the  United  States  or  other  governments  may  seek  to  hold  us  liable  for  successor  liability  FCPA 
violations or violations of other anti-corruption laws committed by companies in which we invest or that we acquired or will acquire. 

We face risks related to sales to government entities. 

We  derive  a  portion  of  our  revenue  from  sales  to  government  entities  in  the  United  States.  In  general,  our  contracts  with 
United States government entities are terminable at will by the government entity at any time. Government demand and payment for 
our  services  may  be  affected  by  public-sector  budgetary  cycles  and  funding  authorizations,  including  government  shutdowns. 
Government  contracts  are  subject  to  oversight,  including  special  rules  on  accounting,  expenses,  reviews  and  security.  Failure  to 
comply  with  these  rules  could  result  in  civil  and  criminal  penalties  and  sanctions,  including  termination  of  contracts,  fines  and 
suspensions,  or  debarment  from  future  business  with  the  United  States  government.  As  a  result,  failure  to  comply  with  these  rules 
could have an adverse effect on our future business, reputation, operating results and financial condition. 

If we are unable to successfully develop and market new services or enter new markets, our growth, results of operations or 

financial condition could be adversely affected. 

A key element of our growth strategy is the successful development and marketing of new services or entering new markets 
that complement or expand our existing business. As we develop new services or enter new markets, including services targeted at 
participants  in  the  broader  healthcare  industry,  we  may  not  have  or  adequately  build  the  competencies  necessary  to  perform  such 
services satisfactorily, may not receive market acceptance for such services or may face increased competition. If we are unable to 
succeed in developing new services, entering new markets or attracting a client base for our new services or in new markets, we will 
be unable  to implement this element of  our growth strategy, and our future business, reputation, results  of operations and financial 
condition could be adversely affected. 

Our Research & Development Solutions business could subject us to potential liability that may adversely affect our results 

of operations and financial condition. 

Our  Research &  Development  Solutions  business  involves  the  testing  of  new  drugs  on  patients  in  clinical  trials  and,  if 
marketing approval is granted, the availability of these drugs to be prescribed to patients. Our involvement in the clinical trials and 
development  process  creates  a  risk  of  liability  for  personal  injury  to  or  death  of  patients,  particularly  those  with  life-threatening 
illnesses, resulting from adverse reactions to the drugs administered during testing or after product launch, respectively. For example, 
we have from time to time been sued and may be sued in the future by individuals alleging personal injury due to their participation in 
clinical trials and seeking damages from us under a variety of legal theories. Although we maintain the types and amounts of insurance 
we view as customary in the industries and countries in which we operate, if we are required to pay damages or incur defense costs in 
connection  with  any  personal  injury  claim  that  is  outside  the  scope  of  indemnification  agreements  we  have  with  our  clients,  if  any 
indemnification  agreement  is  not  performed  in  accordance  with  its  terms  or  if  our  liability  exceeds  the  amount  of  any  applicable 
indemnification limits or available insurance coverage, our financial condition, results of operations and reputation could be materially 
and  adversely  affected.  We  maintain  professional  liability  insurance,  including  liability  for  completed  operations  coverage.  In  the 
future, we may not be able to get adequate insurance for these types of risks at reasonable rates. 

We also contract with physicians to serve as investigators in conducting clinical trials. If the investigators commit errors or 
make omissions during a clinical trial that result in harm to clinical trial patients or after a clinical trial to a patient using the drug after 
it has received regulatory approval, claims for personal injury or liability damages may result. Additionally, if the investigators engage 
in  fraudulent  behavior,  clinical  trial  data  may  be  compromised,  which  may  require  us  to  repeat  the  clinical  trial  or  subject  us  to 
liability. We do not believe we are legally responsible for the medical care rendered by such third-party investigators, and we would 
vigorously  defend  any  claims  brought  against  us.  However,  it  is  possible  we  could  be  found  liable  for  claims  with  respect  to  the 
actions of third-party investigators, which may adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations and reputation. 

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Some of our services involve direct interaction with clinical trial subjects or volunteers and subcontracting into a network 
of  Phase  I  clinical  facilities,  which  could  create  potential  liability  that  may  adversely  affect  our  results  of  operations,  financial 
condition and reputation. 

We  subcontract  into  a  network  of  facilities  where  Phase  I  clinical  trials  are  conducted,  which  ordinarily  involve  testing  an 
investigational  drug  on  a  limited  number  of  healthy  individuals,  typically  20  to  80  persons,  to  determine  such  drug’s  basic  safety. 
Failure to operate such a facility in accordance with applicable regulations could result in that facility being shut down, which could 
disrupt our operations. Additionally, we face risks associated with adverse events resulting from the administration of such drugs to 
healthy  volunteers  and  the  professional  malpractice  of  medical  care  providers.  Any  professional  malpractice  or  negligence  by  such 
investigators, nurses or other subcontracted employees could potentially result in liability to us in the event of personal injury to or 
death of a healthy volunteer in clinical trials, and could also cause us reputational harm. This liability, particularly if it were to exceed 
the  limits  of  any  indemnification  agreements  and  insurance  coverage  we  may  have,  may  adversely  affect  our  financial  condition, 
results of operations and reputation.

Our Contract Sales & Medical Solutions business could result in liability to us if a drug causes harm to a patient. While we 

are generally indemnified and insured against such risks, we may still suffer financial losses. 

When we market drugs under contract for a biopharmaceutical company, we could suffer liability for harm allegedly caused by 
those drugs, either as a result of a lawsuit against the biopharmaceutical company to which we are joined, a lawsuit naming us or any 
of our subsidiaries or an action launched by a regulatory body. While we are generally indemnified by the biopharmaceutical company 
for the action of the drugs we market on its behalf, and we carry insurance to cover harm caused by our negligence in performing 
services,  it  is  possible  that  we  could  nonetheless  incur  financial  losses,  regulatory  penalties  or  both.  In  particular,  any  claim  could 
result  in  potential  liability  for  us  if  the  claim  is  outside  the  scope  of  the  indemnification  agreement  we  have  with  the 
biopharmaceutical  company,  the  biopharmaceutical  company  does  not  abide  by  the  indemnification  agreement  as  required  or  the 
liability exceeds the amount of any applicable indemnification limits or available insurance coverage. Such a finding could have an 
adverse impact on our financial condition, results of operations and reputation. Furthermore, negative publicity associated with harm 
caused by drugs we helped to market could have an adverse effect on our business and reputation. 

Our insurance may not cover all of our indemnification obligations and other liabilities associated with our operations. 

We  maintain  insurance  designed  to  provide  coverage  for  ordinary  risks  associated  with  our  operations  and  our  ordinary 
indemnification obligations. The coverage provided by such insurance may not be adequate for all claims we may make or may be 
contested by our insurance carriers. If our insurance is not adequate or available to pay liabilities associated with our operations, or if 
we are unable to purchase adequate insurance at reasonable rates in the future, our profitability may be adversely impacted. 

If we are unable to attract suitable investigators and patients for our clinical trials, our clinical development business might 

suffer. 

The timely recruitment of investigators and patients for clinical trials is essential to our Research & Development Solutions 
business. Investigators are typically located at hospitals, clinics or other sites and supervise the administration of the investigational 
drug to patients during the course of a clinical trial. Patients generally include people from the communities in which the clinical trials 
are  conducted.  Our  clinical  development  business  could  be  adversely  affected  if  we  are  unable  to  attract  suitable  and  willing 
investigators  or  patients  for  clinical  trials  on  a  consistent  basis.  For  example,  if  we  are  unable  to  engage  investigators  to  conduct 
clinical trials as planned or enroll sufficient patients in clinical trials, we might need to expend additional funds to obtain access to 
resources  or  else  be  compelled  to  delay  or  modify  the  clinical  trial  plans,  which  may  result  in  additional  costs  to  us. 

If  we  lose  the  services  of  key  personnel  or  are  unable  to  recruit  additional  qualified  personnel,  our  business  could  be 

adversely affected. 

Our success substantially depends on the collective performance, contributions and expertise of our personnel including senior 
management and key personnel, qualified professional, scientific and technical operating staff and qualified sales representatives for 
our  contract  sales  services.  There  is  significant  and  increasing  competition  for  qualified  personnel,  particularly  those  with  higher 
educational  degrees,  such  as  a  medical  degree,  a  Ph.D.  or  an  equivalent  degree,  or  relevant  experience  in  the  industry  and  in  the 
locations  in  which  we  operate.  In  addition,  the  departure  of  our  key  employees,  or  our  inability  to  continue  to  identify,  attract  and 
retain  qualified  personnel  or  replace  any  departed  personnel  in  a  timely  fashion,  may  impact  our  ability  to  grow  our  business  and 
compete effectively in our industry and may negatively affect our ability to meet financial and operational goals. 

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Disruptions  in  the  credit  and  capital  markets  and  unfavorable  general  economic  conditions  could  negatively  affect  our 

business, results of operations and financial condition. 

Disruptions  in  the  credit  and  capital  markets  could  have  negative  effects  on  our  business  that  may  be  difficult  to  predict  or 
anticipate,  including  the  ability  of  our  clients,  vendors,  contractors  and  financing  sources  to  meet  their  contractual  obligations. 
Although we are unable to quantify the impact it has had on us,  we  are  aware  of a limited number of instances in our Research & 
Development Solutions business during the past several years where cancellations, changes in scope and failure to pay timely were 
attributable, at least in part, to difficulty in our clients’ ability to obtain financing. In the future such actions by our clients could, if 
they involve a significant amount of business with us, have a material adverse effect on our results of operations. 

Our effective income tax rate may fluctuate for a variety of reasons, including the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act enacted in 2017 

(the “Tax Act”), which may adversely affect our operations, earnings and earnings per share. 

Our  effective  income  tax  rate  is  influenced  by  our  projected  profitability  in  the  various  taxing  jurisdictions  in  which  we 
operate. Changes in a jurisdiction’s income tax rates and the distribution of our profits and losses among such jurisdictions may have a 
significant impact on our effective income tax rate, which in turn could have an adverse effect on our net income and earnings per 
share. Factors that may affect our effective income tax rate include, but are not limited to: 

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the requirement to exclude from our quarterly worldwide effective income tax calculations losses in jurisdictions where 
no income tax benefit can be recognized; 

actual and projected full year pre-tax income; 

changes in the value of deferred tax assets and liabilities; 

the repatriation of foreign earnings to the United States; 

changes in tax laws in various jurisdictions, including the Tax Act; 

audits by taxing authorities; and 

the  establishment  of  valuation  allowances  against  deferred  income  tax  assets  if  we  determined  that  it  is  more  likely 
than not that future income tax benefits will not be realized.  

In  addition,  our  effective  income  tax  rate  is  influenced  by  U.S.  tax  law  which  has  been  substantially  modified  by  the  Tax 
Act.  Currently, regulations have been issued in proposed form, and if the application of these provisions are modified to change the 
interpretation to us it could have an adverse impact on our effective income tax rate:

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Global Intangible Low-Taxed Income (“GILTI”); 

Deduction for net business interest limited to 30% of adjusted taxable income; and

Performance-based compensation and commissions now subject to $1 million limit. 

All of these items described above may cause fluctuations in our effective income tax rate through increased U.S. tax liability 
and/or the loss of tax attributes in any given year that could adversely affect our results of operations and impact our earnings and 
earnings per share. Additional information regarding our income taxes is presented in Note 16 to our audited consolidated financial 
statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Changes in accounting standards issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) or other standard-setting 

bodies may adversely affect our financial statements.

We are required to prepare our financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United 
States  of  America  (“GAAP”),  which  is  periodically  revised  and/or  expanded.  From  time  to  time,  we  are  required  to  adopt  new  or 
revised  accounting  standards  issued  by  recognized  authoritative  bodies,  including  the  FASB  and  the  SEC.  It  is  possible  that  future 
accounting standards we are required to adopt, such as amended guidance for leases, may require additional changes to the current 
accounting  treatment  that  we  apply  to  our  financial  statements  and  may  require  us  to  make  significant  changes  to  our  reporting 
systems. Such changes could result in a material adverse impact on our results of operations and financial condition.

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Our relationships with existing or potential clients who are in competition with each other may adversely impact the degree 

to which other clients or potential clients use our services, which may adversely affect our results of operations. 

The  biopharmaceutical  industry  is  highly  competitive,  with  biopharmaceutical  companies  each  seeking  to  persuade  payers, 
providers  and  patients  that  their  drug  therapies  are  better  and  more  cost-effective  than  competing  therapies  marketed  or  being 
developed  by  competing  firms.  In  addition  to  the  adverse  competitive  interests  that  biopharmaceutical  companies  have  with  each 
other,  biopharmaceutical  companies  also  have  adverse  interests  with  respect  to  drug  selection  and  reimbursement  with  other 
participants  in  the  healthcare  industry,  including  payers  and  providers.  Biopharmaceutical  companies  also  compete  to  be  first  to 
market with new drug therapies. We regularly provide services to biopharmaceutical companies who compete with each other, and we 
sometimes provide services or funding to such clients regarding competing drugs in development. Our existing or future relationships 
with our biopharmaceutical clients may therefore deter other biopharmaceutical clients from using our services or may result in our 
clients  seeking  to  place  limits  on  our  ability  to  serve  other  biopharmaceutical  industry  participants  in  connection  with  drug 
development activities. In addition, our further expansion into the broader healthcare market may adversely impact our relationships 
with biopharmaceutical clients, and such clients may elect not to use our services, reduce the scope of services that we provide to them 
or seek to place restrictions on our ability to serve clients in the broader healthcare market with interests that are adverse to theirs. A 
loss of clients or reductions in the level of revenues from a client could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, 
business and prospects. 

If we are unable to successfully identify, acquire and integrate existing businesses, services and technologies, our business, 

results of operations and financial condition could be adversely impacted. 

We anticipate that a portion of our future growth may come from acquiring existing businesses, services or technologies. The 
success of any acquisition will depend upon, among other things, our ability to effectively integrate acquired personnel, operations, 
services and technologies into our business and to retain the key personnel and clients of our acquired businesses. In addition, we may 
be unable to identify suitable acquisition opportunities or obtain any necessary financing on commercially acceptable terms. We may 
also  spend  time  and  money  investigating  and  negotiating  with  potential  acquisition  targets  but  not  complete  the  transaction.  Any 
future acquisition could involve other risks, including, among others, the assumption of additional liabilities and expenses, difficulties 
and  expenses  in  connection  with  integrating  the  acquired  companies  and  achieving  the  expected  benefits,  issuances  of  potentially 
dilutive  securities  or  interest-bearing  debt,  loss  of  key  employees  of  the  acquired  companies,  transaction  costs,  diversion  of 
management’s  attention  from  other  business  concerns  and,  with  respect  to  the  acquisition  of  foreign  companies,  the  inability  to 
overcome  differences  in  foreign  business  practices,  language  and  customs.  Our  failure  to  identify  potential  acquisitions,  complete 
targeted acquisitions and integrate completed acquisitions could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and 
results of operations. 

Investments in our clients’ businesses or drugs and our related commercial rights strategies could have a negative impact 

on our financial performance. 

We may enter into arrangements with our clients or other drug companies in which we take on some of the risk of the potential 
success  or  failure  of  their  businesses  or  drugs,  including  making  strategic  investments  in  our  clients  or  other  drug  companies, 
providing  financing  to  clients  or  other  drug  companies  or  acquiring  an  interest  in  the  revenues  from  clients’  drugs  or  in  entities 
developing a limited number of drugs. Our financial results would be adversely affected if these investments or the underlying drugs 
result  in  losses  or  do  not  achieve  the  level  of  success  that  we  anticipate  and/or  our  return  or  payment  from  the  drug  investment  or 
financing is less than our direct and indirect costs with respect to these arrangements. 

 Our results of operations may be adversely affected if we fail to realize the full value of our goodwill and intangible assets. 

We assess the realizability of our indefinite-lived intangible assets and goodwill annually and conduct an interim evaluation 
whenever events or changes in circumstances, such as operating losses or a significant decline in earnings associated with the acquired 
business or asset, indicate that these assets may be impaired. For example, we recognized $40 million of impairment losses during the 
year ended December 31, 2017, for goodwill and intangible assets in Encore Health Resources LLC (“Encore”), which we sold in the 
third quarter of 2017. Our ability to realize the value of the goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets will depend on the future 
cash flows of the businesses we have acquired, which in turn could depend in part on how well we have integrated these businesses 
into our own business. If we are not able to realize the value of the goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets, we may be required 
to incur material charges relating to the impairment of those assets. Such impairment charges could materially and adversely affect our 
operating results and financial condition. 

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We face risks arising from the restructuring of our operations. 

From time to time, we have adopted restructuring plans to improve our operating efficiency through various means such as 
reduction  of  overcapacity,  elimination  of  non-billable  support  roles  or  other  realignment  of  resources.  Restructuring  presents 
significant potential risks of events occurring that could adversely affect us, including: 

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actual or perceived disruption of service or reduction in service standards to clients; 

the  failure  to  preserve  supplier  relationships  and  distribution,  sales  and  other  important  relationships  and  to  resolve 
conflicts that may arise; 

loss of sales as we reduce or eliminate staffing on non-core services; 

diversion of management attention from ongoing business activities; and 

the failure to maintain employee morale and retain key employees. 

Further, any such restructuring would result in charges that, if material, could harm our results of operations and significantly 
reduce  our  cash  position  or  increase  debt.  In  addition,  we  may  incur  certain  unforeseen  costs  once  any  restructuring  activities  are 
implemented.  Further,  if  we  determine  to  effect  any  restructuring,  we  can  give  no  assurance  that  any  projected  cost  reductions 
resulting from such restructuring activities will be achieved within the expected timeframe, or at all. 

Because  of  these  and  other  factors,  we  cannot  predict  whether  we  will  realize  the  purpose  and  anticipated  benefits  of  these 

measures and, if we do not, our business and results of operations may be adversely affected. 

Additionally, there may be delays in implementing the restructuring activities or a failure to achieve the anticipated levels of 
cost savings and efficiency as a result of the restructuring activities, each of which could materially and adversely impact our business 
and results of operations. Further restructuring or reorganization activities may also be required in the future beyond what is currently 
planned, which could further enhance the risks associated with these activities. 

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Risks Relating to Our Industry 

The biopharmaceutical services industry is highly competitive. 

The  biopharmaceutical  services  industry  is  highly  competitive.  Our  business  often  competes  with  other  biopharmaceutical 
services  companies,  internal  discovery  departments,  development  departments,  sales  and  marketing  departments,  information 
technology departments and other departments within our clients, some of which could be considered large biopharmaceutical services 
companies  in  their  own  right  with  greater  resources  than  ours.  We  also  compete  with  universities,  teaching  hospitals,  governments 
agencies and others. If we do not compete successfully, our business will suffer. The biopharmaceutical services industry is highly 
fragmented, with numerous smaller specialized companies and a handful of companies with global capabilities similar to certain of 
our  own  capabilities.  Increased  competition  has  led  to  price  and  other  forms  of  competition,  such  as  acceptance  of  less  favorable 
contract terms, that could adversely affect our operating results. There are few barriers to entry for companies considering offering any 
one or more of the services we offer. Because of their size and focus, these companies might compete effectively against us, which 
could have a material adverse impact on our business. 

Our future growth and success will depend on our ability to successfully compete with other companies that provide similar 
services  in  the  same  markets,  some  of  which  may  have  financial,  marketing,  technical  and  other  advantages.  We  also  expect  that 
competition will continue to increase as a result of consolidation among these various companies. Large technology companies with 
substantial resources, technical expertise and greater brand power could also decide to enter or further expand in the markets where 
our business operates and compete with us. If one or more of our competitors or potential competitors were to merge or partner with 
another  of  our  competitors,  or  if  a  new  entrant  emerged  with  substantial  resources,  the  change  in  the  competitive  landscape  could 
adversely  affect  our  ability  to  compete  effectively.  We  compete  on  the  basis  of  various  factors,  including  breadth  and  depth  of 
services,  reputation,  reliability,  quality,  geographic  coverage,  innovation,  security,  price  and  industry  expertise  and  experience.  In 
addition, our ability to compete successfully may be impacted by the growing availability of health information from social media, 
government  health  information  systems  and  other  free  or  low-cost  sources.  Consolidation  or  integration  of  wholesalers,  retail 
pharmacies, health networks, payers or other healthcare stakeholders may lead any of them to provide information services directly to 
clients or indirectly through a designated service provider, resulting in increased competition from firms that may have lower costs to 
market (e.g., no data supply costs). Any of the above may result in lower demand for our services, which could result in a material 
adverse impact on our operating results and financial condition. 

Outsourcing trends in the biopharmaceutical industry and changes in aggregate spending and research and development 

budgets could adversely affect our operating results and growth rate. 

Economic factors and industry trends that affect biopharmaceutical companies affect our Research & Development Solutions 
business. Biopharmaceutical companies continue to seek long-term strategic collaborations with global contract research organizations 
with favorable pricing terms. Competition for these collaborations is intense and we may decide to forego an opportunity or we may 
not be selected, in which case a competitor may enter into the collaboration and our business with the client, if any, may be limited. In 
addition,  if  the  biopharmaceutical  industry  reduces  its  Research  &  Development  Solutions  activities  or  reduces  its  outsourcing  of 
clinical  trials  and  sales  and  marketing  projects  or  such  outsourcing  fails  to  grow  at  projected  rates,  our  operations  and  financial 
condition could be materially and adversely affected. We may also be negatively impacted by consolidation and other factors in the 
biopharmaceutical industry, which may slow decision making by our clients or result in the delay or cancellation of clinical trials. Our 
commercial  services  may  be  affected  by  reductions  in  new  drug  launches  and  increases  in  the  number  of  drugs  losing  patent 
protection. All of these events could adversely affect our business, results of operations or financial condition. 

Our  business  may  be  materially  and  adversely  impacted  by  factors  affecting  the  biopharmaceutical  and  healthcare 

industries. 

The vast majority of our revenue is generated from sales to the biopharmaceutical and healthcare industries. The clients we 
serve in these industries are commonly subject to financial pressures, including, but not limited to, increased costs, reduced demand 
for their products, reductions in pricing and reimbursement for products and services, formulary approval and placement, government 
approval to market their products and limits on the manner by which they market their products, loss of patent exclusivity (whether 
due to patent expiration or as a result of a successful legal challenge) and the proliferation of or changes to regulations applicable to 
these  industries.  To  the  extent  our  clients  face  such  pressures,  or  they  change  how  they  utilize  our  offerings,  the  demand  for  our 
services, or the prices our clients are willing to pay for those services, may decline. Any such decline could have a material adverse 
effect on our business, operating results and financial condition. 

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We may be affected by healthcare reform and potential additional reforms. 

The United States Congress continues to consider healthcare reform legislation and impose health industry cost containment 
measures, which may significantly impact the biopharmaceutical industry. In addition, numerous government bodies are considering 
or  have  adopted  various  healthcare  reforms  and  may  undertake,  or  are  in  the  process  of  undertaking,  efforts  to  control  growing 
healthcare  costs  through  legislation,  regulation  and  voluntary  agreements  with  medical  care  providers  and  biopharmaceutical 
companies.  We  are  uncertain  as  to  the  effects  of  these  recent  reforms  on  our  business  and  are  unable  to  predict  what  legislative 
proposals, if any, will be adopted in the future. If regulatory cost containment efforts limit the profitability of new drugs, our clients 
may  reduce  their  research  and  development  spending  or  promotional,  marketing  and  sales  expenditures,  which  could  reduce  the 
business they outsource to us. Similarly, if regulatory requirements are relaxed or simplified drug approval procedures are adopted, the 
demand for our services could decrease. 

Foreign and domestic government bodies may also adopt healthcare legislation or regulations that are more burdensome than 
existing regulations. For example, product safety concerns and recommendations by the Drug Safety Oversight Board could change 
the regulatory environment for drug products, and new or heightened regulatory and licensing requirements may increase our expenses 
or  limit  or  delay  our  ability  to  offer  some  of  our  services.  Additionally,  new  or  heightened  regulatory  requirements  may  have  a 
negative impact on the ability of our clients to conduct industry-sponsored clinical trials, which could reduce the need for our services. 

Actions by government regulators or clients to limit a prescription’s scope or withdraw an approved drug from the market 

could adversely affect our business and result in a loss of revenues. 

Government regulators have the authority, after approving a drug, to regulate or limit its scope of prescription or withdraw it 
from the market completely based on safety concerns. Similarly, clients may act to voluntarily limit the scope of prescription of drugs 
or  withdraw  them  from  the  market.  In  the  past,  we  have  provided  services  with  respect  to  drugs  that  have  been  limited  and/or 
withdrawn. If we are providing services to clients for drugs that are limited or withdrawn, we may be required to narrow the scope of 
or terminate our services with respect to such drugs, which would prevent earning the full amount of revenues anticipated under the 
related service contracts with negative impacts to our financial results. 

If we do not keep pace with rapid technological changes, our services may become less competitive or obsolete. 

The biopharmaceutical industry is subject to rapid technological changes. Our current competitors or other businesses might 
develop  technologies  or  services  that  are  more  effective  or  commercially  attractive  than,  or  render  obsolete,  our  current  or  future 
technologies  and  services.  If  our  competitors  introduce  superior  technologies  or  services,  including  in  the  provision  of  clinical 
services, and if we cannot make enhancements to remain competitive, our competitive position would be harmed. If we are unable to 
compete  successfully,  we  may  lose  clients  or  be  unable  to  attract  new  clients,  which  could  lead  to  a  decrease  in  our  revenue  and 
financial condition. 

Laws restricting biopharmaceutical sales and marketing practices may adversely impact demand for our services. 

There  have  been  a  significant  number  of  laws,  legislative  initiatives  and  regulatory  actions  over  the  years  that  seek  to  limit 
biopharmaceutical  sales  and  marketing  practices.  For  example,  three  states  in  2006  and  2007  passed  laws  restricting  the  use  of 
prescriber  identifiable  information  for  the  purpose  of  promoting  branded  prescription  medicines.  Although  these  laws  were 
subsequently declared to be unconstitutional based on a decision of the U.S. Supreme Court in Sorrell v. IMS Health in 2011, we are 
unable to predict whether, and in what form, other initiatives may be introduced or actions taken at the state or Federal levels to limit 
biopharmaceutical sales and marketing practices. In addition, while we will continue to seek to adapt our services to comply with the 
requirements of these laws (to the extent applicable to our services), if enacted, there can be no assurance that our efforts to adapt our 
offerings will be successful and provide the same financial contribution to us. There can also be no assurance that future legislative 
initiatives  will  not  adversely  affect  our  ability  to  develop  or  market  current  or  future  offerings,  or  that  any  future  laws  will  not 
diminish the demand for our services, all of which could, over time, result in a material adverse impact on our operating results and 
financial condition. 

Our  Research &  Development  Solutions  clients  face  intense  competition  from  lower  cost  generic  products,  which  may 

lower the amount that they spend on our services. 

Our Research & Development Solutions clients face increasing competition from lower cost generic products, which in turn 
may affect their ability to pursue research and development activities with us. In the United States, EU and Japan, political pressure to 
reduce  spending  on  prescription  drugs  has  led  to  legislation  and  other  measures  which  encourages  the  use  of  generic  products.  In 
addition, proposals emerge from time to time in the United States and other countries for legislation to further encourage the early and 

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rapid approval of generic drugs. Loss of patent protection for a product typically is followed promptly by generic substitutes, reducing 
our clients’ sales of that product and their overall profitability. Availability of generic substitutes for our clients’ drugs may adversely 
affect their results of operations and cash flow, which in turn may mean that they would not have surplus capital to invest in research 
and  development  and  drug  commercialization,  including  in  our  services.  If  competition  from  generic  products  impacts  our  clients’ 
finances such that they decide to curtail our services, our revenues may decline and this could have a material adverse effect on our 
business. 

Risks Relating to Our Indebtedness 

Restrictions  imposed  in  the  Senior  Secured  Credit  Facilities  (as  defined  below)  and  other  outstanding  indebtedness, 
including the indentures governing outstanding notes issued by our wholly owned subsidiary IQVIA Inc., may limit our ability to 
operate our business and to finance our future operations or capital needs or to engage in other business activities. 

The terms of the Senior Secured Credit Facilities restrict IQVIA and its restricted subsidiaries from engaging in specified types 

of transactions. These covenants restrict the ability of IQVIA and its restricted subsidiaries, among other things, to: 

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incur liens; 

make investments and loans; 

incur indebtedness or guarantees; 

issue preferred stock of a restricted subsidiary; 

issue disqualified equity; 

engage in mergers, acquisitions and asset sales; 

declare dividends, make payments or redeem or repurchase equity interests; 

alter the business IQVIA and its restricted subsidiaries conduct; 

make restricted payments; 

enter into agreements limiting restricted subsidiary distributions; 

prepay, redeem or purchase certain indebtedness; and 

engage in certain transactions with affiliates. 

In addition, the revolving credit facility and the term A and B loans under the Credit Agreement (as defined below) require 
IQVIA to comply with a quarterly maximum senior secured net leverage ratio test and minimum interest coverage ratio test. IQVIA’s 
ability to comply with these financial covenants can be affected by events beyond our control, and IQVIA may not be able to satisfy 
them. Additionally, the restrictions contained in the indentures governing the outstanding notes could also limit our ability to plan for 
or react to market conditions, meet capital needs or make acquisitions or otherwise restrict our activities or business plans. 

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A  breach  of  any  of  these  covenants  could  result  in  a  default  under  the  Senior  Secured  Credit  Facilities  or  the  indentures 
governing the outstanding notes, which could trigger acceleration of our indebtedness and may result in the acceleration of or default 
under any other debt to which a cross-acceleration or cross-default provision applies, which could have a material adverse effect on 
our  business,  operations  and  financial  results.  In  the  event  of  any  default  under  the  Senior  Secured  Credit  Facilities,  the  applicable 
lenders could elect to terminate borrowing commitments and declare all borrowings and loans outstanding, together with accrued and 
unpaid interest and any fees and other obligations, to be due and payable. In addition, or in the alternative, the applicable lenders could 
exercise their rights under the security documents entered into in connection with the Senior Secured Credit Facilities. IQVIA and the 
other subsidiary guarantors have pledged substantially all of their tangible and intangible assets (subject to customary exceptions) as 
collateral  under  the  Senior  Secured  Credit  Facilities,  including  the  stock  and  the  assets  of  certain  of  our  current  and  future  wholly 
owned United States subsidiaries and a portion of the stock of certain of our non-United States subsidiaries. 

If we were unable to repay or otherwise refinance these borrowings and loans when due, the applicable lenders could proceed 
against the collateral granted to them to secure that indebtedness, which could force us into bankruptcy or liquidation. In the event the 
applicable lenders accelerate the repayment of our borrowings, we and our subsidiaries may not have sufficient assets to repay that 
indebtedness.  Any  acceleration  of  amounts  due  under  the  Credit  Agreement  governing  the  Senior  Secured  Credit  Facilities  or  the 
exercise by the applicable lenders of their rights under the security documents would likely have a material adverse effect on us. 

Despite our level of indebtedness, we are able to incur more debt and undertake additional obligations. Incurring such debt 

or undertaking such additional obligations could further exacerbate the risks to our financial condition. 

Although the Credit Agreement, which governs the Senior Secured Credit Facilities of our wholly owned subsidiary through 
which we conduct our operations, IQVIA Inc., contains restrictions on the incurrence of additional indebtedness, these restrictions are 
subject  to  a  number  of  qualifications  and  exceptions  and  the  indebtedness  incurred  in  compliance  with  these  restrictions  could 
increase. In addition, the receivables financing facility for one of our consolidated subsidiaries, a bankruptcy-remote special purpose 
entity (the “SPE”) limits borrowing based on the amount of receivables purchased by the SPE from certain of our other subsidiaries, 
but when supported by the value of such purchased receivables, the debt under our receivables financing facility can increase. 

While  the  Credit  Agreement  also  contains  restrictions  on  our  and  our  restricted  subsidiaries’  ability  to  make  loans  and 
investments, these restrictions are subject to a number of qualifications and exceptions, and the investments incurred in compliance 
with these restrictions could be substantial.  

Restrictive covenants in our other indebtedness may limit our flexibility in our current and future operations, particularly 

our ability to respond to changes in our business or to pursue our business strategies. 

The terms contained in certain of our indebtedness, including credit facilities and any future indebtedness of ours, may include 
a  number  of  restrictive  covenants  that  impose  significant  operating  and  financial  restrictions,  including  restrictions  on  our  and  our 
restricted subsidiaries’ ability to take actions that we believe may be in our interest. These agreements, among other things, limit our 
ability to: 

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incur additional debt; 

provide guarantees in respect of obligations of other persons; 

issue redeemable stock and preferred stock; 

pay dividends or distributions or redeem or repurchase capital stock; 

prepay, redeem or repurchase debt; 

make loans, investments and capital expenditures; 

enter into transactions with affiliates; 

create or incur liens; 

make distributions from our subsidiaries; 

sell assets and capital stock of our subsidiaries; 

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make acquisitions; and 

consolidate or merge with or into, or sell substantially all of our assets to, another person. 

A breach of the covenants or restrictions under the agreements governing our other indebtedness could result in a default under 
the applicable indebtedness. Such default may allow the creditors to accelerate the related debt and may result in the acceleration of 
any other debt to which a cross-acceleration or cross-default provision applies. In the event our lenders and noteholders accelerate the 
repayment of our borrowings, we cannot assure that we and our subsidiaries would have sufficient assets to repay such indebtedness. 

Our financial results, our substantial indebtedness and our credit ratings could adversely affect the availability and terms of 

future financing. 

Interest  rate  fluctuations  and  our  ability  to  deduct  interest  expense  may  affect  our  results  of  operations  and  financial 

condition. 

Because we have variable rate debt, fluctuations in interest rates affect our business. We attempt to minimize interest rate risk 
and  lower  our  overall  borrowing  costs  through  the  utilization  of  derivative  financial  instruments,  primarily  interest  rate  caps  and 
swaps. We have entered into interest rate caps and swaps with financial institutions that have reset dates and critical terms that match 
those of our senior secured term loan credit facility. Accordingly, any change in market value associated with the interest rate caps and 
swaps is offset by the opposite market impact on the related debt. Because we do not attempt to hedge all of our variable rate debt, we 
may incur higher interest costs for the portion of our variable rate debt which is not hedged.    

In addition, the deduction for our interest expense may be limited, which could have an adverse impact on our taxes and net 

income.  

We may be adversely affected by changes in the method of determining the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”), or 
the replacement of LIBOR with an alternative reference rate, for our variable rate loans, derivative contracts and other financial 
assets and liabilities.

The interest rates under our credit facilities and related interest rate swaps may be impacted by the expected discontinuation of 
LIBOR.  LIBOR  is  used  as  a  reference  rate  to  calculate  interest  rates  under  our  credit  facilities.  In  2017,  the  United  Kingdom's 
Financial Conduct Authority, which regulates LIBOR, announced that it intends to phase out LIBOR by the end of 2021. It is unclear 
if LIBOR will cease to exist at that time or if new methods of calculating LIBOR will be established such that it continues to exist 
after 2021. The banking industry alongside regulators have taken steps to introduce alternative reference rates to LIBOR particularly 
in  the  US,  the  UK  and  Switzerland.  Whether  or  not  alternative  reference  rates  attain  market  traction  as  a  LIBOR  replacement  tool 
remains in question. If LIBOR ceases to exist or another indexed rate gains wide market acceptance as the successor to LIBOR, our 
lenders will select a replacement index that will be applied under our credit facilities and related interest rate swaps, and certain of the 
interest rates under our credit facilities may change. The new rates may not be as favorable to us as those in effect prior to any LIBOR 
phase-out.

Risks Relating to Ownership of Our Common Stock 

Provisions  of  the  corporate  governance  documents  of  IQVIA  could  make  an  acquisition  of  IQVIA  difficult  and  may 

prevent attempts by its stockholders to replace or remove its management, even if beneficial to its stockholders. 

Our certificate of incorporation and Delaware bylaws and the General Corporation Law of Delaware (the “DGCL”) contain 
provisions  that  could  make  it  difficult  for  a  third  party  to  acquire  IQVIA  even  if  doing  so  might  be  beneficial  to  its  stockholders, 
including: 

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the division of the board of directors into three classes and the election of each class for three-year terms; 

the  sole  ability  of  the  board  of  directors  to  fill  a  vacancy  created  by  the  death  or  resignation  of  a  director  or  the 
expansion of the board of directors; 

advance notice requirements for stockholder proposals and director nominations; 

limitations on the ability of stockholders to call special meetings and to take action by written consent; 

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the approval of holders of at least seventy-five percent (75%) of the outstanding shares of IQVIA entitled to vote on 
any amendment, alteration, change, addition or repeal of the Delaware bylaws is required to amend, alter, change, add 
to or repeal the Delaware bylaws; 

the required approval of holders of at least seventy-five percent (75%) of the outstanding shares of IQVIA to remove 
directors, which removal may only be for cause; and 

the  ability  of  the  board  of  directors  to  issue  new  series  of,  and  designate  the  terms  of,  preferred  stock,  without 
stockholder approval, which could be used to, among other things, institute a rights plan that would have the effect of 
significantly diluting the stock ownership of a potential hostile acquirer, likely preventing acquisitions that have not 
been approved by the board of directors. 

In  addition,  IQVIA  is  subject  to  Section 203  of  the  DGCL  regulating  corporate  takeovers.  Section 203,  subject  to  certain 
exceptions,  prohibits  a  Delaware  corporation  from  engaging  in  any  “business  combination”  with  any  “interested  stockholder”  for  a 
period of three years following the date that such stockholder became an interested stockholder unless: 

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prior to such date, the board of directors of the corporation approved either the business combination or the transaction 
that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder; 

upon  consummation  of  the  transaction  that  resulted  in  the  stockholder  becoming  an  interested  stockholder,  the 
interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock of the corporation outstanding at the time the transaction 
commenced, excluding those shares owned by persons who are directors and also officers, and employee stock plans in 
which employee participants do not have the right to determine confidentially whether shares held subject to the plan 
will be tendered in a tender or exchange offer; or 

on  or  subsequent  to  such  date,  the  business  combination  is  approved  by  the  board  of  directors  and  authorized  at  an 
annual or special meeting of stockholders, and not by written consent, by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of 
the outstanding voting stock that is not owned by the interested stockholder. 

In general, Section 203 defines “business combination” to include mergers or consolidations between a Delaware corporation 
and  an  interested  stockholder,  transactions  with  an  interested  stockholder  involving  the  assets  or  stock  of  the  corporation  or  its 
majority-owned  subsidiaries  and  transactions  which  increase  an  interested  stockholder’s  percentage  ownership  of  stock.  In  general, 
Section 203 defines an “interested stockholder” as any entity or person beneficially owning 15% or more of the outstanding voting 
stock of the corporation and any entity or person affiliated with or controlling or controlled by such entity or person. These provisions 
may  frustrate  or  prevent  any  attempts  by  stockholders  to  replace  members  of  the  board  of  directors.  Because  IQVIA’s  board  is 
responsible for appointing the members of management, these provisions could in turn affect any attempt to replace current members 
of  management.  As  a  result,  stockholders  of  IQVIA  may  lose  their  ability  to  sell  their  stock  for  a  price  in  excess  of  the  prevailing 
market price due to these protective measures, and efforts by stockholders to change the direction or management of IQVIA may be 
unsuccessful. 

Our  operating  results  and  share  price  may  be  volatile,  which  could  cause  the  value  of  our  stockholders’  investments  to 

decline. 

Our quarterly and annual operating results may fluctuate in the future, and such fluctuations may be significant. In addition, 
securities  markets  worldwide  have  experienced,  and  are  likely  to  continue  to  experience,  significant  price  and  volume  fluctuations. 
This market volatility, as well as general economic, market or political conditions, could subject the market price of our shares to wide 
price fluctuations regardless of our operating performance. Our operating results and the trading price of our shares may fluctuate in 
response to various factors, including: 

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market conditions in the broader stock market; 

actual or anticipated fluctuations in our quarterly and annual financial and operating results; 

introduction of new services by us or our competitors; 

issuance of new or changed securities analysts’ reports or recommendations; 

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sales, or anticipated sales, of large blocks of our stock; 

additions or departures of key personnel; 

regulatory or political developments; 

litigation and governmental investigations; 

changing economic conditions; and 

exchange rate fluctuations. 

These and other factors, many of which are beyond our control, may cause our operating results and the market price for our 
shares  to  fluctuate  substantially.  While  we  believe  that  operating  results  for  any  particular  quarter  are  not  necessarily  a  meaningful 
indication  of  future  results,  fluctuations  in  our  quarterly  operating  results  could  limit  or  prevent  investors  from  readily  selling  their 
shares and may otherwise negatively affect the market price and liquidity of our shares. In addition, in the past, when the market price 
of a stock has been volatile, holders of that stock have sometimes instituted securities class action litigation against the company that 
issued the stock. If any of our stockholders brought a lawsuit against us, we could incur substantial costs defending the lawsuit. Such a 
lawsuit could also divert the time and attention of our management from our business, which could significantly harm our profitability 
and reputation. 

 Since  we  have  no  current  plans  to  pay  regular  cash  dividends  on  our  common  stock,  stockholders  may  not  receive  any 

return on investment unless they sell their common stock for a price greater than that which they paid for it. 

Although we have previously declared dividends to our stockholders prior to our initial public offering in May 2013, we do 
not currently anticipate paying any regular cash dividends on our common stock. Any decision to declare and pay dividends in the 
future  will  be  made  at  the  discretion  of  our  Board  and  will  depend  on,  among  other  things,  our  results  of  operations,  financial 
condition, cash requirements, contractual restrictions and other factors that our Board may deem relevant. In addition, our ability to 
pay dividends is, and may be, limited by covenants of existing and any future outstanding indebtedness we or our subsidiaries incur, 
including under our existing credit facilities. Therefore, any return on investment in our common stock is solely dependent upon the 
appreciation of the price of our common stock on the open market, which may not occur. 

Our  certificate  of  incorporation  contains  a  provision  renouncing  any  interest  and  expectancy  in  certain  corporate 
opportunities  identified  by  certain  of  our  affiliates,  even  if  such  corporate  opportunities  are  ones  that  we  might  reasonably  be 
deemed to have pursued or had the ability or desire to pursue. 

Our certificate of incorporation provides that IQVIA renounces any interest or expectancy in the business opportunities of the 
TPG  Global,  LLC,  the  Bain  Capital,  LLC,  CPP  Investment  Board  Private  Holdings  Inc.,  and  Leonard  Green &  Partners,  L.P.,  and 
their  affiliates  (other  than  our  Company  and  our  subsidiaries)  and  all  of  their  respective  partners,  principals,  directors,  officers, 
members,  managers,  managing  directors  and/or  employees,  and  each  such  person  will  have  no  obligation  to  offer  us  such 
opportunities. This provision applies to each of these stockholders (and associated parties) only for so long as a nominee designated by 
such stockholder under the Shareholders Agreement continues to serve on our board of directors and no individual serving our board 
of directors has at any time been designated as a nominee by such stockholder under the Shareholders Agreement. Stockholders are 
deemed to have notice of and have consented to this provision of our certificate of incorporation. 

Therefore, a director or officer of our Company who also serves as a director, officer, member, manager, or employee of such 
stockholders may pursue certain business opportunities, including acquisitions, that may be complementary to its business and, as a 
result, such opportunities may not be available to us. These potential conflicts of interest could have a material adverse effect on the 
business, financial condition, results of operations, or prospects of our company if attractive corporate opportunities are allocated by 
such stockholders to themselves or their other affiliates instead of to us.  

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments 

None. 

34

Item 2. Properties 

As  of  December 31,  2019,  we  had  approximately  303  offices  located  in  approximately  82  countries.  Our  executive 
headquarters  are  located  adjacent  to  Research  Triangle  Park,  North  Carolina  and  in  Danbury,  Connecticut.  We  own  facilities  in 
Buenos Aires, Argentina; Caracas, Venezuela; Los Ruices, Venezuela; and Bangalore, India. All of our other offices are leased. Our 
properties are geographically distributed to meet our worldwide operating requirements, and none of our properties are individually 
material to our business operations. Many of our leases have an option to renew, and we believe that we will be able to successfully 
renew  expiring  leases  on  terms  satisfactory  to  us.  We  believe  that  our  facilities  are  adequate  for  our  operations  and  that  suitable 
additional space will be available if needed. 

Item 3. Legal Proceedings

Information pertaining to legal proceedings can be found in Note 12 to our audited consolidated financial statements included 

elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and is incorporated by reference herein.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures 

Not applicable. 

35

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

PART II

Market Information for Common Stock 

Our common stock trades on the NYSE under the symbol “IQV.” 

Holders of Record 

On February 7, 2020, we had approximately 35 stockholders of record as reported by our transfer agent. Holders of record are 
defined as those stockholders whose shares are registered in their names in our stock records and do not include beneficial owners of 
common stock whose shares are held in the names of brokers, dealers or clearing agencies.

Dividend Policy 

We do not currently intend to pay dividends on our common stock, and no dividends were declared or paid in 2019 or 2018. 
However, we expect to reevaluate our dividend policy on a regular basis and may, subject to compliance with the covenants contained 
in our Senior Secured Credit Facilities and long-term debt arrangements and other considerations, determine to pay dividends in the 
future. The declaration, amount and payment of any future dividends on shares of our common stock will be at the sole discretion of 
our  Board,  which  may  take  into  account  general  and  economic  conditions,  our  financial  condition  and  results  of  operations,  our 
available  cash  and  current  and  anticipated  cash  needs,  capital  requirements,  contractual,  legal,  tax  and  regulatory  restrictions,  the 
implications of the payment of dividends by us to our stockholders or by our subsidiaries to us, and any other factors that our Board 
may  deem  relevant.  Our  long-term  debt  arrangements  contain  usual  and  customary  restrictive  covenants  that,  among  other  things, 
place  limitations  on  our  ability  to  declare  dividends.  For  additional  information  regarding  these  restrictive  covenants,  see  Part  II, 
Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Liquidity and Capital Resources” 
and Note 10 to our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. 

Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities 

We did not sell any unregistered equity securities in 2019. 

36

Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer

On  October  30,  2013,  our  Board  of  Directors  (the  “Board”)  approved  an  equity  repurchase  program  (the  “Repurchase 
Program”)  authorizing  the  repurchase  of  up  to  $125.0  million  of  either  our  common  stock  or  vested  in-the-money  employee  stock 
options, or a combination thereof. Our Board increased the stock repurchase authorization under the Repurchase Program with respect 
to the repurchase of our common stock by $600 million, $1.5 billion, $2 billion, $1.5 billion, and $2.0 billion in 2015, 2016, 2017, 
2018,  and  2019,  respectively,  which  increased  the  total  amount  that  has  been  authorized  under  the  Repurchase  Program  to  $7.725 
billion. The Repurchase Program does not obligate us to repurchase any particular amount of common stock or vested in-the-money 
employee  stock  options,  and  it  may  be  modified,  extended,  suspended  or  discontinued  at  any  time.  The  timing  and  amount  of 
repurchases  are  determined  by  our  management  based  on  a  variety  of  factors  such  as  the  market  price  of  our  common  stock,  our 
corporate  requirements,  and  overall  market  conditions.  Purchases  of  our  common  stock  may  be  made  in  open  market  transactions 
effected through a broker-dealer at prevailing market prices, in block trades, or in privately negotiated transactions. The Repurchase 
Program for common stock does not have an expiration date. In addition, from time to time, we have repurchased and may continue to 
repurchase common stock through private or other transactions outside of the Repurchase Program.

From  inception  of  the Repurchase  Program  through  December  31,  2019, we  have  repurchased a  total  of  $6.0  billion  of  our 

securities under the Repurchase Program.

During the year ended December 31, 2019, we repurchased 6,605,804 shares of our common stock for approximately $944.8 
million under the Repurchase Program. These amounts include 1,000,000 shares of our common stock, which we repurchased directly 
from  underwriters  in  connection  with  a  secondary  public  offering  of  shares  of  our  common  stock  held  by  certain  of  our  Selling 
Stockholders for an aggregate purchase price of $140.8 million and 1,000,000 shares of our common stock repurchased from certain 
Selling  Stockholders  in  a  private  transaction  for  an  aggregate  purchase  price  of  approximately  $156.9  million. For  additional 
information regarding our equity repurchases, see Part II, Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and 
Results  of  Operations—Liquidity  and  Capital  Resources”  and  Note  13  to  our  audited  consolidated  financial  statements  included 
elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. 

As of December 31, 2019, we had remaining authorization to repurchase up to $1.3 billion of our common stock under the 

Repurchase Program.

 Since  the  Merger  between  Quintiles  and  IMS  health,  we  have  repurchased  62.9  million  shares  of  our  common  stock  at  an 
average market price per share of $94.77 for an aggregate purchase price of $6.0 billion both under and outside of the Repurchase 
Program. This includes shares withheld from employees to satisfy certain tax obligations due in connection with grants of stock under 
the Quintiles IMS Holdings, Inc. 2017 Incentive and Stock Award Plan (the “Plan”). The Plan provides for the withholding of shares 
to  satisfy  tax  obligations.  It  does  not  specify  a  maximum  number  of  shares  that  can  be  withheld  for  this  purpose.  The  shares  of 
common stock withheld to satisfy tax withholding obligations may be deemed to be “issuer purchases” of shares that are required to 
be disclosed pursuant to this Item. 

The following table summarizes the monthly equity repurchase activity for the three months ended December 31, 2019 and the 

approximate dollar value of shares that may yet be purchased pursuant to the Repurchase Program. 

Period

October 1, 2019 – October 31, 2019
November 1, 2019 – November 30, 2019
December 1, 2019 – December 31, 2019

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

—    $
1.8    $
—    $
1.8     

(in millions, except per share data)
-     
139.85     
-     

—    $
1.8    $
—    $
1.8     

1,595 
1,341 
1,341 

37

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
   
 
   
      
  
Stock Performance Graph 

This  performance  graph  shall  not  be  deemed  “filed”  for  purposes  of  Section  18  of  the  Exchange  Act  or  incorporated  by 
reference into any filing of IQVIA Holdings Inc. under the Exchange Act or under the Securities Act, except as shall be expressly set 
forth by specific reference in such filing.

The following graph shows a comparison from December 31, 2014 through December 31, 2019 of the cumulative total return 
for  our  common  stock,  the  Standard  &  Poor’s  500  Stock  Index  (“S&P  500”)  and  a  select  peer  group.  The  peer  group  consists  of 
Cerner Corporation, Charles River Laboratories, Inc., Equifax Inc., ICON plc, IHS Markit Ltd., Laboratory Corporation of America 
Holdings, Nielsen N.V., PRA Health Sciences, Inc., Syneos Health (formerly INC Research Holdings), Thomson Reuters Corporation 
and  Verisk  Analytics,  Inc.  The  companies  in  our  peer  group  are  publicly  traded  information  services,  information  technology  or 
contract research companies, and thus share similar business model characteristics to IQVIA, or provide services to similar customers 
as IQVIA. Many of these companies are also used by our compensation committee for purposes of compensation benchmarking.

The graph assumes that $100 was invested in IQVIA, the S&P 500 and the peer group as of the close of market on December 
31,  2014, assumes  the reinvestments  of  dividends,  if any.  The  S&P  500 and  our peer  group are included for  comparative  purposes 
only. They do not necessarily reflect management’s opinion that the S&P 500 and our peer group are an appropriate measure of the 
relative performance of the stock involved, and they are not intended to forecast or be indicative of possible future performance of our 
common stock.

Comparison of 5 Years Cumulative Total Return
Assumes Initial Investment of $100
December 2019

300

250

200

150

100

50

0

12/31/2014

12/31/2015

12/31/2016

12/31/2017

12/31/2018

12/31/2019

IQVIA Holdings Inc.

S&P 500 Index - Total Return

Peer Group

12/31/2014

12/31/2015

12/31/2016

12/31/2017

12/31/2018

12/31/2019

IQVIA
Peer Group
S&P 500

  $
  $
  $

100    $
100    $
100    $

117    $
109    $
101    $

129    $
112    $
114    $

166    $
130    $
138    $

197    $
124    $
132    $

262 
174 
174  

38

 
 
   
   
   
   
   
 
Item 6. Selected Financial Data 

We  have  derived  the  following  consolidated  statements  of  income  data  for  2019,  2018  and  2017  and  consolidated  balance 
sheet data as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 from our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual 
Report on Form 10-K. We have derived the following consolidated statements of income data for 2016 and 2015 and consolidated 
balance sheet data as of December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 from our audited consolidated financial statements not included in this 
Annual Report on Form 10-K. You should read the consolidated financial data set forth below in conjunction with our consolidated 
financial  statements  and  related  notes  included  elsewhere  in  this  Annual  Report  on  Form  10-K  and  the  information  under  Part  II, 
Item 7,  “Management’s  Discussion  and  Analysis  of  Financial  Condition  and  Results  of  Operations.”  Effective  January  1,  2018,  we 
adopted the requirements of Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) 
(“ASU 2014-09”) and ASU 2017-07, “Compensation—Retirement Benefits (Topic 715):  Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic 
Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost” (“ASU 2017-07”) using the full retrospective method. As a result of the 
adoption  of  ASU  2014-09  and  ASU  2017-07,  the  Company  retrospectively  adjusted  related  presentations.  We  have  included  the 
results  of  operations  of  acquired  businesses  from  the  respective  date  of  acquisition.  As  a  result,  our  period  to  period  results  of 
operations vary depending on the dates and sizes of the acquisitions. Effective January 1, 2019, we adopted the requirements of ASU 
2016-02, Leases (Topic 842): Amendments to the FASB Accounting Standards Codification and elected the transition method which 
allows  for  disclosures  to  be  updated  prospectively  and  prior  periods  to  be  presented  in  accordance  with  previous  guidance. 
Accordingly, this selected financial data is not necessarily comparable or indicative of our future results. You should read this selected 
consolidated financial data in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements and related footnotes included elsewhere 
in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. 

(in millions, except per share data)
Statement of Income Data:
Revenues
Costs of revenue, exclusive of depreciation and
   amortization
Selling, general and administrative expenses
Depreciation and amortization
Impairment charges(1)
Restructuring costs
Merger related costs(2)
Income from operations
Interest expense, net
Loss on extinguishment of debt
Other expense (income), net

Income before income taxes and equity in earnings
   (losses) of unconsolidated affiliates

Income tax expense (benefit)(3)

Income before equity in earnings (losses) of
   unconsolidated affiliates

Equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated affiliates

Net income

Net income attributable to non-controlling interests
Net income attributable to IQVIA Holdings Inc.

  $

Year Ended December 31,

2019

2018

2017(4)

2016(4)(5)

2015

  $

11,088    $

10,412    $

9,702    $

6,815    $

5,737 

7,300     
1,734     
1,202     
—     
75     
—     
777     
438     
24     
(37)    

352     
116     

236     
(9)    
227     
(36)    
191    $

6,746     
1,716     
1,141     
—     
68     
—     
741     
406     
2     
5     

328     
59     

269     
15     
284     
(25)    
259    $

6,301     
1,622     
1,011     
40     
63     
—     
665     
339     
19     
13     

294     
(992)    

1,286     
10     
1,296     
(19)    
1,277    $

4,748     
1,016     
289     
28     
71     
87     
576     
140     
31     
(11)    

416     
325     

91     
(4)    
87     
(15)    
72    $

4,116 
815 
128 
2 
30 
— 
646 
97 
8 
2 

539 
159 

380 
8 
388 
(1)
387  

(in millions, except per share data)
Earnings per share attributable to common stockholders:
Basic
Diluted
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic
Diluted

Year Ended December 31,

2019

2018

2017(4)

2016(4)(5)

2015

  $
  $

0.98    $
0.96    $

1.27    $
1.24    $

5.86    $
5.74    $

0.48    $
0.47    $

195.1     
199.6     

203.7     
208.2     

217.8     
222.6     

149.1     
152.0     

3.15 
3.08 

123.0 
125.6  

39

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
      
      
      
      
  
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
 
 
 
 
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
   
      
      
      
      
  
   
      
      
      
      
  
   
   
(in millions)
Statement of Cash Flow Data:
Net cash provided by (used in):

Operating activities
Investing activities
Financing activities
Other Financial Data:
Capital expenditures

(in millions)
Balance Sheet Data:
Cash and cash equivalents
Investments in debt, equity and other securities
Trade accounts receivable and unbilled services, net
Property and equipment, net
Total assets
Total long-term liabilities
Total debt(6)
Total stockholders’ equity (deficit)

Year Ended December 31,

2019

2018

2017(4)

2016(4)(5)

2015

  $

1,417    $
(1,190)    
(276)    

1,254    $
(810)    
(452)    

970    $
(1,190)    
(72)    

860    $
1,731     
(2,284)    

476 
(67)
(249)

  $

(582)   $

(459)   $

(369)   $

(164)   $

(78)

2019

2018

2017(4)

2016(4)(5)

2015

As of December 31,

  $

837    $
127     
2,582     
458     
23,251     
13,043     
11,705     
6,263     

891    $
88     
2,394     
434     
22,549     
12,061     
11,056     
6,954     

959    $
54     
2,097     
440     
22,857     
11,457     
10,269     
8,244     

1,198    $
53     
1,816     
406     
21,312     
9,609     
7,219     
8,781     

977 
33 
1,166 
188 
3,926 
2,668 
2,501 
(336)

 (1) 

(2)  
(3) 

(4)

(5)

(6) 

In 2017, we recognized $40 million of impairment losses for declines in fair value of goodwill and identifiable intangible assets in Encore, which we 
sold in the third quarter of 2017. In 2016, we recognized $28 million of impairment losses for declines in fair value of goodwill ($23 million) and 
identifiable intangible assets ($5 million) in Encore. In 2015, we wrote down $2 million related to long-lived assets. 
Merger related costs include the direct and incremental costs associated with the Merger. 
Income tax expense in 2019 includes a reversal of $25 million related to a reversal of an FDII benefit in 2018 due to proposed regulations being 
issued in 2019. Income tax expense in 2018 includes $(35) million related to finalization of SAB 118 and the impacts of GILTI and FDII. Income 
tax expense in 2017 includes $(966) million related to the enactment of the Tax Act and $(261) million related to purchase accounting amortization 
as  a  result  of  the  Merger.  Income  tax  expense  in  2016  includes  $252  million  related  to  a  change  in  our  indefinitely  reinvested  assertion  on  our 
cumulative foreign earnings as a result of the Merger.
As a result of the adoption of ASU 2014-09, we retrospectively adjusted 2017 and 2016 related presentations.
Includes the acquisition of IMS Health effective October 3, 2016.
Excludes $60 million, $49 million, $44 million, $19 million, $33 million and $22 million of unamortized discounts and debt issuance costs as of 
December 31, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, and 2015. 

40

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

You should read the following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations together with our 
consolidated  financial  statements  and  the  related  notes  included  elsewhere  in  this  Annual  Report  on  Form  10-K.  Some  of  the 
information contained in this discussion and analysis or set forth elsewhere in this Annual Report, including information with respect 
to our plans and strategy for our business, includes forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. You should read 
the  “Risk  Factors”  section  of  this  Annual  Report  for  a  discussion  of  important  factors  that  could  cause  actual  results  to  differ 
materially  from  the  results  described  in  or  implied  by  the  forward-looking  statements  contained  in  the  following  discussion  and 
analysis. 

Overview 

IQVIA  is  a  leading  global  provider  of  advanced  analytics,  technology  solutions  and  contract  research  services  to  the  life 
sciences  industry.  Formed  through  the  Merger  of  IMS  Health  and  Quintiles,  IQVIA  applies  human  data  science  –  leveraging  the 
analytic  rigor  and  clarity  of  data  science  to  the  ever-expanding  scope  of  human  science  –  to  enable  companies  to  reimagine  and 
develop new approaches to clinical development and commercialization, speed innovation, and accelerate improvements in healthcare 
outcomes.  Powered  by  the  IQVIA  CORE,  we  deliver  unique  and  actionable  insights  at  the  intersection  of  large  scale  analytics, 
transformative  technology  and  extensive  domain  expertise,  as  well  as  execution  capabilities  to  help  biotech,  medical  device,  and 
pharmaceutical  companies,  medical  researchers,  government  agencies,  payers  and  other  healthcare  stakeholders  tap  into  a  deeper 
understanding  of  diseases,  human  behaviors  and  scientific  advances,  in  an  effort  to  advance  their  path  toward  cures.  With 
approximately 67,000 employees, we conduct operations in more than 100 countries.

We are managed through three reportable segments, Technology & Analytics Solutions, Research & Development Solutions 
and Contract Sales & Medical Solutions. Technology & Analytics Solutions provides critical information, technology solutions and 
real  world  solutions  and  services  to  our  life  science  clients.  Research  &  Development  Solutions,  which  primarily  serves 
biopharmaceutical clients, is engaged in research and development and provides clinical research and clinical trial services. Contract 
Sales & Medical Solutions provides contract sales to both biopharmaceutical clients and the broader healthcare market. 

For a description of our service offerings within our segments, refer to Part I, Item 1, “Business”. 

Industry Outlook 

For information about the industry outlook and markets that we operate in, refer to Part I, Item I, “Our Market Outlook”. 

Business Combinations 

We have completed and will continue to consider strategic business combinations to enhance our capabilities and offerings in 
certain  areas,  including  various  individually  immaterial  acquisitions  during  the  years  ended  December  31,  2019  and  2018.  These 
transactions  were  accounted  for  as  business  combinations  and  the  acquired  results  of  operations  are  included  in  our  consolidated 
financial information since the acquisition date. See Note 14 to our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in 
this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information with respect to these business combinations. 

Sources of Revenue 

Total revenues are comprised of revenues from the provision of our services. We do not have any material product revenues. 

Costs and Expenses 

Our  costs  and  expenses  are  comprised  primarily  of  our  costs  of  revenue,  reimbursed  expenses  and  selling,  general  and 
administrative  expenses.  Costs  of  revenue  include  compensation  and  benefits  for  billable  employees  and  personnel  involved  in 
production,  trial  monitoring,  data  management  and  delivery,  and  the  costs  of  acquiring  and  processing  data  for  our  information 
offerings;  costs  of  staff  directly  involved  with  delivering  technology-related  services  offerings  and  engagements,  related 
accommodations and the costs of data purchased specifically for technology services engagements; and other expenses directly related 
to service contracts such as courier fees, laboratory supplies, professional services and travel expenses. As noted above, reimbursed 
expenses  are  comprised  principally  of  payments  to  investigators  who  oversee  clinical  trials  and  travel  expenses  for  our  clinical 
monitors  and  sales  representatives.  Selling,  general  and  administrative  expenses  include  costs  related  to  sales,  marketing,  and 
administrative  functions  (including  human  resources,  legal,  finance,  quality  assurance,  compliance  and  general  management)  for 
compensation and benefits, travel, professional services, training and expenses for information technology, facilities and depreciation 
and amortization. 

41

Foreign Currency Translation

In 2019, approximately 40% of our revenues were denominated in currencies other than the United States dollar, which 

represents approximately 55 currencies. Because a large portion of our revenues and expenses are denominated in foreign currencies 
and our financial statements are reported in United States dollars, changes in foreign currency exchange rates can significantly affect 
our results of operations. The revenue and expenses of our foreign operations are generally denominated in local currencies and 
translated into United States dollars for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, exchange rate fluctuations will affect the translation 
of foreign results into United States dollars for purposes of reporting our condensed consolidated results. As a result, we believe that 
reporting results of operations that exclude the effects of foreign currency rate fluctuations on certain financial results can facilitate 
analysis of period to period comparisons. This constant currency information assumes the same foreign currency exchange rates that 
were in effect for the comparable prior-year period were used in translation of the current period results.

Consolidated Results of Operations 

 For  information  regarding  our  results  of  operations  for  Technology  &  Analytics  Solutions,  Research  &  Development 

Solutions and Contract Sales & Medical Solutions, refer to “Segment Results of Operations” later in this section.

For a discussion of our results of operations comparison for 2018 and 2017, refer to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the 
fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 filed on February 19, 2019. Our reportable segment results of operations comparison for 2018 
and 2017 included below within this Annual Report on Form 10-K reflects the change in segment presentation that occurred during 
the first quarter of 2019.

Revenues 

(dollars in millions)
Revenues

2019 compared to 2018 

Year Ended December 31,
2018

2019

  $ 11,088    $ 10,412    $

2017
9,702    $

Change

2019 vs. 2018

2018 vs. 2017

$

  %  

$

  %  

676     

6.5%  $

710     

7.3%

In  2019,  our  revenues  increased  $676  million,  or  6.5%,  as  compared  to  2018.  This  increase  was  comprised  of  constant 
currency  revenue  growth  of  approximately  $835  million,  or  8.0%,  and  a  negative  impact  of  approximately  $159  million  from  the 
effects  of  foreign  currency  fluctuations.  The  constant  currency  revenue  growth  was  comprised  of  a  $444  million  increase  in 
Technology  &  Analytics  Solutions,  a  $378  million  increase  in  Research &  Development  Solutions  and  a  $13  million  increase  in 
Contract Sales & Medical Solutions.

Costs of Revenue, exclusive of Depreciation and Amortization 

(dollars in millions)
Costs of revenue, exclusive of depreciation and amortization
% of revenues

2019 compared to 2018

2019

Year Ended December 31,
2018

2017

  $

7,300 
  $
65.8%   

6,746 
  $
64.8%   

6,301 
64.9%

When  compared  to  2018,  costs  of  revenue,  exclusive  of  depreciation  and  amortization,  in  2019  increased  $554  million,  or 
8.2%.  This  increase  included  a  constant  currency  increase  of  approximately  $690  million,  or  10.2%,  and  a  positive  impact  of 
approximately $136 million from the effects of foreign currency fluctuations. The constant currency growth was comprised of a $369 
million  increase  in  Technology  &  Analytics  Solutions,  a  $295  million  increase  in  Research &  Development  Solutions  and  a  $26 
million increase in Contract Sales & Medical Solutions. 

As a percent of revenues, costs of revenue remained flat compared to 2018. 

42

 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

(dollars in millions)
Selling, general and administrative expenses
% of revenues

2019 compared to 2018

2019

Year Ended December 31,
2018

2017

  $

1,734 
  $
15.6%   

1,716 
  $
16.5%   

1,622 
16.7%

The  $18  million  increase  in  selling,  general  and  administrative  expenses  in  2019  as  compared  to  2018  included  a  constant 
currency  increase  of  approximately  $60  million,  or  3.5%,  and  a  positive  impact  of  approximately  $42  million  from  the  effects  of 
foreign currency fluctuations. The constant currency growth primarily consisted of a $34 million increase in Research & Development 
Solutions  and  a  $37  million  increase  in  general  corporate  and  unallocated  expenses.    These  increases  were  partially  offset  by  a  $6 
million decrease in Technology & Analytics Solutions and a $5 million decrease in Contract Sales & Medical Solutions.

Depreciation and Amortization 

(dollars in millions)
Depreciation and amortization
% of revenues

2019

Year Ended December 31,
2018

2017

  $

1,202 
  $
10.8%   

1,141 
  $
11.0%   

1,011 
10.4%

The $61 million increase in depreciation and amortization in 2019 as compared to 2018 was primarily due to higher intangible 
asset balances as a result of acquisitions occurring in 2018 and 2019, and increased amortization due to higher capitalized software 
balances.

Impairment Charges 

(in millions)
Impairment charges

2019

Year Ended December 31,
2018

2017

  $

—    $

—    $

40  

During 2017, we recognized $40 million of impairment losses for declines in fair value of goodwill and identifiable intangible 
assets in Encore. See Note 8 to our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K 
for additional information with respect to impairment charges. 

Restructuring Costs 

(in millions)
Restructuring costs

2019

Year Ended December 31,
2018

2017

  $

75    $

68    $

63  

During 2019, we recognized $75 million of restructuring charges, net of reversals for changes in estimates, under our existing 
restructuring plans as a result of continuing efforts to streamline our global operations. The remaining actions under these plans, as 
well as actions associated with upcoming 2020 plans, are expected to occur throughout 2020 and are expected to consist of severance, 
facility closure and other exit-related costs. 

During 2018, we recognized $68 million of restructuring charges, net of reversals for changes in estimates, respectively, under 

our existing restructuring plans. 

Interest Income and Interest Expense 

(in millions)
Interest income
Interest expense

2019

Year Ended December 31,
2018

2017

  $
  $

(9)   $
447    $

(8)   $
414    $

(7)
346  

43

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest income included interest received primarily from bank balances and investments. 

Interest expense during 2019 was higher than 2018 due to an increase in the average debt outstanding, primarily as a result of 

the May 2019 issuance of $1.1 billion of 5.00% senior notes due 2027 and the June 2018 issuance of $1.63 billion of additional term B 
loans.

Loss on Extinguishment of Debt 

(in millions)
Loss on extinguishment of debt

2019

Year Ended December 31,
2018

2017

  $

24    $

2    $

19  

During 2019, we incurred $24 million of fees and expenses related to the redemption of our 4.875% senior notes due 2023 in 
aggregate principal amount of $800 million as discussed further in Note 10 to our audited consolidated financial statements included 
elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

During 2018, we incurred $2 million of fees and expenses related to the refinancing of our Senior Secured Credit Facilities as 

discussed further in Note 10 to our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

See “—Liquidity and Capital Resources” for more information on these transactions.  

Other Expense (Income), Net 

(in millions)
Other (income) expense, net

2019

Year Ended December 31,
2018

2017

  $

(37)   $

5    $

13  

Other income, net for 2019 primarily consisted of a gain related to the remeasurement of a previously held equity interest of an 

equity method investment upon acquiring the remaining interest as a result of a business combination.

Other expense, net for 2018 primarily consisted of an increase in fair value of acquisition-related contingent consideration and 

foreign currency net losses partially offset by positive returns on pension assets.

Income Tax Expense (Benefit)

(dollars in millions)
Income tax expense (benefit)
Effective income tax rate

2019

Year Ended December 31,
2018

2017

  $

116 
  $
33.0%   

59 
  $
18.0%   

(992)
(337.4)%

In  2019  the  U.S.  Treasury  Department  issued  final  regulations  on  the  transition  tax  and  proposed  regulations  on  Foreign 
Derived  Intangible  Income  (“FDII’)  which  we  analyzed.    While  the  final  regulations  related  to  the  transition  tax  did  not  have  a 
material impact on us, the proposed guidance for FDII had an unfavorable impact. Although the proposed guidance for FDII is not 
authoritative and subject to change in the regulatory review process, we reversed the tax benefit recorded in 2018 by recording a tax 
expense of $25 million for this impact. It is expected that during 2020 the U.S. Treasury Department will issue final regulations on 
FDII.

On  December  22,  2017,  the  U.S.  government  enacted  the  Tax  Act.  The  Tax  Act  is  comprehensive  legislation  that  includes 
provisions that lower the federal corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21% beginning in 2018 and imposes a one-time transition tax 
on undistributed foreign earnings. ASC 740 “Income Taxes” generally requires the effects of the tax law change to be recorded in the 
period  of  enactment.  However,  the  SEC  staff  issued  Staff  Accounting  Bulletin  No.  118  (“SAB  118”)  to  address  situations  when  a 
registrant does not have the necessary information available, prepared, or analyzed (including computations) in reasonable detail to 
complete  the  accounting  for  certain  income  tax  effects  of  the  Tax  Act.  During  the  fourth  quarter  of  2017,  we  recognized  the  tax 
impacts related to the transition tax on undistributed foreign earnings and the impact to deferred tax assets and liabilities and included 
these amounts in our consolidated financial statements on a provisional basis. During the fourth quarter of 2018, we completed our 
accounting for SAB 118 that resulted in a full year benefit of $35 million related to the transition tax. Additionally, in 2018 as a result 
of the new provisions of the Tax Act, we recorded a benefit of $25 million related to FDII as well as a tax expense of $35 million 
related  to  GILTI.  Our  effective  income  tax  rate  was  also  favorably  impacted  by  a  tax  benefit  of  $188  million  related  to  purchase 
accounting amortization of approximately $813 million as a result of the Merger.

44

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
For  2017,  we  recorded  a  provisional  deferred  tax  benefit  of  $966  million  related  to  the  revaluation  of  deferred  taxes  at  the 
newly  enacted  21%  rate  and  the  reversal  of  the  deferred  tax  liability  on  undistributed  foreign  earnings  net  of  the  newly  enacted 
transition tax. We no longer consider any of our foreign earnings to be indefinitely reinvested. Our effective income tax rate was also 
favorably impacted by a tax benefit of $261 million related to purchase accounting amortization of approximately $763 million as a 
result of the Merger.

Equity in Earnings (Losses) of Unconsolidated Affiliates 

(in millions)
Equity in (losses) earnings of unconsolidated affiliates

2019

Year Ended December 31,
2018

2017

  $

(9)   $

15    $

10  

Equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated affiliates decreased in 2019 compared to 2018 primarily as a result of earnings 
from our investment in NovaQuest Pharma Opportunities Fund III, L.P. that were recognized in 2018 that did not reoccur in 2019. See 
Note  4  to  our  audited  consolidated  financial  statements  included  elsewhere  in  this  Annual  Report  on  Form  10-K  for  additional 
information.

Net Income Attributable to Non-controlling Interests 

(in millions)
Net income attributable to non-controlling interests

2019

Year Ended December 31,
2018

2017

  $

(36)   $

(25)   $

(19)

Net income attributable to non-controlling interests primarily included Quest’s interest in Q2 Solutions. 

Segment Results of Operations 

Revenues and profit by segment are as follows: 

(in millions)
Technology & Analytics Solutions
Research & Development Solutions
Contract Sales & Medical Solutions
Total
General corporate and unallocated
Depreciation and amortization
Impairment charges
Restructuring costs
Consolidated

2017

2019

Segment Profit
2018

2017

  $

Segment Revenues
2018

2019

4,486    $
5,788     
814     
11,088     

4,137    $
5,465     
810     
10,412     

3,682    $
5,105     
915     
9,702     

1,101    $
1,141     
52     
2,294     
(240)    
(1,202)    
—     
(75)    
777    $

1,041    $
1,055     
61     
2,157     
(207)    
(1,141)    
—     
(68)    
741    $

998 
861 
69 
1,928 
(149)
(1,011)
(40)
(63)
665  

  $

11,088    $

10,412    $

9,702    $

Certain costs are not allocated to our segments and are reported as general corporate and unallocated expenses. These costs 

primarily consist of stock-based compensation and expenses to integration activities and acquisitions. We also do not allocate 
depreciation and amortization or impairment charges to our segments.  Prior period segment results have been recast to conform to 
changes to management reporting in 2019. The recast impacts the allocation of selling, general and administrative expenses for 2018 
and 2017.

45

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
   
   
      
      
      
   
      
      
      
   
      
      
      
   
      
      
      
Technology & Analytics Solutions

(dollars in millions)
Revenues
Costs of revenue, exclusive of depreciation
   and amortization
Selling, general and administrative expenses
Segment profit

  $

  $

Revenues 

2019 compared to 2018

Year Ended December 31,
2018
4,137    $

2019
4,486    $

2017
3,682    $

2019 vs. 2018
349     

Change

8.4%  $

2018 vs. 2017
455     

12.4%

2,663     
722     
1,101    $

2,343     
753     
1,041    $

1,967     
717     
998    $

320     
(31)    
60     

13.7 
(4.1)
5.8%  $

376     
36     
43     

19.1 
5.0 
4.3%

Technology & Analytics Solutions’ revenues were $4,486 million in 2019, an increase of $349 million, or 8.4%, over 2018. 
This increase was comprised of constant currency revenue growth of approximately $444 million, or 10.7%, and a negative impact of 
approximately  $95  million  from  the  effects  of  foreign  currency  fluctuations.  The  constant  currency  growth  resulted  primarily  from 
revenue growth in the Americas region as well as the Europe and Africa region. The revenue growth in these regions was driven by 
higher real-world and analytical services as well as incremental revenue from acquisitions.

Costs of Revenue, exclusive of Depreciation and Amortization 

2019 compared to 2018 

Technology & Analytics Solutions’ costs of revenue, exclusive of depreciation and amortization, were $2,663 million in 2019, 
an increase of $320 million over 2018. This increase was comprised of constant currency growth of approximately $369 million, or 
15.7%, and a positive impact of approximately $49 million from the effects of foreign currency fluctuations.  The constant currency 
increase was primarily due to an increase in compensation and related expenses from higher headcount to support revenue growth and 
incremental costs from acquisitions.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

2019 compared to 2018 

Technology & Analytics Solutions’ selling, general and administrative expenses decreased $31 million in 2019 as compared to 
2018. This decrease was comprised of a constant currency decrease of approximately $6 million, or 0.8%, and a positive impact of 
approximately $25 million from the effects of foreign currency fluctuations. The constant currency decrease was primarily related to 
cost savings initiatives.

Research & Development Solutions 

(dollars in millions)
Revenues
Costs of revenue, exclusive of depreciation
   and amortization
Selling, general and administrative expenses
Segment profit

  $

  $

Backlog

Year Ended December 31,
2018
5,465    $

2019
5,788    $

2017
5,105    $

2019 vs. 2018
323     

3,936     
711     
1,141    $

3,721     
689     
1,055    $

3,566     
678     
861    $

215     
22     
86     

Change

5.9%  $

5.8 
3.2 
8.2%  $

2018 vs. 2017
360     

7.1%

155     
11     
194     

4.3 
1.6 
22.5%

Research and Development Solutions contracted backlog increased from $17.1 billion at December 31, 2018 to $19.0 billion at 
December 31, 2019 and we expect approximately $5.2 billion of this backlog to convert to revenue in the next 12 months. Contracted 
backlog was $14.8 billion at December 31, 2017. The December 31, 2017 backlog amount has been updated to reflect the adoption of 
the new revenue standard.

46

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
   
   
Backlog  represents,  at  a  particular  point  in  time,  future  revenues  from  work  not  yet  completed  or  performed  under  signed 
contracts. Once work begins on a project, revenues are recognized over the duration of the project. Backlog denominated in foreign 
currencies are valued each month using the actual average foreign exchange rates in effect during the month. 

 We  believe  that  backlog  may  not  be  a  consistent  indicator  of  future  revenues  because  backlog  has  been  and  likely  will  be 
affected by a number of factors, including the variable size and duration of projects, many of which are performed over several years, 
cancellations, and changes to the scope of work during the course of projects. Projects that have been delayed remain in backlog, but 
the  timing  of  the  revenue  generated  may  differ  from  the  timing  originally  expected.  Additionally,  projects  may  be  terminated  or 
delayed  by  the  customer  or  delayed  by  regulatory  authorities.  In  the  event  that  a  client  cancels  a  contract,  we  typically  would  be 
entitled to receive payment for all services performed up to the cancellation date and subsequent client-authorized services related to 
winding down the canceled project. For more details regarding risks related to our backlog, see Part I, Item IA, “Risk Factors—Risks 
Related to our Business—The relationship of backlog to revenues varies over time.”

Revenues 

2019 compared to 2018 

Research & Development Solutions’ revenues were $5,788 million in 2019, an increase of $323 million, or 5.9%, over 2018. 
This increase was comprised of constant currency revenue growth of approximately $378 million, or 6.9%, and a negative impact of 
approximately $55 million from the effects of foreign currency fluctuations. 

The  constant  currency  growth  primarily  included  volume-related  increases  in  clinical  services,  data  management  and  lab 

testing volumes as well as incremental revenue from acquisitions. 

Costs of Revenue, exclusive of Depreciation and Amortization 

2019 compared to 2018 

Research & Development Solutions’ costs of revenue, exclusive of depreciation and amortization, increased $215 million, or 
5.8%, in 2019 as compared to 2018. This increase included a constant currency increase of approximately $295 million, or 7.9%, and 
a positive impact of approximately $80 million from the effects of foreign currency fluctuations. 

The constant currency increase was primarily due to an increase in compensation and related expenses as well as incremental 

costs from acquisitions. Compensation and related expenses increased as a result of higher headcount to support revenue growth.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

2019 compared to 2018 

Research & Development Solutions’ selling, general and administrative expenses increased $22 million, or 3.2%, in 2019 as 
compared  to  2018,  which  included  a  constant  currency  increase  of  approximately  $34  million,  or  4.9%,  and  a  positive  impact  of 
approximately $12 million from the effects of foreign currency fluctuations. The constant currency increase was primarily related to 
an increase in compensation and related expenses from higher headcount to support growth and incremental costs from acquisitions.  

Contract Sales & Medical Solutions

(dollars in millions)
Revenues
Costs of revenue, exclusive of depreciation
   and amortization
Selling, general and administrative expenses
Segment profit

Year Ended December 31,
2018

2017

2019

  $

814    $

810    $

915    $

Change

2019 vs. 2018
4     

0.5%   $

2018 vs. 2017
(105)    

(11.5)%

701     
61     
52    $

682     
67     
61    $

768     
78     
69    $

19     
(6)    
(9)    

2.8 
(9.0)
(14.8)%  $

(86)    
(11)    
(8)    

(11.2)
(14.1)
(11.6)%

  $

47

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
   
   
Revenues 

2019 compared to 2018 

Contract Sales & Medical Solutions’ revenues were $814 million in 2019, an increase of $4 million, or 0.5%, over 2018. This 
increase  was  comprised  of  a  constant  currency  revenue  growth  of  approximately  $13  million,  or  1.6%,  and  a  negative  impact  of 
approximately $9 million from the effects of foreign currency fluctuations. The constant currency growth was largely due to volume 
increases in the Americas region.

Costs of Revenue, exclusive of Depreciation and Amortization 

2019 compared to 2018 

Contract Sales & Medical Solutions’ costs of revenue, exclusive of depreciation and amortization, increased $19 million, or 
2.8%, in 2019 as compared to 2018. This increase included a constant currency growth of approximately $26 million, or 3.8%, and a 
positive impact of approximately $7 million from the effects of foreign currency fluctuations. The constant currency cost of revenue 
increase was due an increase in compensation and related expenses from higher headcount to support revenue growth.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

2019 compared to 2018 

Contract Sales & Medical Solutions’ selling, general and administrative expenses decreased $6 million, or 9.0%, in 2019 as 

compared to 2018, primarily related to cost saving initiatives.

Liquidity and Capital Resources 

Overview 

We assess our liquidity in terms of our ability to generate cash to fund our operating, investing and financing activities. Our 
principal source of liquidity is operating cash flows. In addition to operating cash flows, other significant factors that affect our overall 
management  of  liquidity  include:  capital  expenditures,  acquisitions,  investments,  debt  service  requirements,  dividends,  equity 
repurchases, adequacy of our revolving credit and receivables financing facilities, and access to the capital markets. 

We manage our worldwide cash requirements by monitoring the funds available among our subsidiaries and determining the 
extent to which those funds can be accessed on a cost-effective basis. The repatriation of cash balances from certain of our subsidiaries 
could  have  adverse  tax  consequences;  however,  those  balances  are  generally  available  without  legal  restrictions  to  fund  ordinary 
business  operations.  We  have  and  expect  to  transfer  cash  from  those  subsidiaries  to  the  United  States  and  to  other  international 
subsidiaries when it is cost effective to do so. 

We had a cash balance of $837 million at December 31, 2019 ($293 million of which was in the United States), a decrease 

from $891 million at December 31, 2018. 

Based on our current operating plan, we believe that our available cash and cash equivalents, future cash flows from operations 
and  our  ability  to  access  funds  under  our  revolving  credit  and  receivables  financing  facilities  will  enable  us  to  fund  our  operating 
requirements  and  capital  expenditures  and  meet  debt  obligations  for  at  least  the  next  12  months.  We  regularly  evaluate  our  debt 
arrangements,  as  well  as  market  conditions,  and  from  time  to  time  we  may  explore  opportunities  to  modify  our  existing  debt 
arrangements  or  pursue  additional  financing  arrangements  that  could  result  in  the  issuance  of  new  debt  securities  by  us  or  our 
affiliates. We may use our existing cash, cash generated from operations or dispositions of assets or businesses and/or proceeds from 
any new financing arrangements or issuances of debt or equity securities to repay or reduce some of our outstanding obligations, to 
repurchase shares from our stockholders or for other purposes. As part of our ongoing business strategy, we also continually evaluate 
new  acquisition,  expansion  and  investment  possibilities  or  other  strategic  growth  opportunities,  as  well  as  potential  dispositions  of 
assets or businesses, as appropriate, including dispositions that may cause us to recognize a loss on certain assets. Should we elect to 
pursue any such transaction, we may seek to obtain debt or equity financing to facilitate those activities. Our ability to enter into any 
such potential transactions and our use of cash or proceeds is limited to varying degrees by the terms and restrictions contained in our 
existing debt arrangements. We cannot provide assurances that we will be able to complete any such financing arrangements or other 
transactions on favorable terms or at all. 

48

Equity Repurchase Program

On  February  13,  2019,  the  Board  increased  the  stock  repurchase  authorization  under  the  “Repurchase  Program  by  $2.0 
billion, which increased the total amount that has been authorized under the Repurchase Program to $7.725 billion since the plan’s 
inception in October 2013. The Repurchase Program does not obligate the Company to repurchase any particular amount of common 
stock, and it may be modified, extended, suspended or discontinued at any time.

As  of  December  31,  2019,  the  Company  has  remaining  authorization  to  repurchase  up  to  $1.3  billion  of  its  common  stock 
under the Repurchase Program. In addition, from time to time, the Company has repurchased and may continue to repurchase common 
stock through private or other transactions outside of the Repurchase Program.

Additional information regarding the Repurchase Program is presented in Part II, Item 5 “Market for Registrant’s Common 
Equity,  Related  Stockholder  Matters  and  Issuer  Purchases  of  Equity  Securities”  and  Note  13  to  our  audited  consolidated  financial 
statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. 

Debt

As of December 31, 2019, we had $11.7 billion of total indebtedness, excluding $1.1 billion of available borrowings under our 
revolving credit facilities. See Note 10 to our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on 
Form 10-K for additional details regarding our credit arrangements.

Our long-term debt arrangements contain customary restrictive covenants and, as of December 31, 2019, we believe we were 

in compliance with our restrictive covenants in all material respects.

Senior Secured Credit Facilities and Senior Notes

At December 31, 2019, our Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, as amended (the “Credit Agreement”) provided 
financing through several senior secured credit facilities (collectively, the “Senior Secured Credit Facilities”) of approximately $6,811 
million, which consisted of $5,677 million principal amount of debt outstanding, $3 million of issued standby letters of credit, and 
$1,131  million  of  available  borrowing  capacity  on  the  $1,500  million  revolving  credit  facility.  The  revolving  credit  facility  is 
comprised of a $675 million senior secured revolving facility available in U.S. dollars, a $600 million senior secured revolving facility 
available  in  U.S.  dollars,  Euros,  Swiss  Francs  and  other  foreign  currencies,  and  a  $225  million  senior  secured  revolving  facility 
available in U.S. dollars and Yen. The term A loans and revolving credit facility under the Credit Agreement mature in June 2023, 
while the term B loans under the Credit Agreement mature in 2024 and 2025. We are required to make scheduled quarterly payments 
on the term A loans equal to 1.25% of the original principal amount, with the remaining balance paid at maturity. We are required to 
make  scheduled  quarterly  payments  on  the  term  B  loans  equal  to  approximately  0.25%  of  the  original  principal  amount,  with  the 
remaining balance paid at maturity. In addition, beginning with fiscal year ending December 31, 2017, we were required to apply 50% 
of excess cash flow (as defined in the Credit Agreement), subject to a reduction to 25% or 0% depending upon our senior secured first 
lien net leverage ratio, for prepayment of the term loans, with any such prepayment to be applied toward principal payments due in 
subsequent quarters. We are also required to pay an annual commitment fee that ranges from 0.20% to 0.35% in respect of any unused 
commitments  under  the  revolving  credit  facility.  The  Senior  Secured  Credit  Facilities  are  collateralized  by  substantially  all  of  our 
assets and the assets of our material domestic subsidiaries including 100% of the equity interests of substantially all of our material 
domestic  subsidiaries  and  66%  of  the  equity  interests  of  substantially  all  of  our  first-tier  material  foreign  subsidiaries  and  their 
domestic subsidiaries.

For  information  regarding  the  Senior  Secured  Credit  Facilities  and  senior  notes,  see  Note  10  to  our  audited  consolidated 

financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Receivables Financing Facility 

For information regarding receivables financing facility, see Note 10 to our audited consolidated financial statements included 
elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. As of December 31, 2019, no additional amounts of revolving loans were available 
under the receivables financing facility. 

49

Years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 

Cash Flow from Operating Activities 

(in millions)
Net cash provided by operating activities

2019 compared to 2018

2019

Year Ended December 31,
2018

2017

  $

1,417    $

1,254    $

970  

Cash provided by operating activities increased $163 million in 2019 as compared to 2018. The increase is primarily due to 

improved collections on receivables, higher cash-related net income and the timing of income tax and other payables.

Cash Flow from Investing Activities

(in millions)
Net cash used in investing activities

2019 compared to 2018 

2019

Year Ended December 31,
2018

2017

  $

(1,190)   $

(810)   $

(1,190)

Cash  used  in  investing  activities  increased  $380  million  in  2019  as  compared  to  2018.  The  increase  was  primarily  due  to 
higher cash used for the acquisition of property, equipment and software ($123 million) and for the acquisition of businesses ($279 
million).

Cash Flow from Financing Activities 

(in millions)
Net cash used in financing activities

2019 compared to 2018 

2019

Year Ended December 31,
2018

2017

  $

(276)   $

(452)   $

(72)

Cash used in financing activities decreased $176 million in 2019 as compared to 2018. The decrease in cash used in financing 
activities was primarily related to fewer share repurchases ($456 million), proceeds from debt issuance ($269 million), partially offset 
by repayment of revolving credit facility, net of proceeds ($370 million) and debt repayment ($167 million).

Contingencies 

We are exposed to certain known contingencies that are material to our investors. The facts and circumstances surrounding 
these  contingencies  and  a  discussion  of  their  effect  on  us  are  in  Note  12  to  our  audited  consolidated  financial  statements  included 
elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. These contingencies may have a material effect on our liquidity, capital resources or 
results of operations. In addition, even where our reserves are adequate, the incurrence of any of these liabilities may have a material 
effect on our liquidity and the amount of cash available to us for other purposes. 

We believe that we have made appropriate arrangements in respect of the future effect on us of these known contingencies. We 
also believe that the amount of cash available to us from our operations, together with cash from financing, will be sufficient for us to 
pay any known contingencies as they become due without materially affecting our ability to conduct our operations and invest in the 
growth of our business. 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements except for operating leases entered into in the normal course of business.

50

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Contractual Obligations and Commitments 

Below is a summary of our future payment commitments by year under contractual obligations as of December 31, 2019: 

 (in millions)
Long-term debt, including interest(1)
Operating leases
Data acquisition
Purchase obligations(2)
Commitments to unconsolidated affiliates(3)
Benefit obligations(4)
Uncertain income tax positions(5)
Total

2020

  2021 - 2022  

  2023 - 2024  

  Thereafter  

Total

  $

  $

484    $
160     
355     
17     
—     
29     
23     
1,068    $

1,254    $
234     
429     
19     
—     
28     
19     
1,983    $

4,508    $
135     
132     
14     
—     
32     
4     
4,825    $

7,529    $
86     
7     
5     
—     
82     
1     
7,710    $

13,775 
615 
923 
55 
— 
171 
47 
15,586  

(1) 
(2)  

(3) 

(4) 

(5) 

Interest payments on our debt are based on the interest rates in effect on December 31, 2019. 
Purchase obligations are defined as agreements to purchase goods or services that are enforceable and legally binding and that specify all significant 
terms,  including  fixed  or  minimum  quantities  to  be  purchased,  fixed,  minimum  or  variable  pricing  provisions  and  the  approximate  timing  of  the 
transactions. 
We are currently committed to invest $120 million in private equity funds. As of December 31, 2019, we have funded approximately $77.5 million 
of these commitments and we have approximately $42.5 million remaining to be funded which has not been included in the above table as we are 
unable to predict when these commitments will be paid. 
Amounts represent expected future benefit payments for our pension and postretirement benefit plans, as well as expected contributions for 2020 for 
our  funded  pension  benefit  plans.  We  made  cash  contributions  totaling  approximately  $29  million  to  our  defined  benefit  plans  in  2019,  and  we 
estimate  that  we  will  make  contributions  totaling  approximately  $29  million  to  our  defined  benefit  plans  in  2020.  Due  to  the  potential  impact  of 
future plan investment performance, changes in interest rates, changes in other economic and demographic assumptions and changes in legislation in 
foreign jurisdictions, we are not able to reasonably estimate the timing and amount of contributions that may be required to fund our defined benefit 
plans for periods beyond 2020. 
As of December 31, 2019, our liability related to uncertain income tax positions was approximately $134 million, $87 million of which has not been 
included in the above table as we are unable to predict when these liabilities will be paid due to the uncertainties in the timing of the settlement of the 
income tax positions.

Application of Critical Accounting Policies 

Note 1 to the audited consolidated financial statements provided elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K describes the 
significant accounting policies used in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements. The preparation of our consolidated 
financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, 
and  the  disclosure  of  contingent  assets  and  liabilities  at  the  date  of  the  financial  statements,  as  well  as  the  reported  amounts  of 
revenues and expenses during the period. Our estimates are based on historical experience and various other assumptions we believe 
are reasonable under the circumstances. We evaluate our estimates on an ongoing basis and make changes to the estimates and related 
disclosures as experience develops or new information becomes known. Actual results may differ from those estimates. 

We  believe  the  following  critical  accounting  policies  affect  our  more  significant  judgments  and  estimates  used  in  the 

preparation of our consolidated financial statements. 

51

 
 
 
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
Revenue Recognition 

The  majority  of  the  Company’s  contracts  within  the  Research  &  Development  Solutions  segment  are  service  contracts  for 
clinical research that represent a single performance obligation. The Company provides a significant integration service resulting in a 
combined output, which is clinical trial data that meets the relevant regulatory standards and can be used by the customer to progress 
to the next phase of a clinical trial or solicit approval of a treatment by the applicable regulatory body. The performance obligation is 
satisfied over time as the output is captured in data and documentation that is available for the customer to consume over the course of 
the  arrangement  and  furthers  progress  of  the  clinical  trial.  The  Company  recognizes  revenue  over  time  using  a  cost-based  input 
method  since  there  is  no  single  output  measure  that  would  fairly  depict  the  transfer  of  control  over  the  life  of  the  performance 
obligation. Progress on the performance obligation is measured by the proportion of actual costs incurred to the total costs expected to 
complete  the  contract.  Costs  included  in  the  measure  of  progress  include  direct  labor  and  third-party  costs  (such  as  payments  to 
investigators and other pass through expenses for the Company’s clinical monitors). This cost-based method of revenue recognition 
requires  the  Company  to  make  estimates  of  costs  to  complete  its  projects  on  an  ongoing  basis.  Significant  judgment  is  required  to 
evaluate assumptions related to these estimates. The effect of revisions to estimates related to the transaction price or costs to complete 
a project are recorded in the period in which the estimate is revised. Most contracts may be terminated upon 30 to 90 days notice by 
the  customer;  however,  in  the  event  of  termination,  most  contracts  require  payment  for  services  rendered  through  the  date  of 
termination, as well as for subsequent services rendered to close out the contract. 

Income Taxes 

Certain items of income and expense are not recognized on our income tax returns and financial statements in the same year, 
which creates timing differences. The income tax effect of these timing differences results in (1) deferred income tax assets that create 
a reduction in future income taxes and (2) deferred income tax liabilities that create an increase in future income taxes. Recognition of 
deferred income tax assets is based on management’s belief that it is more likely than not that the income tax benefit associated with 
certain temporary differences, income tax operating loss and capital loss carryforwards and income tax credits, would be realized. We 
recorded a valuation allowance to reduce our deferred income tax assets for those deferred income tax items for which it was more 
likely  than  not  that  realization  would  not  occur.  We  determined  the  amount  of  the  valuation  allowance  based,  in  part,  on  our 
assessment of future taxable income and in light of our ongoing income tax strategies. If our estimate of future taxable income or tax 
strategies changes at any time in the future, we would record an adjustment to our valuation allowance. Recording such an adjustment 
could have a material effect on our financial condition or results of operations. 

Income tax expense is based on the distribution of profit before income tax among the various taxing jurisdictions in which we 
operate,  adjusted  as  required  by  the  income  tax  laws  of  each  taxing  jurisdiction.  Changes  in  the  distribution  of  profits  and  losses 
among  taxing  jurisdictions  may  have  a  significant  impact  on  our  effective  income  tax  rate.  We  do  not  consider  the  undistributed 
earnings of our foreign subsidiaries to be indefinitely reinvested outside of the United States. 

Business Combinations 

We  use  the  acquisition  method  to  account  for  business  combinations,  and  accordingly,  the  identifiable  assets  acquired,  the 
liabilities  assumed  and  any  non-controlling  interest  in  the  acquiree  are  recorded  at  their  estimated  fair  values  on  the  date  of  the 
acquisition.  We  use  significant  judgments,  estimates  and  assumptions  in  determining  the  estimated  fair  value  of  assets  acquired, 
liabilities assumed and non-controlling interest including expected future cash flows, discount rates that reflect the risk associated with 
the expected future cash flows and estimated useful lives. 

We  have  recorded  and  allocated  to  our  reporting  units  the  excess  of  the  cost  over  the  fair  value  of  the  net  assets  acquired, 
known as goodwill. The recoverability of the goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are evaluated annually for impairment, or 
if  and  when  events  or  circumstances  indicate  a  possible  impairment.  We  review  the  carrying  values  of  other  identifiable  intangible 
assets if the facts and circumstances indicate a possible impairment. Any future impairment could have a material adverse effect on 
our financial condition or results of operations. 

52

Stock-based Compensation 

We  measure  compensation  cost  for  stock-based  payment  awards  (stock  options  and  stock  appreciation  rights)  granted  to 
employees  and  non-employee  directors  at  fair  value  using  the  Black-Scholes-Merton  option-pricing  model  and  for  performance 
awards  using  the  Monte  Carlo  simulation  model.  Stock-based  compensation  expense  includes  stock-based  awards  granted  to 
employees  and  non-employee  directors  and  has  been  reported  in  selling,  general  and  administrative  expenses  in  our  consolidated 
statements of income based upon the classification of the individuals who were granted stock-based awards. 

The Black-Scholes-Merton option-pricing model requires the use of subjective assumptions, including share price volatility, 
the  expected  life  of  the  award,  risk-free  interest  rate  and  the  fair  value  of  the  underlying  common  shares  on  the  date  of  grant.  In 
developing our assumptions, we take into account the following: 

•

•

•

•

•

We calculate expected volatility based on reported data for selected reasonably similar publicly traded companies for 
which the historical information is available. We plan to continue to use the guideline peer group volatility information 
until the historical volatility of our common shares is relevant to measure expected volatility for future award grants; 

We determine the risk-free interest rate by reference to implied yields available from United States Treasury securities 
with a remaining term equal to the expected life assumed at the date of grant; 

We estimate the dividend yield to be zero as we do not currently anticipate paying any future dividends; 

We estimate the average expected life of the award based on our historical experience; and 

We estimate forfeitures based on our historical analysis of actual forfeitures. 

Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits

We  provide  retirement  benefits  to  certain  employees,  including  defined  benefit  pension  plans  and  postretirement  medical 
plans.  The  determination  of  benefit  obligations  and  expense  is  based  on  actuarial  models.  In  order  to  measure  benefit  costs  and 
obligations using these models, critical assumptions are made with regard to the discount rate, expected return on plan assets, cash 
balance crediting rate, lump sum conversion rate and the assumed rate of compensation increases. In addition, retiree medical care cost 
trend rates are a key assumption used exclusively in determining costs for our postretirement health care and life insurance benefit 
plans. 

Recently Issued Accounting Standards 

Information  relating  to  recently  issued  accounting  standards  is  included  in  Note  1  to  our  audited  consolidated  financial 

statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. 

53

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk 

Market risk is the potential loss arising from adverse changes in market rates and prices. In the ordinary course of business, we 
are exposed to various market risks and we regularly evaluate our exposure to such changes. Our overall risk management strategy 
seeks  to  balance  the  magnitude  of  the  exposure  and  the  cost  and  availability  of  appropriate  financial  instruments.  The  following 
analyses  present  the  sensitivity  of  our  financial  instruments  to  hypothetical  changes  that  are  reasonably  possible  over  a  one-year 
period. 

Foreign Currency Exchange Rates 

We  transact  business  in  more  than  100  countries  and  approximately  55  currencies  and  are  subject  to  risks  associated  with 
fluctuating  foreign  currency  exchange  rates.  Our  objective  is  to  reduce  earnings  and  cash  flow  volatility  associated  with  foreign 
currency exchange rate movements. Accordingly, we enter into foreign currency forward contracts to hedge certain forecasted foreign 
currency  cash  flows  related  to  service  contracts  and  to  hedge  non-United  States dollar  anticipated  intercompany  royalties.  It  is  our 
policy to enter into foreign currency transactions only to the extent necessary to meet our objectives as stated above. We do not enter 
into foreign currency transactions for investment or speculative purposes. The principal currencies hedged are the Euro, the British 
Pound, the Japanese Yen, the Swiss Franc and the Canadian dollar.

The contractual value of our foreign exchange derivative instruments, all of which were foreign exchange forward contracts, 
was approximately $148 million at December 31, 2019. The fair value of these contracts is subject to change as a result of potential 
changes  in  foreign  exchange  rates.  We  assess  our  market  risk  based  on  changes  in  foreign  exchange  rates  utilizing  a  sensitivity 
analysis.  The  sensitivity  analysis  measures  the  potential  gain  or  loss  in  fair  values  based  on  a  hypothetical  10%  change  in  foreign 
currency exchange rates. The potential gain in fair value for foreign exchange forward contracts based on a hypothetical 10% decrease 
in the value of the United States dollar or, in the case of non-United States dollar related contracts, the currency being purchased, was 
less than $1 million at December 31, 2019. However, the change in the fair value of the foreign exchange forward contracts would 
likely  be  offset  by  a  change  in  the  value  of  the  future  service  contract  revenue  or  royalty  being  hedged  caused  by  the  currency 
exchange  rate  fluctuation.  The  estimated  fair  values  of  the  foreign  exchange  forward  contracts  were  determined  based  on  quoted 
market prices. 

Exchange  rate  fluctuations  affect  the  United  States  dollar  value  of  foreign  currency  revenue  and  expenses  and  may  have  a 
significant  effect  on  our  results.  Excluding  the  impacts  from  any  outstanding  or  future  hedging  transactions,  a  hypothetical  10% 
change  in  average  exchange  rates  used  to  translate  all  foreign  currencies  to  the  United  States  dollar  would  have  impacted  income 
before income taxes for 2019 by approximately $165 million. The actual impact of exchange rate movements in the future could differ 
materially  from  this  hypothetical  analysis,  based  on  the  mix  of  foreign  currencies  and  the  timing  and  magnitude  of  individual 
exchange rate movements. 

Additionally, commencing in 2016, we designated a portion of our foreign currency denominated debt as a hedge of our net 
investment in foreign subsidiaries to reduce the volatility in stockholders’ equity caused by changes in the Euro exchange rate with 
respect to the United States dollar. As of December 31, 2019, these borrowings (net of original issue discount) were €5,273 million 
($5,915 million). A hypothetical 10% decrease in the value of the United States dollar would lead to a potential loss in fair value of 
$592 million. However, this change in fair value would be offset by the change in value of the hedged portion of our net investment in 
foreign subsidiaries caused by the currency exchange rate fluctuation.  

Interest Rates 

Because we have variable rate debt, fluctuations in interest rates affect our business. We attempt to minimize interest rate risk 
and  lower  our  overall  borrowing  costs  through  the  utilization  of  derivative  financial  instruments,  primarily  interest  rate  swaps.  We 
have entered into interest rate swaps with financial institutions that have reset dates and critical terms that match the underlying debt. 
Accordingly, any change in market value associated with the interest rate swaps is offset by the opposite market impact on the related 
debt.  As  of  December 31,  2019,  we  had  approximately  $5.9  billion  of  variable  rate  indebtedness  and  interest  rate  swaps  with  a 
notional value of $1.2 billion. Because we do not attempt to hedge all of our variable rate debt, we may incur higher interest costs for 
the portion of our variable rate debt that is not hedged. Excluding debt covered by hedges, each quarter-point increase or decrease in 
the interest rate on our variable rate debt would result in our interest expense changing by approximately $11 million per year. 

Marketable Securities 

At December 31, 2019, we held investments in marketable equity securities. These investments are classified as either trading 
securities or available-for-sale securities and are recorded at fair value. These securities are subject to price risk. As of December 31, 
2019, the fair value of these investments was $62 million based on the quoted market value of the securities. The potential loss in fair 
value resulting from a hypothetical decrease of 10% in quoted market values was approximately $6 million at December 31, 2019. 

54

Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data 

MANAGEMENT’S REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING 

The management of IQVIA Holdings Inc. (the “Company”) is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal 
control  over  financial  reporting.  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 pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the 
assets  of  the  company;  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  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. 

Management assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019. In 
making this assessment, management used the framework established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the 
Committee  of  Sponsoring  Organizations  of  the  Treadway  Commission  (COSO).  As  a  result  of  this  assessment  and  based  on  the 
criteria  in  the  COSO  framework,  management  has  concluded  that,  as  of  December 31,  2019,  the  Company’s  internal  control  over 
financial reporting was effective. 

The  effectiveness  of  the  Company’s  internal  control  over  financial  reporting  as  of  December 31,  2019  has  been  audited  by 

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report which appears herein. 

/s/ Ari Bousbib
Ari Bousbib
Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President
(Principal Executive Officer)

February 18, 2020 

/s/ Michael R. McDonnell
Michael R. McDonnell
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)

55

 
 
 
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of IQVIA Holdings Inc.

Opinions on the Financial Statements and Internal Control over Financial Reporting

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of IQVIA Holdings Inc. and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of 
December 31, 2019  and 2018, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive (loss) income, stockholders’ equity 
(deficit) and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2019, including the related notes and financial 
statement schedules listed in the index appearing under Item 15(a)(2) (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.

Change in Accounting Principle

As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company changed the manner in which it accounts for leases in 
2019.

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 the 
accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. 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 

56

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 – Estimating Measure of Progress for Clinical Research Services 

As described in Notes 1 and 20 to the consolidated financial statements, revenue of the Research & Development Solutions segment for 
the year ended December 31, 2019, is $5,788 million, the majority of which relates to service contracts for clinical research that 
represent a single performance obligation. The Company recognized revenue for these contracts over time using a cost-based input 
method. Revenue was recognized based on progress on the performance obligation, which was measured by the proportion of actual 
costs incurred to the total costs expected to complete the contract. Costs included in the measure of progress include direct labor and 
third-party costs (such as payments to investigators and other pass through expenses for the Company’s clinical monitors). This cost-
based method of revenue recognition required management to make estimates of costs to complete its projects on an ongoing basis.  

The principal considerations for our determination that performing procedures relating to revenue recognition - estimating measure of 
progress for clinical research services - is a critical audit matter are the high degree of auditor judgment, subjectivity, and effort in 
performing audit procedures and evaluating audit evidence related to the cost estimates made by management, due to significant 
judgment by management when determining the total expected costs to complete its contracts, specifically the estimation of direct labor 
and third-party 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 controls over the estimation of the total cost to complete clinical research service contracts. These procedures also 
included, among others, testing management’s process for determining the estimate of total costs to complete its contracts, which 
included evaluating the reasonableness of significant assumptions made by management including direct labor and third party-costs, 
evaluating the appropriateness of changes to management’s estimate of total costs to complete throughout the duration of the contract, 
testing actual direct costs incurred, and  evaluating management’s ability to reasonably estimate the total expected costs to complete 
contracts, which  included performing a comparison of management’s prior period cost estimates to final actual costs.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Raleigh, North Carolina
February 18, 2020

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2002. 

57

IQVIA HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME 

(in millions, except per share data)
Revenues
Costs of revenue, exclusive of depreciation and amortization
Selling, general and administrative expenses
Depreciation and amortization
Impairment charges
Restructuring costs

Income from operations

Interest income
Interest expense
Loss on extinguishment of debt
Other (income) expense, net

Income before income taxes and equity in earnings of
   unconsolidated affiliates
Income tax expense (benefit)

Income before equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated affiliates

Equity in (losses) earnings of unconsolidated affiliates

Net income

Net income attributable to non-controlling interests
Net income attributable to IQVIA Holdings Inc.
Earnings per share attributable to common stockholders:

Basic
Diluted

Weighted average common shares outstanding:

Basic
Diluted

  $

  $

  $
  $

2019

Year Ended December 31,
2018

2017

11,088    $
7,300     
1,734     
1,202     
—     
75     
777     
(9)    
447     
24     
(37)    

352     
116     
236     
(9)    
227     
(36)    
191    $

0.98    $
0.96    $

195.1     
199.6     

10,412    $
6,746     
1,716     
1,141     
—     
68     
741     
(8)    
414     
2     
5     

328     
59     
269     
15     
284     
(25)    
259    $

1.27    $
1.24    $

203.7     
208.2     

9,702 
6,301 
1,622 
1,011 
40 
63 
665 
(7)
346 
19 
13 

294 
(992)
1,286 
10 
1,296 
(19)
1,277 

5.86 
5.74 

217.8 
222.6  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. 

58

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
      
      
  
   
      
      
  
   
   
IQVIA HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME 

(in millions)
Net income
Comprehensive (loss) income adjustments:

2019

Year Ended December 31,
2018

2017

  $

227    $

284    $

1,296 

Unrealized (losses) gains on derivative instruments, net of income tax
  expense (benefit) of $4, ($5) and $1
Defined benefit plan adjustments, net of income tax (benefit) expense of
   $5, ($4) and $3
Foreign currency translation, net of income tax (benefit) expense of
   ($30), $50 and ($201)
Reclassification adjustments:

(Gains) losses on derivative instruments included in net income, net of
   income tax expense of $—, $1 and $—
Amortization of actuarial losses and prior service costs included in net
   income

Comprehensive income (loss)

Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to non-controlling interests

Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to IQVIA Holdings Inc.

  $

(15)    

(30)    

(39)    

(1)    

—     
142     
(38)    
104    $

1     

(8)    

4 

5 

(258)    

611 

(12)    

1     
8     
(22)    
(14)   $

(1)

1 
1,916 
(26)
1,890  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. 

59

 
 
 
 
   
   
 
   
      
      
  
   
   
   
   
      
      
  
   
   
   
   
IQVIA HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS 

(in millions, except per share data)

ASSETS

Cash and cash equivalents
Trade accounts receivable and unbilled services, net
Prepaid expenses
Income taxes receivable
Investments in debt, equity and other securities
Other current assets and receivables

Total current assets
Property and equipment, net
Operating lease right-of-use assets
Investments in debt, equity and other securities
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates
Goodwill
Other identifiable intangibles, net
Deferred income taxes
Deposits and other assets

Total assets

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Current liabilities:

Accounts payable and accrued expenses
Unearned income
Income taxes payable
Current portion of long-term debt
Other current liabilities

Total current liabilities

Long-term debt, less current portion
Deferred income taxes
Operating lease liabilities
Other liabilities

Total liabilities

Commitments and contingencies (Note 1)
Stockholders’ equity:

Common stock and additional paid-in capital, 400.0 shares authorized at
   December 31, 2019 and 2018, $0.01 par value, 253.0 shares issued and 192.3 shares
   outstanding at December 31, 2019; 251.5 shares issued and 197.5 shares outstanding
   at December 31, 2018
Retained earnings
Treasury stock, at cost, 60.7 and 54.0 shares at December 31, 2019 and 2018,
    respectively
Accumulated other comprehensive loss

Equity attributable to IQVIA Holdings Inc.’s stockholders

Non-controlling interests

Total stockholders’ equity
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

December 31,

2019

2018

  $

  $

  $

  $

837    $

2,582   
138   
56   
62   
451   
4,126   
458   
496   
65   
87   
12,159   
5,514   
119   
227   
23,251    $

2,512    $
1,014   
108   
100   
211   
3,945   
11,545   
646   
396   
456   
16,988   

11,049   
998   

(5,733)  
(311)  
6,003   
260   
6,263   
23,251    $

891 
2,394 
151 
69 
47 
322 
3,874 
434 
— 
41 
101 
11,800 
5,951 
109 
239 
22,549 

2,295 
1,007 
100 
100 
32 
3,534 
10,907 
736 
— 
418 
15,595 

10,901 
807 

(4,770)
(224)
6,714 
240 
6,954 
22,549  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. 

60

 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
    
 
  
 
 
 
    
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
 
  
 
 
    
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
 
  
 
 
    
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
IQVIA HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS 

(in millions)
Operating activities:

Net income
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating
   activities:

Depreciation and amortization
Amortization of debt issuance costs and discount
Amortization of accumulated other comprehensive loss on terminated
   interest rate swaps
Stock-based compensation
Impairment of goodwill and identifiable intangible assets
Loss (gain) on disposals of property and equipment, net
Loss (earnings) from unconsolidated affiliates
(Gain) loss on investments, net
Benefit from deferred income taxes
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

Accounts receivable and unbilled services
Prepaid expenses and other assets
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
Unearned income
Income taxes payable and other liabilities

Net cash provided by operating activities

Investing activities:

Acquisition of property, equipment and software
Net cash paid for acquisition of businesses
Disposition of business, net of cash disposed
(Purchases) sales of marketable securities, net
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates, net of payments received
(Investments in) proceeds from sale of equity securities
Other

Net cash used in investing activities

Financing activities:

Proceeds from issuance of debt
Payment of debt issuance costs
Repayment of debt
Proceeds from revolving credit facility
Repayment of revolving credit facility
Principal payments on capital lease obligations
Proceeds related to employee stock option plans
Repurchase of common stock
Distributions to non-controlling interest, net
Contingent consideration and deferred purchase price payments

Net cash used in financing activities
Effect of foreign currency exchange rate changes on cash
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

2019

Year Ended December 31,
2018

2017

  $

227    $

284    $

1,296 

1,202     
13     

1,141     
11     

—     
146     
—     
1     
9     
(43)    
(157)    

(122)    
(92)    
240     
(2)    
(5)    
1,417     

(582)    
(588)    
—     
(3)    
—     
(22)    
5     
(1,190)    

1,900     
(47)    
(899)    
2,522     
(2,776)    
—     
11     
(949)    
(18)    
(20)    
(276)    
(5)    
(54)    
891     
837    $

—     
113     
—     
—     
(15)    
3     
(177)    

(297)    
(66)    
368     
7     
(118)    
1,254     

(459)    
(309)    
—     
(4)    
(17)    
(23)    
2     
(810)    

1,631     
(22)    
(732)    
2,445     
(2,329)    
—     
15     
(1,405)    
(31)    
(24)    
(452)    
(60)    
(68)    
959     
891    $

1,011 
9 

3 
106 
40 
(1)
(10)
(8)
(1,221)

(141)
(54)
90 
(68)
(82)
970 

(369)
(854)
12 
2 
15 
— 
4 
(1,190)

5,242 
(50)
(2,883)
1,921 
(1,767)
(2)
91 
(2,620)
— 
(4)
(72)
53 
(239)
1,198 
959  

  $

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. 

61

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
      
      
  
   
      
      
  
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
      
      
  
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
      
      
  
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
      
      
  
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
 (in millions)
Balance, December 31, 2016
Issuance of common stock
Repurchase of common stock
Repurchase and retirement of common stock
Stock-based compensation
Distribution to non-controlling interest
Net income
Unrealized gain on derivative instruments,
   net of tax
Defined benefit plan adjustments, net of tax
Foreign currency translation, net of tax
Balance, December 31, 2017
Issuance of common stock
Repurchase of common stock
Stock-based compensation
Distributions to non-controlling interest
Net income
Unrealized gain on derivative instruments,
   net of tax
Defined benefit plan adjustments, net of tax
Foreign currency translation, net of tax
Reclassification adjustments, net of tax
Other
Balance, December 31, 2018

Issuance of common stock
Repurchase of common stock
Stock-based compensation
Distributions to non-controlling interest
Net income
Unrealized losses on derivative instruments,
   net of tax
Defined benefit plan adjustments, net of tax
Foreign currency translation, net of tax
Reclassification adjustments, net of tax
Balance, December 31, 2019

IQVIA HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)

Common
Stock
Shares

Treasury
Stock
Shares

Common
Stock

Additional
Paid-In
Capital

Retained 
Earnings 
(Accumulated 
Deficit)

Treasury
Stock

Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
(Loss) Income  

Non-
controlling
Interests

Total

248.3 
3.7 
— 
(2.5)  
— 
— 
— 

— 
— 
— 
249.5 
2.0 
— 
— 
— 
— 

— 
— 
— 
— 
— 
251.5 

1.5 
— 
— 
— 
— 

— 
— 
— 
— 
253.0 

(12.9)  
— 
(28.5)  
— 
— 
— 
— 

— 
— 
— 
(41.4)  
— 
(12.6)  
— 
— 
— 

— 
— 
— 
— 
— 
(54.0)   $

— 
(6.7)  
— 
— 
— 

— 
— 
— 
— 
(60.7)   $

2 
— 
— 
— 
— 
— 
— 

— 
— 
— 
2 
1 
— 
— 
— 
— 

— 
— 
— 
— 
— 
3 

— 
— 
— 
— 
— 

— 
— 
— 
— 
3 

  $

  $

10,600 
— 
— 
— 
180 
— 
— 

— 
— 
— 
10,780 
10 
— 
108 
— 
— 

— 
— 
— 
— 
— 
10,898 

11 
— 
137 
— 
— 

— 
— 
— 
— 
11,046 

  $

  $

(484)  
— 
— 
(255)  
— 
— 
1,277 

— 
— 
— 
538 
— 
— 
— 
— 
259 

— 
— 
— 
— 
10 
807 

— 
— 
— 
— 
191 

— 
— 
— 
— 
998 

  $

  $

(1,000)  
— 
(2,374)  
— 
— 
— 
— 

— 
— 
— 
(3,374)  
— 
(1,396)  
— 
— 
— 

— 
— 
— 
— 
— 
(4,770)   $

— 
(963)  
— 
— 
— 

— 
— 
— 
— 
(5,733)   $

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. 

(564)  
— 
— 
— 
— 
— 
— 

4 
5 
604 
49 
— 
— 
— 
— 
— 

1 
(8)  
(255)  
(11)  
— 

(224)   $

— 
— 
— 
— 
— 

(15)  
(30)  
(41)  
(1)  
(311)   $

227 
— 
— 
— 
— 
(4)  
19 

— 
— 
7 
249 
— 
— 
— 
(31)  
25 

— 
— 
(3)  
— 
— 
240 

  $

— 
— 
— 
(18)  
36 

— 
— 
2 
— 
260 

  $

8,781 
— 
(2,374)
(255)
180 
(4)
1,296 

4 
5 
611 
8,244 
11 
(1,396)
108 
(31)
284 

1 
(8)
(258)
(11)
10 
6,954 

11 
(963)
137 
(18)
227 

(15)
(30)
(39)
(1)
6,263  

62

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
IQVIA HOLDINGS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 

1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies 

The Company 

IQVIA  Holdings  Inc.  (together  with  its  subsidiaries,  the  “Company”  or  “IQVIA”)  is  a  leading  global  provider  of  advanced 
analytics,  technology  solutions  and  contract  research  services  to  the  life  sciences  industry.  IQVIA  applies  human  data  science  – 
leveraging  the  analytic  rigor  and  clarity  of  data  science  to  the  ever-expanding  scope  of  human  science  –  to  enable  companies  to 
reimagine  and  develop  new  approaches  to  clinical  development  and  commercialization,  speed  innovation,  and  accelerate 
improvements  in  healthcare  outcomes.  Powered  by  the  IQVIA  CORE,  the  Company  delivers  unique  and  actionable  insights  at  the 
intersection  of  large-scale  analytics,  transformative  technology  and  extensive  domain  expertise,  as  well  as  execution  capabilities  to 
help biotech, medical device, and pharmaceutical companies, medical researchers, government agencies, payers and other healthcare 
stakeholders tap into a deeper understanding of diseases, human behaviors and scientific advances, in an effort to advance their path 
toward cures. With approximately 67,000 employees, the Company conducts business in more than 100 countries. 

Principles of Consolidation 

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts and operations of the Company, its subsidiaries and 
investments in which the Company has control. Amounts pertaining to the non-controlling ownership interests held by third parties in 
the operating  results and  financial  position  of  the  Company’s  majority-owned  subsidiaries  are  reported as  non-controlling  interests. 
Intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. 

Use of Estimates 

The  preparation  of  financial  statements  in  accordance  with  generally  accepted  accounting  principles  in  the  United  States  of 
America (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, 
and  the  disclosure  of  contingent  assets  and  liabilities,  at  the  date  of  the  financial  statements,  as  well  as  the  reported  amounts  of 
revenues and expenses during the period. These estimates are based on historical experience and various other assumptions believed 
reasonable under the circumstances. The Company evaluates its estimates on an ongoing basis and makes changes to the estimates and 
related disclosures as experience develops or new information becomes known. Actual results may differ from those estimates. 

Foreign Currencies

The  Company’s  financial  statements  are  reported  in  United  States  dollars  and,  accordingly,  the  Company’s  results  of 
operations  are  impacted  by  fluctuations  in  exchange  rates  that  affect  the  translation  of  its  revenues  and  expenses  denominated  in 
foreign currencies into United States dollars for purposes of reporting its consolidated financial results. Assets and liabilities recorded 
in foreign currencies on the books of foreign subsidiaries are translated at the exchange rate on the balance sheet date. Revenues, costs 
and  expenses  are  translated  at  average  rates  of  exchange  during  the  year.  Translation  adjustments  resulting  from  this  process  are 
charged  or  credited  to  the  accumulated  other  comprehensive  (loss)  income  (“AOCI”)  component  of  stockholders’  equity.  The 
Company  is  subject  to  foreign  currency  transaction  risk  for  fluctuations  in  exchange  rates  during  the  period  of  time  between  the 
consummation and cash settlement of a transaction. The Company earns revenue from its service contracts over a period of several 
months and, in some cases, over a period of several years. Accordingly, exchange rate fluctuations during this period may affect the 
Company’s profitability with respect to such contracts.

For  operations  outside  the  United  States  that  are  considered  to  be  highly  inflationary  or  where  the  United  States  dollar  is 
designated  as  the  functional  currency,  monetary  assets  and  liabilities  are  remeasured  using  end-of-period  exchange  rates,  whereas 
nonmonetary  accounts  are  remeasured  using  historical  exchange  rates,  and  all  remeasurement  and  transaction  adjustments  are 
recognized in other expense (income), net. 

Cash Equivalents 

The Company considers all highly liquid investments with an initial maturity of three months or less when purchased to be 

cash equivalents. 

Derivatives 

The  Company  uses  derivative  instruments  to  manage  exposures  to  interest  rates  and  foreign  currencies.  Derivatives  are 
recorded  on  the  balance  sheet  at  fair  value  at  each  balance  sheet  date  utilizing  pricing  models  for  non-exchange-traded  contracts. 

63

At   inception,  the  Company  designates  whether  or  not  the  derivative  instrument  is  an  effective  hedge  of  an  asset,  liability  or  firm 
commitment  which  is  then  classified  as  either  a  cash  flow  hedge  or  a  fair  value  hedge.  If  determined  to  be  an  effective  cash  flow 
hedge,  changes  in  the  fair  value  of  the  derivative  instrument  are  recorded  as  a  component  of  Accumulated  Other  Comprehensive 
Income (“AOCI’) until realized. The Company includes the impact from these hedges in the same line item as the hedged item on the 
consolidated statements of cash flows. Changes in fair value of effective fair value hedges are recorded in earnings as an offset to the 
changes in the fair value of the related hedged item. Hedge ineffectiveness, if any, is immediately recognized in earnings. Changes in 
the fair values of derivative instruments that are not an effective hedge are recognized in earnings. When it is probable that a hedged 
forecasted transaction will not occur, the Company discontinues hedge accounting for the affected portion of the forecasted transaction 
and  reclassifies  gains  or  losses  that  were  accumulated  in  AOCI  to  earnings  in  other  expense  (income),  net  for  foreign  exchange 
derivatives  and  interest  expense  for  interest  rate  derivatives  on  the  consolidated  statements  of  income.  Cash  flows  are  classified 
consistent with the underlying hedged item. The Company has entered, and may in the future enter, into derivative contracts (caps, 
swaps, forwards, calls or puts, warrants, for example) related to its debt and forecasted foreign currency transactions. 

Business Combinations 

The  Company  uses  the  acquisition  method  to  account  for  business  combinations,  and  accordingly,  the  identifiable  assets 
acquired, the liabilities assumed and any non-controlling interest in the acquiree are recorded at their estimated fair values on the date 
of  the  acquisition.  The  Company  uses  significant  judgments,  estimates  and  assumptions  in  determining  the  estimated  fair  value  of 
assets  acquired,  liabilities  assumed  and  non-controlling  interest  including  expected  future  cash  flows,  discount  rates  that  reflect  the 
risk associated with the expected future cash flows and estimated useful lives.

The Company records and allocates to its reporting units the excess of the cost over the fair value of the net assets acquired, 
known as goodwill. The recoverability of the goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are evaluated annually for impairment, or 
if and when events or circumstances indicate a possible impairment. The Company reviews the carrying values of other identifiable 
intangible assets if the facts and circumstances indicate a possible impairment.

Long-Lived Assets 

Property  and  equipment  are  stated  at  cost  and  are  depreciated  using  the  straight-line  method  over  the  shorter  of  the  asset’s 

estimated useful life or the lease term, if related to leased property, as follows: 

Buildings and leasehold improvements
Equipment
Furniture and fixtures
Transportation equipment

3 - 40 years
3 - 10 years
5 - 10 years
3 - 20 years

Definite-lived  identifiable  intangible  assets  are  amortized  primarily  using  an  accelerated  method  that  reflects  the  pattern  in 

which the Company expects to benefit from the use of the asset over its estimated remaining useful life as follows:

Trademarks and trade names
Contract backlog and client relationships
Software and related assets
Databases
Non-compete agreements and other

1 - 17 years
1 - 25 years
1 - 10 years
1 - 9 years
2 - 5 years

Included  in  software  and  related  assets  is  the  capitalized  cost  of  internal-use  software  used  in  supporting  the  Company’s 
business. Qualifying costs incurred during the application development stage are capitalized and amortized over their estimated useful 
lives. Costs are capitalized from completion of the preliminary project stage and when it is considered probable that the software will 
be used to perform its intended function, up until the time the software is placed into service. The Company recognized $196 million, 
$179 million and $134 million of amortization expense in 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively, related to software and related assets. 

The carrying values of property, equipment and intangible and other long-lived assets are reviewed for recoverability if the 
facts and circumstances suggest that a potential impairment may have occurred. If this review indicates that carrying values will not be 
recoverable,  as determined based  on undiscounted  cash flow  projections,  the Company  will record  an  impairment  charge  to  reduce 
carrying values to estimated fair value. There were no impairments recognized in 2019 and 2018. 

64

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenue Recognition 

The Company’s arrangements are primarily service contracts that range in duration from a few months to several years. The 
Company recognizes revenue when control of these services is transferred to the customer for an amount, referred to as the transaction 
price, that reflects the consideration to which the Company is expected  to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The 
Company  determines  revenue  recognition  utilizing  the  following  five  steps:  (1)  identification  of  the  contract  with  a  customer,  (2) 
identification  of  the  performance  obligations  in  the  contract  (promised  goods  or  services  that  are  distinct),  (3)  determination  of  the 
transaction price, (4) allocation of the transaction price to the performance obligations, and (5) recognition of revenue when, or as, the 
Company transfers control of the product or service for each performance obligation. Cash payments made to customers as incentives 
to induce customers to enter into service agreements with the Company are amortized as a reduction of revenue over the period the 
services are performed. The Company records revenues net of any tax assessments by governmental authorities, such as value added 
taxes, that are imposed on and concurrent with specific revenue generating transactions.

The Company derives the majority of its revenues in the Technology & Analytics Solutions segment from various information 
and technology service offerings. Information offerings (primarily under fixed-price contracts) typically include multiple performance 
obligations including an ongoing subscription-based deliverable for which revenue is recognized ratably as earned over the contract 
period, and/or a one-time deliverable of data offerings for which revenue is recognized upon delivery. The customer is able to benefit 
from the provision of data as it is received. The Company’s subscription arrangements typically have terms ranging from one to three 
years and are generally non-cancelable and do not contain refund-type provisions. Technology services offerings may contain multiple 
performance obligations consisting of a mix of small and large-scale services and consulting projects, multi-year outsourcing contracts 
and  Software-as-a-  Service  (“SaaS”)  arrangements.  These  arrangements  typically  have  terms  ranging  from  several  weeks  to  three 
years,  with  a  majority  having  terms  of  one  year  or  less.  For  arrangements  that  include  multiple  performance  obligations,  the 
transaction  price  is  allocated  to  the  identified  performance  obligations  based  on  their  relative  standalone  selling  prices.  For  these 
contracts, the standalone selling prices are based on the Company’s normal pricing practices when sold separately with consideration 
of market conditions and other factors, including customer demographics and geographic location. Revenues for services engagements 
where  the  transfer  of  control  occurs  ratably  over  time  are  recognized  on  a  straight-line  basis  over  the  term  of  the  arrangement. 
Revenues from time and material contracts are recognized based on hours as the services are provided. Revenues from fixed price ad 
hoc  services  and  consulting  contracts  are  recognized  over  the  contract  term  based  on  the  ratio  of  the  number  of  hours  incurred  for 
services provided during the period compared to the total estimated hours to be incurred over the entire arrangement (hours-based). 
Technology  services  offerings  meet  the  over  time  criterion,  as  another  party  would  not  need  to  substantially  re-perform  the  work 
already completed to satisfy the remaining obligations if the services were migrated.

The  majority  of  the  Company’s  contracts  within  the  Research  &  Development  Solutions  segment  are  service  contracts  for 
clinical research that represent a single performance obligation. The Company provides a significant integration service resulting in a 
combined output, which is clinical trial data that meets the relevant regulatory standards and can be used by the customer to progress 
to the next phase of a clinical trial or solicit approval of a treatment by the applicable regulatory body. The performance obligation is 
satisfied over time as the output is captured in data and documentation that is available for the customer to consume over the course of 
the  arrangement  and  furthers  progress  of  the  clinical  trial.  The  Company  recognizes  revenue  over  time  using  a  cost-based  input 
method  since  there  is  no  single  output  measure  that  would  fairly  depict  the  transfer  of  control  over  the  life  of  the  performance 
obligation. Progress on the performance obligation is measured by the proportion of actual costs incurred to the total costs expected to 
complete  the  contract.  Costs  included  in  the  measure  of  progress  include  direct  labor  and  third-party  costs  (such  as  payments  to 
investigators and other pass through expenses for the Company’s clinical monitors). This cost-based method of revenue recognition 
requires  the  Company  to  make  estimates  of  costs  to  complete  its  projects  on  an  ongoing  basis.  Significant  judgment  is  required  to 
evaluate assumptions related to these estimates. The effect of revisions to estimates related to the transaction price or costs to complete 
a project are recorded in the period in which the estimate is revised. Most contracts may be terminated upon 30 to 90 days notice by 
the  customer;  however,  in  the  event  of  termination,  most  contracts  require  payment  for  services  rendered  through  the  date  of 
termination, as well as for subsequent services rendered to close out the contract.

The majority of revenue in our Contract Sales & Medical Solutions segment is from contract sales to the biopharmaceutical 
industry and broader healthcare market and recognized over time using a single measure of progress dependent on the performance 
obligation. Some of our Contract Sales & Medical Solutions contracts contain multiple performance obligations with distinct promises 
including  recruiting,  sales  force  automation  and  deployment  of  sales  representatives.  The  Company  utilizes  a  single  measure  of 
progress  for  each  performance  obligation  to  recognize  revenue,  which  includes  deployment  of  sales  representatives  based  on 
employee days worked; recruiting based on candidates recruited; sales force automation set-up based on hours worked; and sales force 
automation hosting and maintenance based on usage. These services meet the over time criterion as the customer consumes the benefit 
as  activities  are  performed  and  another  party  would  not  need  to  substantially  re-perform  the  work  already  completed  to  satisfy  the 
remaining obligations if the services were migrated to another party.

65

Variable Consideration

In some cases, contracts provide for variable consideration that is contingent upon the occurrence of uncertain future events, 
such  as  performance  incentives  (including  royalty  payments  or  penalty  clauses  that  can  either  increase  or  decrease  the  transaction 
price). Variable consideration is estimated at the expected value or at the most likely amount depending on the type of consideration. 
Estimated amounts are included in the transaction price to the extent it is probable that a significant reversal of cumulative revenue 
recognized  will  not  occur  when  the  uncertainty  associated  with  the  variable  consideration  is  resolved.  The  estimate  of  variable 
consideration and determination of whether to include estimated amounts in the transaction price are based largely on an assessment 
of its anticipated performance and all information (historical, current and forecasted) that is reasonably available to the Company and 
reevaluated each reporting period.

Reimbursed Expenses

The  Company  includes  reimbursed  expenses  in  revenues  and  costs  of  revenue  as  the  Company  is  primarily  responsible  for 
fulfilling the promise to provide the specified service, including the integration of the related services into a combined output to the 
customer, which are inseparable from the integrated service. These costs include such items as payments to investigators and travel 
expenses for the Company’s clinical monitors and sales representatives, over which the Company has discretion in establishing prices. 
The Company controls the good or service and has inventory risk on contractually reimbursable expenses, as sometimes the Company 
is unable to obtain reimbursement from the customer for costs incurred.

Change Orders

Changes  in  the  scope  of  work  are  common,  especially  under  long-term  contracts,  and  generally  result  in  a  change  in 
transaction price. Change orders are evaluated on a contract-by-contract basis to determine if they should be accounted for as a new 
contract  or  as  part  of  the  existing  contract.  Generally,  services  from  change  orders  are  not  distinct  from  the  original  performance 
obligation. As a result, the effect that the contract modification has on the contract revenue, and measure of progress, is recognized as 
an adjustment to revenue when it occurs.

Costs of Revenue

Costs  of  revenue  include  (i)  compensation  and  benefits  for  billable  employees  and  personnel  involved  in  production,  data 
management and delivery, and the costs of acquiring and processing data for the Company’s information offerings; (ii) costs of staff 
directly involved with delivering technology-related services offerings and engagements, and the costs of data purchased specifically 
for  technology  services  engagements;  (iii)  reimbursed  expenses  that  are  comprised  principally  of  payments  to  investigators  who 
oversee  clinical  trials  and  travel  expenses  for  the  Company’s  clinical  monitors  and  sales  representatives;  and  (iv)  other  expenses 
directly related to service contracts such as courier fees, laboratory supplies, professional services and travel expenses.

Trade Receivables, Unbilled Services and Unearned Income

In general, billings and payments are established by contractual provisions including predetermined payment schedules, which 
may  or  may  not  correspond  to  the  timing  of  the  transfer  of  control  of  the  Company’s  services  under  the  contract.  In  general,  the 
Company’s  intention  in  its  invoicing  (payment  terms)  is  to  maintain  cash  neutrality  over  the  life  of  the  contract.  Generally,  the 
payment terms are 30 to 90 days based on contracts. Upfront payments, when they occur, are intended to cover certain expenses the 
Company incurs at the beginning of the contract. Neither the Company nor its customers view such upfront payments and contracted 
payment schedules as a means of financing. Unbilled services primarily arise from long-term contracts when a cost-based or hours-
based input method of revenue recognition is utilized and revenue recognized exceeds the amount billed to the customer.

Unearned income consists of advance payments and billings in excess of revenue recognized. As the contracted services are 
subsequently  performed  and  the  associated  revenue  is  recognized,  the  unearned  income  balance  is  reduced  by  the  amount  of  the 
revenue recognized during the period. Unearned income is classified as a current liability on the condensed consolidated balance sheet 
as the Company expects to recognize the associated revenue in less than one year.

Restructuring Costs

Restructuring  costs,  which  primarily  include  termination  benefits  and  facility  closure  costs,  are  recorded  at  estimated  fair 
value.  Key  assumptions  in  determining  the  restructuring  costs  include  the  terms  and  payments  that  may  be  negotiated  to  terminate 
certain contractual obligations and the timing of employees leaving the Company.

66

 
Debt Fees

Fees incurred to issue debt are generally deferred and amortized as a component of interest expense over the estimated term of 

the related debt using the effective interest rate method. 

Contingencies 

The Company records accruals for claims, suits, investigations and proceedings when it is probable that a liability has been 
incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. The Company reviews claims, suits, investigations and proceedings 
at least quarterly and records or adjusts accruals related to such matters to reflect the impact and status of any settlements, rulings, 
advice  of  counsel  or  other  information  pertinent  to  a  particular  matter.  Legal  costs  associated  with  contingencies  are  charged  to 
expense as incurred. 

The Company is party to legal proceedings incidental to its business. While the outcome of these matters could differ from 
management’s expectations, the Company does not believe the resolution of these matters will have a material adverse effect to the 
Company’s financial statements. 

Income Taxes 

Certain items of income and expense are not recognized on the Company’s income tax returns and financial statements in the 
same year, which creates timing differences. The income tax effect of these timing differences results in (1) deferred income tax assets 
that  create  a  reduction  in  future  income  taxes  and  (2)  deferred  income  tax  liabilities  that  create  an  increase  in  future  income  taxes. 
Recognition of deferred income tax assets is based on management’s belief that it is more likely than not that the income tax benefit 
associated with certain temporary differences, income tax operating loss and capital loss carryforwards and income tax credits, would 
be realized. The Company recorded a valuation allowance to reduce its deferred income tax assets for those deferred income tax items 
for  which  it  was  more  likely  than  not  that  realization  would  not  occur.  The  Company  determined  the  amount  of  the  valuation 
allowance based, in part, on the Company’s assessment of future taxable income and in light of the Company’s ongoing income tax 
strategies. If the estimate of future taxable income or tax strategies changes at any time in the future, the Company would record an 
adjustment  to  our  valuation  allowance.  Recording  such  an  adjustment  could  have  a  material  effect  on  the  Company’s  financial 
condition or results of operations.

Income tax expense is based on the distribution of profit before income tax among the various taxing jurisdictions in which we 
operate,  adjusted  as  required  by  the  income  tax  laws  of  each  taxing  jurisdiction.  Changes  in  the  distribution  of  profits  and  losses 
among  taxing  jurisdictions  may  have  a  significant  impact  on  our  effective  income  tax  rate.  The  Company  does  not  consider  the 
undistributed earnings of our foreign subsidiaries to be indefinitely reinvested outside of the United States.

Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits 

The Company provides retirement benefits to certain employees, including defined benefit pension plans and postretirement 
medical plans. The determination of benefit obligations and expense is based on actuarial models. In order to measure benefit costs 
and  obligations  using  these  models,  assumptions  are  made  with  regard  to  the  discount  rate,  expected  return  on  plan  assets,  cash 
balance crediting rate, lump sum conversion rate and the assumed rate of compensation increases. In addition, retiree medical care cost 
trend rates are a key assumption used exclusively in determining costs for the Company’s postretirement health care and life insurance 
benefit plans.

Stock-based Compensation 

The  Company  accounts  for  stock-based  compensation  for  stock  options  and  stock  appreciation  rights  under  the  fair  value 
method and uses the Black-Scholes-Merton model to estimate the value of such stock-based awards granted to its employees and non-
executive directors. Expected volatility is based upon the historical volatility of a peer group for a period equal to the expected term, 
as the Company does not have adequate history to calculate its own volatility and believes the expected volatility will approximate the 
historical volatility of the peer group. The Company does not currently anticipate paying dividends. The expected term represents the 
period of time the grants are expected to be outstanding. The risk-free interest rate is based on the United States Treasury yield curve 
in effect at the time of the grant. 

The Company values its stock-based compensation for restricted stock awards and restricted stock units based on the closing 
market  price  of  the  Company’s  common  stock  on  the  date  of  grant.  The  Company  accounts  for  its  stock-based  compensation  for 
performance  awards  based  on  the  closing  market  price  of  the  Company’s  common  stock  on  the  date  of  grant  and  for  performance 
awards that include market conditions based upon the Monte Carlo simulation model. 

67

Leases

The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at inception. Operating leases are included in operating lease right-of-
use (“ROU”) assets, other current liabilities, and operating lease liabilities on our condensed consolidated balance sheets. Operating 
lease ROU assets and operating lease liabilities are recognized based on the present value of the future minimum lease payments over 
the  lease  term  at  commencement  date.  As  most  of  the  Company’s  leases  do  not  provide  an  implicit  rate,  the  Company  uses  its 
incremental  borrowing  rate  based  on  the  information  available  at  commencement  date  in  determining  the  present  value  of  future 
payments. The operating lease ROU asset also includes any lease payments made before lease commencement and initial direct costs 
and excludes lease incentives. The Company’s lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably 
certain that we will exercise that option. Lease expense for minimum lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the 
lease term.

The  Company  has  lease  agreements  with  lease  and  non-lease  components  that  the  Company  has  elected  to  account  for  as 

single lease components.

Earnings Per Share

The  calculation  of  earnings  per  share  is  based  on  the  weighted  average  number  of  common  shares  or  common  stock 
equivalents outstanding during the applicable period. The dilutive effect of common stock equivalents is excluded from basic earnings 
per  share  and  is  included  in  the  calculation  of  diluted  earnings  per  share.  Potentially  dilutive  securities  include  outstanding  stock 
options and unvested restricted stock units, restricted stock and performance awards. Employee equity share options, restricted stock 
units, restricted stock, performance awards and similar equity instruments granted by the Company are treated as potential common 
shares outstanding in computing diluted earnings per share. Diluted shares outstanding are calculated based on the average share price 
for  each  fiscal  period  using  the  treasury  stock  method.  Under  the  treasury  stock  method,  the  amount  the  employee  must  pay  for 
exercising stock options, the amount of compensation cost for future service that the Company has not yet recognized, and the amount 
of benefits that would be recorded in additional paid-in capital when the award becomes deductible for tax purposes are assumed to be 
used to repurchase shares.

Equity Method Investments

The  Company’s  investments  in  and  advances  to  unconsolidated  affiliates  are  accounted  for  under  the  equity  method  if  the 
Company  exercises  significant  influence  or  has  an  investment  in  a  limited  partnership  that  is  considered  to  be  greater  than  minor. 
These  investments  and  advances  are  classified  as  investments  in  and  advances  to  unconsolidated  affiliates  on  the  accompanying 
consolidated balance sheets. The Company records its pro rata share of the earnings, adjusted for accretion of basis difference, of these 
investments in equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated affiliates on the accompanying consolidated statements of income. The 
Company  reviews  its  investments  in  and  advances  to  unconsolidated  affiliates  for  impairment  whenever  events  or  changes  in 
circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts may not be recoverable.

Treasury Stock

The Company records treasury stock purchases under the cost method. Upon reissuance of treasury stock, amounts in excess 
of  the  acquisition  cost  are  credited  to  additional  paid  in  capital.  If  the  Company  reissues  treasury  stock  at  an  amount  below  its 
acquisition cost and additional paid in capital associated with prior treasury stock transactions is insufficient to cover the difference 
between the acquisition cost and the reissue price, this difference is recorded in retained earnings.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards 

Accounting pronouncements adopted as of December 31, 2019 

In  February  2018,  the  FASB  issued  new  accounting  guidance  that  will  allow  a  reclassification  from  accumulated  other 
comprehensive  income  to  retained  earnings  for  “stranded  income  tax  effects”  resulting  from  the  Tax  Act.  Because  the  income 
statement impact related to the reduction of the historical corporate income tax rate under the Tax Act is required to be included in 
income tax expense, the guidance acknowledges that the income tax effects of items within accumulated other comprehensive income 
(“stranded income tax effects”) do not reflect the appropriate income tax rate. The Company adopted this new accounting guidance on 
January  1,  2019  using  the  aggregate  portfolio  approach.  The  Company  elected  the  option  to  not  reclassify  accumulated  other 
comprehensive income to retained earnings for “stranded income tax effects” resulting from the Tax Act.

68

In August 2017, the FASB issued new accounting guidance that will allow more financial and nonfinancial hedging strategies 
to be eligible for hedge accounting. It also amends the presentation and disclosure requirements and changes how companies assess 
hedge effectiveness. It is intended to more closely align hedge accounting with risk management strategies, simplify the application of 
hedge  accounting,  and  increase  transparency  as  to  the  scope  and  results  of  hedging  programs.  The  Company  adopted  this  new 
accounting  guidance  on  January  1,  2019.  The  adoption  of  this  new  accounting  guidance  did  not  have  a  material  effect  on  the 
Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In  February  2016,  the  FASB  issued  new  accounting  guidance  that  requires  lessees  to  recognize  almost  all  leases  on  their 
balance  sheet  as  a  right-of-use  asset  and  a  lease  liability.  The  income  statement  will  reflect  lease  expense  for  operating  leases,  and 
amortization and interest expense for financing leases. The Company adopted this new accounting guidance on January 1, 2019 and 
elected the practical expedients upon transition that retained the lease classification, initial direct costs and determination of whether 
contracts  are  or  contain  a  lease,  for  any  leases  that  existed  prior  to  adoption  of  the  new  guidance.  The  Company  also  elected  the 
transition  method  which  allows  for  disclosures  to  be  updated  prospectively  and  prior  periods  to  be  presented  in  accordance  with 
previous guidance. The adoption of this standard had a material impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets but 
did not have a material impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated results of operations or cash flows.

Accounting pronouncements issued but not adopted as of December 31, 2019

In January 2020, the FASB issued new accounting guidance that states any equity security transitioning from the alternative 
method of accounting to the equity method, or vice versa, due to an observable transaction, will be remeasured immediately before the 
transition. In addition, the new accounting guidance clarifies the accounting for certain non-derivative forward contracts or purchased 
call options to acquire equity securities stating such instruments will be measured using the fair value principles before settlement or 
exercise. The new accounting guidance will be effective for the Company on January 1, 2021 on a prospective basis. Early adoption is 
permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this new accounting guidance on its consolidated financial statements.

In December  2019, the  FASB  issued  new  accounting  guidance  to  clarify  and  simplify  the  accounting  for  income  taxes. 
Changes  under  the  new  guidance  includes  eliminating  certain  exceptions  related  to  the  approach  for  intraperiod  tax  allocation,  the 
methodology  for  calculating  income  taxes  in  an  interim  period  and  the  recognition  of  deferred  tax  liabilities  for  outside  basis 
differences.  The  new  accounting  guidance will  be  effective  for  the  Company  on  January  1,  2021.  Early  adoption  is  permitted.  The 
Company is currently evaluating the impact of this new accounting guidance on its consolidated financial statements.

In August 2018, the FASB issued new accounting guidance that clarifies and aligns the accounting for implementation costs 
for  hosting  arrangements  with  the  requirements  for  capitalizing  implementation  costs  incurred  to  develop  or  obtain  internal-use 
software. The new accounting guidance will be effective for the Company on January 1, 2020. The adoption of this new accounting 
guidance is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In  August  2018,  the  FASB  issued  new  accounting  guidance  that  modifies  the  disclosure  requirements  for  employers  that 
sponsor  defined  benefit  pension  or  other  postretirement  plans.  The  new  accounting  guidance  will  be  effective  for  the  Company  on 
January 1, 2021. Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of this new accounting guidance is not expected to have a material effect 
on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In August 2018, the FASB issued new accounting guidance that modifies the disclosure requirements in Topic 820, Fair Value 
Measurement,  by  removing  certain  disclosure  requirements  related  to  the  fair  value  hierarchy,  modifying  existing  disclosure 
requirements  related  to  measurement  uncertainty  and  adding  new  disclosure  requirements,  such  as  disclosing  the  changes  in 
unrealized gains and losses for the period included in other comprehensive income for recurring Level 3 fair value measurements held 
at the end of the reporting period and disclosing the range and weighted average of significant unobservable inputs used to develop 
Level 3 fair value measurements. The new accounting guidance will be effective for the Company on January 1, 2020. The adoption 
of this new accounting guidance is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In January 2017, the FASB issued new accounting guidance that simplifies the measurement of goodwill by eliminating the 
step two impairment test. Step two measures a goodwill impairment loss by comparing the implied fair value of goodwill with the 
carrying amount of that goodwill. The new guidance requires a comparison of the Company’s fair value of a reporting unit with the 
carrying  amount  and  the  Company  is  required  to  recognize  an  impairment  charge  for  the  amount  by  which  the  carrying  amount 
exceeds  the  fair  value.  The  new  accounting  guidance  will  be  effective  for  the  Company  on  January  1,  2020.  Based  on  current 
impairment test results, the Company does not expect a material effect on the Consolidated Financial Statements. However, the impact 
of  the  new  accounting  guidance  will  depend  on  the  performance  of  the  reporting  units  and  the  market  conditions  at  the  time  of 
adoption.

In June 2016, the FASB issued a new accounting standard intended to provide financial statement users with more decision-
useful  information  about  expected  credit  losses  and  other  commitments  to  extend  credit  held  by  the  reporting  entity.  The  standard 

69

replaces  the  incurred  loss  impairment  methodology  in  current  GAAP  with  one  that  reflects  expected  credit  losses  and  requires 
consideration  of  a  broader  range  of  reasonable  and  supportable  information  to  inform  credit  loss  estimates.  The  standard  will  be 
effective for the Company on January 1, 2020. The adoption of this new accounting guidance is not expected to have a material effect 
on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

2. Revenues by Geography, Concentration of Credit Risk and Remaining Performance Obligations

The Company attributes revenues to geographical region based upon where the services are performed. The following tables 

represent revenues by geographical region and reportable segment for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017: 

(in millions)
Revenues:

Americas
Europe and Africa
Asia-Pacific
Total revenues

(in millions)
Revenues:

Americas
Europe and Africa
Asia-Pacific
Total revenues

(in millions)
Revenues:

Americas
Europe and Africa
Asia-Pacific
Total revenues

Technology & 
Analytics Solutions

Research &
Development Solutions

Contract Sales & 
Medical Solutions

Total

Year Ended December 31, 2019

2,370    $
1,543 
573 
4,486    $

2,693    $
1,734 
1,361 
5,788    $

399    $
200 
215 
814    $

Technology & 
Analytics Solutions

Research &
Development Solutions

Contract Sales & 
Medical Solutions

Total

Year Ended December 31, 2018

2,087    $
1,520 
530 
4,137    $

2,553    $
1,693 
1,219 
5,465    $

358    $
235 
217 
810    $

Technology & 
Analytics Solutions

Research &
Development Solutions

Contract Sales & 
Medical Solutions

Total

Year Ended December 31, 2017

1,801    $
1,372 
509 
3,682    $

2,375    $
1,663 
1,067 
5,105    $

430    $
251 
234 
915    $

  $

  $

  $

  $

  $

  $

5,462 
3,477 
2,149 
11,088  

4,998 
3,448 
1,966 
10,412  

4,606 
3,286 
1,810 
9,702  

No individual country, except for the United States and the United Kingdom, accounted for 10% or more of total revenues for 
the year ended December 31, 2019 and 2018. For the year ended December 31, 2019, revenues in the United States and the United 
Kingdom accounted for 45% and 10% of total revenue, respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2018, revenues in the United 
States and the United Kingdom accounted for 43% and 11% of total revenue, respectively.

No individual country, except for the United States, accounted for 10% or more of total revenues for the year ended December 

31, 2017. For the year ended December 31, 2017, revenue in the United States accounted for 42% of total revenue.

No individual customer represented 10% or more of total revenues for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 or 2017. 

Transaction Price Allocated to the Remaining Performance Obligations

As of December 31, 2019, approximately $20.0 billion of revenue is expected to be recognized in the future from remaining 
performance  obligations.  The  Company  expects  to  recognize  revenue  on  approximately  35%  of  these  remaining  performance 
obligations over the next twelve months, with the balance recognized thereafter. The customer contract transaction price allocated to 
the remaining performance obligations differs from backlog in that it does not include wholly unperformed contracts under which the 
customer has a unilateral right to cancel the arrangement. The Company applied the practical expedient that permits the omission of 
prior period information about its remaining performance obligations. No other practical expedients were applied.

70

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
 
    
 
    
 
  
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
 
    
 
    
 
  
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
 
    
 
    
 
  
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
3. Trade Accounts Receivable, Unbilled Services and Unearned Income

Trade accounts receivables and unbilled services consist of the following:

(in millions)
Trade accounts receivable:

Billed
Unbilled services

Trade accounts receivable and unbilled services

Allowance for doubtful accounts

Trade accounts receivable and unbilled services, net

Unbilled services and unearned income was as follows:

December 31,

2019

2018

  $

  $

1,312    $
1,286   
2,598   
(16)  
2,582    $

1,279 
1,130 
2,409 
(15)
2,394  

(in millions)
Unbilled services
Unearned income
Net balance

December 31,

2019

2018

Change

  $

  $

1,286 
(1,014)  

 $

272    $

1,130 
(1,007)  

 $

123    $

156 
(7)
149  

Unbilled  services,  which  is  comprised  of  approximately  equal  parts  of  unbilled  receivables  and  contract  assets  as  of 
December 31, 2019, increased by $156 million as compared to December 31, 2018. Contract assets are unbilled services for which 
invoicing is based on the timing of certain milestones related to service contracts for clinical research whereas unbilled receivables are 
billable  upon  the  passage  of  time.  Unearned  income  increased  by  $7  million  over  the  same  period  resulting  in  an  increase  of  $149 
million in the net balance of unbilled services and unearned income between December 31, 2019 and 2018. Growth in the net balance 
is driven by the difference in timing of revenue recognition in accordance with ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, 
related to the Company’s Research & Development Solutions contracts (which is based on the percentage of costs incurred) versus the 
timing of invoicing, which is based on certain milestones.

Bad  debt  expense  recognized  on  the  Company’s  receivables  and  unbilled  services  was  de  minimis  for  the  years  ended 

December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017.

4. Investments

Debt, Equity and Other Securities

Current

The Company’s short-term investments in debt, equity and other securities consist primarily of trading investments in mutual 
funds  and  are  measured  at  fair  value  with  realized  and  unrealized  gains  and  losses  recorded  in  other  expense  (income),  net  on  the 
accompanying consolidated statements of income.

Long-term

ASU  2016-01  became  effective  on  January  1,  2018.  ASU  2016-01  requires  entities  to  measure  equity  investments  (except 
those accounted for under the equity method, those that result in consolidation of the investee and certain other investments) at fair 
value and recognize any changes in fair value in net income at the end of each reporting period. Entities can no longer classify equity 
investments  as  trading  or  available  for  sale  and  can  no  longer  recognize  unrealized  holding  gains  and  losses  on  equity  securities 
classified  previously  as  available  for  sale  in other  comprehensive  income  (loss).  Entities  can  no  longer  use  the  cost  method  of 
accounting as it was previously applied for equity securities that do not have readily determinable fair values.

For equity investments that do not have readily determinable fair values and do not qualify for the existing practical expedient 
in Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 820 “Fair Value Measurement” (“ASC 820”) to estimate fair value using the net asset 
value  per  share  of  the  investment,  the  guidance  provides  a  new  measurement  alternative.  Entities  may  choose  to  measure  those 
investments at cost, less any impairment, plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for the 
identical or a similar investment of the same issuer at each reporting period.

71

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
During  the  fourth  quarter  of  2018,  the  Company  recorded  the  cumulative adoption  of  ASU  2016-01  within  stockholders’ 

equity.  

 Unconsolidated Affiliates 

The Company accounts for its investments in and advances to unconsolidated affiliates under the equity method of accounting 
and records its pro rata share of its losses or earnings from these investments in equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated affiliates. 
The following is a summary of the Company’s investments in and advances to unconsolidated affiliates: 

(in millions)
NovaQuest Pharma Opportunities Fund III, L.P. (“NQ Fund III”)
NovaQuest Pharma Opportunities Fund IV, L.P. (“NQ Fund IV”)
NovaQuest Pharma Opportunities Fund V, L.P. (“NQ Fund V”)
NovaQuest Private Equity Fund I, L.P. (“NQ PE Fund I”)
CenduitTM (“Cenduit”)
NostraData Pty Ltd. (“NostraData”)
Inteliquet (“Inteliquet”)
Helparound ("Helparound")
Other

Variable Interest Entities

December 31,

2019

2018

19    $
8   
13   
4   
—   
8   
18   
4   
13   
87    $

30 
13 
14 
4 
4 
7 
20 
— 
9 
101  

  $

  $

As of December 31, 2019, the Company’s investments in unconsolidated variable interest entities (“VIEs”) and its estimated 

maximum exposure to loss were as follows:

 (in millions)
NQ Fund III
NQ Fund IV
NQ Fund V
NQ PE Fund I
Pappas Life Science Ventures V, L.P.

5. Derivatives 

Foreign Exchange Risk Management 

Investments in
Unconsolidated
VIEs

Maximum
Exposure to
Loss

  $

  $

19    $
8   
13   
4   
2   
46    $

25 
10 
44 
7 
5 
91  

The  Company  transacts  business  in  more  than  100  countries  and  is  subject  to  risks  associated  with  fluctuating  foreign 
exchange  rates.  Accordingly,  the  Company  enters  into  foreign  currency  forward  contracts  to  (i) hedge  certain  forecasted  foreign 
exchange cash flows arising from service contracts (“Service Contract Hedging”) and (ii) hedge non-United States dollar anticipated 
intercompany royalties (“Royalty Hedging”). It is the Company’s policy to enter into foreign currency transactions only to the extent 
necessary to reduce earnings and cash flow volatility associated with foreign exchange rate movements. The Company does not enter 
into foreign currency transactions for investment or speculative purposes. The principal currencies hedged are the Euro, the British 
Pound, the Japanese Yen, the Swiss Franc and the Canadian dollar.  

72

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Service Contract Hedging and Royalty Hedging contracts are designated as cash flow hedges and are carried at fair value, with 
changes in the fair value recorded to AOCI. The change in fair value is reclassified from AOCI to earnings in the period in which the 
hedged transaction occurs. These contracts have various expiration dates through November 2020. 

As  of  December 31,  2019  and  2018,  the  Company  had  open  Service  Contract  Hedging  and  Royalty  Hedging  contracts  to 
hedge  certain  forecasted  foreign  currency  cash  flow  transactions  occurring  in  2020  and  2019  with  notional  amounts  totaling  $148 
million  and  $202  million,  respectively. For  accounting  purposes  these  hedges  are  considered  highly  effective.  As  of  December 31, 
2019 and 2018, the Company had recorded gross unrealized gains (losses) of $4 million and less than ($1) million and $5 million and 
($3) million, respectively, related to these contracts. Upon expiration of the hedge instruments in 2019, the Company reclassified the 
unrealized holding gains and losses on the derivative instruments included in AOCI into earnings. The unrealized gains (losses) are 
included in other current assets and liabilities on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2019 and 2018. 

Interest Rate Risk Management 

The  Company  purchases  interest  rate  caps  and  has  entered  into  interest  rate  swap  agreements  for  purposes  of  managing  its 

exposure to interest rate fluctuations. 

        In April 2014, IMS Health entered into United States dollar and Euro denominated interest rate swap agreements (“2014 
Swaps”)  to  hedge  interest  rate  exposure  on  notional  amounts  of  approximately  $600  million  of  its  borrowings.  The  2014  Swaps 
commenced between April and June 2014 and expire at various times through March 2021. As of December 31, 2019, only one of the 
2014 Swaps remain unexpired, with a notional value of $325 million. On this agreement, the Company pays a fixed rate of 1.6%  and 
receives a variable rate of interest equal to the greater of three-month Euro Interbank Offered Rate (“EURIBOR”) or the equivalent to 
LIBOR,  and  1%.  During  2017,  the  2014  Swaps  ceased  to  be  considered  highly  effective  for  accounting  purposes  and  as  such,  the 
Company discontinued hedge accounting and prospective changes in the fair value of the Swaps are recognized in earnings.

On June 3, 2015, the Company entered into seven forward starting interest rate swaps (“2015 Swaps”) in an effort to limit its 
exposure to changes in the variable interest rate on its Senior Secured Credit Facilities (as defined below). Interest on the swaps began 
accruing on June 30, 2016, and the interest rate swaps expire at various times through March 2020. As of December 31, 2019, only 
three of the 2015 Swaps were still outstanding. The Company pays a fixed rate of 2.1% and receives a variable rate of interest equal to 
the three-month LIBOR on these agreements. 

The critical terms of the 2015 Swaps are substantially the same as the underlying borrowings. These interest rate swaps are 
being  accounted  for  as  cash  flow  hedges  as  these  transactions  were  executed  to  hedge  the  Company’s  interest  payments  and  for 
accounting  purposes  are  considered  highly  effective.  As  such,  the  effective  portion  of  the  hedges  is  recorded  as  unrealized  gains 
(losses) on derivatives included in AOCI and the ineffective portion of the hedges is recognized in earnings. 

On  July  19,  2018,  the  Company  entered  into  two  forward  starting  interest  rate  swaps  (“2018  Swaps”)  with  a  total  notional 
value of $500 million in an effort to limit its exposure to changes in the variable interest rate on its Senior Secured Credit Facilities (as 
defined below). Interest on the 2018 Swaps began accruing on June 28, 2019 and the interest rate swaps expire on June 28, 2024.  The 
Company pays a fixed rate of 3.0% and receives a variable rate of interest equal to the three-month LIBOR on the 2018 Swaps.

The fair value of these interest rate swaps represents the present value of the anticipated net payments the Company will make 
to the counterparty, which, when they occur, are reflected as interest expense on the consolidated statements of income. These interest 
rate swaps will result in a total debt mix of approximately 59% fixed rate debt and 41% variable rate debt.

Net Investment Risk Management 

The Company designates its foreign currency denominated debt as a hedge of its net investment in certain foreign subsidiaries 
to reduce the volatility in stockholders’ equity caused by changes in the Euro exchange rate with respect to the United States dollar, 
which  is  accounted  for  as  a  cash  flow  hedge.  As  of  December 31,  2019,  these  borrowings  (net  of  original  issue  discount)  were 
€5,273 mil lion  ($5,915  million).  The  effective  portion  of  foreign  exchange  gains  or  losses  on  the  remeasurement  of  the  debt  is 
recognized  in  the  cumulative  translation  adjustment  component  of  AOCI  with  the  related  offset  in  long-term  debt.  Those  amounts 
would be reclassified from AOCI to earnings upon the sale or substantial liquidation of these net investments. The amount of foreign 
exchange gains related to the net investment hedge included in the cumulative translation adjustment component of AOCI for the year 
ended December 31, 2019 was $97 million. 

73

The fair values of the Company’s derivative instruments and the line items on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets 

to which they were recorded are summarized in the following table: 

(in millions)
Derivatives designated as hedging
   instruments:
Foreign exchange forward contracts

Interest rate swaps

Interest rate caps

Derivatives not designated as hedging
   instruments:
Interest rate swaps
Total derivatives

Balance Sheet
Classification

Other current assets
   and liabilities
Other assets
   and liabilities
Deposits and other
  assets

December 31, 2019

December 31, 2018

  Assets

  Liabilities  

  Notional  

  Assets

  Liabilities  

  Notional  

  $

4     

—    $

148    $

5    $

3    $

202 

—     

27     

875     

3     

9     

890 

—     

—     

—     

1     

—     

700 

  Other liabilities

—     
4    $

3     
30     

325     
     $

—     
9    $

5     
17     

  $

432 

The pre-tax effect of the Company’s cash flow hedging instruments on other comprehensive (loss) income is summarized in 

the following table:

(in millions)
Foreign exchange forward contracts
Interest rate derivatives

Total

2019

Year Ended December 31,
2018

2017

  $

  $

2    $

(22)  
(20)   $

(9)   $
(6)  
(15)   $

(5)
9 
4  

The  Company  expects  approximately  $3  million  of  pre-tax  unrealized  losses  related  to  its  foreign  exchange  contracts  and 
interest rate derivatives included in AOCI at December 31, 2019 to be reclassified into earnings within the next twelve months. The 
total amount of cash flow hedge effect on the income statement is immaterial for year ended December 31, 2019.

6. Fair Value Measurements 

The Company records certain assets and liabilities at fair value. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell 
an asset or paid to transfer a liability in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction 
between market participants at the measurement date. A three-level fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair 
value  is  described  below.  This  hierarchy  requires  entities  to  maximize  the  use  of  observable  inputs  and  minimize  the  use  of 
unobservable inputs. The three levels of inputs used to measure fair value are as follows: 

•

•

•

Level 1—Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. 

Level 2—Observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1, such as quoted prices for similar assets and 
liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active; or 
other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data. 

Level 3—Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity. This includes certain pricing models, 
discounted cash flow methodologies and similar techniques that use significant unobservable inputs. 

The  carrying  values  of  cash,  cash  equivalents,  accounts  receivable  and  accounts  payable  approximated  their  fair  values  at 
December 31, 2019 and 2018 due to their short-term nature. At December 31, 2019 and 2018, the fair value of total debt approximated 
$11,925  million  and  $10,850  million,  respectively,  as  determined  under  Level  1  and  Level  2  measurements  for  these  financial 
instruments. 

74

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
      
      
      
      
      
  
 
 
   
 
   
   
   
      
      
      
      
      
  
   
   
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Recurring Fair Value Measurements 

The following table summarizes the fair value of the Company’s financial assets and liabilities that are measured and reported 

at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2019: 

 (in millions)
Assets:
Marketable securities
Derivatives
Total

Liabilities:
Derivatives
Contingent consideration

Total

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Total

  $

  $

  $

  $

79    $
—   
79    $

—    $
—   
—    $

—    $
4   
4    $

30    $
—   
30    $

—    $
—   
—    $

—    $

113   
113    $

79 
4 
83 

30 
113 
143  

The following table summarizes the fair value of the Company’s financial assets and liabilities that are measured and reported 

at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2018: 

 (in millions)
Assets:
Marketable securities
Derivatives
Total

Liabilities:
Derivatives
Contingent consideration

Total

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Total

  $

  $

  $

  $

63    $
—   
63    $

—    $
—   
—    $

—    $
9   
9    $

17    $
—   
17    $

—    $
—   
—    $

—    $

123   
123    $

63 
9 
72 

17 
123 
140  

75

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
 
    
 
    
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
 
    
 
    
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
 
    
 
    
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
 
    
 
    
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
Below is a summary of the valuation techniques used in determining fair value: 

Marketable  securities—The  Company  values  trading  and  available-for-sale  securities  using  the  quoted  market  value  of  the 

securities held. 

Derivatives—Derivatives  consist  of  foreign  exchange  contracts  and  interest  rate  swaps.  The  fair  value  of  foreign  exchange 
contracts is based on observable market inputs of spot and forward rates or using other observable inputs. The fair value of the interest 
rate swaps is the estimated amount that the Company would receive or pay to terminate such agreements, taking into account market 
interest rates and the remaining time to maturities or using market inputs with mid-market pricing as a practical expedient for bid-ask 
spread. 

Contingent consideration—The Company values contingent consideration related to business combinations using a weighted 
probability  calculation  of  potential  payment  scenarios  discounted  at  rates  reflective  of  the  risks  associated  with  the  expected  future 
cash  flows.  Assumptions  used  to  estimate  the  fair  value  of  contingent  consideration  include  various  financial  metrics  (revenue 
performance targets and operating forecasts) and the probability of achieving the specific targets.

The following table summarizes the changes in Level 3 financial assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis for the 

year ended December 31: 

(in millions)
Balance as of January 1
Business combinations
Contingent consideration paid
Revaluations included in earnings and foreign currency translation
   adjustments
Balance as of December 31

  $

  $

2019

Contingent Consideration
2018

2017

123    $
40   
(46)  

(4)  
113    $

69    $
53   
(24)  

25   
123    $

18 
57 
(4)

(2)
69  

The  current  portion  of  contingent  consideration  is  included  within  accrued  expenses  and  the  long-term  portion  is  included 
within other liabilities on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Revaluations of contingent consideration are recognized in 
other expense (income), net on the accompanying consolidated statements of income. 

Non-recurring Fair Value Measurements 

Certain assets are carried on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets at cost and are not remeasured to fair value on a 
recurring  basis.  These  assets  include  equity  investments  that  do  not  have  readily  determinable  fair  values  that  are  assessed  for 
impairment quarterly or annually and when a triggering event occurs, and goodwill and identifiable intangible assets that are tested for 
impairment annually and when a triggering event occurs. See Note 4 and 8 for additional information. 

As  of  December 31,  2019,  assets  carried  on  the  balance  sheet  and  not  remeasured  to  fair  value  on  a  recurring  basis  totaled 
approximately $17,808 million and were identified as Level 3. These assets are comprised of cost and equity method investments of 
$135 million, goodwill of $12,159 million and other identifiable intangibles, net of $5,514 million. 

Cost  and  Equity  Method  Investments—The  inputs  available  for  valuing  investments  in  non-public  portfolio  companies  are 
generally  not  easily  observable.  The  valuation  of  non-public  investments  requires  judgment  by  the  Company  due  to  the  absence  of 
quoted market values, inherent lack of liquidity and the long-term nature of such assets. When a triggering event occurs, the Company 
considers a wide range of available market data when assessing the estimated fair value. Such market data includes observations of the 
trading  multiples  of  public  companies  considered  comparable  to  the  private  companies  being  valued  as  well  as  publicly  disclosed 
merger  transactions  involving  comparable  private  companies.  In  addition,  valuations  are  adjusted  to  account  for  company-specific 
issues, the lack of liquidity inherent in a non-public investment and the fact that comparable public companies are not identical to the 
companies being valued. Such valuation adjustments are necessary because in the absence of a committed buyer and completion of 
due diligence similar to that performed in an actual negotiated sale process, there may be company-specific issues that are not fully 
known  that  may  affect  value.  Further,  a  variety  of  additional  factors  are  reviewed  by  the  Company,  including,  but  not  limited  to, 
financing and sales transactions with third parties, current operating performance and future expectations of the particular investment, 
changes  in  market  outlook  and  the  third-party  financing  environment.  Because  of  the  inherent  uncertainty  of  valuations,  estimated 
valuations may differ significantly from the values that would have been used had a ready market for the securities existed, and the 
differences could be material. 

76

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Goodwill—Goodwill represents the difference between the purchase price and the fair value of the identifiable tangible and 
intangible net assets resulting from business combinations. The Company performs a qualitative analysis to determine whether it is 
more likely than not that the estimated fair value of a reporting unit is less than its book value. This includes a qualitative analysis of 
macroeconomic  conditions,  industry  and  market  considerations,  internal  cost  factors,  financial  performance,  fair  value  history  and 
other company specific events. If this qualitative analysis indicates that it is more likely than not that the estimated fair value is less 
than  the  book  value  for  the  respective  reporting  unit,  the  Company  applies  a  two-step  impairment  test  in  which  the  Company 
determines  whether  the  estimated  fair  value  of  the  reporting  unit  is  in  excess  of  its  carrying  value.  If  the  carrying  value  of  the  net 
assets assigned to the reporting unit exceeds the estimated fair value of the reporting unit, the Company performs the second step of 
the  impairment  test  to  determine  the  implied  estimated  fair  value  of  the  reporting  unit’s  goodwill.  The  Company  determines  the 
implied estimated fair value of goodwill by determining the present value of the estimated future cash flows for each reporting unit 
and comparing to the net book value of assets and liabilities exclusive of goodwill. See Note 8 for additional information. 

Definite-lived  Intangible  Assets—If  a  triggering  event  occurs,  the  Company  determines  the  estimated  fair  value  of  definite-

lived intangible assets by determining the present value of the expected cash flows. See Note 8 for additional information. 

Indefinite-lived Intangible Asset—If a qualitative analysis indicates that it is more likely than not that the estimated fair value 
is  less  than  the  carrying  value  of  an  indefinite-lived  intangible  asset,  the  Company  determines  the  estimated  fair  value  of  the 
indefinite-lived intangible asset (trade name) by determining the present value of the estimated royalty payments on an after-tax basis 
that it would be required to pay the owner for the right to use such trade name. If the carrying amount exceeds the estimated fair value, 
an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to the excess. 

7. Property and Equipment 

The major classes of property and equipment were as follows: 

(in millions)
Land, buildings and leasehold improvements
Equipment
Furniture and fixtures
Transportation equipment
Property and equipment, gross
Less accumulated depreciation
Property and equipment, net

December 31,

2019

2018

$

$

331   
570   
81   
73   
1,055   
(597)  
458   

$

$

326 
521 
82 
72 
1,001 
(567)
434  

Property and equipment depreciation expense was as follows:

(in millions)
Depreciation expense

2019

Year Ended December 31,
2018

2017

  $

128    $

125    $

125  

8. Goodwill and Identifiable Intangible Assets 

As  of  December 31,  2019,  the  Company  has  approximately  $5,514  million  of  identifiable  intangible  assets,  of  which 
approximately  $18  million,  relating  to  a  trade  name,  is  deemed  to  be  indefinite-lived  and,  accordingly,  is  not  being  amortized. 
Amortization expense associated with identifiable definite-lived intangible assets was as follows: 

(in millions)
Amortization expense

2019

Year Ended December 31,
2018

2017

  $

1,074    $

1,016    $

886  

Estimated amortization expense for existing identifiable intangible assets is expected to be approximately $1,072 million, $801 
million,  $462  million,  $386  million  and  $317  million  for  the  years  ending  December 31,  2020,  2021,  2022,  2023  and  2024, 
respectively. Estimated amortization expense can be affected by various factors, including future acquisitions or divestitures of service 
and/or licensing and distribution rights or impairments. 

77

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The following is a summary of identifiable intangible assets: 

(in millions)
Definite-lived identifiable
   intangible assets:
  $
Client relationships and backlog
Trademarks, trade names and other    
Databases
Software and related assets
Non-compete agreements

Indefinite-lived identifiable
   intangible assets:
Trade names

  $

  $

Gross
Amount

As of December 31, 2019
Accumulated
Amortization    

Net
Amount

Gross
Amount

As of December 31, 2018
Accumulated
Amortization    

Net
Amount

4,809    $
528     
1,836     
1,620     
32     
8,825    $

(1,303)   $
(158)    
(1,185)    
(665)    
(18)    
(3,329)   $

3,506    $
370     
651     
955     
14     
5,496    $

4,620    $
526     
1,828     
1,279     
27     
8,280    $

(863)   $
(108)    
(823)    
(543)    
(10)    
(2,347)   $

3,757 
418 
1,005 
736 
17 
5,933 

18    $

—    $

18    $

18    $

—    $

18  

The following is a summary of goodwill by segment for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018: 

 (in millions)
Balance as of December 31, 2017
Business combinations
Impact of foreign currency fluctuations
   and other
Balance as of December 31, 2018
Business combinations
Impact of foreign currency fluctuations
   and other
Balance as of December 31, 2019

Technology & 

Analytics Solutions    
10,348   
135   

(244)  
10,239   
216   

Research &
Development
Solutions

1,385   
49   

(7)  
1,427   
215   

  $

(81)  
10,374    $

4   
1,646    $

Contract Sales & 
Medical Solutions    
117   
18   

(1)  
134   
5   

—   
139    $

Consolidated

11,850 
202 

(252)
11,800 
436 

(77)
12,159  

There were no goodwill impairment losses as of December 31, 2019 or 2018.

9. Accrued Expenses

Accrued expenses consist of the following:

(in millions)
Compensation, including bonuses, fringe benefits and payroll taxes
Restructuring
Interest
Client contract related
Professional fees
Contingent consideration and deferred purchase price
Other

December 31,

2019

2018

  $

  $

687    $
67   
53   
763   
80   
52   
235   
1,937    $

660 
74 
45 
678 
91 
90 
220 
1,858  

78

 
 
   
 
 
   
   
   
 
   
      
      
      
      
      
  
   
   
   
 
   
      
      
      
      
      
  
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
10. Credit Arrangements 

The following is a summary of the Company’s revolving credit facilities at December 31, 2019: 

Facility
$1,500 million (revolving credit facility)

$25 million (receivables financing facility)
£10 million (approximately $13 million) general banking
   facility

Interest Rates

  LIBOR in the relevant currency borrowed plus a margin of 1.50%

   at December 31, 2019

  LIBOR Market Index Rate (1.76% at December 31, 2019) plus 0.90%
  Bank’s base rate of 0.75% at December 31, 2019 plus 1%

The following table summarizes the Company’s debt at the dates indicated: 

(dollars in millions)
Senior Secured Credit Facilities:

Term A Loan due 2023—U.S. Dollar LIBOR at average floating rates of 3.44%
Term A Loan due 2023—Euro LIBOR at average floating rates of 1.50%
Term B Loan due 2024—U.S. Dollar LIBOR at average floating rates of 3.69%
Term B Loan due 2024—Euro LIBOR at average floating rates of 2.00%
Term B Loan due 2025—U.S. Dollar LIBOR at average floating rates of 3.69%
Term B Loan due 2025—U.S. Dollar LIBOR at average floating rates of 3.69%
Term B Loan due 2025—Euro LIBOR at average floating rates of 2.00%

Revolving Credit Facility due 2023:

U.S. Dollar denominated borrowings—U.S. Dollar LIBOR at average
   floating rates of 3.26%
Japanese Yen denominated borrowings—Japanese Yen LIBOR at average
   floating rates of 1.50%

5.0% Senior Notes due 2027—U.S. Dollar denominated
5.0% Senior Notes due 2026—U.S. Dollar denominated
2.875% Senior Notes due 2025—Euro denominated
3.25% Senior Notes due 2025—Euro denominated
3.5% Senior Notes due 2024—Euro denominated
4.875% Senior Notes due 2023—U.S. Dollar denominated
2.25% Senior Notes due 2028—Euro denominated
Receivables financing facility due 2022—U.S. Dollar LIBOR at average
   floating rates of 2.66%
Principal amount of debt
Less: unamortized discount and debt issuance costs
Less: current portion
Long-term debt

Contractual maturities of long-term debt at December 31, 2019 are as follows: 

  $

  $

 (in millions)
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
Thereafter

December 31,

2019

2018

770    $
387   
535   
1,306   
733   
936   
644   

154   

212   
1,100   
1,050   
471   
1,598   
701   
—   
808   

300   
11,705   
(60)  
(100)  
11,545    $

  $

  $

812 
416 
535 
1,346 
741 
945 
664 

620 

— 
— 
1,050 
481 
1,631 
715 
800 
— 

300 
11,056 
(49)
(100)
10,907  

100 
100 
400 
1,372 
2,511 
7,222 
11,705  

79

 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
    
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
At  December 31,  2019,  there  were  bank  guarantees  totaling  approximately  £0.8 million  (approximately  $1.1  million)  issued 
against  the  availability  of  the  general  banking  facility  with  a  European  headquartered  bank  through  their  operations  in  the  United 
Kingdom. 

Senior Secured Credit Agreement and Senior Notes

2019 Financing Transactions

At  December  31,  2019,  the  Company’s  Fourth  Amended  and  Restated  Credit  Agreement,  as  amended  (the  “Credit 
Agreement”)  provided  financing  through  several  senior  credit  facilities  (collectively,  the  “Senior  Secured  Credit  Facilities”)  of 
approximately  $6,811  million,  which  consisted  of  $5,677  million  principal  amounts  of  debt  outstanding  (as  detailed  in  the  table 
above),  $3  million  of  issued  standby  letters  of  credit  and  $1,131  million  of  available  borrowing  capacity  on  the  $1,500  million 
revolving credit facility. On December 18, 2019, the Company entered into Amendment No. 6 to the Credit Agreement; pursuant to 
the Amendment, that amended the interest rate applicable to the Issuer’s Term B Loan due 2024—U.S. Dollar LIBOR and Term B 
Loan due 2025—U.S. Dollar LIBOR was reduced to LIBOR plus 1.75% per annum and the LIBOR floor applicable to the Issuer’s 
Term B-1 Dollar Loans was reduced to 0% per annum. On August 9, 2019, the Company entered into Amendment No. 5 to the Credit 
Agreement  that repriced  the  Euro  LIBOR  floor  applicable  to  the  Euro-denominated  Term  B  Loan due  2024  and  Term  B Loan  due 
2025 to 0% per annum. 

On August 13, 2019, IQVIA Inc. (the “Issuer”), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, completed the issuance and sale 
of €720  million in gross proceeds of the Issuer’s 2.25% Senior Notes due 2028 (the “2.25% Notes”). The 2.25% Notes were issued 
pursuant to an Indenture, dated August 13, 2019, among the Issuer, U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee of the 2.25% Notes, 
and certain subsidiaries of the Issuer as guarantors. The net proceeds from the notes offering, together with available cash, were used 
to redeem the Issuer’s outstanding 4.875% senior notes due 2023 (the “4.875% Notes”), and to pay fees and expenses related to the 
notes offering. On July 29, 2019, the Issuer issued a conditional notice of redemption with respect to the 4.875% Notes, for a total 
redemption price equal to the sum of the principal amount of the 4.875% Notes, accrued and unpaid interest on the 4.875% Notes to 
the  redemption  date  and  the  applicable  redemption  premium.  The  Issuer’s  obligations  with  respect  to  the  4.875%  Notes  were 
discharged on August 13, 2019. The 2.25% Notes are unsecured obligations of the Issuer, will mature on January 15, 2028 and bear 
interest at the rate of 2.25% per annum, with interest payable semi-annually on January 15 and July 15 of each year, beginning on 
January 15, 2020. The Issuer may redeem the Notes prior to their final stated maturity, subject to a customary make-whole premium, 
at  any  time  prior  to  July  15,  2022  (subject  to  a  customary  “equity  claw”  redemption  right)  and  thereafter  subject  to  a  redemption 
premium declining from 101.125% to 0.000%.

On May 10, 2019, the Issuer completed the issuance and sale of $1.1 billion in gross proceeds of the Issuer’s 5.00% Senior 
Notes due 2027 (the “5.00% Notes”). The 5.00% Notes were issued pursuant to an Indenture, dated May 10, 2019, among the Issuer, 
U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee of the 5.00% Notes, and certain subsidiaries of the Issuer as guarantors. The net proceeds 
from this notes offering were used to repay existing borrowings under the Issuer’s revolving credit facility, to pay fees and expenses 
related to the notes offering and for other general corporate purposes. The 5.00% Notes are unsecured obligations of the Issuer, will 
mature  on  May  15,  2027  and  bear  interest  at  the  rate  of  5.00%  per  annum,  with  interest  payable  semi-annually  on  May  15  and 
November  15  of  each  year,  beginning  on  November  15,  2019.  The  Issuer  may  redeem  the  5.00%  Notes  prior  to  their  final  stated 
maturity,  subject  to  a  customary  make-whole  premium,  at  any  time  prior  to  May  15,  2022  (subject  to  a  customary  “equity  claw” 
redemption right) and thereafter subject to a redemption premium declining from 2.500% to 0.000%. 

2018 Financing Transactions

 At  December  31,  2018,  the  Company’s  Fourth  Amended  and  Restated  Credit  Agreement,  as  amended  (the  “Credit 
Agreement”) provided financing through several senior secured credit facilities (collectively, the “Senior Secured Credit Facilities”) of 
up to approximately $6,959 million, which consisted of $6,079 million principal amounts of debt outstanding (as detailed in the table 
above) and $880 million of available borrowing capacity on the $1,500 million revolving credit facility that expires in 2023.

On June 11, 2018, the Company entered into Amendment No. 4 to the Credit Agreement (“Amendment No. 4”) that amended 
the terms of the existing term A loans and revolving credit facility to extend the maturity from 2021 to 2023 and reduce the applicable 
interest  rate  from  LIBOR  plus  a  margin  ranging  from  1.75%  to  2.50%  to  LIBOR  plus  a  margin  ranging  from  1.25%  to  2.00%. In 
connection with Amendment No. 4, the Company recognized a $2 million loss on extinguishment of debt, which includes fees and 
related  expenses. The  amendments  with  respect  to  the  revolving  credit  facility  and  the  term  A  loans  became  effective  on  June 13, 
2018.

Under  Amendment  No.  4,  the  Company also  placed  additional  term  B  loans.  The  additional  term  B  loans  will  mature 
in 2025 and  were comprised  of  $950  million  of  U.S.  dollar  denominated  term  B  loans  and €583  million  ($681 million)  Euro 
denominated  term  B  loans. The  U.S.  dollar  denominated  term  B  loans  bear  interest  based  on  the  U.S.  Dollar  LIBOR  plus  a 

80

margin ranging  from 1.75%  to  2.00%.  The  Euro  denominated  term  B  loans  bear  interest  based  on  the  Euro  LIBOR  with  a 
floor ranging from 0.50% to 0.75%, plus a margin of 2.00%. The proceeds of the additional term B loans were used to pay down the 
revolving  credit  facility  and  $650 million  of  existing  term  B  loans  due  2024  and  to  pay  fees  and  expenses  in  connection  with  the 
transactions.

On  April  6,  2018,  the  Company  entered  into  Amendment  No.  3  to  the  Credit  Agreement  that  increased  the  amount  of 
commitments available to the Company and certain of its subsidiaries to $1,500 million under the revolving credit facility. No other 
terms of the Credit Agreement were amended.

Receivables Financing Facility 

On December 19, 2019, the Company amended its receivables financing facility to extend the term of the facility to December 

19, 2022.

On  December 5,  2014,  the  Company  entered  into  a  four-year  arrangement  to  securitize  certain  of  its  accounts  receivable. 
Under the receivables financing facility, certain of the Company’s accounts receivable are sold on a non-recourse basis by certain of 
its consolidated subsidiaries to another of its consolidated subsidiaries, a bankruptcy-remote special purpose entity (“SPE”). The SPE 
obtained a term loan and revolving loan commitment from a third-party lender, secured by liens on the assets of the SPE, to finance 
the purchase of the accounts receivable, which includes a $275 million term loan and a $25 million revolving loan commitment. The 
revolving loan commitment may be increased by an additional $35 million as amounts are repaid under the term loan. The Company 
has  guaranteed  the  performance  of  the  obligations  of  existing  and  future  subsidiaries  that  sell  and  service  the  accounts  receivable 
under the receivables financing facility. The assets of the SPE are not available to satisfy any of the Company’s obligations or any 
obligations  of  its  subsidiaries.  As  of  December 31,  2019,  no  additional  amounts  of  revolving  loans  were  available  under  the 
receivables financing facility. 

Restrictive Covenants 

The  Company’s  debt  agreements  provide  for  certain  covenants  and  events  of  default  customary  for  similar  instruments, 
including  a  covenant  not  to  exceed  a  specified  ratio  of  consolidated  senior  secured  net  indebtedness  to  Consolidated  EBITDA,  as 
defined in the Credit Agreement and a covenant to maintain a specified minimum interest coverage ratio. If an event of default occurs 
under any of the Company’s or the Company’s subsidiaries’ financing arrangements, the creditors under such financing arrangements 
will  be  entitled  to  take  various  actions,  including  the  acceleration  of  amounts  due  under  such  arrangements,  and  in  the  case  of  the 
lenders  under  the  Credit  Agreement,  other  actions  permitted  to  be  taken  by  a  secured  creditor.  The  Company’s  long-term  debt 
arrangements contain usual and customary restrictive covenants that, among other things, place limitations on the Company’s ability 
to  declare  dividends.  At  December 31,  2019,  the  Company  was  in  compliance  in  all  material  respects  with  the  financial  covenants 
under the Company’s financing arrangements. 

11. Leases 

The Company has operating leases for corporate offices, datacenters, motor vehicles and certain equipment, many of which 
contain  renewal  and  escalation  clauses.  The  leases  expire  at  various  dates  through  2029  with  options  to  cancel  certain  leases  at 
various  intervals.  In  determining  the  lease  term  at  lease  commencement,  the  Company  includes  the  noncancellable  term  and  the 
periods  which  the  Company  deems  it  is  reasonably  certain  to  exercise  or  not  to  exercise  a  renewal  or  cancellation  option.  As  of 
December 31, 2019, the Company has additional operating leases, primarily for corporate offices, that have not yet commenced of 
through  2025.
$7  million.  These  operating 

the  first  quarter  of  2020  with 

leases will  commence 

terms 

lease 

in 

The components of lease expense were as follows:

(in millions)
Operating lease cost (1)
Total lease cost

  Selling, general and administrative expenses

Classification

(1)

Includes variable lease costs, which are immaterial.

Year Ended December 31,
2019

 $
 $

193 
193  

81

   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Rental expenses under lease agreements were $197 million and $197 million in 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Other information related to leases was as follows:

(in millions)
Supplemental Cash Flow:
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:

Operating cash flows from operating leases

Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations:

Operating leases

Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term:

Operating leases

Weighted Average Discount Rate:

Operating leases

Year Ended December 31,
2019

 $

 $

195 

96 

5.01 years 

4.22%

Future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable leases as of December 31, 2019 were as follows:

 (in millions)
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
Thereafter
Total future minimum lease payments
Less imputed interest
Total
Reported as of December 31, 2019:
Other current liabilities
Operating lease liabilities
Total

  $

  $

  $

  $

Operating Leases

160 
129 
105 
81 
54 
86 
615 
(66)
549 

153 
396 
549  

The Company elected the alternative modified transition method and as such, included the following prior period information 

as previously disclosed in accordance with ASC 840.

The  following  is  a  summary  of  future  minimum  payments  under  operating  leases  that  have  initial  or  remaining  non-

cancelable lease terms in excess of one year at December 31, 2018: 

 (in millions)
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
Thereafter
Total minimum lease payments

12. Contingencies

Operating
Leases

167 
136 
108 
90 
69 
119 
689  

  $

  $

The Company and its subsidiaries are involved in legal and tax proceedings, claims and litigation arising in the ordinary course 
of  business.  Management  periodically  assesses  the  Company’s  liabilities  and  contingencies  in  connection  with  these  matters  based 
upon  the  latest  information  available.  For  those  matters  where  management  currently  believes  it  is  probable  that  the  Company  will 
incur  a  loss  and  that  the  probable  loss  or  range  of  loss  can  be  reasonably  estimated,  the  Company  has  recorded  reserves  in  the 
consolidated financial statements based on its best estimates of such loss. In other instances, because of the uncertainties related to 
either the probable outcome or the amount or range of loss, management is unable to make a reasonable estimate of a liability, if any. 

82

 
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
However,  even  in  many  instances  where  the  Company  has  recorded  an  estimated  liability,  the  Company  is  unable  to  predict  with 
certainty the final outcome of the matter or whether resolution of the matter will materially affect the Company’s results of operations, 
financial position or cash flows. As additional information becomes available, the Company adjusts its assessments and estimates of 
such liabilities accordingly. 

The Company routinely enters into agreements with third parties, including our clients and suppliers, all in the normal course 
of  business.  In  these  agreements,  the  Company  sometimes  agrees  to  indemnify  and  hold  harmless  the  other  party  for  any  damages 
such other party may suffer as a result of potential intellectual property infringement and other claims. The Company has not accrued 
a liability with respect to these matters generally, as the exposure is considered remote. 

Based  on  its  review  of  the  latest  information  available,  management  does  not  expect  the  impact  of  pending  legal  and  tax 
proceedings, claims and litigation, either individually or in the aggregate, to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results 
of  operations,  cash  flows  or  financial  position.  However,  one  or  more  unfavorable  outcomes  in  any  claim  or  litigation  against  the 
Company  could  have  a  material  adverse  effect  for  the  period  in  which  it  is  resolved.  The  following  is  a  summary  of  certain  legal 
matters involving the Company. 

On February 13, 2014, a group of approximately 1,200 medical doctors and 900 private individuals filed a civil lawsuit with 
the  Seoul  Central  District  Court  against  IMS  Korea  and  two  other  defendants,  KPA  and  the  Korean  Pharmaceutical  Information 
Center (“KPIC”). The civil lawsuit alleges KPA and KPIC collected their personal information in violation of applicable privacy laws 
without  the  necessary  consent  through  a  software  system  installed  on  pharmacy  computer  systems  in  Korea,  and  that  personal 
information was transferred to IMS Korea and sold to pharmaceutical companies. On September 11, 2017, the District Court issued a 
final  decision  that  the  encryption  in  use  by  the  defendants  since  June  2014  was  adequate  to  meet  the  requirements  of  the  Korean 
Personal Information Privacy Act (“PIPA”) and the sharing of non-identified information for market research purposes was allowed 
under  PIPA.  The  District  Court  also  found  an  earlier  version  of  encryption  was  insufficient  to  meet  PIPA  requirements,  but  no 
personal data had been leaked or re-identified. The District Court did not award any damages to plaintiffs. Approximately 280 medical 
doctors and 200 private individuals appealed the District Court decision.  On May 3, 2019, the Appellate Court issued a final decision 
in which it concluded all of the non-identified information transferred by KPIC to IMS Korea for market research purposes violated 
PIPA,  but  did  not  award  any  damages  to  plaintiffs  (affirming  the  District  Court’s  decision  on  this  latter  point).  On  May  24,  2019, 
approximately  247  plaintiffs  appealed  the  Appellate  Court’s  decision  to  the  Supreme  Court.   The  Company  believes  the  appeal  is 
without merit and intends to vigorously defend its position.        

On  July 23,  2015,  indictments  were  issued  by  the  Seoul  Central  District  Prosecutors’  Office  in  South  Korea  against  24 
individuals  and  companies  alleging  improper  handling  of  sensitive  health  information  in  violation  of,  among  others,  South  Korea’s 
Personal  Information  Protection  Act.  IMS  Korea  and  two  of  its  employees  were  among  the  individuals  and  organizations  indicted. 
Although there is no assertion that IMS Korea used patient identified health information in any of its offerings, prosecutors allege that 
certain  of  IMS  Korea’s  data  suppliers  should  have  obtained  patient  consent  when  they  converted  sensitive  patient  information  into 
non-identified  data  and  that  IMS  Korea  had  not  taken  adequate  precautions  to  reduce  the  risk  of  re-identification.  On  February  14, 
2020, the Seoul Central District Court acquitted IMS Korea and its two employees of the charges of improper handling of sensitive 
health information. 

On  January  10,  2017,    Quintiles  IMS  Health  Incorporated  and  IMS  Software  Services  Ltd.  (collectively  “IQVIA  Parties”), 
filed  a  lawsuit  in  the  U.S.  District  Court  for  the  District  of  New  Jersey  against  Veeva  Systems,  Inc.  (“Veeva”)  alleging  Veeva 
unlawfully used IQVIA Parties intellectual property to improve Veeva data offerings, to promote and market Veeva data offerings and 
to improve Veeva technology offerings. IQVIA Parties seek injunctive relief, appointment of a monitor, the award of compensatory 
and  punitive  damages  and  reimbursement  of  all  litigation  expenses,  including  reasonable  attorneys’  fees  and  costs.  On  March  13, 
2017,  Veeva  filed  counterclaims  alleging  anticompetitive  business  practices  in  violation  of  the  Sherman  Act  and  state  laws.  Veeva 
claims damages in excess of $200 million, and is seeking punitive damages and litigation costs, including attorneys’ fees. We believe 
the counterclaims are without merit, reject all counterclaims raised by Veeva and intend to vigorously defend IQVIA Parties’ position 
and pursue our claims against Veeva. Since the initial filings, the parties have filed additional litigations against each other, primarily 
concerning the use of IQVIA data with various other Veeva products.  The parties are currently engaging in the discovery process. 

83

13. Stockholders’ Equity

Preferred Stock 

The Company is authorized to issue 1.0 million shares of preferred stock, $0.01 per share par value. No shares of preferred 

stock were issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2019 or 2018. 

Equity Repurchase Program 

On February 13, 2019, the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) increased the stock repurchase authorization under a 
previously approved equity repurchase program (the “Repurchase Program”) by $2.0 billion, which increased the total amount that has 
been authorized under the Repurchase Program to $7.725 billion since the plan’s inception in October 2013. The Repurchase Program 
does not obligate the Company to repurchase any particular amount of common stock, and it may be modified, extended, suspended or 
discontinued at any time.

On October 30, 2013, the Board first approved the Repurchase Program, authorizing the repurchase of up to $125 million of 
either the Company’s common stock or vested in-the-money employee stock options, or a combination thereof. The Board increased 
the stock repurchase authorization under the Repurchase Program with respect to the repurchase of its common stock by $600 million, 
$1.5 billion, $2 billion and $1.5 billion in 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018, respectively, which increased the total amount that has been 
authorized under the Repurchase Program to $5.725 billion. The Repurchase Program does not obligate the Company to repurchase 
any particular amount of common stock or vested in-the-money employee stock options, and it may be modified, extended, suspended 
or discontinued at any time.

As  of  December  31,  2019,  the  Company  has  remaining  authorization  to  repurchase  up  to  $1.3  billion  of  its  common  stock 
under the Repurchase Program. In addition, from time to time, the Company has repurchased and may continue to repurchase common 
stock through private or other transactions outside of the Repurchase Program.   

2019 Offerings

In March 2019, the Company completed an underwritten secondary public offering of 5,000,000 shares of its common stock 
held by certain of the Company’s remaining private equity sponsors (the “Selling Stockholders”), of which the Company repurchased 
1,000,000  shares  for  an  aggregate  purchase  price  of  approximately  $140.8  million.  The  Company  did  not  offer  any  stock  in  this 
transaction and did not receive any proceeds from the sale of the shares by the Selling Stockholders. Pursuant to an agreement with the 
underwriters, the Company’s per-share purchase price for repurchased shares was the same as the per share purchase price payable by 
the underwriters to the Selling Stockholders.

2018 Offerings

In  November  2018,  the  Company  completed  an  underwritten  secondary  public  offering  of  6,000,000  shares  of  its  common 
stock held by certain of the Company’s principal stockholders (the “November 2018 Selling Stockholders”), of which the Company 
repurchased 2,000,000 shares for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $247 million. The Company did not offer any stock in 
this transaction and did not receive any proceeds from the sale of the shares by the November 2018 Selling Stockholders. Pursuant to 
an  agreement  with  the  underwriter,  the  Company’s  per-share  purchase  price  for  repurchased  shares  was  the  same  as  the  per-share 
purchase price payable by the underwriter to the November 2018 Selling Stockholders. 

In June 2018, the Company completed an underwritten secondary public offering of 12,000,000 shares of its common stock 
held  by  certain  of  the  Company’s  principal  stockholders  (the  “June  Selling  Stockholders”),  of  which  the  Company  repurchased 
4,000,000  shares  for  an  aggregate  purchase  price  of  approximately  $412  million.  The  Company  did  not  offer  any  stock  in  this 
transaction and did not receive any proceeds from the sale of the shares by the June Selling Stockholders. Pursuant to an agreement 
with  the  underwriter,  the  Company’s  per-share  purchase  price  for  repurchased  shares  was  the  same  as  the  per-share  purchase  price 
payable by the underwriter to the June Selling Stockholders. 

Other Equity Repurchases

In August 2019, the Company agreed to purchase an aggregate of 1,000,000 shares of its common stock, par value $0.01 per 
share, in a private transaction from certain of its existing shareholders (the “Repurchase”). In addition to the Repurchase, certain of the 
Company’s remaining private equity sponsors informed the Company that they have sold 4,000,000 shares of the Company’s common 
stock pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, for a total of 5,000,000 shares.

84

In November 2017, the Company completed an underwritten secondary public offering of 10,000,000 shares of its common 
stock  held  by  certain  of  the  Company’s  principal  stockholders  (the  “November  Selling  Stockholders”),  of  which  the  Company 
repurchased 2,500,000 shares for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $255 million. These shares were repurchased outside 
of  the  Company’s  existing  Repurchase  Program.  The  Company  did  not  offer  any  stock  in  this  transaction  and  did  not  receive  any 
proceeds  from  the  sale  of  the  shares  by  the  November  Selling  Stockholders.  Pursuant  to  an  agreement  with  the  underwriter,  the 
Company’s per-share purchase price for repurchased shares was the same as the per-share purchase price payable by the underwriter 
to the November Selling Stockholders. 

Summary

Below is a summary of the share repurchases made both under and outside of the Repurchase Program:

(in millions, except per share data)
Number of shares of common stock repurchased
Aggregate purchase price
Average price per share

Non-controlling Interests 

2019

Year Ended December 31,
2018

2017

  $
  $

6.6     
945    $
143.02    $

12.6     
1,396    $
111.23    $

30.9 
2,620 
84.80  

The Company contributed businesses to a joint venture with Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (“Quest”) that was recorded at 
book  value  (carryover  basis)  because  the  Company  owns  60%  of  the  joint  venture  and  maintains  control  of  these  businesses.  As  a 
result,  Quest’s  non-controlling  interest  in  the  joint  venture,  referred  to  as  Q2  Solutions,  is  equal  to  40%.  Quest’s  non-controlling 
interest was $260 million at December 31, 2019. During the year ended December 31, 2019, Q2 Solutions distributed dividends of $18 
million to Quest and did not receive a contribution from Quest to fund ongoing operational and strategic activities.

 Subsequent Events

On February 13, 2020, the Company agreed to purchase at market price an aggregate of 1,000,000 shares of its common stock, 
par  value  $0.01  per  share,  in  a  private  transaction  from  certain  of  its  existing  shareholders  (the  “February  2020  Repurchase”).  In 
addition to the February 2020 Repurchase, certain of the Company’s remaining private equity sponsors informed the Company that 
they have sold 4,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, 
for a total of 5,000,000 shares.

14. Business Combinations

The Company completed several immaterial acquisitions during the year ended December 31, 2019. The Company’s assessment of 
fair value and the purchase price allocation related to these acquisitions is preliminary and subject to change upon completion. Further 
adjustments may be necessary as additional information related to the fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed is assessed 
during  the  measurement  period  (up  to  one  year  from  the  acquisition  date).  The  accompanying  consolidated  financial  statements 
include the results of the acquisitions subsequent to their respective closing dates. Pro forma information is not presented as pro forma 
results of operations would not be significantly different to the actual results of operations of the Company.

The following table provides certain financial information for these acquisitions, including the preliminary allocations of the 

purchase prices to certain intangible assets acquired and goodwill: 

 (in millions)
Total cost of acquisitions, net of cash acquired(1)
Amounts recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheets:

Goodwill
Portion of goodwill deductible for income tax purposes

Intangible assets:

Customer relationships
Backlog
Non-compete agreements
Software
Trade names

Total intangible assets

Amortization
Period

2019

2018

  $

  $

  $

  $

6-18 years
2 years
3-5 years
3-8 years
1-8 years

85

667    $

437    $
186   

216    $
11   
6   
35   
3   
271    $

372 

202 
15 

126 
10 
4 
44 
8 
192  

 
 
 
 
   
   
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1) 

Total cost of acquisitions, net of cash acquired, includes contingent consideration and deferred purchase payments of $79 million and $63 million for 
the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

15. Restructuring

The Company has continued to take restructuring actions in 2019 to align its resources and reduce overcapacity to adapt to 

changing market conditions and integrate acquisitions. These actions include closing facilities, consolidating functional activities, 
eliminating redundant positions, and aligning resources with customer requirements. These restructuring actions are expected to 
continue into 2020. During the first quarter of 2019, there was also a decrease of $9 million in facility exit costs due to the 
reclassification of restructuring into a long-term operating lease liability related to the implementation of ASC 842, Leases.

The management approved plans resulted in approximately $75 million, $68 million and $63 million of restructuring expense, 
net  of  reversals,  which  consisted  of  severance,  facility  closure  costs  and  other  exit-related  costs  in  2019,  2018,  and  2017, 
respectively.  

The following amounts were recorded for the restructuring plans: 

 (in millions)
Balance at December 31, 2017
Expense, net of reversals
Payments
Foreign currency translation and other
Balance at December 31, 2018
Expense, net of reversals
Payments
Foreign currency translation and other
Balance at December 31, 2019

Severance and
Related Costs

Exit Costs

Total

  $

  $

  $

80    $
45     
(76)    
(2)    
47    $
75     
(57)    
(1)    
64    $

4    $
23     
(6)    
6     
27    $
—     
(16)    
(8)    
3    $

84 
68 
(82)
4 
74 
75 
(73)
(9)
67  

The reversals were due to changes in estimates primarily resulting from the redeployment of staff and higher than expected 
voluntary terminations. Restructuring costs are not allocated to the Company’s reportable segments as they are not part of the segment 
performance  measures  regularly  reviewed  by  management.  The  Company  expects  the  majority  of  the  restructuring  accruals  at 
December 31, 2019 will be paid in 2020.

86

 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
16. Income Taxes

The components of income before income taxes and equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated affiliates are as follows: 

(in millions)
Domestic
Foreign

2019

Year Ended December 31,
2018

2017

  $

  $

(504)   $
856     
352    $

(521)   $
849     
328    $

(527)
821 
294  

The components of income tax expense attributable to continuing operations are as follows: 

(in millions)
Current expense:

Federal and state
Foreign

Deferred (benefit) expense:

Federal and state
Foreign

2019

Year Ended December 31,
2018

2017

  $

  $

11    $
248     
259     

(109)    
(34)    
(143)    
116    $

17    $
233     
250     

(170)    
(21)    
(191)    
59    $

(3)
222 
219 

(1,167)
(44)
(1,211)
(992)

The  differences  between  the  Company’s  consolidated  income  tax  expense  attributable  to  continuing  operations  and  the 

expense computed at the United States statutory income tax rate of 21% in 2019, 21% in 2018 and 35% in 2017 were as follows:

(in millions)
Federal income tax expense at statutory rate
State and local income taxes, net of federal effect
Research and development
Foreign nontaxable interest income
United States taxes recorded on foreign earnings(*)
Tax contingencies
Foreign Derived Intangible Income (“FDII”)
Foreign rate differential
Equity compensation
Non-taxable gain on acquisition
Non-controlling interest
Tax Act impact
Other

2019

Year Ended December 31,
2018

2017

  $

  $

74    $
—     
(21)    
—     
9     
27     
20     
26     
(14)    
(5)    
(6)    
—     
6     
116    $

69    $
(2)    
(20)    
—     
40     
16     
(25)
27     
(8)    
—     
(3)    
(35)    
—     
59    $

103 
(14)
(9)
(7)
6 
17 
— 
(97)
(19)
— 
(5)
(966)
(1)
(992)

(*) Includes impact of GILTI, and other U.S. taxes on foreign earnings.

In 2019 the U.S. Treasury Department issued final regulations on the transition tax and proposed regulations on FDII, which 
was introduced by the Tax Act described below.  While the final regulations related to the transition tax did not have a material impact 
on  the  Company,  the  proposed  guidance  for  FDII  had  an  unfavorable  impact.  Although  the  proposed  guidance  for  FDII  is  not 
authoritative  and  subject  to  change  in  the  regulatory  review  process,  the  company  reversed  the  tax  benefit  recorded  in  2018  by 
recording a tax expense of $25 million for this impact. It is expected that during 2020 the U.S. Treasury Department will issue final 
regulations on FDII.

On  December  22,  2017,  the  U.S.  government  enacted  the  Tax  Act.  The  Tax  Act  is  comprehensive  legislation  that  includes 
provisions that lower the federal corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21% beginning in 2018 and imposes a one-time transition tax 
on undistributed foreign earnings. ASC 740 “Income Taxes” generally requires the effects of the tax law change to be recorded in the 

87

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
      
      
  
   
 
   
   
      
      
  
   
   
 
   
 
     
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
  
   
   
   
   
   
   
 
period  of  enactment.  Staff  Accounting  Bulletin  No.  118  (“SAB  118”)  addresses  situations  when  a  registrant  does  not  have  the 
necessary  information  available,  prepared,  or  analyzed  (including  computations)  in  reasonable  detail  to  complete  an  accounting 
assessment  and  allows  companies  to  record  provisional  amounts  during  a  measurement  period  not  to  extend  beyond  one 
year.  Subsequent changes to provisional amounts are reported in the period in which they are determined.

In 2018 the Company recorded a $35 million benefit related to finalizing the accounting related to the Tax Act. Additionally, 
in 2018 the Company recorded a benefit of $25 million related to FDII, as well as a tax expense of $35 million related to GILTI, as a 
result of the new provisions of the Tax Act. 

In 2017, due to the Tax Act, the Company revalued its U.S. deferred tax assets and liabilities and recorded a benefit to deferred 

income taxes of $966 million.  

Undistributed  earnings  of  the  Company’s  foreign  subsidiaries  amounted  to  approximately  $2,997  million  at  December 31, 
2019.  With  the  enactment  of  the  Tax  Act,  the  Company  does  not  consider  any  of  its  foreign  earnings  as  indefinitely  reinvested. 

The income tax effects of temporary differences from continuing operations that give rise to significant portions of deferred 

income tax assets (liabilities) are presented below: 

(in millions)
Deferred income tax assets:

Net operating loss and capital loss carryforwards
Tax credit carryforwards
Accrued expenses and unearned income
Employee benefits
Operating lease liability
Other

Valuation allowance for deferred income tax assets

Total deferred income tax assets
Deferred income tax liabilities:

Amortization and depreciation
Operating lease right-of-use assets
Other

Total deferred income tax liabilities
Net deferred income tax liabilities

December 31,

2019

2018

  $

246    $
332   
55   
168   
119   
79   
999   
(266)  
733   

(1,105)  
(119)  
(36)  
(1,260)  

  $

(527)   $

244 
300 
70 
181 
— 
51 
846 
(226)
620 

(1,209)
— 
(38)
(1,247)
(627)

During 2019 the net deferred tax liabilities decreased mainly due to amortization of intangibles related to the merger between 

Quintiles and IMS health (“Merger”). 

The Company had federal, state and local, and foreign tax loss carryforwards and tax credits, the tax effect of which was $622 
million as of December 31, 2019. Of this amount, $31 million has an indefinite carryforward period, and the remaining $591 million 
expires  at  various  times  beginning  in  2020.  Some  of  the  federal  losses  are  subject  to  limitations  under  the  Internal  Revenue  Code, 
however, management expects these losses to be utilized during the carryforward periods. 

In  2019,  the  Company  increased  its  valuation  allowance  by  $40  million  to  $266  million  at  December 31,  2019  from  $226 
million at December 31, 2018. The valuation allowance increased primarily due to current year branch basket foreign tax credits that 
the Company has determined are not more likely than not to be used before their expiration. The valuation allowance also increased 
due to an increase in the value of the U.S. state net operating losses.

88

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of gross unrecognized income tax benefits is presented below: 

(in millions)
Balance at January 1
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year
Additions for income tax positions of prior years
Impact of changes in exchange rates
Settlements with tax authorities
Reductions for income tax positions of prior years
Reductions due to the lapse of the applicable statute of limitations
Balance at December 31

2019

Year Ended December 31,
2018

2017

  $

  $

94    $
5     
33     
—     
(1)    
(6)    
(5)    
120    $

82    $
4     
26     
(2)    
(2)    
—     
(14)    
94    $

64 
11 
13 
4 
(2)
(2)
(6)
82  

As of December 31, 2019, the Company had total gross unrecognized income tax benefits of $120 million associated with over 
100 jurisdictions in which the Company conducts business that, if recognized, would reduce the Company’s effective income tax rate. 

The  Company’s  policy  for  recording  interest  and  penalties  relating  to  uncertain  income  tax  positions  is  to  record  them  as  a 
component of income tax expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of income. In 2019, 2018 and 2017, the amount of 
interest and penalties recorded as an addition to income tax expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of income was $2 
million, $0 million and $3 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company had accrued approximately $18 
million and $16 million, respectively, of interest and penalties.

The  Company  believes  that  it  is  reasonably  possible  that  a  decrease  of  up  to  $13  million  in  gross  unrecognized  income  tax 
benefits  for  federal,  state  and  foreign  exposure  items  may  be  necessary  within  the  next  12  months  due  to  lapse  of  statutes  of 
limitations or uncertain tax positions being effectively settled. The Company believes that it is reasonably possible that a decrease of 
up  to  $23  million  in  gross  unrecognized  income  tax  benefits  for  foreign  items  may  be  necessary  within  the  next  12  months  due  to 
payments. For the remaining uncertain income tax positions, it is difficult at this time to estimate the timing of the resolution.

The Company conducts business globally and, as a result, files income tax returns in the United States federal jurisdiction and 
various state and foreign jurisdictions. In the normal course of business, the Company is subject to examination by taxing authorities 
throughout the world. The following table summarizes the tax years that remain open for examination by tax authorities in the most 
significant jurisdictions in which the Company operates: 

United States
India
Japan
United Kingdom
Switzerland

2015-2018
2006-2019
2013-2018
2018
2014-2018

In  certain  of  the  jurisdictions  noted  above,  the  Company  operates  through  more  than  one  legal  entity,  each  of  which  has 
different open years subject to examination. The table above presents the open years subject to examination for the most material of 
the legal entities in each jurisdiction. Additionally, it is important to note that tax years are technically not closed until the statute of 
limitations in each jurisdiction expires. In the jurisdictions noted above, the statute of limitations can extend beyond the open years 
subject to examination. 

Due to the geographic breadth of the Company’s operations, numerous tax audits may be ongoing throughout the world at any 
point in time. Income tax liabilities are recorded based on estimates of additional income taxes that may be due upon the conclusion of 
these audits. Estimates of these income tax liabilities are made based upon prior experience and are updated in light of changes in facts 
and circumstances. However, due to the uncertain and complex application of income tax regulations, it is possible that the ultimate 
resolution of audits may result in liabilities that could be materially different from these estimates. In such an event, the Company will 
record additional income tax expense or income tax benefit in the period in which such resolution occurs. 

89

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
17. Employee Benefit Plans 

Pension and Postretirement Benefit Plans 

The  Company  sponsors  both  funded  and  unfunded  defined  benefit  pension  plans.  These  plans  provide  benefits  based  on 
various  criteria,  including,  but  not  limited  to,  years  of  service  and  salary.  The  Company  also  sponsors  an  unfunded  postretirement 
benefit plan in the United States that provides health and prescription drug benefits to retirees who meet the eligibility requirements. 
The Company uses a December 31 measurement date for all pension and postretirement benefit plans.  

The following table summarizes changes in the benefit obligation, the plan assets and the funded status of the pension benefit 

plans: 

(in millions)
Obligation and funded status:
Change in benefit obligation:
Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year
Service costs
Interest cost
Actuarial (gains) losses
Business combinations
Benefits paid
Contributions
Amendments
Curtailments
Settlements
Foreign currency fluctuations and other
Projected benefit obligation at end of year
Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year
Actual return on plan assets
Contributions
Benefits paid
Settlements
Foreign currency fluctuations and other
Fair value of plan assets at end of year
Funded status

United States Plans

Non-United States Plans

Pension Benefits

December 31

2019

2018

2019

2018

  $

  $

335    $
12     
14     
50     
—     
(10)    
—     
—     
—     
—     
—     
401     

330     
77     
4     
(10)    
—     
—     
401     
—    $

349    $
13     
12     
(30)    
—     
(9)    
—     
—     
—     
—     
—     
335     

360     
(24)    
3     
(9)    
—     
—     
330     
(5)   $

513    $
25   
9   
55   
—   
(19)  
2   
—   
(5)  
(1)  
12   
591   

366   
34   
26   
(19)  
(1)  
12   
418   
(173)   $

559 
26 
9 
(29)
1 
(21)
2 
2 
(3)
(12)
(21)
513 

391 
(2)
29 
(21)
(11)
(20)
366 
(147)

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The  following  table  summarizes  the  amounts  recognized  in  the  consolidated  balance  sheets  related  to  the  pension  benefit 

plans: 

(in millions)
Deposits and other assets
Accrued expenses
Other long-term liabilities
AOCI

Pension Benefits

United States Plans

Non-United States Plans

December 31

2019

2018

2019

2018

  $

45    $
2     
42     
13     

36    $
2     
38     
11     

11    $
13     
171     
(30)    

17 
11 
153 
7  

 At December 31, 2019, the benefit obligation for other postretirement benefits was $2 million, with $1 million recorded in 
accrued  expenses  and  $1  million  included  within  other  long-term  liabilities;  and  the  amount  recognized  in  AOCI  was  less  than  $1 
million. 

 The following table summarizes the accumulated benefit obligation for all pension benefit plans: 

(in millions)
Accumulated benefit obligation

Pension Benefits

United States Plans

Non-United States Plans

December 31

2019

2018

2019

2018

  $

395    $

330    $

557    $

476  

The following table provides the information for pension plans with an accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets 

and projected benefit obligations in excess of plan assets: 

(in millions)
Plans with accumulated benefit obligation in excess of
   plan assets:
Accumulated benefit obligation
Fair value of plan assets
Plans with projected benefit obligation in excess of
   plan assets:
Projected benefit obligation
Fair value of plan assets

  $

  $

Pension Benefits

United States Plans

Non-United States Plans

December 31

2019

2018

2019

2018

47    $
4     

49    $
4     

43    $
3     

43    $
3     

485    $
334     

519    $
335     

189 
59 

223 
59  

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The components of net periodic benefit cost changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive 

loss were as follows: 

(in millions)
Service cost
Interest cost
Expected return on plan assets
Amortization of actuarial losses
Curtailment gain
Settlement gain
Net periodic benefit cost
Other changes in plan assets and
   benefit obligations recognized in
   other comprehensive loss:
Actuarial loss (gain) – current years
Prior service cost - current year
Curtailment gain - current year
Settlement gain - current year
Amortization of actuarial losses
Total recognized in other
   comprehensive loss (income)
Total recognized in net periodic benefit
   cost and other comprehensive loss
   (income)

  $

Pension Benefits

United States Plans

Non-United States Plans

Year Ended December 31,

2019

2018

2017

2019

2018

2017

12    $
14     
(25)    
—     
—     
—     
1     

(2)    
— 
— 
— 
— 

(2)    

 $

13 
12 
(27)
— 
— 
— 
(2)

22 
— 
— 
— 
— 

22 

13    $
11     
(24)    
—     
—     
—     
—     

(4)    
— 
— 
— 
— 

(4)    

25    $
9     
(16)    
0     
(5)    
0     
13     

32     
— 
5 
— 
— 

37     

26    $
9     
(15)    
1     
(3)
(1)
17     

(15)    
2 
3 
1 
(1)

(10)    

26 
9 
(14)
1 
— 
— 
22 

(4)
— 
— 
— 
(1)

(5)

$

(1)   $

20 

 $

(4)   $

50    $

7    $

17  

All  components  of  net  periodic  benefit  cost  other  than  service  cost  are  recorded  in  other  expense  (income),  net  on  the 

accompanying consolidated statements of income.

On October 26, 2018, the High Court of the United Kingdom issued a judgement relating to Guaranteed Minimum Pensions 
(“GMPs”)  in  the  Lloyds  case.  The  judgement  concluded  the  schemes  should  be  amended  to  equalize  pension  benefits  for  men  and 
women in relation to guaranteed minimum pension benefits. A preliminary assessment by the Company’s actuarial advisors estimated 
an impact of approximately $1.7 million between the two United Kingdom pension schemes, which has been recognized in AOCI as a 
prior service cost in 2018.   

Assumptions 

The  weighted  average  assumptions  used  to  determine  net  periodic  benefit  cost  were  as  follows  for  the  years  ended 

December 31: 

Discount rate
Rate of compensation
    increases
Expected return on
   plan assets

Pension Benefits

Other
Postretirement Benefits

United States Plans

Non-United States Plans

2019  
  4.42% 

2018  

2017  

  3.69%    4.17% 

2019  
  1.99% 

2018  
  1.91% 

2017  

2019  

1.89%    3.80% 

2018  
  2.90% 

2017  
  2.90%

  3.00% 

  3.00%    3.00% 

  4.54% 

  4.54% 

5.17%   

  7.67% 

  7.69%    7.94% 

  4.02% 

  4.17% 

4.16%   

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

—  

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The weighted average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations were as follows at December 31: 

Discount rate
Rate of compensation
    increases

Pension Benefits

Other Postretirement Benefits

United States Plans

Non-United States Plans

2019

2018

2019

2018

2019

2018

3.52%   

4.42%   

1.45%   

1.98%   

2.70%   

3.80%

3.00%   

3.00%   

2.78%   

3.20%   

— 

—  

The discount rate represents the interest rate used to determine the present value of the future cash flows currently expected to 
be  required  to  settle  the  Company’s  defined  benefit  plan  obligations.  The  discount  rates  are  derived  using  weighted  average  yield 
curves on AA-rated corporate bonds. The cash flows from the Company’s expected benefit obligation payments are then matched to 
the yield curve to derive the discount rates. At December 31, 2019, the discount rate ranged from 2.70% to 3.58% for the Company’s 
United States pension plan and postretirement benefit plan. At December 31, 2019, the discount rate ranged from 1.68% to 2.10% for 
the  Company’s  United  Kingdom  pension  plans.  The  United  States  and  United  Kingdom  plans  represent  approximately  75%  of  the 
consolidated benefit obligation as of December 31, 2019. The discount rates in other non-U.S. countries ranged from 0.17% to 8.37% 
at December 31, 2019. 

The Company’s assumption for the expected return on plan assets was determined by the weighted average of the long-term 
expected rate of return on each of the asset classes invested as of the balance sheet date. For plan assets invested in government bonds, 
the expected return was based on the yields on the relevant indices as of the balance sheet date. There is considerable uncertainty for 
the expected return on plan assets invested in equity and diversified growth funds. The expected rate of return on plan assets for the 
United States pension plans was 7.75% at January 1, 2020. Outside the United States, the range of applicable expected rates of return 
was 1.0% to 5.00% as of January 1, 2020, compared to 1.0% to 7.22% as of January 1, 2019. The expected return on assets (“EROA”) 
was $41 million and $42 million and the actual return on assets was $108 million and $(26) million for the years ended December 31, 
2019 and 2018, respectively.

Under the Company’s United States qualified retirement plan, participants have a notional retirement account that increases 
with pay and investment credits. The rate used to determine the investment credit (cash balance crediting rate) varies monthly and is 
equal to 1/12th of the yield on 30-year U.S. Government Treasury Bonds, with a minimum of 0.25%. At retirement, the account is 
converted to a monthly retirement benefit. 

At December 31, 2019, the Company’s health care cost trend rate for the next seven years was assumed to be 6.0% and the 

assumed ultimate cost trend rate was 4.5%. The Company assumed that ultimate cost trend rate is reached in 2023. 

Assumed health care cost trend rates could have a significant effect on the amounts reported for the health care plans. A one-
percentage-point change in assumed health care cost trend rates at December 31, 2019 would have a de minimis effect on the total of 
service and interest cost and on the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation. 

Plan Assets 

The Company’s pension plan weighted average asset allocations, by asset category, were as follows: 

Asset Category
Equity securities
Debt securities
Real estate
Other
Total

Plan Assets at December 31,

United States Plans
2018
2019

  Non-United States Plans

Total

2019

2018

2019

2018

70.82%   
24.13 
5.05 
— 

67.58%   
27.34 
5.08 
— 

42.88%   
19.22 
— 
37.00 

45.22%   
16.18 
— 
38.60 

56.56%   
21.62 
2.48 
19.33 

55.83%
21.48 
2.41 
20.28 

    100.00%    100.00%    100.00%    100.00%    100.00%    100.00%

93

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
The target asset allocation for the Company’s pension plans were as follows: 

Asset Category
Equity securities
Debt securities
Real estate
Other

United States
Plans

Non-United
States Plans

60-80% 
20-30% 
0-10% 
—% 

35-50% 
10-20% 
—% 
30-45% 

Total

45-65%
10-30%
0-5%
10-30%

The following table summarizes United States plan assets measured at fair value: 

Asset Category

Level 1

December 31, 2019
Level 2

Total

Level 1

December 31, 2018
Level 2

Total

Domestic equities
International equities
Corporate bonds
Real estate
Total assets in the fair value hierarchy
Common/collective trusts measured at net asset value
   (“NAV”)(1)
Total

  $

  $

30    $
16     
58     
20     
124     

—     
124    $

—    $
—     
—     
—     
—     

—     
—    $

(in millions)
30    $
16     
58     
20     
124     

277     
401    $

31    $
13     
54     
16     
114     

—     
114    $

—    $
—     
—     
—     
—     

—     
—    $

31 
13 
54 
16 
114 

216 
330  

The following table summarizes non-United States plan assets measured at fair value: 

Asset Category

Level 1

December 31, 2019
Level 2

Total

Level 1

December 31, 2018
Level 2

Total

International equities
Debt issued by national, state or local government
Diversified growth fund
Investments funds
Insurance contracts
Other
Total assets in the fair value hierarchy
Assets measured at NAV(1)
Total

  $

  $

2    $
2     
—     
—     
—     
—     
4     
—     
4    $

56    $
78     
—     
9     
153     
5     
301     
—     
301    $

(in millions)
58    $
80     
—     
9     
153     
5     
305     
113     
418    $

2    $
2     
—     
—     
—     
—     
4     
—     
4    $

53    $
57     
—     
8     
136     
5     
259     
—     
259    $

55 
59 
— 
8 
136 
5 
263 
103 
366  

(1) 

Certain investments that are measured at fair value using the net asset value per share (or its equivalent) practical expedient have not been classified 
in the fair value hierarchy. The fair value amounts presented in the above plan asset tables are intended to permit reconciliation of the fair value of 
plan assets in the fair value hierarchy to the plan asset amounts presented in the above funded status table as of December 31, 2019 and 2018. 

Investments in mutual funds are valued at quoted market prices. Investments in common/collective trusts and pooled funds are 
valued at the NAV as reported by the trust. The NAV is based on the fair value of the underlying investments held by the fund less its 
liabilities.  Insurance  contracts  are  valued  at  the  amount  of  the  benefit  liability.  The  Company  has  no  Level  3  assets  that  rely  on 
unobservable inputs to measure fair value. 

94

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
   
   
   
   
   
 
 
 
 
   
   
   
   
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
   
   
   
   
 
 
 
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
Investment Policies and Strategies 

The  Company  invests  primarily  in  a  diversified  portfolio  of  equity  securities  that  provide  for  long-term  growth  within 
reasonable and prudent levels of risk. The asset allocation targets established by the Company are strategic and applicable to the plan’s 
long-term investing horizon. The portfolio is constructed and maintained to provide adequate liquidity to meet associated liabilities 
and minimize long-term expense and provide prudent diversification among asset classes in accordance with the principles of modern 
portfolio  theory.  The  plan  employs  a  diversified  mix  of  actively  managed  investments  around  a  core  of  passively  managed  index 
exposures  in  each  asset  class.  Within  each  asset  class,  rapid  market  shifts,  changes  in  economic  conditions  or  an  individual  fund 
manager’s outlook may cause the asset allocation to fall outside the prescribed targets. The majority of the Company’s plan assets are 
measured  quarterly  against  benchmarks  established  by  the  Company’s  investment  advisors  and  the  Company’s  Asset  Management 
Committee,  who  review  actual  plan  performance  and  have  the  authority  to  recommend  changes  as  deemed  appropriate.  Assets  are 
rebalanced periodically to their strategic targets to maintain the plan’s strategic risk/reward characteristics. The Company periodically 
conducts asset liability modeling studies to ensure that the investment strategy is aligned with the obligations of the plans and that the 
assets will generate income and capital growth to meet the cost of current and future benefits that the plans provide. The pension plans 
do not have investments in Company stock at December 31, 2019 or 2018. 

The  portfolio  for  the  Company’s  United  Kingdom  pension  plans  seek  to  invest  in  a  range  of  suitable  assets  of  appropriate 
liquidity that will generate in the most effective manner possible, income and capital growth to ensure that there are sufficient assets to 
meet  benefit  payments  when  they  fall  due,  while  controlling  the  long-term  costs  of  the  plans  and  avoiding  short-term  volatility  of 
investment returns. The plans seek to achieve these objectives by investing in a mixture of real (equities) and monetary (fixed interest) 
assets. It recognizes that the returns on real assets, while expected to be greater over the long-term than those on monetary assets, are 
likely to be more volatile. A mixture across asset classes should nevertheless provide the level of returns required by the plans. The 
trustee periodically conducts asset liability modeling exercises to ensure the investments are aligned with the appropriate benchmark 
to better reflect the plans’ liabilities. The trustee also undertakes to review this benchmark on a regular basis. 

Cash Flows 

Contributions 

The  Company  expects  to  contribute  approximately  $29  million  in  required  contributions  to  its  pension  and  postretirement 
benefit plans during 2020. The Company may make additional contributions into its pension plans in 2020 depending on, among other 
factors,  how  the  funded  status  of  those  plans  change  or  in  order  to  meet  minimum  funding  requirements  as  set  forth  in  employee 
benefit and tax laws, plus additional amounts the Company may deem to be appropriate. 

Estimated future benefit payments and subsidy receipts 

The  following  benefit  payments  (net  of  expected  participant  contributions)  for  pension  benefits  are  expected  to  be  paid  as 

follows: 

 (in millions)
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
Years 2025 through 2029

Pension Benefits

36 
37 
39 
41 
44 
246 
443  

  $

Benefit payments (net of expected participant contributions) for other postretirement benefits are expected to be de minimis 

over the periods presented. 

95

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Defined Contribution Plans 

Defined contribution or profit sharing plans are offered in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, the Czech Republic, 
Denmark,  Finland,  France,  Germany,  Greece,  Hong  Kong,  Hungary,  India,  Ireland,  Israel,  Japan,  Malaysia,  the  Netherlands,  New 
Zealand, Poland, Slovakia, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, the United States and the United Kingdom. In some 
cases, these plans are required by local laws or regulations. 

In  the  United  States,  the  Company  has  a  401(k)  plan  under  which  the  Company  matches  employee  deferrals  at  varying 
percentages and specified limits of the employee’s salary. In 2019, 2018, and 2017, the Company expensed $56 million, $49 million 
and $47 million, respectively, related to matching contributions. 

Certain key executives of the Company participate in an unfunded defined contribution executive retirement plan, assumed in 
the Merger, which was frozen to additional accruals for future service contributions in 2012. Participants continue to receive an annual 
investment  credit  based  on  the  average  of  the  annual  yields  at  the  end  of  each  month  on  the  AA-AAA  rated  10  plus year  maturity 
component of the Merrill Lynch United States Corporate Bond Master Index. 

Plans Accounted for as Postretirement Benefits 

The Company provides certain executives with postretirement medical, dental and life insurance benefits. These benefits are 
individually negotiated arrangements in accordance with their individual employment arrangements. The above tables do not include 
the  Company’s  expense  or  obligation  associated  with  providing  these  benefits.  The  obligation  related  to  these  benefits  was 
approximately $10 million as of December 31, 2019, and the Company’s expense for the year then ended was de minimis.

Stock Incentive Plans 

Stock  incentive  plans  provide  incentives  to  eligible  employees,  officers  and  directors  in  the  form  of  non-qualified  stock 
options,  incentive  stock  options,  stock  appreciation  rights  (“SARs”),  restricted  stock  awards  (“RSAs”),  restricted  stock  units 
(“RSUs”),  performance  awards,  covered  annual  incentive  awards,  cash-based  awards  and  other  stock-based  awards,  in  each  case 
subject to the terms of the stock incentive plans. 

In  April  2017,  the  Company’s  2017  Incentive  and  Stock  Award  Plan  (the  “2017  Plan”)  was  approved  by  the  Company’s 
stockholders.  The  2017  Plan  consolidates  the  unused  share  pools  under  the  Company’s  2014  Incentive  and  Stock  Award  Plan  (the 
“2014  Plan”),  the  Company’s  2013  Stock  Incentive  Plan  (the  “2013  Plan”),  the  Company’s  2010  Equity  Incentive  Plan  (the  “2010 
Plan”) and the Company’s 2008 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2008 Plan”), and together with the 2010 Plan, the 2013 Plan and the 2014 
Plan  (the  “Prior  Plans”),  makes  shares  underlying  outstanding  awards  granted  under  (but  not  ultimately  delivered)  the  Prior  Plans 
eligible for use in connection with new awards under the 2017 Plan.  The 2017 Plan provides for the grant of stock options, SARs, 
restricted and deferred stock (including RSUs), performance awards, dividend equivalents, other stock-based awards and cash-based 
awards. 

The fair value of stock options and SARs is estimated using the Black-Scholes-Merton option-pricing model. The fair value of 
restricted stock and RSUs is based on the closing market price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. The fair value of 
the performance shares related to compound annual earnings per share (“EPS”) growth and/or other internal performance measures is 
equal to the closing market price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. The fair value of performance shares related to 
relative total shareholder return (“TSR”) is determined based on a Monte Carlo simulation model. 

The Company recognized stock-based compensation expense of $146 million, $113 million and $106 million in 2019, 2018 
and  2017,  respectively.  Stock-based  compensation  expense  is  included  in  selling,  general  and  administrative  expenses  on  the 
accompanying consolidated statements of income. The associated future income tax benefit recognized was $22 million, $19 million 
and  $21  million  in  2019,  2018  and  2017,  respectively.  As  of  December 31,  2019,  there  was  approximately  $82  million  of  total 
unrecognized  stock-based  compensation  expense  related  to  outstanding  non-vested  stock-based  compensation  arrangements,  which 
the Company expects to recognize over a weighted average period of 0.80 years. 

As  of  December 31,  2019,  there  were  11.4 million  shares  available  for  future  grants  under  all  of  the  Company’s  stock 

incentive plans. 

96

The Company used the following assumptions when estimating the value of the stock-based compensation for stock options 

and SARs issued as follows: 

Expected volatility
Weighted average expected volatility
Expected dividends
Expected term (in years)
Risk-free interest rate

Stock Options 

2019
23 – 24%
23%
0.0%
3.7 – 6.7

Year Ended December 31,
2018
22 – 24%
22%
0.0%
1.0 – 6.7

2017
22 – 25%
24%
0.0%
1.0 – 6.9

1.55 – 2.56%  

2.05 – 3.00%  

1.16 – 2.32%  

The option price is determined by the Board at the date of grant and the options expire 10 years from the date of grant. The 
vesting schedule for options granted to employees is either (i) 25% per year beginning on the first anniversary of the date of grant; or 
(ii) 33% on the third anniversary of the date of grant and 67% on the fourth anniversary of the date of grant. 

The Company’s stock option activity in 2019 is as follows: 

 (in millions, except number of options and exercise price)
Outstanding at December 31, 2018

Exercised
Canceled

Outstanding at December 31, 2019

  Number of Options

Weighted
Average
Exercise Price

Aggregate
Intrinsic Value

2,574,224    $
(1,099,428)  
(16,455)  
1,458,341    $

34.09    $
32.56   
64.96   
34.90    $

211 

174  

The total intrinsic value of options exercised was approximately $124 million, $117 million and $157 million in 2019, 2018 
and 2017, respectively. The Company received cash of approximately $36 million, $48 million and $102 million in 2019, 2018 and 
2017, respectively, from options exercised. 

Selected information regarding the Company’s stock options as of December 31, 2019 is as follows: 

Options Outstanding

Options Exercisable

Number of
Options

305,657    $
319,740     
347,341     
335,343     
150,260    $

Exercise Price Range
8.34      —    $
11.46      —     
25.53      —     
50.79      —     
64.86      —    $

Weighted
Average

Exercise Price  

Weighted
Average
Remaining
Life
(in Years)

Number of
Options

Weighted
Average
Exercise Price

8.34    $
24.59     
47.87     
64.67     
64.93    $

8.34     
17.81     
36.04     
60.76     
64.92     

0.87     
1.27     
3.15     
5.07     
4.73     

305,657    $
319,740     
347,341     
281,443     
150,260    $

8.34 
17.81 
36.04 
60.01 
64.92  

The weighted average remaining contractual life of the options outstanding and exercisable as of December 31, 2019 is 2.9 
years and 2.7 years, respectively. The total aggregate intrinsic value of the exercisable stock options and the stock options expected to 
vest as of December 31, 2019 was approximately $174 million. 

97

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Stock Appreciation Rights – Stock Settled 

The exercise price of the stock-settled SARs (“SSRs”) is equal to the closing market price of the Company’s common stock as 
of the grant date and expire on the tenth anniversary of the date of grant. The SSRs are eligible to vest either (i) in equal increments of 
25%  on  each  of  the  first  four  anniversaries  of  the  date  of  grant  or  (ii)  in  three  equal  annual  installments  on  each  of  the  first  three 
anniversaries of the date of grant. 

The Company’s SSR activity in 2019 is as follows: 

 (in millions, except number of SSRs and exercise price)
Outstanding at December 31, 2018

Granted
Exercised
Canceled

Outstanding at December 31, 2019

Number of SSRs

4,155,528    $
1,076,560   
(723,433)  
(193,783)  
4,314,872    $

Weighted
Average
Exercise Price

Aggregate
Intrinsic Value

81.97    $
132.13   
78.25   
98.55   
94.37    $

142 

260  

The total intrinsic value of SSRs exercised was approximately $47 million in 2019. 

The weighted average remaining contractual life of the SSRs outstanding and exercisable as of December 31, 2019 is 7.6 years 
and  6.7  years,  respectively.  The  total  aggregate  intrinsic  value  of  the  exercisable  SSRs  and  the  SSRs  expected  to  vest  as  of 
December 31, 2019 was approximately $256 million. 

Stock Appreciation Rights – Cash Settled 

The Company’s cash settled SARs (“CSRs”) require the Company to settle in cash an amount equal to the difference between 
the fair value of the Company’s common stock on the date of exercise and the grant price, multiplied by the number of CSRs being 
exercised. These awards vest either (i) 25% per year or (ii) 33% on the third anniversary of the date of grant and 67% on the fourth 
anniversary of the date of grant; or (iii) one-third per year beginning on the first anniversary of the date of grant. 

The Company’s CSR activity in 2019 is as follows: 

 (in millions, except number of CSRs and grant price)
Outstanding at December 31, 2018

Granted
Exercised
Canceled

Outstanding at December 31, 2019

Number of CSRs

Weighted
Average
Grant Price

Aggregate
Intrinsic Value

247,397    $
11,597   
(76,885)  
(10,269)  
171,840    $

57.98    $
131.82   
56.03   
85.98   
62.15    $

14 

16  

As of December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, the weighted average fair value per share of the CSRs granted was $99.27, $66.92 
and $52.53, respectively. The Company paid approximately $7 million, $5 million and $4 million to settle exercised CSRs in 2019, 
2018 and 2017, respectively. 

The weighted average remaining contractual life of the CSRs outstanding and exercisable as of December 31, 2019 is 5.1 years 
and  4.5  years,  respectively.  The  total  aggregate  intrinsic  value  of  the  exercisable  CSRs  and  the  CSRs  expected  to  vest  as  of 
December 31, 2019 was approximately $16 million. 

98

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
Restricted Stock Units – Stock Settled

The Company’s RSUs will settle in shares of the Company’s common stock within 45 days of the applicable vesting date. In 
general, RSUs granted to employees vest either (i) 25% per year beginning on the first anniversary of the date of grant; (ii) one-third 
per year beginning on the first anniversary of the grant date; (iii) 33% on the third anniversary of the date of grant and 67% on the 
fourth  anniversary  of  the  date  of  grant  or  (iv)  100%  at  the  end  of  the  three-year  period  following  the  grant  date.  Members  of  the 
Company’s board of directors receive RSUs that are fully vested when granted.  

The Company’s RSU activity in 2019 is as follows: 

Outstanding at December 31, 2018

Granted (1)
Vested
Canceled

Outstanding at December 31, 2019

Number of RSUs

Weighted
Average Grant-Date
Fair Value

385,458    $
262,630   
(189,847)  
(37,675)  
420,566    $

83.60 
133.59 
76.28 
108.48 
115.90  

(1) Pursuant to the IQVIA Holdings Inc. Non-Employee Director Deferral Plan (the “Director Deferral Plan”), non-employee directors 
may elect to defer receipt of their cash retainers. If a director elects to defer his or her retainer, he or she will instead be credited with 
that value in deferred shares under the Director Deferral Plan. Deferred shares become payable in Company common stock following 
a termination of the director’s Board service or the director’s death, or upon a change in control of the Company. The Company 
granted 815 deferred RSUs in 2019. 

As of December 31, 2019, there are 420,566 RSUs outstanding with an intrinsic value of approximately $65 million. 

Restricted Stock Units – Cash Settled 

The Company’s cash settled RSUs (“Cash RSUs”) require the Company to settle in cash an amount equal to the fair value of 
the Company’s common stock on the vest date multiplied by the number of vested Cash RSUs. These awards vest either (i) 100% at 
the end of the three-year period following the date of grant, or (ii) one-third per year beginning on the first grant date anniversary. 

The Company’s Cash RSU activity in 2019 is as follows: 

Outstanding at December 31, 2018

Granted
Vested
Canceled

Outstanding at December 31, 2019

Number of
Cash RSUs

Weighted
Average Grant-Date
Fair Value

13,361    $
13,085   
(2,953)  
(2,786)  
20,707    $

96.70 
131.82 
78.21 
125.14 
117.71  

As of December 31, 2019, there are 20,707 Cash RSUs outstanding with an intrinsic value of approximately $3.0 million. 

Restricted Stock Awards 

Restricted stock awards (“RSAs”) vest either (i) in equal increments of 50% on each of the second and fourth anniversaries of 
the grant date; (ii) one-third per year beginning on the first anniversary of the date of grant; or (iii) 25% on each of the second and 
third anniversaries of the grant date and 50% on the fourth anniversary of the date of grant. 

The Company’s RSA activity in 2019 is as follows: 

Outstanding at December 31, 2018

Vested

Outstanding at December 31, 2019

Number of RSAs

436,067    $
(245,130)  
190,937    $

Weighted
Average Grant-Date
Fair Value

79.04 
79.68 
78.21  

99

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As of December 31, 2019, there are 190,937 RSAs outstanding with an intrinsic value of approximately $29.5 million.

Performance Awards

The  Company  awarded  performance  awards  that  contain  service,  performance-based  and/or  market-based  vesting  criteria. 
Vesting occurs if the recipient remains employed and depends on the degree to which performance goals are achieved during the two-
year or three-year performance period (as defined in the award agreements). 

The Company’s performance award activity in 2019 is as follows: 

Outstanding at December 31, 2018

Granted
Canceled

Outstanding at December 31, 2019

Number of
Performance Awards

Weighted
Average Grant-Date
Fair Value

850,576    $
273,211   
(67,980)  
1,055,807    $

94.78 
144.81 
103.75 
107.18  

As of December 31, 2019, there are 1,055,807 performance awards outstanding with an intrinsic value of approximately $163 

million. 

Other 

The Company sponsors a supplemental non-qualified deferred compensation plan, covering certain management employees, 

and maintains other statutory indemnity plans as required by local laws or regulations. 

18. Related Party Transactions 

The Company has entered into other transactions with related parties that are not deemed to be material, including investments 

in and advances to unconsolidated affiliates that are discussed in Note 4. 

19. Property, Equipment and Software by Geography 

The following table represents the Company’s property, equipment and software, net, by geographic region, which is further 

broken down to show each country that accounts for 10% or more of the totals: 

(in millions)
Property, equipment and software, net:
Americas:

United States
Other

Americas
Europe and Africa
Asia-Pacific

Total property, equipment and software, net

As of December 31,

2019

2018

  $

  $

1,130    $
62   
1,192   
160   
61   
1,413    $

856 
23 
879 
221 
70 
1,170  

100

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
    
 
  
 
 
    
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
20. Segments 

The  following  table  presents  the  Company’s  operations  by  reportable  segment.  The  Company  is  managed  through  three 
reportable segments, Technology & Analytics Solutions, Research & Development Solutions and Contract Sales & Medical Solutions. 
Technology & Analytics Solutions provides mission critical information, technology solutions and real world solutions and services to 
the  Company’s  life  science  clients.  Research &  Development  Solutions,  which  primarily  serves  biopharmaceutical  customers, 
provides  outsourced  clinical  research  and  clinical  trial  related  services.  Contract  Sales  &  Medical  Solutions  provides  health  care 
provider (including contract sales) and patient engagement services to both biopharmaceutical customers and the broader healthcare 
market. Prior period segment results have been recast to conform to immaterial changes to management reporting in 2017. 

Certain costs are not allocated to our segments and are reported as general corporate and unallocated expenses. These costs 
primarily  consist  of  stock-based  compensation  and  expenses  to  integration  activities  and  acquisitions.  We  also  do  not  allocate 
depreciation and amortization or impairment charges to our segments.  Prior period segment results have been recast to conform to 
changes to management reporting in 2019. The recast impacts the allocation of selling, general and administrative expenses for 2018 
and 2017. Asset information by segment is not presented, as this measure is not used by the chief operating decision maker to assess 
the Company’s performance. 

(in millions)
Revenues
Technology & Analytics Solutions
Research & Development Solutions
Contract Sales & Medical Solutions

Total revenues
Costs of revenue
Technology & Analytics Solutions
Research & Development Solutions
Contract Sales & Medical Solutions

Total costs of revenue

Selling, general and administrative expenses
Technology & Analytics Solutions
Research & Development Solutions
Contract Sales & Medical Solutions
General corporate and unallocated

Total selling, general and administrative expenses

Segment profit
Technology & Analytics Solutions
Research & Development Solutions
Contract Sales & Medical Solutions

Total segment profit

General corporate and unallocated
Depreciation and amortization
Impairment charges
Restructuring costs

Total income from operations

3,682 
5,105 
915 
9,702 

1,967 
3,566 
768 
6,301 

717 
678 
78 
149 
1,622 

998 
861 
69 
1,928 
(149)
(1,011)
(40)
(63)
665  

2019

Year Ended December 31,
2018

2017

  $

4,486    $
5,788   
814   
11,088   

4,137    $
5,465   
810   
10,412   

2,663   
3,936   
701   
7,300   

722   
711   
61   
240   
1,734   

1,101   
1,141   
52   
2,294   
(240)  
(1,202)  
—   
(75)  
777    $

2,343   
3,721   
682   
6,746   

753   
689   
67   
207   
1,716   

1,041   
1,055   
61   
2,157   
(207)  
(1,141)  
0   
(68)  
741    $

  $

101

 
 
 
 
 
   
   
 
 
 
    
 
    
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
 
    
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
 
    
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
 
    
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
21. Earnings Per Share 

The following table reconciles the basic to diluted weighted average shares outstanding: 

(in millions)
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding
Effect of dilutive stock options and share awards
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding

2019

Year Ended December 31,
2018

2017

195.1     
4.5     
199.6     

203.7     
4.5     
208.2     

217.8 
4.8 
222.6  

The following table presents the weighted average number of outstanding stock-based awards not included in the computation 
of diluted earnings per share because they are subject to performance conditions or the effect of including such stock-based awards in 
the computation would be anti-dilutive: 

(in millions)
Shares subject to performance conditions
Shares subject to anti-dilutive stock-based awards
Total shares excluded from diluted earnings per share

2019

Year Ended December 31,
2018

2017

1.3     
0.7     
2.0     

0.8     
0.9     
1.7     

0.4 
1.0 
1.4  

The  vesting  of  performance  awards  is  contingent  upon  the  achievement  of  certain  performance  targets.  The  performance 
awards  are  not  included  in  diluted  earnings  per  share  until  the  performance  targets  are  probable.  Stock-based  awards  will  have  a 
dilutive effect under the treasury method when the respective period’s average market value of the Company’s common stock exceeds 
the exercise proceeds. 

22. Comprehensive Income

Below is a summary of the components of AOCI: 

 (in millions)
Balance at December 31, 2016
Other comprehensive income before
   reclassifications
Reclassification adjustments
Balance at December 31, 2017
Other comprehensive loss before
   reclassifications
Reclassification adjustments
Balance at December 31, 2018
Other comprehensive loss before
   reclassifications
Reclassification adjustments
Balance at December 31, 2019

Foreign
Currency
Translation    
(617)  

403   
—   
(214)  

(205)  
—   
(419)  

Derivative
Instruments

Defined
Benefit
Plans

Income
Taxes

10   

5   
(1)  
14   

(4)  
(11)  
(1)  

21   

8   
1   
30   

(12)  
1   
19   

22   

197   
—   
219   

(41)  
(1)  
177   

(11)  
—   
(430)   $

(19)  
(1)  
(21)   $

(35)  
—   
(16)   $

(21)  
—   
156    $

  $

Total

(564)

613 
— 
49 

(262)
(11)
(224)

(86)
(1)
(311)

102

 
 
 
 
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Below is a summary of the adjustments for (gains) losses reclassified from AOCI into the consolidated statements of income 

and the affected financial statement line item: 

(in millions)
Derivative instruments:

Interest rate swaps and caps
Foreign exchange forward contracts
Foreign exchange forward contracts
Total before income taxes
Income tax expense
Total net of income taxes

Defined benefit plans:

Amortization of actuarial losses
Income tax expense
Total net of income taxes

23. Supplemental Cash Flow Information 

Affected Financial Statement
Line Item

2019

2018

2017

Year Ended December 31,

  Interest expense
  Revenues
  Other expense (income), net

  See Note 17

  $

  $

  $

  $

—    $
5     
(6)    
(1)    
—     
(1)   $

—    $
—     
—    $

—    $
1     
(12)    
(11)    
1     
(12)   $

1    $
—     
1    $

— 
7 
(8)
(1)
— 
(1)

1 
— 
1  

The following table presents the Company’s supplemental cash flow information: 

(in millions)
Supplemental Cash Flow Information:

Interest paid
Income taxes paid, net of refunds

24. Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) 

2019

Year Ended December 31,
2018

2017

  $
  $

421    $
215    $

398    $
211    $

320 
195  

The following table summarizes the Company’s unaudited quarterly results of operations: 

(in millions, except per share data)
Revenues
Income from operations
Net income
Net income attributable to non-controlling interests
Net income attributable to IQVIA Holdings Inc.
Basic earnings per share(2)
Diluted earnings per share(2)

(in millions, except per share data)
Revenues
Income from operations
Net income
Net income attributable to non-controlling interests
Net income attributable to IQVIA Holdings Inc.(1)
Basic earnings per share(2)
Diluted earnings per share(2)

  $

  $
  $
  $

  $

  $
  $
  $

First Quarter

Second Quarter

Third Quarter

Fourth Quarter

2019

2,684    $
210   
67   
(9)  
58    $
0.29    $
0.29    $

2,740    $
197   
71   
(11)  
60    $
0.31    $
0.30    $

2018

2,769    $
204   
69   
(12)  
57    $
0.29    $
0.29    $

2,895 
166 
20 
(4)
16 
0.09 
0.09  

First Quarter

Second Quarter

Third Quarter

Fourth Quarter

2,563    $
183   
73   
(4)  
69    $
0.33    $
0.32    $

2,567    $
170   
68   
(7)  
61    $
0.30    $
0.29    $

2,594    $
181   
67   
(7)  
60    $
0.30    $
0.29    $

2,688 
207 
76 
(7)
69 
0.34 
0.34  

(1) 

(2) 

During the fourth quarter of 2018, the Company identified and recorded certain adjustments related to prior periods and as a result increased pre-tax 
income by $22 million (net income by $15 million). The Company has evaluated the effects of the out of period adjustments and concluded they are 
not material to the fourth quarter 2018 financial results, nor to any of the previously issued annual or quarterly financial information.
The sum of the quarterly per share amounts may not equal per share amounts reported for year-to-date periods. This is due to changes in the number 
of weighted average shares outstanding and the effects of rounding for each period. 

103

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
 
   
   
      
      
  
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
      
      
  
   
   
   
 
 
 
 
   
   
 
 
 
    
 
    
 
  
 
 
 
 
   
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 

As  required  by  Rule  13a-15  under  the  Exchange  Act,  as  amended,  we  carried  out  an  evaluation  of  the  effectiveness  of  the 
design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures under the supervision and with the participation of our management, 
including  the  Chief  Executive  Officer  (“CEO”)  and  Chief  Financial  Officer  (“CFO”).  There  are  inherent  limitations  to  the 
effectiveness of any system of disclosure controls and procedures, including the possibility of human error and the circumvention or 
overriding of the controls and procedures. Accordingly, even effective disclosure controls and procedures can only provide reasonable 
assurance of achieving their control objectives. Based upon our evaluation, our CEO and CFO concluded that our disclosure controls 
and procedures were effective to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we 
file or submit under the Exchange Act, as amended, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified 
in the applicable rules and forms, and that it is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our CEO and CFO, as 
appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. 

Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting 

Our management’s report on internal control over financial reporting is set forth in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on 

Form 10-K and is incorporated herein by reference. 

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting 

There  were  no  changes  in  our  internal  control  over  financial  reporting  during  the  quarter  ended  December 31,  2019  that 

materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. 

Item 9B. Other Information 

On February 11, 2020, the Board of the Company amended the Company’s Amended and Restated Bylaws (the “Bylaws”) to 
implement  a  proxy  access  provision.  The  Bylaws  include  a  new  Section  1.3,  which  permits  a  stockholder,  or  a  group  of  up  to  20 
stockholders, owning 3% or more of the Company’s outstanding common stock continuously for at least three years to nominate and 
include  in  the  Company’s  proxy  materials  director  candidates  constituting  up  to  the  greater  of  2  nominees  or  20%  of  the  Board, 
subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Bylaws.

The foregoing description of the amendments to the Bylaws does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by 

reference to the full text of the Bylaws, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 3.2 and is incorporated herein by reference. 

104

Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance 

PART III

Information required by this Item, other than the information regarding the executive officers of the Company set forth below, 
is incorporated by reference to the sections of our definitive Proxy Statement for our 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “2020 
Proxy Statement”) entitled “Proposal No. 1: Election of Directors”, “IQVIA’s Corporate Governance—Documents Establishing our 
Corporate Governance” and “IQVIA’s Corporate Governance—Committees of the Board.” 

The current executive officers of the Company are as follows:

Name

Ari Bousbib
Michael R. McDonnell
W. Richard Staub, III
Kevin C. Knightly
Eric Sherbet

    Age     
58
56
57
59
55

Position

Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and President
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
President, Research & Development Solutions
President, Information & Technology Solutions
Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

Ari Bousbib, Director, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President

Mr. Bousbib is Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of the Company. He assumed this position in October 2016 
following the Merger of Quintiles and IMS Health. From 2010 until the Merger, Mr. Bousbib served as Chairman and CEO of IMS 
Health. Prior to joining IMS Health, Mr. Bousbib spent 14 years at United Technologies Corporation (“UTC”), an aerospace, defense 
and  building  systems  company.  From  2008  until  2010,  he  served  as  President  of  UTC’s  Commercial  Companies,  with  executive 
leadership  responsibilities  for  the  worldwide  operations  of  Otis  Elevator  Company,  Carrier  Corporation,  UTC  Fire  &  Security  and 
UTC Power Inc. From 2002 until 2008, Mr. Bousbib was President of Otis, and from 2000 to 2002, he served as its Chief Operating 
Officer.  Prior  to  joining  UTC,  Mr.  Bousbib  was  a  partner  at  Booz  Allen  Hamilton.  Mr.  Bousbib  currently  serves  on  the  board  of 
directors  of  The  Home  Depot,  Inc.  and  is  a  member  of  the  Harvard  Medical  School  Health  Care  Policy  Advisory  Council.  Mr. 
Bousbib  holds  a  Master  of  Science  Degree  in  Mathematics  and  Mechanical  Engineering  from  the  Ecole  Superieure  des  Travaux 
Publics, Paris, and an M.B.A. from Columbia University.

Michael R. McDonnell, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Mr. McDonnell has served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since December 2015. Prior to joining the 
Company, Mr. McDonnell served as the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Intelsat, a leading global provider of 
satellite  services,  from  November  2008  to  December  2015.  He  previously  served  as  Executive  Vice  President  and  Chief  Financial 
Officer of MCG Capital Corporation, a publicly-held commercial finance company, from September 2004 through October 2008 and 
as its Chief Operating Officer from August 2006 to October 2008. Before joining MCG Capital Corporation, Mr. McDonnell served as 
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for EchoStar Communications Corporation (f/k/a DISH Network Corporation), a 
direct-to-home  satellite  television  operator,  from  July  2004  to  August  2004  and  as  its  Senior  Vice  President  and  Chief  Financial 
Officer  from  August  2000  to  July  2004.  Mr.  McDonnell  spent  14  years  at  PricewaterhouseCoopers  LLP,  including  four  years  as  a 
partner.  Mr.  McDonnell  has  a  Bachelor  of  Science  degree  in  accounting  from  Georgetown  University  and  is  a  certified  public 
accountant.

W. Richard Staub, III, President, Research & Development Solutions

Mr. Staub has served as President, Research & Development Solutions since December 2016. Previously Mr. Staub served as 
President of Novella Clinical, a Quintiles company, since 2013. Prior to Novella’s 2013 acquisition by Quintiles, Mr. Staub served as 
both president and CEO of Novella Clinical since 2008. Before joining Novella Clinical in 2004, Mr. Staub was senior vice president 
of global business development for one of the world’s largest clinical research organizations. Mr. Staub’s career in the pharmaceutical 
industry  began  at  Zeneca  Pharmaceuticals  in  1989  where  he  had  progressive  responsibilities  as  a  medical  and  hospital  sales 
representative, cardiovascular portfolio analyst and marketing manager. Mr. Staub has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from 
the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

105

 
 
 
Kevin C. Knightly, President, Information & Technology Solutions

Mr.  Knightly  has  served  as  President,  Information  &  Technology  Solutions  since  October  2016.  Previously  Mr.  Knightly 
served as Senior Vice President, Information Offerings at IMS Health from April 2015 to October 2016.  From January 2011 to March 
2015,  Mr.  Knightly  served  as  Senior  Vice  President,  Supplier  Management  at  IMS  Health.  Prior  to  that,  Mr.  Knightly  served  in  a 
number of senior financial, operations, marketing and general management roles for IMS Health, including as Senior Vice President, 
Pharma Business Management from 2007 until 2010. Mr. Knightly holds a B.S. in Economics and Accounting from the College of the 
Holy Cross, and an M.B.A. from New York University’s Stern Business School.

Eric Sherbet, Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

Mr. Sherbet has served as our Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary since March 2018. Prior to joining the 
Company, he served as General Counsel and Secretary at Patheon N.V. from November 2014 until November 2017. Prior to joining 
Patheon, he was General Counsel and Corporate Secretary at InVentiv Health from April 2011 until October 2014. He also previously 
served as Vice President, Deputy General Counsel and Corporate Secretary at Foster Wheeler AG and before that, as Vice President, 
Corporate and Securities Law and Secretary with Avaya, Inc. Mr. Sherbet earned his law degree from New York University School of 
Law and received his bachelor’s degree in commerce/accounting from University of Virginia.

Item 11. Executive Compensation

Compensation 

The  information  required  by  this  item  is  set  forth  under  the  headings  “Director  Compensation,”  “Compensation  Discussion 
and  Analysis,”  “Compensation  Committee  Report,”  “Compensation  of  Named  Executive  Officers,”  and  “Other  Relevant 
Information—Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation” in the 2020 Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein 
by reference. 

106

Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters 

Information in response to this Item, other than Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans, will be 
set forth in the section entitled “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” in the Company’s 2020 Proxy 
Statement, which information is incorporated herein by reference. 

Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans

The following table provides certain information with respect to all of our equity compensation plans in effect as of December 

31, 2019:

Equity Compensation Plan Information

Number of Securities
to be issued Upon
Exercise of
Outstanding Options,
Warrants and Rights
(a)

Weighted Average
Exercise Price of
Outstanding Options,
Warrants and Rights
(b)

Number of Securities
Remaining Available for
Future Issuance Under
Equity Compensation Plans
(excluding securities
reflected in column (a))
(c)

7,172,397  (1) $

26,727  (2) $
$

7,199,124   

79.35  (3)

—   
79.35  (3)

11,415,735  (4)

—   
11,415,735   

Plan Category
Equity compensation plans
    approved by security holders
Equity compensation plans not
    approved by security holders
Total

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

Consists of: (i) 5,773,213 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding time-based stock options and underlying outstanding 
time-based SARs; (ii) 419,715 shares of common stock issuable in settlement of outstanding restricted stock units awarded and (ii) 979,433 shares 
of  common  stock  issuable  in  settlement  of  outstanding  performance  units  awarded.  Excludes  (i)  190,937  shares  of  common  stock  subject  to 
outstanding awards of restricted stock and (ii) 76,374 shares of common stock subject to outstanding awards of performance stock.
Consists  of  outstanding  awards  issued  to  certain  executives  with  supplemental  pension  benefits  in  accordance  with  their  individual  employment 
arrangements under the IMS Health DCERP.
The weighted-average exercise price includes all outstanding stock options and SARs but does not include restricted stock units, restricted stock, 
performance  units  or  performance  stock  or  IMS  Health  DCERP  awards,  all  of  which  do  not  have  an  exercise  price.  If  restricted  stock  units, 
performance units and other awards that constitute “rights” were included in this calculation, treating such awards as having an exercise price of $0, 
the weighted average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights would be $63.87.
Consists of all securities remaining available under our equity compensation plans. All of these shares are available for delivery under stock options, 
SARs,  restricted  stock,  restricted  stock  units,  performance  awards  or  other  forms  of  equity  award  authorized  by  the  plans.  Does  not  include 
2,251,704  shares  that  would  have  remained  available  under  our  Employee  Stock  Purchase  Plan  had  it  not  been  discontinued  as  of  December 31, 
2016.

Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence 

The  information  required  by  this  item  is  set  forth  under  the  headings  “IQVIA’s  Corporate  Governance,”  and  “Certain 

Relationships and Related Party Transactions” in the 2020 Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein by reference. 

Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services 

The  information  required  by  this  item  is  set  forth  under  the  headings  “Audit—Fees  Paid  to  Independent  Registered  Public 

Accounting Firm” in the 2020 Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein by reference. 

107

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PART IV

Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules 

(a) The following documents are filed as part of this report: 

(1)  Financial Statements 

The following consolidated financial statements of IQVIA Holdings Inc. and its subsidiaries, and the independent registered 

public accounting firm’s report thereon, are included in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report: 

Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Consolidated Statements of Income
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) Income
Consolidated Balance Sheets
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(2)  Financial Statement Schedules for the Years Ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017

Schedule I—Condensed Financial Information of Registrant (Parent Company Only)
Schedule II—Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

Page
55
56
58
59
60
61
62
63

115
120

All  other  schedules  are  omitted,  since  the  required  information  is  not  applicable  or  is  not  present  in  amounts  sufficient  to 
require submission of the schedule, or because the information required is included in the consolidated financial statements and notes 
thereto. 

(3)  Exhibits

The exhibits in the accompanying Exhibit Index preceding the signature page are filed or furnished as a part of this report and 
are  incorporated  herein  by  reference.  The  Company  agrees  to  furnish  to  the  SEC,  upon  request,  copies  of  any  long-term  debt 
instruments  that  authorize  an  amount  of  securities  constituting  10%  or  less  of  the  total  assets  of  IQVIA  Holdings  Inc.  and  its 
subsidiaries on a consolidated basis. 

108

 
 
Exhibit
Number

2.1*

3.1

3.2

4.1

4.5

4.8

4.9

4.10

4.11

10.1

10.2

10.3

10.4

10.5

10.6

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit Description

Agreement  and  Plan  of  Merger,  dated  as  of  May  3,  2016,  by  and  between 
Quintiles  Transnational  Holdings  Inc.  and  IMS  Health  Holdings,  Inc.  (which 
includes the Plan of Conversion dated as of May 3, 2016 as Exhibit A thereto).

Amended  and  Restated  Certificate  of  Incorporation  of  IQVIA  Holdings  Inc., 
effective November 6, 2017 (as amended through November 6, 2017).

Incorporated by Reference 

Filed
Herewith

Form

File No.

Exhibit

Filing Date

8-K

001-35907

2.1

May 3, 2016

10-K

001-35907

3.1

February 16, 2018

Amended  and  Restated  Bylaws  of  IQVIA  Holdings  Inc.,  effective  February  11, 
2020.

X

Specimen Common Stock Certificate of Quintiles Transnational Holdings Inc.

S-1/A 333-186708

Indenture, dated as of September 28, 2016, among Quintiles IMS Incorporated, 
the Guarantors listed therein and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee.

8-K

001-35907

4.1

4.1

April 26, 2013

October 3, 2016

Indenture,  dated  February  28,  2017,  among  Quintiles  IMS  Incorporated,  as 
Issuer,  U.S.  Bank  National  Association,  as  trustee  of  the  Notes,  and  certain 
subsidiaries of the Issuer as guarantors.

Indenture,  dated  September  14,  2017,  among  Quintiles  IMS  Incorporated,  as 
Issuer,  U.S.  Bank  National  Association,  as  trustee  of  the  Notes,  and  certain 
subsidiaries of the Issuer as guarantors.

Indenture, dated May 10, 2019, among IQVIA Inc., as Issuer, U.S. Bank National 
Association,  as  trustee  of  the  Notes  and  certain  subsidiaries  of  the  Issuer,  as 
guarantors.
.
Indenture,  dated  August  13,  2019,  among  IQVIA  Inc.,  as  Issuer,  U.S.  Bank 
National  Association,  as  trustee  of  the  Notes  and  certain  subsidiaries  of  the 
Issuer, as guarantors.

Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of October 3, 2016, 
by  and  among  Quintiles  IMS  Incorporated,  Quintiles  IMS  Holdings,  Inc.,  the 
Guarantors  party  thereto  and  the  Lenders  party  thereto  (Annex  B  to  Exhibit 
10.9 filed October 3, 2016).

Amendment  No. 1,  dated  March 7,  2017,  to  Fourth  Amended  and  Restated 
Credit  Agreement,  dated  October 3,  2016,  among  Quintiles  IMS  Incorporated, 
Quintiles  IMS  Holdings,  Inc.,  the  Guarantors  party  thereto,  Bank  of  America 
N.A.,  as  administrative  agent  and  collateral  agent,  the  Incremental  Term B-
1 Euro Lenders party thereto and the other Lenders party thereto.

Amendment  No.  2,  dated  September  18,  2017,  to  Fourth  Amended  and 
Restated  Credit  Agreement,  by  and  among  Quintiles  IMS  Incorporated, 
Quintiles  IMS  Holdings,  Inc.,  the  Guarantors  party  thereto,  Bank  of  America 
N.A.,  as  administrative  agent  and  collateral  agent,  the  Incremental  Term  B-2 
Dollar Lenders party thereto and the other Lenders party thereto.

Amendment No. 3, dated April 6, 2018, to Fourth Amended and Restated Credit 
Agreement,  dated  October 3,  2016,  by  and  among  IQVIA  Inc.,  IQVIA  Holdings 
Inc.,  the  other  Borrowers  party  thereto,  the  other  Guarantors  party  thereto, 
Bank  of  America,  N.A.,  as  administrative  agent  and  collateral  agent,  and  the 
Incremental Revolving Credit Lenders party thereto.

Amendment  No.  4,  dated  June  11,  2018,  to  Fourth  Amended  and  Restated 
Credit  Agreement,  dated  October  3,  2016,  among  IQVIA  Inc.,  IQVIA  Holdings 
Inc., IQVIA AG, IQVIA Solutions Japan K.K., the other guarantors party thereto, 
Bank  of  America,  N.A.  as  administrative  agent  and  as  collateral  agent,  the 
Lenders party thereto, the Incremental Term B-3 Dollar Lenders party thereto 
and the Incremental Term B-2 Euro Lenders party thereto.

Amendment No. 5 to Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated 
August 9, 2019, among IQVIA Inc., IQVIA Holdings Inc., the other guarantors 
party thereto, Bank of America, N.A. as administrative agent and collateral 
agent, the Term B-1 Euro Lenders, the Term B-2 Euro Lenders and Goldman 
Sachs Bank USA, as Replacement Lender.

8-K

001-35907

4.1

February 28, 2017

8-K

001-35907

4.1

September 19, 2017

8-K

001-35907

4.1

May 10, 2019

8-K

001-35907

4.1

August 13, 2019

8-K

001-35907

10.9

October 3, 2016

8-K

001-35907

10.1

March 8, 2017

8-K

001-35907

10.1

September 19, 2017

10-Q

001-35907

10.1

May 4, 2018

8-K

001-35907

10.1

June 12, 2018

8-K

001-35907

10.1

August 13, 2019

10.7

Amendment  No.  6  to  Fourth  Amended  and  Restated  Credit  Agreement,  dated 
December  18,  2019,  among  IQVIA  Inc.,  IQVIA  Holdings  Inc.,  the  other 

8-K

001-35907

10.1

December 18, 2019

109

 
 
 
 
 
 
Exhibit
Number

10.8

10.9

Exhibit Description

guarantors  party  thereto,  Bank  of  America,  N.A.  as  administrative  agent  and 
collateral  agent,  the  Term  B-2  Dollar  Lenders  and  Bank  of  America  N.A.,  as 
Replacement Lender.

Incorporated by Reference 

Filed
Herewith

Form

File No.

Exhibit

Filing Date

Amended and Restated Pledge and Security Agreement, dated as of March 17, 
2014,  among  Healthcare  Technology  Intermediate  Holdings,  Inc.,  IMS  Health 
Incorporated, each of the grantors party thereto, and Bank of America, N.A., as 
Administrative Agent.

U.S.  Guaranty,  dated  as  of  March  17,  2014,  among  Healthcare  Technology 
Intermediate  Holdings,  Inc.,  as  Holdings,  IMS  Health  Incorporated,  as  Parent 
Borrower, the other Guarantors party thereto from time to time, and Bank of 
America, N.A., as Administrative Agent.

IMS
Health
S-1/A

IMS
Health
S-1/A

333-193159

10.33

March 24, 2014

333-193159

10.34

March 24, 2014

10.10

Stockholders  Agreement,  dated  May  3,  2016,  among  Quintiles  Transnational 
Holdings Inc. and the stockholders identified therein.

8-K

001-35907

10.4

May 3, 2016

10.11†

Form of Director Indemnification Agreement.

10.12

Form  of  Indemnification  Agreement  with  each  of  the  non-management 
directors of Quintiles IMS Holdings Inc.

S-1/A 333-186708

10.13

April 19, 2013

8-K

001-35907

10.8

October 3, 2016

10.13† Description of Non-Employee Director Compensation, effective as of January 1, 

10-K

001-35907

10.27

February 16, 2017

2017.

10.14†

Form of Non-Competition, Non-Solicitation, Confidentiality and IP Agreement.

8-K

001-35907

10.2

October 19, 2015

10.15† Quintiles Transnational Holdings Inc. Annual Management Incentive Plan.

S-1/A 333-186708

10.57

April 19, 2013

10.16† Quintiles Transnational Holdings Inc. 2008 Stock Incentive Plan.

S-1

333-186708

10.17

February 15, 2013

10.17†

Form  of  Stock  Option  Award  Agreement  for  Senior  Executives  under  the 
Quintiles Transnational Holdings Inc. 2008 Stock Incentive Plan.

S-1

333-186708

10.18

February 15, 2013

10.18†

Form  of  Stock  Option  Award  Agreement  for  Non-Employee  Directors  under 
the Quintiles Transnational Holdings Inc. 2008 Stock Incentive Plan.

S-1

333-186708

10.19

February 15, 2013

10.19† Quintiles Transnational Holdings Inc. 2013 Stock Incentive Plan.

S-1/A 333-186708

10.22

April 19, 2013

10.20†

Form of Award Agreement Awarding Nonqualified Stock Options to Employees 
under the Quintiles Transnational Holdings Inc. 2013 Stock Incentive Plan.

S-1/A 333-186708

10.23

April 19, 2013

10.21†

Form  of  Award  Agreement  Awarding  Incentive  Stock  Options  to  Employees 
under the Quintiles Transnational Holdings Inc. 2013 Stock Incentive Plan.

10-Q

001-35907

10.2

May 1, 2014

10.22†

Form  of  Award  Agreement  Awarding  Nonqualified  Stock  Options  to  Non-
Employee  Directors  under  the  Quintiles  Transnational  Holdings  Inc.  2013 
Stock Incentive Plan.

S-1/A 333-186708

10.24

April 19, 2013

10.23†

Form  of  Award  Agreement  Awarding  Stock  Appreciation  Rights  under  the 
Quintiles Transnational Holdings Inc. 2013 Stock Incentive Plan.

S-1/A 333-186708

10.56

April 19, 2013

10.24†

Form  of  Award  Agreement  Awarding  Stock  Appreciation  Rights  under  the 
Quintiles IMS Holdings, Inc. 2013 Stock Incentive Plan effective February 2017.

10-K

001-35907

10.41

February 16, 2017

10.25†

10.26†

Form  of  Award  Agreement  Awarding  Restricted  Stock  Units  under  the 
Quintiles  Transnational  Holdings  Inc.  2013  Stock  Incentive  Plan  prior  to 
February 2015.

Form  of  Award  Agreement  Awarding  Restricted  Stock  Units  under  the 
Quintiles  Transnational  Holdings  Inc.  2013  Stock  Incentive  Plan  effective 
February 2015.

8-K

001-35907

10.1

November 26, 2013

10-K

001-35907

10.34

February 12, 2015

10.27†

Form  of  Award  Agreement  Awarding  Performance  Units  under  the  Quintiles 
Transnational Holdings Inc. 2013 Stock Incentive Plan.

10-K

001-35907

10.35

February 12, 2015

10.28†

Form of Award Agreement Awarding Performance Shares under the Quintiles 
IMS Holdings, Inc. 2013 Stock Incentive Plan effective February 2017.

10-K

001-35907

10.45

February 16, 2017

10.29†

Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement under the Quintiles Transnational 
Holdings Inc. 2013 Stock Incentive Plan.

10-Q

001-35907

10.3

November 3, 2016

110

 
 
 
 
 
 
Exhibit
Number

10.30†

Exhibit Description

Form  of  Award  Agreement  Awarding  Restricted  Stock  Units  under  the 
Quintiles IMS Holdings, Inc. 2013 Stock Incentive Plan effective February 2017.

Incorporated by Reference 

Filed
Herewith

Form

10-K

File No.

Exhibit

Filing Date

001-35907

10.47

February 16, 2017

10.31† Quintiles IMS Holdings, Inc. Defined Contribution Executive Retirement Plan.

8-K

001-35907

10.7

October 3, 2016

10.32†

IMS  Health  Incorporated  Defined  Contribution  Executive  Retirement  Plan,  as 
amended and restated.

10.33†

First  Amendment  to  the  IMS  Health  Incorporated  Retirement  Excess  Plan, 
dated March 17, 2009.

10.34†

Second  Amendment  to  the  IMS  Health  Incorporated  Retirement  Excess  Plan, 
dated December 8, 2009.

10.35† Third  Amendment  to  the  IMS  Health  Incorporated  Retirement  Excess  Plan, 

dated April 5, 2011.

10.36†

Fourth  Amendment  to  the  IMS  Health  Incorporated  Retirement  Excess  Plan 
(effective May 3, 2016).

333-193159

10.10

January 2, 2014

333-193159

10.12

January 2, 2014

333-193159

10.13

January 2, 2014

333-193159

10.14

January 2, 2014

001-36381

10.3

July 28, 2016

IMS
Health
S-1

IMS
Health
S-1

IMS
Health
S-1

IMS
Health
S-1

IMS
Health
10-Q

10.37† Quintiles IMS Holdings, Inc. 2010 Equity Incentive Plan.

8-K

001-35907

10.5

October 3, 2016

10.38† Healthcare Technology Holdings, Inc. 2010 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended 

and restated.

10.39†

Form  of  IMS  Time-and  Performance-Based  Stock  Option  Award  Agreement 
under the 2010 Equity Incentive Plan.

10.40†

Form  of  IMS  Time-Based  Stock  Option  Award  Agreement  under  the  2010 
Equity Incentive Plan.

10.41†

Form  of  IMS  Director  Stock  Option  Award  Agreement  under  the  2010  Equity 
Incentive Plan.

10.42†

Form  of  IMS  Restricted  Stock  Unit  Award  Agreement  under  the  2010  Equity 
Incentive Plan.

10.43†

Form of IMS Director Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement under the 2010 
Equity Incentive Plan.

10.44†

Form  of  IMS  Rollover  Stock  Appreciation  Right  Award  Agreement  under  the 
2010 Equity Incentive Plan.

10.45†

IMS Health Incorporated Savings Equalization Plan, as amended and restated 
effective as of January 1, 2011.

333-193159

10.16

February 13, 2014

333-193159

10.17

January 2, 2014

333-193159

10.18

January 2, 2014

333-193159

10.19

January 2, 2014

333-193159

10.20

January 2, 2014

333-193159

10.21

January 2, 2014

333-193159

10.22

January 2, 2014

333-193159

10.15

January 2, 2014

IMS
Health
S-1/A

IMS
Health
S-1

IMS
Health
S-1

IMS
Health
S-1

IMS
Health
S-1

IMS
Health
S-1

IMS
Health
S-1

IMS
Health
S-1

10.46† Quintiles IMS Holdings, Inc. 2014 Incentive and Stock Award Plan.

8-K

001-35907

10.6

October 3, 2016

10.47†

Form  of  IMS  Stock  Appreciation  Rights  Agreement  under  the  2014  Incentive 
and Stock Award Plan.

10.48†

Form  of  IMS  Performance  Share  Award  Agreement  under  the  2014  Incentive 
and Stock Award Plan.

10.49†

2014 IMS Health Annual Incentive Plan.

001-36381

10.1

February 10, 2015

001-36381

10.2

February 10, 2015

333-193159

10.30

March 10, 2014

IMS
Health
8-K

IMS
Health
8-K

IMS
Health
S-1/A

111

 
 
 
 
 
 
Exhibit
Number

Exhibit Description

Incorporated by Reference 

Filed
Herewith

Form

File No.

Exhibit

Filing Date

10.50† Quintiles IMS Holdings, Inc. 2017 Incentive and Stock Award Plan.

DEF 14A 001-35907 Appendix B February 22, 2017

10.51†

Form  of  Award  Agreement  Awarding  Stock  Appreciation  Rights  under  the 
Quintiles  IMS  Holdings,  Inc.  2017  Incentive  and  Stock  Award  Plan  effective 
April 2017.

10-Q

001-35907

10.8

May 8, 2017

10.52†

Form of Award Agreement Awarding Performance Shares under the Quintiles 
IMS Holdings, Inc. 2017 Incentive and Stock Award Plan effective April 2017.

10-Q

001-35907

10.9

May 8, 2017

10.53†

Form  of  Award  Agreement  Awarding  Restricted  Stock  Units  under  the 
Quintiles  IMS  Holdings,  Inc.  2017  Incentive  and  Stock  Award  Plan  effective 
April 2017.

10-Q

001-35907

10.10

May 8, 2017

10.54† Quintiles  IMS  Incorporated  Employee  Protection  Plan,  effective  January  1, 

10-K

001-35907

10.69

February 16, 2017

2017.

10.55† Quintiles IMS Incorporated Savings Equalization Plan, effective December 31, 

10-K

001-35907

10.76

February 16, 2017

2016.

10.56† Quintiles  Transnational  Corp.  Elective  Deferred  Compensation  Plan,  as 

10-Q

001-35907

10.1

October 28, 2015

amended and restated.

10.57† Quintiles  IMS  Holdings  Inc.  Non-Employee  Director  Deferral  Plan,  effective 

10-K

001-35907

10.78

February 16, 2017

January 1, 2017.

10.58† Amended and Restated Employment Agreement between IQVIA Holdings Inc. 

10-K

001-35907

10.60

February 19, 2019

and Ari Bousbib, dated February 18, 2019.

10.59†

Senior  Management  Nonstatutory  Option  Agreement  between  Healthcare 
Technology Holdings, Inc. and Ari Bousbib, dated December 1, 2010.

10.60†

Senior  Management  Nonstatutory  Option  Agreement  between  Healthcare 
Technology Holdings, Inc. and Ari Bousbib, dated December 1, 2010.

10.61†

Stock  Appreciation  Rights  Agreement  between  IMS  Health  Holdings,  Inc.  and 
Ari Bousbib, dated February 10, 2015.

10.62† Amendment  No.  1,  dated  December  31,  2015,  to  Stock  Appreciation  Rights 
Agreement between IMS Health Holdings, Inc. and Ari Bousbib dated February 
10, 2015.

10.63† Restricted Stock Award Agreement between IMS Health Holdings, Inc. and Ari 

Bousbib dated December 31, 2015.

333-193159

10.23

February 13, 2014

333-193159

10.24

February 13, 2014

001-36381

10.34

February 19, 2016

001-36381

10.35

February 19, 2016

001-36381

10.36

February 19, 2016

IMS
Health
S-1/A

IMS
Health
S-1/A

IMS
Health
10-K

IMS
Health
10-K

IMS
Health
10-K

10.64†

Letter  Agreement,  dated  October  14,  2015,  between  Michael  McDonnell  and 
Quintiles Transnational Corp.

8-K

001-35907

10.3

October 19, 2015

10.65†

Letter agreement between the Company and Michael R. McDonnell effective on 
October 3, 2016.

8-K

001-35907

10.1

October 3, 2016

10.66†

Letter Agreement between the Company and W. Richard Staub, III, effective on 
December 1, 2016.

10-K

001-35907

10.104

February 16, 2017

10.67†

Letter Agreement between the Company and Eric Sherbet, effective on March 
1, 2018.

10-K

001-35907

10.72

February 19, 2019

21.1

23.1

31.1

31.2

List of Subsidiaries of IQVIA Holdings Inc.

Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.

Certification of Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a), 
as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

Certification of Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, pursuant 
to  Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a),  as  adopted  pursuant  to  Section 302  of  the 

X

X

X

X

112

 
 
 
 
 
 
Exhibit
Number

32.1

32.2

101

Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

Exhibit Description

Certification  of  Chief  Executive  Officer,  pursuant  to  18  U.S.C.  Section 1350,  as 
adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

Certification of Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, pursuant 
to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-
Oxley Act of 2002.

Interactive  Data  Files  Pursuant  to  Rule 405  of  Regulation  S-T:  (i)  Consolidated 
Statements of Income, (ii) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, (iii) 
Consolidated  Balance  Sheets,  (iv)  Consolidated  Statements  of  Cash  Flows,  (v) 
Notes  to  Consolidated  Financial  Statements  and  (vi)  Notes  to  Consolidated 
Financial  Statements.  The  instance  document  does  not  appear  in  the  Interactive 
Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document.

104

Cover  Page  Interactive  Data  File.  The  instance  document  does  not  appear  in  the 
Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL 
document.

Incorporated by Reference 

Filed
Herewith

Form

File No.

Exhibit

Filing Date

X

X

X

X

†

Indicates management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement. 

* The Merger Agreement and the description thereof included herein have been included to provide investors and stockholders with information regarding the terms 
of  the  agreement.  They  are  not  intended  to  provide  any  other  factual  information  about  Quintiles  or  IMS  Health  or  their  respective  subsidiaries  or  affiliates  or 
stockholders. The representations, warranties and covenants contained in the Merger Agreement were made only for purposes of the Merger Agreement as of the 
specific  dates  therein,  were  solely  for  the  benefit  of  the  parties  to  the  Merger  Agreement,  may  be  subject  to  limitations  agreed  upon  by  the  contracting  parties, 
including  being  qualified by  confidential disclosures made for the  purposes of allocating  contractual risk among the parties to the Merger  Agreement  instead of 
establishing these matters as facts, and may be subject to standards of materiality applicable to the contracting parties that differ from those applicable to investors. 
Investors should not rely on the representations, warranties and covenants or any descriptions thereof as characterizations of the actual state of facts or condition of 
the parties thereto or any of their respective subsidiaries or affiliates. Moreover, information concerning the subject matter of representations and warranties may 
change after the date of the Merger Agreement, which subsequent information may or may not be fully reflected in public disclosures by Quintiles or IMS Health. 
Accordingly, investors should read the representations and warranties in the Merger Agreement not in isolation but only in conjunction with the other information 
about Quintiles or IMS Health and their respective subsidiaries that the respective companies include in reports, statements and other filings they make with the 
United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

Item 16. Form 10-K Summary 

None.

113

 
 
 
 
 
 
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

IQVIA HOLDINGS INC.

By: /s/ Michael R. McDonnell 

  Name: Michael R. McDonnell

Title: Executive Vice President and Chief 
Financial Officer

Date: February 18, 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 in the capacities and on the dates indicated. 

Signature

/s/ Ari Bousbib

Ari Bousbib

Title

Date

Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer; Director
(Principal Executive Officer)

February 18, 2020

/s/ Michael R. McDonnell 
Michael R. McDonnell

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)

February 18, 2020

/s/ Emmanuel Korakis 
Emmanuel Korakis

/s/ Carol J. Burt
 Carol J. Burt

/s/ John P. Connaughton
 John P. Connaughton

/s/ Jonathan J. Coslet
 Jonathan J. Coslet

/s/ John G. Danhakl
John G. Danhakl

/s/ Michael J. Evanisko

Michael J. Evanisko

/s/ James A. Fasano
 James A. Fasano

/s/ Colleen A. Goggins
Colleen A. Goggins

/s/ John M. Leonard, M.D.
 John M. Leonard, M.D.

/s/ Ronald A. Rittenmeyer
 Ronald A. Rittenmeyer

/s/ Todd B. Sisitsky

Todd B. Sisitsky

Senior Vice President, Corporate Controller
(Principal Accounting Officer)

Director

Director

Director

Director

Director

Director

Director

Director

Director

Director

114

February 18, 2020

February 18, 2020

February 18, 2020

February 18, 2020

February 18, 2020

February 18, 2020

February 18, 2020

February 18, 2020

February 18, 2020

February 18, 2020

February 18, 2020

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(2) Financial Statement Schedules

Schedule I—Condensed Financial Information of Registrant 

IQVIA HOLDINGS INC. (PARENT COMPANY ONLY) 
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(in millions)
Selling, general and administrative expenses
Merger related costs

Loss from operations

Interest income
Other expense, net

Loss before income taxes and equity in earnings of subsidiary

Income tax benefit

(Loss) income before equity in earnings of subsidiary

Equity in earnings of subsidiary

Net income

2019

Year Ended December 31,
2018

2017

  $

  $

—    $
—     
—     
—     
—     
—     
—     
—     
191     
191    $

2    $
—     
(2)    
—     
—     
(2)    
(1)    
(1)    
260     
259    $

1 
— 
(1)
— 
— 
(1)
(3)
2 
1,275 
1,277  

115

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
IQVIA HOLDINGS INC. (PARENT COMPANY ONLY)
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME 

(in millions)
Net income
Comprehensive (loss) income adjustments:

2019

Year Ended December 31,
2018

2017

  $

191    $

259    $

1,277 

Unrealized (losses) gains on derivative instruments, net of income tax
  expense (benefit) of $4, ($5) and $1
Defined benefit plan adjustments, net of income tax (benefit) expense of
   $5, ($4) and $3
Foreign currency translation, net of income tax (benefit) expense of
   ($30), $50 and ($201)
Reclassification adjustments:

(Gains) losses on derivative instruments included in net income, net of
   income tax expense of $—, $1 and $—
Amortization of actuarial losses and prior service costs included in net
   income

Comprehensive (loss) income

  $

(15)    

(30)    

(41)    

(1)    

—     
104    $

1     

(8)    

4 

5 

(255)    

604 

(12)    

1     
(14)   $

(1)

1 
1,890  

116

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
      
      
  
   
   
   
   
      
      
  
   
   
IQVIA HOLDINGS INC. (PARENT COMPANY ONLY)
CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS

ASSETS

(in millions, except per share data)

Current assets:

Cash and cash equivalents
Income taxes receivable
Other current assets and receivables

Total current assets
Investment in subsidiary
Receivable from parent company

Total assets

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Current liabilities:

Accounts payable
Income taxes payable

Total current liabilities
Investment in subsidiary
Payable to subsidiary

Total liabilities

Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders’ equity:

Common stock and additional paid-in capital, 400.0 shares authorized at
   December 31, 2019 and 2018, $0.01 par value, 253.0 shares issued and 192.3 shares
   outstanding at December 31, 2019; 251.5 shares issued and 197.5 shares outstanding
   at December 31, 2018
Retained earnings
Treasury stock, at cost, 60.7 and 54.0 shares at December 31, 2019 and 2018,
    respectively
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income

Total stockholders’ equity
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

December 31,

2019

2018

  $

  $

  $

  $

3    $
—   
—   
3   
9,667   
—   
9,670    $

—    $
—   
—   
3,664   
3   
3,667   

11,049   
998   

(5,733)  
(311)  
6,003   
9,670    $

1 
— 
— 
1 
9,667 
— 
9,668 

— 
— 
— 
2,954 
— 
2,954 

10,901 
807 

(4,770)
(224)
6,714 
9,668  

117

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
 
  
 
 
    
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
 
  
 
 
    
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
 
  
 
 
    
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
IQVIA HOLDINGS INC. (PARENT COMPANY ONLY)
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS 

(in millions)
Operating activities:

Net income
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating
   activities:

Subsidiary loss

Change in operating assets and liabilities:

Accounts payable and accrued expenses
Income taxes payable and other liabilities

Net cash provided by operating activities

Investing activities:

Investment in subsidiary, net of dividends received

Net cash provided by investing activities

Financing activities:

Proceeds related to employee stock purchase and option plans
Issuance of common stock
Repurchase of common stock
Intercompany with subsidiary

Net cash used in financing activities

Effect of foreign currency exchange rate changes on cash
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

2019

Year Ended December 31,
2018

2017

  $

191    $

259    $

1,277 

—     

143     

91 

—     
—     
191     

760     
760     

—     
11     
(963)    
3     
(949)    
—     
2     
1     
3    $

2     
—     
404     

983     
983     

15     
— 
(1,405)    
3     
(1,387)    
—     
—     
1     
1    $

(3)
4 
1,369 

1,182 
1,182 

91 
— 
(2,620)
(31)
(2,560)
(2)
(11)
12 
1  

  $

118

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
      
      
  
   
      
      
  
   
   
      
      
  
   
   
   
   
      
      
  
   
   
   
      
      
  
   
   
  
   
   
   
   
   
   
 
IQVIA HOLDINGS INC. (PARENT COMPANY ONLY) 
NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

The  condensed  parent  company  financial  statements  have  been  prepared  in  accordance  with  Rule  12-04,  Schedule  I  of 
Regulation S-X as the restricted net assets of IQVIA Holdings Inc.’s (the “Company”) wholly-owned subsidiary, IQVIA Incorporated 
exceed 25% of the consolidated net assets of the Company. The ability of IQVIA Incorporated to pay dividends may be limited due to 
the restrictive covenants in the agreements governing its credit arrangements. 

These condensed parent company financial statements include the accounts of IQVIA Holdings Inc. on a standalone basis (the 
“Parent”) and the equity method of accounting is used to reflect ownership interest in its subsidiary. Refer to the consolidated financial 
statements and notes presented elsewhere herein for additional information and disclosures with respect to these financial statements. 

Since the Parent is part of a group that files a consolidated income tax return, in accordance with ASC 740, a portion of the 
consolidated amount of current and deferred income tax expense of the Company has been allocated to the Parent. The income tax 
benefit of $0 million, $1 million and $3 million in 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively, represents the income tax benefit that will be or 
were already utilized in the Company’s consolidated United States federal and state income tax returns. If the Parent was not part of 
these consolidated income tax returns, it would not be able to recognize any income tax benefit, as it generates no revenue against 
which the losses could be used on a separate filer basis. 

Below is a summary of the dividends paid to the Parent by IQVIA Incorporated in 2019, 2018 and 2017: 

(in millions)
Paid in December 2019
Paid in November 2019
Paid in September 2019
Paid in August 2019
Paid in June 2019
Paid in May 2019
Paid in March 2019
Paid in February 2019
Total paid in 2019
Paid in December 2018
Paid in November 2018
Paid in October 2018
Paid in September 2018
Paid in June 2018
Paid in May 2018
Paid in March 2018
Paid in February 2018
Total paid in 2018
Paid in December 2017
Paid in November 2017
Paid in September 2017
Paid in August 2017
Paid in May 2017
Paid in March 2017
Paid in February 2017
Paid in January 2017
Total paid in 2017

Amount

  $

  $
  $

  $
  $

  $

13 
255 
74 
239 
94 
140 
141 
3 
959 
339 
146 
132 
118 
414 
154 
54 
37 
1,394 
22 
362 
373 
168 
356 
1,237 
45 
3 
2,566  

119

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Deferred Tax Asset Valuation Allowance

Schedule II—Valuation and Qualifying Accounts 

(in millions)
December 31, 2019   $
December 31, 2018
  $
December 31, 2017
  $

Balance at
Beginning
of Year

Charged to
Expenses

226    $
200    $
153    $

Additions

40    $
23    $
52    $

Charged to
Other
Accounts(a)

Additions 
(Deductions)(b)

Balance at
End of
Year

—    $
—    $
—    $

—    $
3    $
(5)   $

266 
226 
200  

(a) Recorded through purchase accounting transaction. 
(b)

Impact of reductions recorded to expense and translation adjustments. 

120

 
   
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Exhibit 3.2

AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS

OF

IQVIA HOLDINGS INC.

SECTION 1 – STOCKHOLDERS

Section 1.1. Annual Meeting.

An annual meeting of the stockholders of IQVIA Holdings Inc., a Delaware corporation (the 
“Corporation”), for the election of directors to succeed those whose terms expire and for the 
transaction of such other business as may properly come before the meeting shall be held at the 
place, if any, within or without the State of Delaware, on the date and at the time that the Board 
of Directors of the Corporation (the “Board of Directors”) shall each year fix.  Unless stated 
otherwise in the notice of the annual meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation, such annual 
meeting shall be at the principal office of the Corporation.

Section 1.2. Advance Notice of Nominations and Proposals of Business.

(a)

Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors and proposals for 

other business to be transacted by the stockholders at an annual meeting of stockholders may be 
made (i) pursuant to the Corporation’s notice with respect to such meeting (or any supplement 
thereto), (ii) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or any committee thereof or (iii) by 
any stockholder of record of the Corporation who (A) was a stockholder of record at the time of 
the giving of the notice contemplated in Section 1.2(b), (B) is entitled to vote at such meeting 
and (C) has complied with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 1.2.  Subject to 
Section 1.2(i) and except as otherwise required by law, clause (iii) of this Section 1.2(a) and 
Section 1.3 shall be the exclusive means for a stockholder to make nominations or propose other 
business (other than nominations and proposals properly brought pursuant to applicable 
provisions of federal law, including the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (as amended from time 
to time, the “Act”) and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission 
thereunder) before an annual meeting of stockholders.

(b)

Except as otherwise required by law, for nominations or proposals to be properly 

brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder pursuant to clause (iii) of Section 1.2(a), 
(i) the stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing to the Secretary of the 
Corporation with the information contemplated by Section 1.2(c) including, where applicable, 
delivery to the Corporation of timely and completed questionnaires as contemplated by 
Section 1.2(c), and (ii) the business must be a proper matter for stockholder action under the 
General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”).  The notice requirements of 
this Section 1.2 shall be deemed satisfied by a stockholder with respect to business other than a 
nomination if the stockholder has notified the Corporation of his, her or its intention to present a 
proposal at an annual meeting in compliance with applicable rules and regulations promulgated 
under the Act and such stockholder’s proposal has been included in a proxy statement prepared 
by the Corporation to solicit proxies for such annual meeting.

(c)

To be timely for purposes of Section 1.2(b), a stockholder’s notice must be 

delivered to the Secretary of the Corporation at the principal executive offices of the Corporation 
on a date (i) not later than the close of business on the 90th day nor earlier than the close of 
business on the 120th day prior to the anniversary date of the prior year’s annual meeting or 
(ii) if there was no annual meeting in the prior year or if the date of the current year’s annual 
meeting is more than 30 days before or more than 60 days after the anniversary date of the prior 
year’s annual meeting, not earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to such 
annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of (x) the 90th day prior to 
such annual meeting or (y) 10 days after the day on which the date of the current year’s annual 
meeting is first disclosed in a public announcement.  In no event shall any adjournment or 
postponement of an annual meeting or the announcement thereof commence a new time period 
(or extend any time period) for the delivery of such notice.  Such notice from a stockholder must 
state (i) as to each nominee that the stockholder proposes for election or reelection as a director, 
(A) all information relating to such nominee that would be required to be disclosed in 
solicitations of proxies for the election of such nominee as a director pursuant to Regulation 14A 
under the Act, including such person’s written consent to being named in the proxy statement as 
a nominee and serving as a director if elected, and (B) a description of all direct and indirect 
compensation and other material monetary arrangements, agreements or understandings during 
the past three years, and any other material relationship, if any, between or concerning such 
stockholder, any Stockholder Associated Person (as defined below) or any of their respective 
affiliates or associates, on the one hand, and the proposed nominee or any of his or her affiliates 
or associates, on the other hand; (ii) as to each proposal that the stockholder seeks to bring before 
the meeting, a brief description of such proposal, the reasons for making the proposal at the 
meeting, the text of the proposal or business (including the text of any resolutions proposed for 
consideration and in the event that such business includes a proposal to amend the bylaws of the 
Corporation, the language of the proposed amendment) and any material interest that the 
stockholder has in the proposal; and (iii) (A) the name and address of the stockholder giving the 
notice and the Stockholder Associated Persons, if any, on whose behalf the nomination or 
proposal is made, (B) the class (and, if applicable, series) and number of shares of stock of the 
Corporation that are, directly or indirectly, owned beneficially or of record by the stockholder or 
any Stockholder Associated Person, (C) any option, warrant, convertible security, stock 
appreciation right or similar right with an exercise or conversion privilege or a settlement 
payment or mechanism at a price related to any class (or, if applicable, series) of shares of stock 
of the Corporation or with a value derived in whole or in part from the value of any class (or, if 
applicable, series) of shares of stock of the Corporation, whether or not such instrument or right 
shall be subject to settlement in the underlying class or series of capital stock of the Corporation 
or otherwise (each, a “Derivative Instrument”) directly or indirectly owned beneficially or of 
record by such stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person and any other direct or indirect 
opportunity to profit or share in any profit derived from any increase or decrease in the value of 
shares of stock of the Corporation of the stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person, 
(D) any proxy, contract, arrangement, understanding or relationship pursuant to which such 
stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person has a right to vote any securities of the 
Corporation, (E) any proportionate interest in shares of the Corporation or Derivative 
Instruments held, directly or indirectly, by a general or limited partnership in which such 
stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person is a general partner or beneficially owns, 
directly or indirectly, an interest in a general partner, (F) any performance-related fees (other 

than an asset-based fee) that such stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person is entitled to 
based on any increase or decrease in the value of the shares of stock of the Corporation or 
Derivative Instruments, (G) any other information relating to such stockholder or any 
Stockholder Associated Person, if any, required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other 
filing required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for, as applicable, the 
proposal and/or for the election of directors in an election contest pursuant to and in accordance 
with Section 14(a) of the Act and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange 
Commission thereunder, (H) a representation that the stockholder is a holder of record of the 
Corporation entitled to vote at such meeting and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the 
meeting to propose such business or nomination, (I) a certification as to whether or not the 
stockholder and all Stockholder Associated Persons, have complied with all applicable federal, 
state and other legal requirements in connection with the stockholder’s and each Stockholder 
Associated Person’s acquisition of shares of capital stock or other securities of the Corporation 
and the stockholder’s and each Stockholder Associated Person’s acts or omissions as a 
stockholder (or beneficial owner of securities) of the Corporation, and (J) whether either the 
stockholder intends to deliver a proxy statement and form of proxy to holders of, in the case of a 
proposal, at least the percentage of the Corporation’s voting shares required under applicable law 
to carry the proposal or, in the case of a nomination or nominations, a sufficient number of 
holders of the Corporation’s voting shares reasonably believed by such stockholder to be 
sufficient to elect such nominee or nominees or otherwise to solicit proxies or votes from 
stockholders in support of such proposal or nomination.  For purposes of these bylaws, a 
“Stockholder Associated Person” of any stockholder means (i) any “affiliate” or “associate” (as 
those terms are defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Act) of such stockholder, (ii) any beneficial 
owner of any capital stock or other securities of the Corporation owned of record or beneficially 
by such stockholder, (iii) any person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under 
common control with any such Stockholder Associated Person referred to in clause (i) or 
(ii) above, and (iv) any person acting in concert in respect of any matter involving the 
Corporation or its securities with either such stockholder or any beneficial owner of any capital 
stock or other securities of the Corporation owned of record or beneficially by such stockholder.  
In addition, in order for a nomination to be properly brought before an annual or special meeting 
by a stockholder pursuant to clause (iii) of Section 1.2(a), subject to Section 1.2(i), any nominee 
proposed by a stockholder shall complete a questionnaire, in a form provided by the Corporation, 
and deliver a signed copy of such completed questionnaire to the Corporation within 10 days of 
the date that the Corporation makes available to the stockholder seeking to make such 
nomination or such nominee the form of such questionnaire and shall deliver a written and 
signed statement that such person (i) is not and will not become a party to (A) any agreement, 
arrangement or understanding with, and has not given any commitment or assurance to, any 
person or entity as to how such person, if elected as a director of the Corporation, will act or vote 
on any issue or question (a “Voting Commitment”) that has not been disclosed to the 
Corporation or (B) any Voting Commitment that could limit or interfere with such person’s 
ability to comply, if elected as a director of the Corporation, with such person’s fiduciary duties 
under applicable law, (ii) is not and will not become a party to any agreement, arrangement or 
understanding with any person or entity other than the Corporation with respect to any direct or 
indirect compensation, reimbursement or indemnification in connection with service or action as 
a director of the Corporation that has not been disclosed in the notice required by this 
Section 1.2, and (iii) in such person’s individual capacity and on behalf of any person, entity or 

group on whose behalf the nomination is being made, would be in compliance, if elected as a 
director of the Corporation, and will comply with all applicable publicly disclosed codes of 
ethics and conduct, corporate governance, conflict of interest, confidentiality and stock 
ownership and trading policies and guidelines of the Corporation.  The Corporation may require 
any proposed nominee to furnish such other information as may be reasonably requested by the 
Corporation to determine the eligibility of the proposed nominee to serve as an independent 
director of the Corporation or that could be material to a reasonable stockholder’s understanding 
of the independence, or lack thereof, of the nominee.  The information required to be included in 
a notice pursuant to this Section 1.2(c) shall be provided as of the date of such notice and shall be 
supplemented by the stockholder not later than 10 days after the record date for the 
determination of stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting to disclose any changes to such 
information as of the record date.  If any of the facts set forth in any notice provided pursuant to 
this Section 1.2(c) changes between the date that such notice is sent and the date of the annual 
meeting to which such notice pertains, the stockholder must deliver to the Secretary of the 
Corporation at the principal executive offices of the Corporation, by the earlier of (i) the close of 
business on the date that is five days after the event giving rise to such change, or (ii) the 
commencement of such annual meeting, a supplemental notice providing such revised 
information.  The information required to be included in a notice pursuant to this Section 1.2(c) 
shall not include any ordinary course business activities of any broker, dealer, commercial bank, 
trust company or other nominee who is directed to prepare and submit the notice required by this 
Section 1.2(c) on behalf of a beneficial owner of the shares held of record by such broker, dealer, 
commercial bank, trust company or other nominee and who is not otherwise affiliated or 
associated with such beneficial owner.  For purposes of these bylaws, “beneficial ownership” 
shall be determined in accordance with Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Act.

(d)

Subject to the certificate of incorporation of the Corporation (the “Certificate of 
Incorporation”), Section 1.2(i) and applicable law, only persons nominated in accordance with 
procedures stated in this Section 1.2 or Section 1.3 shall be eligible for election as and to serve as 
members of the Board of Directors and the only business that shall be conducted at an annual 
meeting of stockholders is the business that has been brought before the meeting in accordance 
with the procedures set forth in this Section 1.2.  The chairman of the meeting shall have the 
power and the duty to determine whether a nomination or any proposal has been made according 
to the procedures stated in this Section 1.2 and, if any nomination or proposal does not comply 
with this Section 1.2, unless otherwise required by law, the nomination or proposal shall be 
disregarded.

(e)

For purposes of this Section 1.2, “public announcement” means disclosure in a 

press release reported by the Dow Jones News Service, Associated Press or a comparable news 
service or in a document publicly filed or furnished by the Corporation with the Securities and 
Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 13, 14 or 15(d) of the Act.

(f)

Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 1.2, a stockholder shall 

also comply with applicable requirements of the Act and the rules and regulations thereunder 
with respect to matters set forth in this Section 1.2.  Nothing in this Section 1.2 shall affect any 
rights, if any, of stockholders to request inclusion of nominations or proposals in the 
Corporation’s proxy statement pursuant to applicable provisions of federal law, including the 
Act.

(g)

Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 1.2, unless otherwise 
required by law, if the stockholder (or a qualified representative of the stockholder) does not 
appear at the annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation to present a 
nomination or proposed business or does not provide the information required by Section 1.2 (c) 
, including any required supplement thereto, such nomination shall be disregarded and such 
proposed business shall not be transacted, notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such vote 
may have been received by the Corporation.  For purposes of this Section 1.2, to be considered a 
qualified representative of the stockholder, a person must be a duly authorized officer, manager 
or partner of such stockholder or must be authorized by a writing executed by such stockholder 
or an electronic transmission delivered by such stockholder to act for such stockholder as proxy 
at the meeting of stockholders and such person must produce such writing or electronic 
transmission, or a reliable reproduction of the writing or electronic transmission, at the meeting 
of stockholders.

(h)

Only such business shall be conducted at a special meeting of stockholders as 
shall have been brought before the meeting pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting.  
Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors may be made at a special meeting 
of stockholders at which directors are to be elected pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of 
meeting (1) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or any committee thereof or 
(2) provided that the Board of Directors has determined that directors shall be elected at such 
meeting, by any stockholder of the Corporation who is a stockholder of record at the time the 
notice provided for in this Section 1.2 is delivered to the Secretary of the Corporation, who is 
entitled to vote at the meeting upon such election and who complies with the notice procedures 
set forth in this Section 1.2.  In the event the Corporation calls a special meeting of stockholders 
for the purpose of electing one or more directors to the Board of Directors, any such stockholder 
entitled to vote in such election of directors may nominate a person or persons (as the case may 
be) for election to such position(s) as specified in the Corporation’s notice of meeting, if the 
stockholder’s notice required by paragraph (b) of this Section 1.2 shall be delivered to the 
Secretary of the Corporation at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not earlier than 
the close of business on the 120th day prior to such special meeting and not later than the close 
of business on the later of (x) the 90th day prior to such special meeting or (y) the 10th day 
following the day on which public announcement is first made of the date of the special meeting 
and of the nominees proposed by the Board of Directors to be elected at such meeting.  In no 
event shall the public announcement of an adjournment or postponement of a special meeting 
commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a stockholder’s notice 
as described above.

(i)

All provisions of this Section 1.2 are subject to, and nothing in this Section 1.2 
shall in any way limit the exercise, or the method or timing of the exercise of, the rights of any 
person granted by the Corporation to nominate directors, including without limitation, such 
rights contained in the Stockholders Agreement, which rights may be exercised without 
compliance with the provisions of this Section 1.2.  For purposes of these bylaws, “Stockholders 
Agreement” has the meaning ascribed to it in the Certificate of Incorporation.

Section 1.3.

Proxy Access for Director Nominations.

(a)

Whenever the Board of Directors solicits proxies with respect to the election of 
directors at an annual meeting of stockholders, subject to the provisions of this Section 1.3, the 
Corporation shall include in its proxy statement, on its form proxy and on any ballot distributed 
at such annual meeting, in addition to any persons nominated for election by the Board of 
Directors or any committee thereof, the name, together (in the case of the proxy statement) with 
the Required Information (defined below), of any person nominated for election (the 
“Stockholder Nominee”) to the Board of Directors by a stockholder or group of no more than 20 
stockholders that satisfies the requirements of this Section 1.3 (such stockholder or stockholder 
group, including each member thereof to the extent the context requires, the “Eligible 
Stockholder”), and who expressly elects at the time of providing the notice required by this 
Section 1.3 (the “Notice of Proxy Access Nomination”) to have its nominee included in the 
Corporation’s proxy materials pursuant to this Section 1.3.  For purposes of this Section 1.3, in 
calculating the number of stockholders in a group seeking to qualify as an Eligible Stockholder, 
two or more funds that are (i) under common management and investment control, (ii) under 
common management and funded primarily by the same employer, or (iii) a “group of 
investment companies” as such term is defined in Section 12(d)(1)(G)(ii) of the Investment 
Company Act of 1940, as amended, shall be counted as one stockholder.  In the event that the 
Eligible Stockholder consists of a group of stockholders, any and all requirements and 
obligations for an individual Eligible Stockholder that are set forth in these bylaws, including the 
Minimum Holding Period, shall apply to each member of such group; provided, however, that 
the Required Ownership Percentage shall apply to the ownership of the group in the aggregate. 
For purposes of this Section 1.3, the “Required Information” that the Corporation will include in 
its proxy statement is the information provided to the Secretary of the Corporation concerning 
the Stockholder Nominee and the Eligible Stockholder that is required to be disclosed in the 
Corporation’s proxy statement by the regulations promulgated under the Act, and if the Eligible 
Stockholder so elects, a written statement of the Eligible Stockholder (or, in the case of a group, 
a written statement of the group), not to exceed 500 words, in support of the candidacy of such 
Stockholder Nominee (the “Statement”).  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in 
this Section 1.3, the Corporation may omit from its proxy materials any information or Statement 
(or portion thereof) that it, in good faith, believes is untrue in any material respect (or omits to 
state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made, in the light of the 
circumstances under which they are made, not misleading) or would violate any applicable law 
or regulation, and the Corporation may solicit against, and include in the proxy statement its own 
statement relating to, any Stockholder Nominee.

(b)

To be timely, the Notice of Proxy Access Nomination must be delivered to the 

Secretary of the Corporation at the principal executive offices of the Corporation on a date that is 
(i) no earlier than the close of business on the 150th day and (ii) no later than the close of 
business on the 120th day prior to the anniversary of the date that the Corporation issued its 
proxy statement for the previous year’s annual meeting of stockholders; provided, however, that 
if there was no annual meeting in the prior year or if the date of the current year’s annual 
meeting is more than 30 days before or more than 60 days after the anniversary date of the prior 
year’s annual meeting, notice by the Proposing Stockholder to be timely must be so delivered not 
earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to such annual meeting and not later than 
the close of business on the later of (x) the 90th day prior to such annual meeting or (y) 10 days 

after the date of the current year’s annual meeting is first disclosed in a public announcement.  In 
no event shall any adjournment or postponement of an annual meeting or the announcement 
thereof commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the delivery of the Notice 
of Proxy Access Nomination.

(c)

The maximum number of Stockholder Nominees nominated by all Eligible 

Stockholders that will be included in the Corporation’s proxy materials with respect to an annual 
meeting of stockholders shall not exceed the greater of (i) two and (ii) 20% of the total number 
of directors in office (rounded down to the nearest whole number) as of the last day on which a 
Notice of Proxy Access Nomination may be delivered pursuant to and in accordance with this 
Section 1.3 (the “Final Proxy Access Nomination Date”).  In the event that one or more 
vacancies for any reason occurs after the Final Proxy Access Nomination Date but before the 
date of the annual meeting and the Board of Directors resolves to reduce the size of the Board of 
Directors in connection therewith, the maximum number of Stockholder Nominees included in 
the Corporation’s proxy materials shall be calculated based on the number of directors in office 
as so reduced.  The following individuals shall be counted as one of the Stockholder Nominees 
for purposes of determining when the maximum number of Stockholder Nominees provided for 
in this Section 1.3 has been reached: (i) any individual nominated by an Eligible Stockholder for 
inclusion in the Corporation’s proxy materials pursuant to this Section 1.3 whom the Board of 
Directors decides to nominate as a nominee of the Board of Directors, (ii) any director in office 
as of the Final Proxy Access Nomination Date who was included in the Corporation’s proxy 
materials as a Stockholder Nominee pursuant to this Section 1.3 for any of the two preceding 
annual meetings of stockholders (including any individual counted as a Stockholder Nominee 
pursuant to the preceding clause (i)) and whom the Board of Directors decides to nominate for 
re-election to the Board of Directors, (iii) any nominee recommended by the Board of Directors 
who will be included in the Corporation’s proxy materials pursuant to an agreement, 
arrangement or other understanding with a stockholder or group of stockholders (other than any 
such agreement, arrangement or understanding entered into in connection with an acquisition of 
stock from the Corporation by such stockholder or group of stockholders) and (iv) any individual 
nominated by an Eligible Stockholder for inclusion in the Corporation’s proxy materials pursuant 
to this Section 1.3 but whose nomination is subsequently withdrawn.  Any Eligible Stockholder 
submitting more than one Stockholder Nominee for inclusion in the Corporation’s proxy 
materials pursuant to this Section 1.3 shall rank such Stockholder Nominees based on the order 
that the Eligible Stockholder desires such Stockholder Nominees to be selected for inclusion in 
the Corporation’s proxy statement in the event that the total number of Stockholder Nominees 
submitted by Eligible Stockholders pursuant to this Section 1.3 exceeds the maximum number of 
nominees provided for in this Section 1.3. In the event that the number of Stockholder Nominees 
submitted by Eligible Stockholders pursuant to this Section 1.3 exceeds the maximum number of 
nominees provided for in this Section 1.3, the highest ranking Stockholder Nominee who meets 
the requirements of this Section 1.3 from each Eligible Stockholder will be selected for inclusion 
in the Corporation’s proxy materials until the maximum number is reached, going in order of the 
amount (largest to smallest) of shares of the Corporation’s outstanding common stock each 
Eligible Stockholder disclosed as owned in its respective Notice of Proxy Access Nomination 
submitted to the Corporation.  If the maximum number is not reached after the highest ranking 
Stockholder Nominee who meets the requirements of this Section 1.3 from each Eligible 
Stockholder has been selected, this process will continue as many times as necessary, following 
the same order each time, until the maximum number is reached.  Following such determination, 

if any Stockholder Nominee who satisfies the eligibility requirements of this Section 1.3 (y) 
thereafter is nominated by the Board of Directors or (z) thereafter is not included in the 
Corporation’s proxy materials or is not submitted for election as a director (in either case in this 
clause (z), as a result of the Nominating Stockholder becoming ineligible or withdrawing its 
nomination, the Stockholder Nominee becoming unwilling or unable to serve on the Board of 
Directors or the Eligible Stockholder or the Stockholder Nominee failing to comply with the 
provisions of this Section 1.3), no other nominee or nominees shall be included in the 
Corporation’s proxy materials or otherwise submitted for director election in substitution thereof.

(d)

For purposes of this Section 1.3, an Eligible Stockholder shall be deemed to 

“own” only those outstanding shares of common stock of the Corporation as to which the 
stockholder possesses both:

(i)

(ii)

the full voting and investment rights pertaining to the shares; and

the full economic interest in (including the opportunity for profit from and 

risk of loss on) such shares;

provided that the number of shares calculated in accordance with clauses (i) and 
(ii) shall not include any shares:

(A)

sold by such stockholder or any of its affiliates in any transaction 

that has not been settled or closed, including any short sale;

(B)

borrowed by such stockholder or any of its affiliates for any 

purposes or purchased by such stockholder or any of its affiliates pursuant to an 
agreement to resell; or

(C)

subject to any option, warrant, forward contract, swap, contract of 
sale, other derivative or similar agreement entered into by such stockholder or any 
of its affiliates, whether any such instrument or agreement is to be settled with 
shares or with cash based on the notional amount or value of shares of outstanding 
common stock of the Corporation, in any such case which instrument or 
agreement has, or is intended to have, or if exercised by either party would have, 
the purpose or effect of:

(1)

(2)

reducing in any manner, to any extent or at any time in the future, 
such stockholder’s or its affiliates’ full right to vote or direct the 
voting of any such shares; and/or

hedging, offsetting or altering to any degree any gain or loss 
realized or realizable from maintaining the full economic 
ownership of such shares by such stockholder or its affiliates.

A stockholder shall “own” shares held in the name of a nominee or other intermediary so 
long as the stockholder retains the right to instruct how the shares are voted with respect 
to the election of directors and possesses the full economic interest in the shares.  A 
stockholder’s ownership of shares shall be deemed to continue during any period in 

which the stockholder has delegated any voting power by means of a proxy, power of 
attorney or other instrument or arrangement which is revocable at any time by the 
stockholder.  A stockholder’s ownership of shares shall be deemed to continue during any 
period in which the stockholder has loaned such shares provided that the stockholder (i) 
has the power to recall such loaned shares on five (5) business days’ notice, (ii) recalls 
such loaned shares within five (5) business days’ notice of being notified that its 
Stockholder Nominee will be included in the Corporation’s proxy materials for the 
applicable annual meeting and (iii) holds such loaned shares through the date of the 
applicable annual meeting. The terms “owned,” “owning” and other variations of the 
word “own” shall have correlative meanings.  Whether outstanding shares of the common 
stock of the Corporation are “owned” for these purposes shall be determined by the 
Board of Directors or any committee thereof.  For purposes of this Section 1.3, the term 
“affiliate” or “affiliates” shall have the meaning ascribed thereto under the rules and 
regulations under the Act.  An Eligible Stockholder shall include in its Notice of Proxy 
Access Nomination the number of shares it is deemed to own for the purposes of this 
Section 1.3.

(e)

In order to make a nomination pursuant to this Section 1.3, an Eligible 

Stockholder must have owned (as defined above) the Required Ownership Percentage (as 
defined below) of the Corporation’s outstanding common stock (the “Required Shares”) 
continuously for the Minimum Holding Period (as defined below) as of both the date the Notice 
of Proxy Access Nomination is delivered to the Secretary of the Corporation in accordance with 
this Section 1.3 and the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at the annual 
meeting and must continue to own the Required Shares through the meeting date.  For purposes 
of this Section 1.3, the “Required Ownership Percentage” shall be at least 3% or more of the 
Corporation’s outstanding common stock as of the most recent date for which such amount is 
given in any filing by the Corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission prior to the 
submission of the Notice of Proxy Access Nomination.  For purposes of this Section 1.3, the 
“Minimum Holding Period” shall be at least 3 years. Within the time period specified in this 
Section 1.3 for delivering the Notice of Proxy Access Nomination, an Eligible Stockholder must 
provide the following information in writing to the Secretary of the Corporation:

(i)

one or more written statements from the record holder of the shares (and 

from each intermediary through which the shares are or have been held during the 
Minimum Holding Period) verifying that, as of a date within seven calendar days prior to 
the date the Notice of Proxy Access Nomination is delivered to Secretary of the 
Corporation, the Eligible Stockholder owns, and has owned continuously for the 
Minimum Holding Period, the Required Shares, and the Eligible Stockholder’s agreement 
to provide, within five business days after (A) the record date for the annual meeting (if, 
prior to the record date, the Corporation (1) has made a public announcement of such 
record date or (2) delivered a written notice of the record date (including by electronic 
mail) to the Eligible Stockholder) or (B) the date on which the Corporation delivered to 
the Eligible Stockholder written notice (including by electronic mail) of the record date 
(if such notice is provided after the record date), written statements from the record 
holder and intermediaries verifying the Eligible Stockholder’s continuous ownership of 
the Required Shares through the record date;

(ii)

a copy of the Schedule 14N that has been filed with the SEC as required 

by Rule 14a-18 under the Act;

(iii)

the information, representations and agreements that are the same as those 
that would be required to be set forth in a stockholder’s notice of nomination pursuant to 
Section 1.2(c) of these bylaws;

(iv)

the consent of each Stockholder Nominee to being named in the proxy 

statement as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected;

(v)

a representation and agreement that the Eligible Stockholder:

(A)

acquired the Required Shares in the ordinary course of business 

and not with the intent to change or influence control at the Corporation, and does 
not at present have such intent;

(B)

at present intends to maintain qualifying ownership of the 

Required Shares through the date of the annual meeting;

(C)

has not nominated and will not nominate for election any 
individual as a director at the annual meeting, other than its Stockholder 
Nominee(s);

(D)

has not engaged and will not engage in, and has not and will not be 
a “participant” in another person’s, “solicitation” within the meaning of Rule 14a-
1(l) under the Act in support of the election of any individual as a director at the 
annual meeting, other than its Stockholder Nominee(s) or a nominee of the Board 
of Directors;

(E)

agrees to comply with all applicable laws and regulations with 
respect to any solicitation in connection with the meeting or applicable to the 
filing and use, if any, of soliciting material;

(F)

will provide facts, statements and other information in all 

communications with the Corporation and its stockholders that are or will be true 
and correct in all material respects and do not and will not omit to state a material 
fact necessary in order to make the statements made, in the light of the 
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; and

(G)

as to any two or more funds whose shares are aggregated to count 
as one stockholder for the purpose of constituting an Eligible Stockholder, within 
five business days after the date of the Notice of Proxy Access Nomination, will 
provide to the Corporation documentation reasonably satisfactory to the 
Corporation that demonstrates that the funds satisfy the requirements of the 
second sentence of subsection (a) of this Section 1.3;

(vi)

an undertaking that the Eligible Stockholder agrees to:

(A)

assume all liability stemming from any legal or regulatory 

violation arising out of the Eligible Stockholder’s communications with the 
stockholders of the Corporation or out of the information that the Eligible 
Stockholder provided to the Corporation;

(B)

indemnify and hold harmless the Corporation and each of its 

directors, officers and employees individually against any liability, loss or 
damages in connection with any threatened or pending action, suit or proceeding, 
whether legal, administrative or investigative, against the Corporation or any of 
its directors, officers or employees arising out of the Eligible Stockholder’s efforts 
to elect a Stockholder Nominee pursuant to this Section 1.3; and

(C)

file with the SEC any solicitation made to the Corporation’s 

stockholders relating to the meeting at which the Stockholder Nominee will be 
nominated, regardless of whether any such filing is required under 
Regulation 14A of the Act or whether any exemption from filing is available 
thereunder; and

(vii)

in the case of a nomination by a group of stockholders that together is an 
Eligible Stockholder, the designation by all group members of one group member that is 
authorized to act on behalf of all such members with respect to the nomination and 
matters related thereto, including withdrawal of the nomination.

(f)

Within the time period specified in this Section 1.3 for delivering the Notice of 

Proxy Access Nomination, a Stockholder Nominee must deliver to the Secretary of the 
Corporation (which shall be deemed to be part of the Notice of Proxy Access Nomination for 
purposes of this Section 1.3):

(i)

the information required with respect to persons whom a stockholder 

proposes to nominate for election or reelection as a director by Section 1.2(c) of these 
bylaws;

(ii)

a written representation and agreement that such person:

(A)

will act as a representative of all of the stockholders of the 

Corporation while serving as a director;

(B)

is not and will not become a party to (I) a Voting Commitment that 

has not been disclosed to the Corporation or (II) any Voting Commitment that 
could limit or interfere with such Stockholder Nominee’s ability to comply, if 
elected as a director of the Corporation, with such Stockholder Nominee’s 
fiduciary duties under applicable law;

(C)

is not or will not become a party to any agreement, arrangement or 
understanding with any person or entity other than the Corporation with respect to 
direct or indirect compensation, reimbursement or indemnification in connection 
with service or nomination as a director that has not been disclosed to the 
Corporation in the notice required by this Section 1.3;

(D)

will comply with all applicable publicly disclosed codes of ethics 
and conduct, corporate governance, conflict of interest, confidentiality and stock 
ownership and trading policies and guidelines of the Corporation, as well as the 
applicable provisions of these bylaws; and

(E)

will provide facts, statements and other information in all 

communications with the Corporation and its stockholders that are or will be true 
and correct in all material respects (and shall not omit to state a material fact 
necessary in order to make the statements made, in the light of the circumstances 
under which they were made, not misleading).

At the request of the Corporation, the Stockholder Nominee(s) must promptly complete, 
sign and submit all questionnaires required of directors and officers of the Corporation. 
The Corporation may request such additional information as necessary to permit the 
Board of Directors to determine if each Stockholder Nominee satisfies the requirements 
of this Section 1.3 or if each Stockholder Nominee is independent under the listing 
standards of the principal U.S. exchange upon which the common stock of the 
Corporation is listed, any applicable rules of the SEC and any publicly disclosed 
standards used by the Board of Directors in determining and disclosing the independence 
of the Corporation’s directors.

(g)

In the event that any information or communications provided by the Eligible 

Stockholder or the Stockholder Nominee to the Corporation or its stockholders ceases to be true 
and correct in all material respects or omits a material fact necessary to make the statements 
made, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, each 
Eligible Stockholder or Stockholder Nominee, as the case may be, shall promptly notify the 
Secretary of the Corporation of any defect in such previously provided information and of the 
information that is required to correct any such defect, it being understood that providing any 
such notification shall not be deemed to cure any defect or limit the Corporation’s rights to omit 
a Stockholder Nominee from its proxy materials as provided in this Section 1.3.

(h)

The Corporation shall not be required to include, pursuant to this Section 1.3, a 

Stockholder Nominee in its proxy materials for any meeting of stockholders, any such 
nomination shall be disregarded and no vote on such Stockholder Nominee will occur, 
notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such vote may have been received by the Corporation:

(i)

if the Secretary of the Corporation receives a notice (whether or not 

subsequently withdrawn) that a stockholder proposes to nominate any person for election 
to the Board of Directors pursuant to the advance notice requirements for stockholder 
nominees for director set forth in Section 1.2 of these bylaws;

(ii)

 if the Eligible Stockholder who has nominated such Stockholder Nominee 
has nominated for election to the Board of Directors at the meeting any person other than 
pursuant to this Section 1.3, or has or is engaged in, or has been or is a “participant” in 
another person’s, “solicitation” within the meaning of Rule 14a-1(l) under the Act in 
support of the election of any individual as a director at the meeting (other than its 
Stockholder Nominee(s) or a nominee of the Board of Directors);

(iii)

who is not independent under the listing standards of the principal U.S. 

exchange upon which the common stock of the Corporation is listed, any applicable rules 
of the SEC and any publicly disclosed standards used by the Board of Directors in 
determining and disclosing independence of the Corporation’s directors, in each case as 
determined by the Board of Directors;

(iv)

who does not meet the audit committee independence requirements under 
the listing standards of the principal U.S. exchange upon which the common stock of the 
Corporation is listed or any applicable rules of the SEC;

(v)

who does not satisfy the requirements for service on the  Board of 

Directors set forth in the Corporation’s Corporate Governance Guidelines;

(vi)

whose election as a member of the Board of Directors would cause the 

Corporation to be in violation of these bylaws, the Certificate of Incorporation, the rules 
and listing standards of the principal U.S. exchange upon which the common stock of the 
Corporation is listed, or any applicable state or federal law, rule or regulation;

(vii) who is or has been, within the past three years, an officer or director of a 

competitor, as defined for purposes of Section 8 of the Clayton Antitrust Act of 1914;

(viii) who is a named subject of a pending criminal proceeding (excluding 
traffic violations and other minor offenses) or has been convicted in such a criminal 
proceeding within the past ten (10) years;

(ix)

who is subject to any order of the type specified in Rule 506(d) of 

Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended;

(x)

if such Stockholder Nominee or the applicable Eligible Stockholder shall 

have provided information to the Corporation in connection with such nomination that 
was untrue in any material respect or omitted to state a material fact necessary in order to 
make the statements made, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, 
not misleading, as determined by the Board of Directors or any committee thereof; or

(xi)

the Eligible Stockholder or applicable Stockholder Nominee breaches or 

fails to comply with the requirements of or its obligations pursuant to these bylaws, 
including, but not limited to, this Section 1.3 and any agreement, representation or 
undertaking required by this Section 1.3.

(i)

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein, the Board of Directors 

or the chairperson of the meeting of stockholders shall declare a nomination to be invalid, and 
such nomination shall be disregarded notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such vote may 
have been received by the Corporation, if:

(i)

 the Stockholder Nominee(s) and/or the applicable Eligible Stockholder 

shall have breached the requirements of or its or their obligations under this Section 1.3, 
as determined by the Board of Directors or the chairperson of the meeting of 
stockholders; or

(ii)

the Eligible Stockholder (or a qualified representative thereof) does not 

appear at the meeting of stockholders to present any nomination pursuant to this 
Section 1.3.

(j)

Any Stockholder Nominee who is included in the Corporation’s proxy materials 
for a particular annual meeting of stockholders but (A) withdraws from or becomes ineligible or 
unavailable for election at the annual meeting or (B) does not receive at least 20% of the votes 
cast in favor of his or her election will be ineligible to be a Stockholder Nominee pursuant to this 
Section 1.3 for the next two annual meetings. For the avoidance of doubt, this Section 1.3(j) shall 
not prevent any stockholder from nominating any person to the Board of Directors pursuant to 
and in accordance with Section 1.2 of these bylaws.

(k)

No stockholder shall be permitted to join more than one group of stockholders to 

become an Eligible Stockholder for purposes of nominations pursuant to this Section 1.3 per 
each annual meeting of stockholders.

(l)

This Section 1.3 shall be the exclusive method for stockholders to include 

nominees for director in the Corporation’s proxy materials

Section 1.4.

Special Meetings; Notice.

Special meetings of the stockholders of the Corporation may be called only in the manner set 
forth in the Certificate of Incorporation.  Notice of every special meeting of the stockholders of 
the Corporation shall state the purpose or purposes of such meeting.  Except as otherwise 
required by law, the business conducted at a special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation 
shall be limited exclusively to the business set forth in the Corporation’s notice of meeting, and 
the individual or group calling such meeting shall have exclusive authority to determine the 
business included in such notice.

Section 1.5. Notice of Meetings.

Notice of the place, if any, date and time of all meetings of stockholders of the Corporation, the 
record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting (if such date is 
different from the record date for stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting) and the means of 
remote communications, if any, by which stockholders and proxy holders may be deemed 
present and vote at such meeting, and, in the case of all special meetings of stockholders, the 
purpose or purposes of the meeting, shall be given, not less than 10 nor more than 60 days before 
the date on which such meeting is to be held, to each stockholder entitled to notice of the 
meeting.

The Corporation may postpone or cancel any previously called annual or special meeting of 
stockholders of the Corporation by making a public announcement (as defined in Section 1.2(e) ) 
of such postponement or cancellation prior to the meeting.  When a previously called annual or 
special meeting is postponed to another time, date or place, if any, notice of the place (if any), 
date and time of the postponed meeting, the record date for determining the stockholders entitled 
to vote at the meeting (if such date is different from the record date for stockholders entitled to 
notice of the meeting) and the means of remote communications, if any, by which stockholders 
and proxy holders may be deemed present and vote at such postponed meeting, shall be given in 

conformity with this Section 1.5 unless such meeting is postponed to a date that is not more than 
60 days after the date that the initial notice of the meeting was provided in conformity with this 
Section 1.5 .

When a meeting is adjourned to another time or place, notice need not be given of the adjourned 
meeting if the time and place, if any, thereof and the means of remote communication, if any, by 
which stockholders and proxy holders may be deemed to be present and vote at such adjourned 
meeting are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken; provided , however , 
that if the adjournment is for more than 30 days, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given 
to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting, or if after the adjournment a new 
record date for stockholders entitled to vote is fixed for the adjourned meeting the Board of 
Directors shall fix a new record date for notice of such adjourned meeting in conformity 
herewith and such notice shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at such 
adjourned meeting as of the record date for notice of such adjourned meeting.  At any adjourned 
meeting, any business may be transacted that may have been transacted at the original meeting.

Section 1.6. Quorum.

At any meeting of the stockholders, the holders of shares of stock of the Corporation entitled to 
cast a majority of the total votes entitled to be cast by the holders of all outstanding shares of 
capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (“Voting 
Stock”), present in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum for all purposes, unless or 
except to the extent that the presence of a larger number is required by applicable law or the 
Certificate of Incorporation.  If a separate vote by one or more classes or series is required, the 
holders of shares entitled to cast a majority of the total votes entitled to be cast by the holders of 
the shares of the class or classes or series, present in person or represented by proxy, shall 
constitute a quorum entitled to take action with respect to that vote on that matter.

If a quorum shall fail to attend any meeting, the chairman of the meeting may adjourn the 
meeting to another place, if any, date and time.

Section 1.7. Organization.

The Chairman of the Board or, in his or her absence, the Vice Chairman of the Board, or, in his 
or her absence, the person whom the Board of Directors designates or, in the absence of that 
person or the failure of the Board of Directors to designate a person, the President of the 
Corporation or, in his or her absence, the person chosen by the holders of a majority of the shares 
of capital stock entitled to vote who are present, in person or by proxy, shall call to order any 
meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation and act as chairman of the meeting.  In the 
absence of the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary of the Corporation, the secretary of the 
meeting shall be the person the chairman appoints.

Section 1.8. Conduct of Business.

The chairman of any meeting of stockholders of the Corporation shall determine the order of 
business and the rules of procedure for the conduct of such meeting, including the manner of 
voting and the conduct of discussion as he or she determines to be in order.  The chairman shall 
have the power to adjourn the meeting to another place, if any, date and time.  The date and time 

of the opening and closing of the polls for each matter upon which the stockholders will vote at 
the meeting shall be announced at the meeting.  Except to the extent inconsistent with such rules 
and regulations as adopted by the Board of Directors, the chairman of the meeting shall have the 
right and authority to convene and (for any or no reason) to adjourn the meeting, to prescribe 
such rules, regulations and procedures and to do all such acts as, in the judgment of such 
chairman, are appropriate for the proper conduct of the meeting.  Such rules, regulations or 
procedures, whether adopted by the Board of Directors or prescribed by the chairman of the 
meeting, may include, without limitation, the following: (i) the establishment of an agenda or 
order of business for the meeting; (ii) rules and procedures for maintaining order at the meeting 
and the safety of those present; (iii) limitations on attendance at or participation in the meeting to 
stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, their duly authorized and constituted proxies or such 
other persons as the chairman of the meeting shall determine; (iv) restrictions on entry to the 
meeting after the time fixed for the commencement thereof; and (v) limitations on the time 
allotted to questions or comments by participants.  The chairman of the meeting of stockholders, 
in addition to making any other determinations that may be appropriate to the conduct of the 
meeting, shall, if the facts warrant, determine and declare to the meeting that a nomination or 
matter of business was not properly brought before the meeting and if such chairman should so 
determine, such chairman shall so declare to the meeting and any such matter or business not 
properly brought before the meeting shall not be transacted or considered.  Unless and to the 
extent determined by the Board of Directors or the chairman of the meeting, meetings of 
stockholders shall not be required to be held in accordance with the rules of parliamentary 
procedure.

Section 1.9.

Proxies; Inspectors.

(a)

At any meeting of the stockholders, every stockholder entitled to vote may vote in 

person or by proxy authorized by an instrument in writing or by a transmission permitted by 
applicable law.

(b)

Prior to a meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation, the Corporation shall 

appoint one or more inspectors to act at a meeting of stockholders of the Corporation and make a 
written report thereof.  The Corporation may designate one or more persons as alternate 
inspectors to replace any inspector who fails to act.  If no inspector or alternate is able to act at a 
meeting of stockholders, the person presiding at the meeting may, and to the extent required by 
applicable law, shall, appoint one or more inspectors to act at the meeting.  Each inspector, 
before beginning the discharge of his or her duties, shall take and sign an oath faithfully to 
execute the duties of inspector with strict impartiality and according to the best of his or her 
ability.  The inspectors may appoint or retain other persons or entities to assist the inspectors in 
the performance of the duties of inspectors.  The inspectors shall have the duties prescribed by 
applicable law.

Section 1.10. Voting.

Except as otherwise required by the rules or regulations of any stock exchange applicable to the 
Corporation or pursuant to any law or regulation applicable to the Corporation or its securities or 
by the Certificate of Incorporation or these bylaws, all matters other than the election of directors 

shall be determined by a majority of the votes cast on the matter affirmatively or negatively.  All 
elections of directors shall be determined by a plurality of the votes cast.

Section 1.11. Action by Written Consent.

Stockholders may not take any action by written consent in lieu of a meeting of stockholders.

Section 1.12. Stock List.

A complete list of stockholders of the Corporation entitled to vote at any meeting of stockholders 
of the Corporation, arranged in alphabetical order for each class of stock and showing the 
address of each such stockholder and the number of shares registered in the name of such 
stockholder, shall be open to the examination of any such stockholder, for any purpose germane 
to a meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation, for a period of at least 10 days before the 
meeting (i) on a reasonably accessible electronic network, provided that the information required 
to gain access to such list is provided with the notice of the meeting or (ii) during ordinary 
business hours at the principal place of business of the Corporation; provided , however , if the 
record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote is less than 10 days before the 
meeting date, the list shall reflect the stockholders entitled to vote as of the 10th day before such 
meeting date.  If the meeting is to be held at a place, then a list of stockholders entitled to vote at 
the meeting shall be produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting during the whole 
time thereof and may be examined by any stockholder who is present.  If the meeting is to be 
held solely by means of remote communication, then the list shall also be open to the 
examination of any stockholder during the whole time of the meeting on a reasonably accessible 
electronic network, and the information required to access such list shall be provided with the 
notice of the meeting.

Except as otherwise provided by law, the stock ledger shall be the sole evidence of the identity of 
the stockholders entitled to vote at a meeting and the number of shares held by each stockholder.

SECTION 2 – BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Section 2.1. General Powers and Qualifications of Directors.

The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the 
Board of Directors.  In addition to the powers and authorities these bylaws expressly confer upon 
them, the Board of Directors may exercise all such powers of the Corporation and do all such 
lawful acts and things as are not by the DGCL or by the Certificate of Incorporation or by these 
bylaws required to be exercised or done by the stockholders.  Directors need not be stockholders 
of the Corporation to be qualified for election or service as a director of the Corporation.

Section 2.2. Number; Classes.

Subject to the Stockholders Agreement and Section 5 hereof, the number of directors shall be 
fixed from time to time by resolution of the Board of Directors.  The Board of Directors shall be 
divided into classes, as set forth in the Certificate of Incorporation.

Section 2.3. Removal; Resignation; Vacancies.

The directors of the Corporation may be removed in accordance with the Certificate of 
Incorporation and the DGCL.  Any director may resign at any time upon notice given in writing, 
including by electronic transmission, to the Corporation.  Subject to the Stockholders Agreement 
and Section 5 hereof, any vacancy caused by the death or resignation of any director or for any 
other reason, and any newly created directorship resulting from any increase in the authorized 
number of Directors, may be filled only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors then 
in office, although less than a quorum.  Any director so elected to fill any such vacancy or newly 
created directorship shall hold office until the next election of the class for which such director 
has been chosen and until his or her successor is elected and qualified or until his or her earlier 
resignation or removal.

Section 2.4. Regular Meetings.

Regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held at the place (if any), on the date and at 
the time as shall have been established by the Board of Directors and publicized among all 
directors.  A notice of a regular meeting, the date of which has been so publicized, shall not be 
required.

Section 2.5.

Special Meetings.

Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by (i) the Chairman of the Board, 
(ii) the Lead Director, (iii) any two directors or (iv) the chief executive officer of the 
Corporation, and shall be held at the place, if any, on the date and at the time as he, she or they 
shall fix.  Notice of the place, if any, date and time of each special meeting shall be given to each 
director either (a) by mailing written notice thereof not less than five days before the meeting, or 
(b) by telephone, facsimile or other means of electronic transmission providing notice thereof not 
less than twenty-four hours before the meeting.  Any and all business may be transacted at a 
special meeting of the Board of Directors.

Section 2.6. Quorum.

At any meeting of the Board of Directors, a majority of the total number of directors then in 
office shall constitute a quorum for all purposes.  If a quorum shall fail to attend any meeting, a 
majority of those present may adjourn the meeting to another place, if any, date or time, without 
further notice or waiver thereof.

Section 2.7.
Equipment.

Participation in Meetings By Conference Telephone or Other Communications 

Members of the Board of Directors, or of any committee thereof, may participate in a meeting of 
the Board of Directors or committee thereof by means of conference telephone or other 
communications equipment by means of which all directors participating in the meeting can hear 
each other director, and such participation shall constitute presence in person at the meeting.

Section 2.8. Chairman; Vice Chairman.

Subject to Section 5 hereof, in its sole discretion based on current circumstances, the Board of 
Directors shall annually elect one of its members to be Chairman of the Board and shall fill any 
vacancy in the position of Chairman of the Board with a director at such time and in such manner 
as the board shall determine.  The Chairman of the Board shall preside at all meetings of the 
Board of Directors at which he shall be present.  Subject to Section 5 hereof, the Board of 
Directors may designate from its membership a Vice Chairman of the Board, who shall preside 
at all meetings of the stockholders and of the Board of Directors if the Chairman is not present 
(other than executive sessions of the Board of Directors when only non-management or 
independent members of the Board of Directors are present) as well as perform such functions 
and duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors or requested by the Chairman of the 
Board.  A director may be removed from the position of Chairman of the Board or Vice 
Chairman of the Board at any time by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Board of 
Directors.  Subject to Section 5 hereof, the Chairman of the Board and the Vice Chairman of the 
Board may but need not be officers or be employed in an executive or any other capacity by the 
Corporation.

Section 2.9.

Lead Director.

The Board of Directors may designate a director as Lead Director.  The responsibilities of the 
Lead Director shall include: (i) liaising between non-management directors and management; 
(ii) presiding at executive sessions of non-management directors, and at meetings of the Board of 
Directors when the Chairman is not present; (iii) consulting with the Chairman regarding 
agendas, schedules and information sent to the Board of Directors for meetings of the Board of 
Directors; (iv) consulting with the Chairman on other matters pertinent to the Corporation and 
the Board of Directors; (v) consulting with major shareholders upon their request; and (vi) such 
other responsibilities as the Board of Directors may determine from time to time.

Section 2.10. Conduct of Business.

At any meeting of the Board of Directors, business shall be transacted in the order and manner 
that the Board of Directors may from time to time determine, and all matters shall be determined 
by the vote of a majority of the directors present, provided a quorum is present at the time such 
matter is acted upon, except as otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation or these 
bylaws or required by applicable law.  The Board of Directors or any committee thereof may 
take action without a meeting if all members thereof consent thereto in writing or by electronic 
transmission, and the writing or writings, or electronic transmission or electronic transmissions, 
are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board of Directors or any committee thereof.  
Such filing shall be in paper form if the minutes are maintained in paper form and shall be in 
electronic form if the minutes are maintained in electronic form.

Section 2.11. Compensation of Directors.

The Board of Directors shall be authorized to fix the compensation of directors.  The directors of 
the Corporation shall be paid their expenses, if any, of attendance at each meeting of the Board 
of Directors and may be reimbursed a fixed sum for attendance at each meeting of the Board of 

Directors, paid an annual retainer or paid other compensation, including equity compensation, as 
the Board of Directors determines.  No such payment shall preclude any director from serving 
the Corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefor.  Members of 
committees shall have their expenses, if any, of attendance of each meeting of such committee 
reimbursed and may be paid compensation as the Board of Directors determines for attending 
committee meetings or being a member of a committee.

SECTION 3 – COMMITTEES

Section 3.1. Committees of the Board of Directors.

The Board of Directors may designate committees of the Board of Directors, with such lawfully 
delegable powers and duties as it thereby confers, to serve at the pleasure of the Board of 
Directors and shall, for those committees, appoint a director or directors to serve as the member 
or members, designating, if it desires, other directors as alternate members who may replace any 
absent or disqualified member at any meeting of such committee.  In the absence or 
disqualification of any member of any committee and any alternate member in his or her place, 
the member or members of the committee present at the meeting and not disqualified from 
voting, whether or not he or she or they constitute a quorum, may by unanimous vote appoint 
another member of the Board of Directors to act at the meeting in the place of the absent or 
disqualified member.  All provisions of this Section 3.1 are subject to Section 5 hereof, and are 
subject to, and nothing in this Section 3.1 shall in any way limit the exercise, or method or 
timing of the exercise of, the rights of any person granted by the Corporation with respect to the 
existence, duties, composition or conduct of any committee of the Board of Directors including 
without limitation, such rights contained in the Stockholders Agreement.

Section 4.1. Generally.

SECTION 4 – OFFICERS

The officers of the Corporation shall consist of a Chief Executive Officer or President, one or 
more Vice Presidents, a Secretary, one or more Assistant Secretaries, a Treasurer, one or more 
Assistant Treasurers, a Chief Financial Officer and other officers as may from time to time be 
appointed by the Board of Directors.  Each officer shall hold office until his or her successor is 
elected and qualified or until his or her earlier resignation or removal.  Any number of offices 
may be held by the same person.  The compensation of officers appointed by the Board of 
Directors shall be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors or a committee thereof 
or by the officers as may be designated by resolution of the Board of Directors.

Section 4.2.

President.

Unless otherwise determined by the Board of Directors, the President shall be the Chief 
Executive Officer of the Corporation.  Subject to the provisions of these bylaws and to the 
direction of the Board of Directors, he or she shall have the responsibility for the general 
management and control of the business and affairs of the Corporation and shall perform all 
duties and have all powers that are commonly incident to the office of chief executive or which 
are delegated to him or her by the Board of Directors.  He or she shall have the power to sign all 
stock certificates, contracts and other instruments of the Corporation that are authorized and shall 

have general supervision and direction of all of the other officers, employees and agents of the 
Corporation.

Section 4.3. Vice President.

Each Vice President shall have the powers and duties delegated to him or her by the Board of 
Directors or the President.  One Vice President may be designated by the Board of Directors to 
perform the duties and exercise the powers of the President in the event of the President’s 
absence or disability.

Section 4.4.

Secretary and Assistant Secretaries.

The Secretary shall issue all authorized notices for, and shall keep minutes of, all meetings of the 
stockholders and the Board of Directors.  He or she shall have charge of the corporate books and 
shall perform other duties as the Board of Directors may from time to time prescribe.

Any Assistant Secretary shall perform such duties and possess such powers as the Board of 
Directors, the Chief Executive Officer or the Secretary may from time to time prescribe.  In the 
event of the absence, inability or refusal to act of the Secretary, the Assistant Secretary, (or if 
there shall be more than one, the Assistant Secretaries in the order determined by the Board of 
Directors) shall perform the duties and exercise the powers of the Secretary.

Section 4.5. Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Assistant Treasurers.

The Chief Financial Officer shall keep or cause to be kept the books of account of the 
Corporation in a thorough and proper manner and shall render statements of the financial affairs 
of the Corporation in such form and as often as required by the Board of Directors or the 
President.  The Chief Financial Officer, subject to the order of the Board of Directors, shall have 
the custody of all funds and securities of the Corporation.  The Chief Financial Officer shall 
perform other duties commonly incident to his office and shall also perform such other duties 
and have such other powers as the Board of Directors or the President shall designate from time 
to time.  The President may direct the Treasurer or any Assistant Treasurer to assume and 
perform the duties of the Chief Financial Officer in the absence or disability of the Chief 
Financial Officer, and each Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer shall perform other duties 
commonly incident to his office and shall also perform such other duties and have such other 
powers as the Board of Directors or the President shall designate from time to time.

Section 4.6. Delegation of Authority.

The Board of Directors may from time to time delegate the powers or duties of any officer to any 
other officer or agent, notwithstanding any provision hereof.

Section 4.7. Removal.

The Board of Directors may remove any officer of the Corporation at any time, with or without 
cause.

Section 4.8. Action with Respect to Securities of Other Companies.

Unless otherwise directed by the Board of Directors, the President, or any officer of the 
Corporation authorized by the President, shall have power to vote and otherwise act on behalf of 
the Corporation, in person or by proxy, at any meeting of stockholders or equityholders of, or 
with respect to any action of, stockholders or equityholders of any other entity in which the 
Corporation may hold securities and otherwise to exercise any and all rights and powers which 
the Corporation may possess by reason of its ownership of securities in such other entity.

SECTION 5 – CERTAIN GOVERNANCE MATTERS

Section 5.1. Definitions.  The following definitions shall apply to this Section 5 and otherwise 
as applicable in these bylaws:

(a)

“Continuing IMS Health Directors” means (i) directors as of the Effective Time 
designated by IMS Health Holdings, Inc. and named in Exhibit B of the Merger Agreement and 
(ii) any director who takes office after the Effective Time designated by the Continuing IMS 
Health Directors pursuant to these bylaws.

(b)

“Continuing Quintiles Directors” means (i) directors as of the Effective Time 

designated by Quintiles Transnational Holdings Inc. and named in Exhibit B of the Merger 
Agreement and (ii) any director who takes office after the Effective Time designated by the 
Continuing Quintiles Directors pursuant to these bylaws.

(c)

(d)

“Effective Time” has the meaning specified in the Merger Agreement.

“Merger Agreement” means that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated 

May 3, 2016, by and between Quintiles Transnational Holdings Inc. and IMS Health Holdings, 
Inc, as amended, restated or otherwise modified from time to time.

(e)

“Specified Period” means the period beginning at the Effective Time and ending 

on the date following the second annual meeting of stockholders of the Corporation following 
the Effective Time.

Section 5.2. Composition of the Board of Directors.

(a)

(During the Specified Period, the Board of Directors shall be comprised of 12 

directors, of which six (6) directors shall be Continuing Quintiles Directors and six (6) directors 
shall be Continuing IMS Health Directors.  The Continuing IMS Health Directors and 
Continuing Quintiles Directors shall be apportioned among the classes of the Board of Directors 
as nearly as evenly as possible.

(b)

In any case subject to, and following compliance with, the right of a particular 

Shareholder Group (as defined in the Stockholders Agreement) or other persons to fill any 
vacancies or directorships pursuant to the Stockholders Agreement, during the Specified Period, 
vacancies resulting from the cessation of service by any Continuing Quintiles Director shall be 
filled by, and each nomination for election to the Board of Directors for a directorship previously 

held by a Continuing Quintiles Director shall be, an individual whose appointment or election is 
endorsed by at least a majority of Continuing Quintiles Directors then in office.

(c)

In any case subject to, and following compliance with, the right of a particular 

Shareholder Group (as defined in the Stockholders Agreement) or other persons to fill any 
vacancies or directorships pursuant to the Stockholders Agreement, during the Specified Period, 
vacancies resulting from the cessation of service by any Continuing IMS Health Director shall be 
filled by, and each nomination for election to the Board of Directors for a directorship previously 
held by a Continuing IMS Health Director shall be, an individual whose appointment or election 
is endorsed by at least a majority of Continuing IMS Health Directors then in office.

(d)

The Board of Directors shall at all times comply with the Certificate of 

Incorporation, these bylaws and applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange 
Commission and the New York Stock Exchange with respect to the qualification of directors 
serving on the Board of Directors.

Section 5.3. Composition of Committees of the Board of Directors.  During the Specified 
Period, each committee of the Board of Directors shall be composed of an equal number of 
Continuing IMS Health Directors and Continuing Quintiles Directors.  With respect to each 
committee: (i) the Continuing IMS Health Directors shall designate a Continuing IMS Health 
Director as the chairperson of the Leadership Development and Compensation Committee; 
(ii) the Continuing Quintiles Directors shall designate a Continuing Quintiles Director as the 
chairperson of the Nominating and Governance Committee; (iii) the Continuing Quintiles 
Directors and the Continuing IMS Health Directors shall jointly designate the chairperson of the 
Audit Committee.  Without limiting the foregoing, any director shall have the right to attend the 
meeting of any committee of the Board of Directors, except during any executive session.

Lead Director.  Effective as of the Effective Time and during the Specified 

Section 5.4.
Period, Dr. Dennis Gillings shall serve as the Lead Director.  During the Specified Period, in the 
event of the termination of Dr. Gillings’ appointment as Lead Director for any reason (whether 
resignation, death or removal), the Lead Director shall be a director selected by a majority of the 
Continuing Quintiles Directors.  Following the expiration of the Specified Period, the Lead 
Director, if any, shall be a director selected by a majority of the Board of Directors.

Section 5.5. Vice Chairman.  Effective as of the Effective Time, Thomas Pike shall become 
and serve as Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors and during Thomas Pike’s service as Vice 
Chairman, the Vice Chairman shall have executive responsibilities.  During the Specified Period, 
in the event of the termination of Thomas Pike’s appointment as Vice Chairman for any reason 
(whether resignation, death or removal) and the Board determines that it is in the best interests of 
the Corporation to continue to have a Vice Chairman, the Vice Chairman shall be a director 
selected by a majority of the Continuing Quintiles Directors.  Following the expiration of the 
Specified Period, the Vice Chairman, if any, shall be a director selected by a majority of the 
Board of Directors.

Section 5.6. Amendments.  During the Specified Period, the provisions of this Section 5 may 
be amended only by an affirmative vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the Board of Directors.

Section 6.1. Certificates of Stock.

SECTION 6 – STOCK

Shares of the capital stock of the Corporation may be certificated or uncertificated, as provided 
in the DGCL.  Stock certificates shall be signed by, or in the name of the Corporation by, (i) the 
Chairman of the Board (if any) or the Vice Chairman of the Board (if any), the President or a 
Vice President, and (ii) the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, or the Treasurer or an Assistant 
Treasurer, or the Chief Financial Officer, certifying the number of shares owned by such 
stockholder.  Any signatures on a certificate may be by facsimile.

Section 6.2.

Transfers of Stock.

Transfers of stock shall be made only upon the transfer books of the Corporation kept at an 
office of the Corporation (within or without the State of Delaware) or by transfer agents 
designated to transfer shares of the stock of the Corporation.

Section 6.3.

Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates.

In the event of the loss, theft or destruction of any certificate of stock, another may be issued in 
its place pursuant to regulations as the Board of Directors may establish concerning proof of the 
loss, theft or destruction and concerning the giving of a satisfactory bond or indemnity, if 
deemed appropriate.

Section 6.4. Regulations.

The issue, transfer, conversion and registration of certificates of stock of the Corporation shall be 
governed by other regulations as the Board of Directors may establish.

Section 6.5. Record Date.

(a)

In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of 
any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, the Board of Directors may fix a record 
date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record 
date is adopted by the Board of Directors, and which record date shall, unless otherwise required 
by law, not be more than 60 nor less than 10 days before the date of such meeting.  If the Board 
of Directors so fixes a date, such date shall also be the record date for determining the 
stockholders entitled to vote at such meeting unless the Board of Directors determines, at the 
time it fixes such record date, that a later date on or before the date of the meeting shall be the 
date for making such determination.  If no record date is fixed by the Board of Directors, the 
record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of 
stockholders shall be at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which notice 
is given, or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on 
which the meeting is held.  A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to 
vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided , 
however , that the Board of Directors may fix a new record date for determination of 
stockholders entitled to vote at the adjourned meeting, and in such case shall also fix as the 
record date for stockholders entitled to notice of such adjourned meeting the same or an earlier 
date as that fixed for determination of stockholders entitled to vote in accordance herewith at the 
adjourned meeting.

(b)

In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to receive 
payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights, or entitled to exercise 
any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock or for the purpose of any 
other lawful action, the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which shall not be more than 
60 days prior to such other action.  If no such record date is fixed, the record date for 
determining stockholders for any such purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on 
which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution relating thereto.

Section 7.1. Notices.

SECTION 7 – NOTICES

Except as otherwise provided herein or permitted by applicable law, notices to directors and 
stockholders shall be in writing and delivered personally or mailed to the directors or 

stockholders at their addresses appearing on the books of the Corporation.  If mailed, notice to a 
stockholder of the Corporation shall be deemed given when deposited in the mail, postage 
prepaid, directed to a stockholder at such stockholder’s address as it appears on the records of the 
Corporation.  Without limiting the manner by which notice otherwise may be given effectively to 
stockholders, any notice to stockholders of the Corporation may be given by electronic 
transmission in the manner provided in Section 232 of the DGCL.

Section 7.2. Waivers.

A written waiver of any notice, signed by a stockholder or director, or a waiver by electronic 
transmission by such person or entity, whether given before or after the time of the event for 
which notice is to be given, shall be deemed equivalent to the notice required to be given to such 
person or entity.  Neither the business nor the purpose of any meeting need be specified in the 
waiver.  Attendance at any meeting shall constitute waiver of notice except attendance for the 
sole purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business 
because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened.

SECTION 8 – MISCELLANEOUS

Section 8.1. Corporate Seal.

The Board of Directors may provide a suitable seal, containing the name of the Corporation, 
which seal shall be in the charge of the Secretary of the Corporation.  If and when so directed by 
the Board of Directors, duplicates of the seal may be kept and used by the Treasurer or by an 
Assistant Secretary, Assistant Treasurer or the Chief Financial Officer.

Section 8.2. Reliance upon Books, Reports, and Records.

Each director and each member of any committee designated by the Board of Directors of the 
Corporation shall, in the performance of his or her duties, be fully protected in relying in good 
faith upon the books and records of the Corporation and upon such information, opinions, reports 
or statements presented to the Corporation by any of its officers, agents or employees, or 
committees of the Board of Directors so designated, or by any other person or entity as to matters 
which such director or committee member reasonably believes are within such other person’s or 
entity’s professional or expert competence and that has been selected with reasonable care by or 
on behalf of the Corporation.

Section 8.3.

Fiscal Year.

The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be as fixed by the Board of Directors.  If the Board 
makes no determination to the contrary, the fiscal year of the Corporation shall be the twelve 
months ending with December 31 in each year.

Section 8.4.

Time Periods.

In applying any provision of these bylaws that requires that an act be done or not be done a 
specified number of days before an event or that an act be done during a specified number of 

days before an event, calendar days shall be used, the day of the doing of the act shall be 
excluded, and the day of the event shall be included.

Section 8.5.

Exclusive Forum.

To the fullest extent permitted by law, unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection 
of an alternate forum, the sole and exclusive forum for all litigation relating to the internal affairs 
of the Corporation, including without limitation (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought 
on behalf of the Corporation, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed 
by any director, officer or other employee of the Corporation to the Corporation or the 
stockholders of the Corporation, (iii) any action asserting a claim arising pursuant to any 
provision of the DGCL, the Certificate of Incorporation or these bylaws (in each case, as they 
may be amended from time to time), or (iv) any action asserting a claim governed by the internal 
affairs doctrine, shall be a state court located within the State of Delaware, or, if no state court 
located within the State of Delaware has jurisdiction, the federal district court for the District of 
Delaware.

SECTION 9 – AMENDMENTS

Except as otherwise provided herein, these bylaws may be altered, amended or repealed in 
accordance with the Certificate of Incorporation and the DGCL.

IQVIA Holdings Inc.
Subsidiary Listing - as of 12/31/2019

Subsidiary

159 Solutions LLC

159 Technology Solutions Private Ltd

AECIO IT Solutions India Private Ltd.

Albatross Financial Solutions Limited

ALIMED Egeszsegugyi Szolgaltato Kft.

Appature, Inc.

Ardentia International Limited

Ascott Sales Integration Pty Ltd

Asesorias IQVIA Solutions  Chile Limitada

Asophäre GmbH

Asserta Centroamerica Medicion de Mercados, S.A.
Battaerd Mansley (Proprietary) Limited

Battaerd Mansley Pty. Ltd.

Benefit Holding, Inc.

BioFortis, LLC 

BuzzeoPDMA LLC

Cambridge Pharma Consultancy Limited

Cambridge Pharma Consultancy, Inc.

Capionis SARL

CDS - Center de Service SAS

Cegedim Venezuela C.A.

Cenduit (India) Services Private Company Limited

Cenduit GmbH

Cenduit Holdings, LLC

Cenduit Japan GK

Cenduit Limited

Cenduit LLC

Cenduit Mauritius Holdings Company

Clinical Financial Services, LLC

Clinical Insorcing Solutions S. de R.L. de C.V.

Clinical Lab Minority Shareholder Limited

ClinTec Austria GmbH

ClinTec Egypt LLC

ClinTec Gesellschaft fur Klinische Entwicklung GmbH

ClinTec International (Pty) Ltd.

ClinTec International (Thailand) Limited N/A

ClinTec International AG

ClinTec International Belgium BVBA

ClinTec International Bulgaria OOD

Exhibit 21.1

Jurisdiction or

State of Organization

California

India

India

United Kingdom

Hungary

Washington

United Kingdom

Australia

Chile

Germany

Guatemala
South Africa

Australia

North Carolina

Delaware

Delaware

United Kingdom

Delaware

France

France

Venezuela

India

Switzerland

Delaware

Japan

United Kingdom

Delaware

Mauritius

Pennsylvania

Mexico

United Kingdom

Austria

Egypt

Germany

South Africa

Thailand

Switzerland

Belgium

Bulgaria

 
 
 
 
 
 
ClinTec International Co., Ltd.

ClinTec International Denmark ApS

ClinTec International doo

ClinTec International Hong Kong Limited

ClinTec International Hungary Kft

ClinTec International Inc.

ClinTec International Italy S.r.l.

ClinTec International K.K.

ClinTec International Limited

ClinTec International Limited

ClinTec International Limited

ClinTec International LLC

ClinTec International Ltd

ClinTec International Ltd, UK, Filial Sverige

ClinTec International Ltd.

ClinTec International Norway AS

ClinTec International Off-Shore S.A.L.

ClinTec International OY

Clintec International Pharmaceutical Services Ltd

ClinTec International Pte Ltd

ClinTec International Pty Ltd

ClinTec International Romania S.R.L.

ClinTec International RUS LLC

ClinTec International s.r.o.

ClinTec International SARL

ClinTec International Services Inc.

ClinTec International SL

ClinTec International sp. z.o.o.

ClinTec Luxembourg S.A.

ClinTec Turkey Medikal ve Farmasotik Hizmetler Ticaret Limited Sirketi

ClinTech Ireland International Research Limited

CRM Health Korea Ltd.

CSD Health Korea Ltd.

CT Clinical Portugal Unipessoal LDA

CT Clinical Services EOOD

CT Consulting Inc.

Data Niche Associates, Inc.

Dataline Software Limited

Datandina Ecuador S.A.

Datec Industria e Comercio, Distribudora Grafica e Mala Direta Ltda.

Dimensions Healthcare LLC

South Korea

Demark

Serbia

Hong Kong

Hungary

Delaware

Italy

Japan

Kenya

New Zealand

Taiwan

Ukraine

Netherlands

Sweden

England

Norway

Lebanon

Finland

Israel

Singapore

Australia

Romania

Russia

Czech Republic

France

Canada

Spain

Poland

Luxembourg

Turkey

Ireland

Korea

Korea

Portugal

Bulgaria

Philippines

Illinois

United Kingdom

Ecuador

Brazil

Abu Dhabi

Drug Dev Inc.

DrugDev Limited

EA Institute L.L.C.

Enterprise Associates, LLC

Epernicus, LLC

EPS Research Limited

EPS Software Limited

Exepi SAS

Forcea NV

Foresight Group International UK LTD

Foresight IT Solutions Consulting India Private Limited

GCE Clin Solutions Limited

GCE Global Solutions, LLC

GCE Solutions B.V.

GCE Solutions GmbH

GCE Solutions Inc.

GCE Solutions International, LLC

GCE Solutions US, LLC

GCE Solutions, GmbH

GCE Solutions, P.L.

GCE Solutions, S. de R.L. de C.V.

genae Americas, Inc.

genae Associates NV

genae Germany GmbH

genae International AG

Global Crown Investment Limited

Grace Data Corporation

Gunjan Cutting Edge Solutions, Inc.

Highpoint Solutions, LLC

Highpoint Solutions, LLC

Hospital Marketing Services Ltd.
Hotel Lot C-8B, LLC

Iasist Holdco Limited

Iasist Portugal, Consultadoria na Área de Saúde, Unipessoal, Lda

Iasist SAU Agencia en Chile

Iasist Sociedad Anonima Unipersonal 

iGuard, Inc.

Impact RX, LLC

IMS Health Korea Ltd

IMS (UK) Pension Plan Trustee Company Limited

IMS AB

IMS Health (Australia) Partnership

IMS Health Bangladesh Limited

Delaware

United Kingdom

Delaware

Delaware

Delaware

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

France

Belgium

United Kingdom

India

United Kingdom

Delaware

Netherlands

Germany

Canada

Delaware

Delaware

Switzerland

South Africa

Mexico

Delaware

Belgium

Germany

Switzerland

Hong Kong

Nebraska

Georgia

Pennsylvania

Switzerland

United Kingdom
North Carolina

United Kingdom

Portugal

Chile

Spain

North Carolina

South Africa

Korea

United Kingdom

Sweden

Australia

Bangladesh

IMS Health de Venezuela C.A.

IMS Health Egypt Limited

IMS Health Group Limited

IMS Health Information Solutions Australia Pty. Ltd

IMS Health Information Solutions India Private Ltd.

IMS Health Lanka (Private) Limited

IMS Health Networks Limited

IMS Health Paraguay SRL

IMS Health Puerto Rico Inc.

IMS Health Surveys Limited

IMS Health Technology Solutions Holdings AB

IMS Health Technology Solutions Sweden AB

IMS Health Technology TUNISIA

IMS Health Tunisia sarl

IMS Health Uruguay S.A.

IMS Holdings (U.K.) Limited

IMS Hospital Group Limited

IMS Information Solutions Medical Research Limited

IMS Information Solutions UK Ltd.

IMS International (Proprietary) Limited

IMS Meridian Limited

IMS Meridian Research Limited

IMS Software Services Ltd.

IMS Technology Solutions UK Limited

Incarnus Malaysia Sdn  Bhd

Infocus Health Limited

Infopharm Ltd.

Innovex Holdings I LLC

Innovex Merger Corp.

Innovex Saglik Hizmetleri Arastirma ve Danismanlik Ticaret Limited Sirketi

Innovex Saglik Urunleri Pazarlame ve Hizmet Danismanlik Anonim Sirketi
Institute of Medical Communications NCO

Intercontinental Medical Statistics International, Ltd.

Interstatistik AG

IPP Informacion Promocional y Publicitaria S.A. de C.V.

IQVA Romania S.R.L.

IQVIA  Medical Development (Dalian) Co., Ltd.

IQVIA  Solutions Pakistan (Private) Limited

IQVIA  SOLUTIONS PHILIPPINES, INC.

IQVIA (Thailand)  Co. Ltd.

IQVIA AB

IQVIA Adriatic d.o.o. za Konzalting

IQVIA AG

Venezuela

Egypt

United Kingdom

Australia

India

Sri Lanka

United Kingdom

Paraguay

Puerto Rico

United Kingdom

Sweden

Sweden

Tunisia

Tunisia

Uruguay

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

South Africa

Hong Kong

British Virgin Islands

Delaware

United Kingdom

Malaysia

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

Delaware

North Carolina

Turkey

Turkey
Russia

Delaware

Switzerland

Mexico

Romania

China

Pakistan

Philippines

Thailand

Sweden

Croatia

Switzerland

IQVIA Asia Pacific Commercial Holdings LLC

IQVIA Beteiligungs-gesellschaft mbH

IQVIA BioSciences Holdings LLC

IQVIA Biotech LLC

IQVIA Chinametrik inc.

IQVIA Clinical AB

IQVIA Commercial Consulting Sp. z.o.o.

IQVIA Commercial Deutschland GmbH

IQVIA COMMERCIAL FINANCE INC.

IQVIA Commercial GmbH & Co. OHG

IQVIA Commercial I LLC

IQVIA Commercial India Holdings Corp.

IQVIA Commercial Services LLC

IQVIA Commercial Software GmbH

IQVIA Commercial Sp. z.o.o.

IQVIA Commercial Trading Corp.

IQVIA Consulting and Information Services India Private Limited

IQVIA Consulting Solutions bvba

IQVIA CSMS GmbH

IQVIA CSMS US Inc.

IQVIA Finance Ireland Designated Activity Company

IQVIA GOVERNMENT SOLUTIONS INC.

IQVIA Hellas Technology Solutions S.A.

IQVIA Holdings France SAS

IQVIA IES (UK) Limited

IQVIA IES Brasil Ltda.

IQVIA IES DenmarkApS

IQVIA IES Europe Limited

IQVIA IES European Holdings

IQVIA IES Italia S.r.l.

IQVIA IES Overseas Holdings Limited
IQVIA IES OY

IQVIA IES Portugal Unipressoal Ltda.

IQVIA IES Portugal, Unipessoal Lda.

IQVIA IES Puerto Rico Inc.

IQVIA II Technology Solutions Portugal, Unipessoal LDA

IQVIA Inc.

IQVIA Information Medical Statistics (Israel) Ltd.

IQVIA Information Solutions (China) Co., Ltd.

IQVIA Information Solutions GmbH

IQVIA Information, S.A.

IQVIA Informations Solutions France SAS 

IQVIA Istanbul Saglik Hizmetler Arastirma ve Danismanlik Limited Sirketi

North Carolina

Germany

Delaware

Delaware

Delaware

Sweden

Poland

Germany

Delaware

Germany

Delaware

Delaware

Delaware

Germany

Poland

Delaware

India

Belgium

Germany

Delaware

Ireland

Delaware

Greece

France

United Kingdom

Brazil

Denmark

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

Italy

United Kingdom
Finland

Spain

Portugal

Puerto Rico

Portugal

Delaware

Israel

China

Austria

Spain

France

Turkey

IQVIA Korea Co. Ltd.

IQVIA Lebanon S.A.R.L.

IQVIA LTD

IQVIA Market Intelligence LLC

IQVIA Marktforschung GmbH

IQVIA Maroc SARL

IQVIA Mauritius Holdings, Inc. 

IQVIA Medical Communications & Consulting, Inc.

IQVIA Medical Education Inc.

IQVIA Medical Radar AB

IQVIA Operations France SAS

IQVIA Partners AS

IQVIA Pharma Inc.

IQVIA Pharma Services Corp.

IQVIA Pharmaceutical Marketing Services Ltd.

IQVIA Phase One Services LLC

IQVIA RDS (India) Private Limited

IQVIA RDS (Pty.) Limited

IQVIA RDS (Shanghai)  Co. Ltd.

IQVIA RDS AG

IQVIA RDS and Integrated Services Belgium NV

IQVIA RDS Argentina S.A.

IQVIA RDS Asia Inc.

IQVIA RDS Austria GmbH

IQVIA RDS Brasil Ltda.

IQVIA RDS BT Inc.

IQVIA RDS Bulgaria EOOD

IQVIA RDS Canada ULC

IQVIA RDS Clindepharm (Pty.) Limited

IQVIA RDS Colombia S.A.S.

IQVIA RDS Costa Rica, S.A.
IQVIA RDS Czech Republic, s.r.o.

IQVIA RDS d.o.o. Beograd

IQVIA RDS East Asia Pte. Ltd.

IQVIA RDS Eastern Holdings GmbH

IQVIA RDS Egypt LLC

IQVIA RDS ESTONIA OU

IQVIA RDS Finland OY

IQVIA RDS France SAS

IQVIA RDS Funding LLC

IQVIA RDS GmbH

IQVIA RDS GmbH

IQVIA RDS Guatemala S.A.

Korea

Lebanon

United Kingdom

North Carolina

Austria

Morocco

Mauritius

North Carolina

New York

Sweden

France

Denmark

North Carolina

North Carolina

Slovenia

Kansas

India

South Africa

China

Switzerland

Belgium

Argentina

North Carolina

Austria

Brazil

North Carolina

Bulgaria

Canada

South Africa

Colombia

Costa Rica
Czech Republic

Serbia

Singapore

Austria

Egypt

Estonia

Finland

France

North Carolina

Austria

Germany

Guatemala

IQVIA RDS HELLAS Single Member Societe Anonyme 

IQVIA RDS Holdings

IQVIA RDS Hong Kong Limited

IQVIA RDS Inc.

IQVIA RDS Ireland Ltd.

IQVIA RDS Israel Ltd.

IQVIA RDS Italy Srl

IQVIA RDS Latin America LLC

IQVIA RDS Latvia SIA

IQVIA RDS Magyarorszag Gyogyszerfejlesztesi es Tanacsado Kft.

IQVIA RDS Malaysia Sdn. Bhd.

IQVIA RDS Netherlands BV

IQVIA RDS Panama Inc.

IQVIA RDS Peru S.r.l.

IQVIA RDS Philippines Inc.

IQVIA RDS Poland Sp. Zoo

IQVIA RDS Pty. Limited

IQVIA RDS Slovakia s.r.o.

IQVIA RDS Spain S.L.

IQVIA RDS Switzerland sarl

IQVIA RDS Taiwan Ltd.

IQVIA RDS Transfer LLC

IQVIA RDS UAB

IQVIA RDS UK Holdings Ltd.

IQVIA RDS Vietnam Limited Liability Company

IQVIA Research and Development Solutions Saudi Arabia Limited

IQVIA Services Japan K.K.

IQVIA Soluções de Tecnologia do Brasil Ltda

IQVIA Solutions (NZ) Limited

IQVIA Solutions (Pty.) Ltd.

IQVIA Solutions a.s.
IQVIA Solutions Argentina S.A.

IQVIA Solutions Asia Pte. LTD.

IQVIA Solutions Australia Holdings Pty. Ltd.

IQVIA Solutions Australia Pty. Ltd.

IQVIA Solutions B.V.

IQVIA Solutions Belgium S.P.R.L.

IQVIA Solutions Bolivia S.R.L.

IQVIA Solutions Bulgaria EOOD

IQVIA Solutions Canada Inc.

IQVIA Solutions Colombia S.A.

IQVIA Solutions Consulting Myanmar Company Limited

IQVIA Solutions del Peru S.A.

Greece

United Kingdom

Hong Kong

North Carolina

Ireland

Israel

Italy

North Carolina

Latvia

Hungary

Malaysia

Netherlands

Panama

Peru

Philippines

Poland

Australia

Slovakia

Spain

Switzerland

Taiwan

Delaware

Lithuania

United Kingdom

Vietnam

Saudi Arabia

Japan and Delaware

Brazil

New Zealand

South Africa

Czech Republic
Argentina

Singapore

Australia

Australia

Netherlands

Belgium

Bolivia

Bulgaria

Canada

Colombia

Myanmar

Peru

IQVIA Solutions Denmark AS

IQVIA Solutions do Brasil Ltda.

IQVIA Solutions Enterprise Management Consulting (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.

IQVIA Solutions Enterprise Management Consulting (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. Beijing Branch

IQVIA Solutions Finance B.V.

IQVIA Solutions Finance UK I Ltd.

IQVIA Solutions Finance UK II Ltd.

IQVIA Solutions Finance UK III Ltd.

IQVIA Solutions Finance UK V Ltd.

IQVIA Solutions Finland OY

IQVIA Solutions Global Holdings UK Ltd.

IQVIA Solutions GmbH

IQVIA Solutions Holdings (Pty.) Ltd.

IQVIA Solutions Hong Kong Limited

IQVIA Solutions HQ Ltd.

IQVIA Solutions Ireland Limited

IQVIA Solutions Italy S.r.l.

IQVIA Solutions Japan K.K.

IQVIA Solutions Kazakhstan LLC

IQVIA Solutions LLC

IQVIA Solutions Malaysia Sdn. Bhd.

IQVIA Solutions Norway AS

IQVIA SOLUTIONS OPERATIONS CENTER PHLIPPINES INC.

IQVIA Solutions Pharmaceutical SRL

IQVIA Solutions Portugal, Lda.

IQVIA Solutions Regional Pte. Ltd.

IQVIA Solutions Republica Dominicana, S.R.L.

IQVIA Solutions s.r.o.

IQVIA Solutions Saudi Arabia Limited

IQVIA Solutions Services Ltd.

IQVIA Solutions Sweden AB
IQVIA Solutions TAIWAN LTD.

IQVIA Solutions UK Investments Ltd.

IQVIA Solutions UK Limited

IQVIA Staff Services Sp.A.

IQVIA Technology and Services AG

IQVIA Technology Services Ltd.

IQVIA Technology Solutions (China) Co., Ltd.

IQVIA Technology Solutions Colombia Ltda.

IQVIA Technology Solutions Egypt LLC

IQVIA Technology Solutions Finland OY

IQVIA Technology Solutions Poland SP. z.o.o.

IQVIA Technology Solutions Romania Srl

Denmark

Brazil

China

China

Netherlands

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

Finland

United Kingdom

Switzerland

South Africa

Hong Kong

United Kingdom

Ireland

Italy

Japan and Delaware

Kazakhstan

Russia

Malaysia

Norway

Philippines

Romania

Portugal

Singapore

Dominican Republic

Slovak Republic

Saudi Arabia

Hungary

Sweden
Taiwan

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

Italy

Switzerland

United Kingdom

China

Colombia

Egypt

Finland

Poland

Romania

IQVIA Technology Solutions s.r.o.

IQVIA Technology Solutions s.r.o.

IQVIA Technology Solutions Ukraine LLC

IQVIA Tibbi Istatistik Ticaret ve Musavirlik Ltd. Sirketi

IQVIA Trading Management Inc.

IQVIA Transportation Services Corp.

IQVIA World Publications Ltd.

IQVIA Zagreb d.o.o.

Jäger Health Koln GmbH

Kun Tai Medical Development Hong Kong Limited

Kun Tuo Medical Research & Development (Beijing) Co. Ltd.

Laboratorio Commuq Pharma SL

Linguamatics Limited

Linguamatics Solutions Incorporated

Linguamatics Solutions Limited

M&H Informatics (BD) LTD.

Mecurial Insights Holding Pty. Ltd.

Mecurial Insights Pty. Ltd.

MedData Group, LLC

MedicSense Ltd.

Medineos S.r.l.

Med-Vantage, Inc.

Mercados Y Analisis, S.A.

Meridian Research Vietnam Ltd.

Nordisk Medicin Information AB

Novasyte, LLC

Novella Clinical Ltd.

Novex Pharma Gmbh

Novex Pharma Laboratorio S.L.

Novex Pharma Limited

Nuevo Health Pty Ltd
Onkodatamed GmbH

Operaciones Centralizadas Latinoamericana Limitada

Optimum Contact Limited 

Outcome Sciences LLC

Penderwood Limited

Pharma Deals Limited

Pharma Strategy Group Ltd.

Pharmadata s.r.o.

Pharmaforce, S.A. de C.V.

PharmARC Consulting Services GmbH

PharmARC Inc.

Pilgrim Software Asia PVT, Ltd

Czech Republic

Slovak Republic

Ukraine

Turkey

Delaware

Delaware

United Kingdom

Croatia

Germany

Hong Kong

China

Spain

United Kingdom

Delaware

United Kingdom

Bangladesh

Australia

Australia

Massachusetts

Israel

Italy

Delaware

Spain

Vietnam

Sweden

California

United Kingdom

Germany

Spain

United Kingdom

Australia
Germany

Chile

United Kingdom

Delaware

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

Slovak Republic

Mexico

Switzerland

New Jersey

Nepal

Polaris Management Partners LLC

Polaris Solutions Ltd.

Polaris Solutions, LLC

PR Editions S.A.S.

Primeum IQVIA SAS

Privacy Analytics Inc.

Professional Pharmaceutical Marketing Services (Pty.) Ltd.

PT IQVIA Solutions Indonesia

PT Quintiles Indonesia

Pygargus AB

Q Squared Solutions (Beijing) Co. Ltd.

Q Squared Solutions (India) Private Limited

Q Squared Solutions (Quest) Limited

Q Squared Solutions (Quest) LLC

Q Squared Solutions (Shanghai) Co. Ltd.

Q Squared Solutions B.V.

Q Squared Solutions BioSciences LLC

Q Squared Solutions China (Quest) Limited

Q Squared Solutions China Limited

Q Squared Solutions Expression Analysis LLC

Q Squared Solutions Holdings B.V.

Q Squared Solutions Holdings Limited

Q Squared Solutions Holdings LLC

Q Squared Solutions K.K.

Q Squared Solutions Limited

Q Squared Solutions LLC

Q Squared Solutions Proprietary Limited

Q Squared Solutions Pte. Ltd.

Q Squared Solutions S.A.

Qcare Site Services, Inc.

QIMS Pharma Services SA DE CV
Quintiles Benin Ltd.

Quintiles Clindata (Pty.) Limited

Quintiles Clinical and Commercial Nigeria Limited

Quintiles Commercial Rus LLC

Quintiles Commercial South Africa (Pty) Limited

Quintiles East Africa Limited

Quintiles Finance Uruguay, S.r.l.

Quintiles Lanka Private Limited

Quintiles Medical Development (Shanghai) Co. Ltd.

Quintiles Mexico, S. DE R.L. DE C.V.

Quintiles Phase One Clinical Trials India Private Limited

Quintiles Russia LLC

New Jersey

Hong Kong

New York

France

France

Canada

South Africa

Indonesia

Indonesia

Sweden

China

India

United Kingdom

Delaware

China

Netherlands

Delaware

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

Delaware

Netherlands

United Kingdom

Delaware

Japan

United Kingdom

North Carolina

South Africa

Singapore

Argentina

North Carolina

Mexico
Benin

South Africa

Nigeria

Russia

South Africa

Kenya

Uruguay

Sri Lanka

China

Mexico

India

Russia

Quintiles Site Services, S.A.

Quintiles South Africa (PTY.) Limited

Quintiles UK (Japan Holdings) Limited

Quintiles Ukraine

Quintiles West Africa Limited

Radar Acquisition Blocker, Inc. 

Redsite Limited

Reportive SA

RX India LLC

Schwarzeck Verlag GmbH

Secureconsent, LLC

Shanghai IMS Market Research Co. Ltd.

Source Informatics Limited

Spartan Leasing Corporation

Statfinn Oy

STI Technologies Limited

Strategique Sante 

Targeted Molecular Diagnostics, LLC

Tarius A/S

Temas Srl - Società Unipersonale

TforG Connect BVBA

TforG Support NV

The Amundsen Group , Inc.

Themis Limited

UAB IQVIA Commercial

Valucentric Global Services GMBH

Valuemedica Research, LLC

VCG&A Inc.

VCG-Bio, Inc.

Vivacity Health Pty. Ltd.

Costa Rica

South Africa

United Kingdom

Ukraine

Ghana

Delaware

United Kingdom

France

Delaware

Germany

Delaware

China

United Kingdom

Delaware

Finland

Canada

France

Illinois

Denmark

Italy

Belgium

Belgium

Massachusetts

United Kingdom

Lithuania

Switzerland

Delaware

Massachusetts

Delaware

Australia

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements on Form S-8 (Nos. 333-213927, 
333-193212, 333-188431) and Form S-3 (No. 333-218209) of IQVIA Holdings Inc. of our report dated February 18, 
2020 relating to the financial statements, financial statement schedules and the effectiveness of internal control over 
financial reporting, which appears in this Form 10-K.

Exhibit 23.1

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Raleigh, North Carolina
February 18, 2020

 
Exhibit 31.1 

CERTIFICATION OF PERIODIC REPORT UNDER SECTION 302 OF 

THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002 

I, Ari Bousbib, certify that: 

1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of IQVIA Holdings Inc. (the “registrant”); 

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): 

(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. 

Date: February 18, 2020 

/s/ Ari Bousbib
Ari Bousbib
Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President
(Principal Executive Officer)

 
Exhibit 31.2 

CERTIFICATION OF PERIODIC REPORT UNDER SECTION 302 OF 

THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002 

I, Michael R. McDonnell, certify that: 

1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of IQVIA Holdings Inc. (the “registrant”); 

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): 

(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. 

Date: February 18, 2020 

/s/ Michael R. McDonnell
Michael R. McDonnell
Executive Vice President and 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 

Exhibit 32.1 

I,  Ari  Bousbib,  Chairman,  Chief  Executive  Officer  and  President  of  IQVIA  Holdings  Inc.  (the  “Company”),  do  hereby  certify, 
pursuant  to  18  U.S.C.  Section 1350,  as  adopted  pursuant  to  Section 906  of  the  Sarbanes-Oxley  Act  of  2002,  that  to  the  best  of  my 
knowledge: 

(1)

(2)

the Annual Report on Form 10-K of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2019 (the “Report”) fully complies 
with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and 

the  information  contained  in  the  Report  fairly  presents,  in  all  material  respects,  the  financial  condition  and  results  of 
operations of the Company for the periods presented therein. 

Date: February 18, 2020 

/s/ Ari Bousbib
Ari Bousbib
Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President
(Principal Executive Officer)

This certification is being furnished solely to accompany the Report pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 
of  the  Sarbanes-Oxley  Act  of  2002,  and  shall  not  be  deemed  “filed”  by  the  Company  for  purposes  of  Section 18  of  the  Securities 
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and shall not be incorporated by reference into any filing of the Company under the Securities Act 
of  1933,  as  amended,  or  the  Securities  Exchange  Act  of  1934,  as  amended,  whether  made  before  or  after  the  date  of  this  Report, 
irrespective of any general incorporation language contained in such filing. 

A  signed  original  of  this  written  statement  required  by  Section 906  of  the  Sarbanes-Oxley  Act  of  2002  has  been  provided  to  the 
Company and will be retained by the Company 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 

Exhibit 32.2 

I, Michael R. McDonnell, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of IQVIA Holdings Inc. (the “Company”), do hereby 
certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to the best of 
my knowledge: 

(1)

(2)

the Annual Report on Form 10-K of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2019 (the “Report”) fully complies 
with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and 

the  information  contained  in  the  Report  fairly  presents,  in  all  material  respects,  the  financial  condition  and  results  of 
operations of the Company for the periods presented therein. 

Date: February 18, 2020 

/s/ Michael R. McDonnell
Michael R. McDonnell
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)

This certification is being furnished solely to accompany the Report pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 
of  the  Sarbanes-Oxley  Act  of  2002,  and  shall  not  be  deemed  “filed”  by  the  Company  for  purposes  of  Section 18  of  the  Securities 
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and shall not be incorporated by reference into any filing of the Company under the Securities Act 
of  1933,  as  amended,  or  the  Securities  Exchange  Act  of  1934,  as  amended,  whether  made  before  or  after  the  date  of  this  Report, 
irrespective of any general incorporation language contained in such filing. 

A  signed  original  of  this  written  statement  required  by  Section 906  of  the  Sarbanes-Oxley  Act  of  2002  has  been  provided  to  the 
Company and will be retained by the Company and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.