IQVIA HOLDINGS INC. 10-K

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. 49 Overview IQVIA is a leading global provider of clinical research services, commercial insights and healthcare intelligence to the life sciences and healthcare industries. IQVIA’s portfolio of solutions are powered by IQVIA Connected Intelligence™ to deliver actionable insights and services built on high-quality health data, Healthcare-grade AI™, advanced analytics, the latest technologies and extensive domain expertise. We are committed to using AI responsibly, ensuring that our AI-powered capabilities are grounded in privacy, regulatory compliance, and patient safety. With approximately 88,000 employees in over 100 countries, including experts in healthcare, life sciences, data science, technology and operational excellence, IQVIA is dedicated to accelerating the development and commercialization of innovative medical treatments to help improve patient outcomes and population health worldwide. We are 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 insights and services to our life science clients. Research & Development Solutions, which primarily serves biopharmaceutical clients, provides outsourced clinical research and clinical trial services. Contract Sales & Medical Solutions provides health care provider (including contract sales) and patient engagement services 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.” We delivered another year of strong operating results in 2024 with our income from operations increasing over 11 percent and our cash flow from operating activities increasing over 26 percent from 2023. Our Technology & Analytics Solutions segment revenues and profit growth improved in the second half of the year as we captured opportunities relating to our clients increasing their spending. Our Research & Development Solutions segment also produced revenues and segment profit growth in 2024. Although we faced some challenges in our Research & Development Solutions segment in the latter half of 2024, and while we anticipate some of these challenges will persist into 2025, we consider these to be more short-term in nature. This segment overall is a long-cycle business. We ended the year with our highest ever total company remaining performance obligations of approximately $33.5 billion as of December 31, 2024. While we experienced a decline in COVID-19 related work in 2024 versus 2023, overall COVID-19 related work was not material to operations. As of December 31, 2024, COVID-19 related work did not represent a material amount of our remaining performance obligations. We continue to maintain strong liquidity. As of December 31, 2024, cash and cash equivalents were $1,702 million and we had $825 million drawn under our $2,000 million revolving credit facility. As of December 31, 2024, we were in compliance with the financial covenants under our debt agreements in all material respects and do not have material uncertainty about ongoing ability to meet the covenants of our credit arrangements. Industry Outlook For information about the industry outlook and markets that we operate in, refer to Part I, Item I, “Our Market Opportunity.” 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, 2024 and 2023. These transactions were accounted for as business combinations and the acquired results of operations are included in our consolidated financial information since their respective closing dates. 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 Revenues Total revenues are comprised of revenues from the provision of our services. We do not have any material product revenues. 50 Costs and Expenses Our costs and expenses are comprised primarily of our cost of revenues including reimbursed expenses and selling, general and administrative expenses. Cost of revenues includes 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. Reimbursed expenses, which are included in cost of revenues, 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 and facilities. We also incur costs and expenses associated with depreciation and amortization. Foreign Currency Translation In 2024, approximately 30% of our revenues were denominated in currencies other than the United States dollar, which represents approximately 60 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 revenues 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. 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. As such, the differences noted below between reported results of operations and constant currency information is wholly attributable to the effects of foreign currency rate fluctuations. Consolidated Results of Operations For information regarding our results of operations for our Technology & Analytics Solutions, Research & Development Solutions and Contract Sales & Medical Solutions segments, refer to “Segment Results of Operations” later in this section. For a discussion of our results of operations comparison for 2023 and 2022, refer to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 filed on February 15, 2024. Revenues Year Ended December 31, Change 2024 vs. 2023 2023 vs. 2022 (dollars in millions) 2024 2023 2022 $ % $ % Revenues $ 15,405 $ 14,984 $ 14,410 $ 421 2.8 % $ 574 4.0 % 2024 compared to 2023 In 2024, our revenues increased $421 million, or 2.8%, as compared to 2023. This increase was comprised of constant currency revenue growth of approximately $510 million, or 3.4%, reflecting a $333 million increase in Technology & Analytics Solutions, a $167 million increase in Research & Development Solutions, and a $10 million increase in Contract Sales & Medical Solutions. 51 Cost of Revenues, exclusive of Depreciation and Amortization Year Ended December 31, (dollars in millions) 2024 2023 2022 Cost of revenues, exclusive of depreciation and amortization $ 10,030 $ 9,745 $ 9,382 % of revenues 65.1 % 65.0 % 65.1 % 2024 compared to 2023 When compared to 2023, cost of revenues, exclusive of depreciation and amortization increased $285 million in 2024, or 2.9%. This increase included a constant currency increase of approximately $643 million, or 6.6%, comprised of a $261 million increase in Technology & Analytics Solutions, a $374 million increase in Research & Development Solutions, and an $8 million increase in Contract Sales & Medical Solutions. As a percentage of revenues, cost of revenues, exclusive of depreciation and amortization in 2024 remained relatively consistent with 2023. Selling, General and Administrative Expenses Year Ended December 31, (dollars in millions) 2024 2023 2022 Selling, general and administrative expenses $ 1,992 $ 2,053 $ 2,071 % of revenues 12.9 % 13.7 % 14.4 % 2024 compared to 2023 The $61 million decrease in selling, general and administrative expenses in 2024 as compared to 2023 included a constant currency decrease of approximately $33 million, or 1.6%, comprised of a $52 million increase in Technology & Analytics Solutions, a $42 million increase in Research & Development Solutions, and a $2 million increase in Contract Sales & Medical Solutions, offset by a $129 million decrease in general corporate and unallocated expenses. Depreciation and Amortization Year Ended December 31, (dollars in millions) 2024 2023 2022 Depreciation and amortization $ 1,114 $ 1,125 $ 1,130 % of revenues 7.2 % 7.5 % 7.8 % The $11 million decrease in depreciation and amortization in 2024 as compared to 2023 was primarily the result of less amortization of certain intangible assets from the merger between Quintiles and IMS Health, offset by an increase in amortization of capitalized software and of intangible assets from acquisitions occurring in 2023 and 2024. Restructuring Costs Year Ended December 31, (in millions) 2024 2023 2022 Restructuring costs $ 67 $ 84 $ 28 The restructuring costs incurred were due to ongoing efforts to streamline our global operations and reduce overcapacity to adapt to changing market conditions and integrate acquisitions. These restructuring actions are expected to occur throughout 2025 and are expected to consist of consolidating functional activities, eliminating redundant positions, and aligning resources with customer requirements. 52 Interest Income and Interest Expense Year Ended December 31, (in millions) 2024 2023 2022 Interest income $ (47) $ (36) $ (13) Interest expense $ 670 $ 672 $ 416 Interest income included interest received primarily from bank balances and investments. The increase in 2024 as compared to 2023 is primarily a result of higher deposit rates. Interest expense during 2024 was lower than 2023 due primarily to lower base rate interest costs across the floating rate debt portfolio. Loss on Extinguishment of Debt Year Ended December 31, (in millions) 2024 2023 2022 Loss on extinguishment of debt $ — $ 6 $ — In 2023 we recognized a loss on extinguishment of debt of $6 million for fees and expenses incurred related to the refinancing of our Credit Agreement. No such activity occurred in 2024. Other (income) expense, net Year Ended December 31, (in millions) 2024 2023 2022 Other (income) expense, net $ (90) $ (124) $ 33 Other (income) expense, net for 2024 decreased compared to 2023 primarily due to less foreign currency gain on transactions. Income Tax Expense Year Ended December 31, (dollars in millions) 2024 2023 2022 Income tax expense $ 301 $ 101 $ 260 Effective income tax rate 18.0 % 6.9 % 19.1 % Our effective income tax rate was favorably impacted in 2023, due to the completion of an internal legal entity restructuring that resulted in a benefit of $125 million. Historically, we recorded deferred tax assets related to certain foreign tax credits, and a full valuation allowance in relation to these foreign tax credits was established as it was not expected the credits would be utilized prior to expiration. We now believe it is reasonably possible that these foreign tax credits will be utilized and therefore we recorded a tax benefit of $64 million related to the valuation allowance release and establishing related uncertain tax positions. Additionally, due to the restructuring we also reversed a deferred tax liability of $61 million due to a basis difference that was recovered in a tax-free manner. The effective tax rate was also favorably impacted by a reversal of uncertain tax positions relating to tax credit carryforwards in the amount of $21 million due to an audit settlement. Equity in Earnings (Losses) of Unconsolidated Affiliates Year Ended December 31, (in millions) 2024 2023 2022 Equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated affiliates $ 5 $ — $ (12) Equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated affiliates increased in 2024 compared to 2023 due to the results in the operations of our unconsolidated affiliates. 53 Segment Results of Operations Revenues and profit by segment are as follows: Segment Revenues Segment Profit (in millions) 2024 2023 2022 2024 2023 2022 Technology & Analytics Solutions $ 6,160 $ 5,862 $ 5,746 $ 1,522 $ 1,490 $ 1,550 Research & Development Solutions 8,527 8,395 7,921 1,948 1,915 1,695 Contract Sales & Medical Solutions 718 727 743 47 49 42 Total 15,405 14,984 14,410 3,517 3,454 3,287 General corporate and unallocated expenses (134) (268) (330) Depreciation and amortization (1,114) (1,125) (1,130) Restructuring costs (67) (84) (28) Consolidated $ 15,405 $ 14,984 $ 14,410 $ 2,202 $ 1,977 $ 1,799 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 related to integration activities and acquisitions, as well as certain general corporate and unallocated expenses. We also do not allocate restructuring costs, depreciation and amortization, or impairment charges, if any, to our segments. Technology & Analytics Solutions Year Ended December 31, Change (dollars in millions) 2024 2023 2022 2024 vs. 2023 2023 vs. 2022 Revenues $ 6,160 $ 5,862 $ 5,746 $ 298 5.1% $ 116 2.0% Cost of revenues, exclusive of depreciation and amortization 3,721 3,496 3,348 225 6.4 148 4.4 Selling, general and administrative expenses 917 876 848 41 4.7 28 3.3 Segment profit $ 1,522 $ 1,490 $ 1,550 $ 32 2.1% $ (60) (3.9)% Revenues 2024 compared to 2023 Technology & Analytics Solutions’ revenues were $6,160 million in 2024, an increase of $298 million, or 5.1%, over 2023. This increase was comprised of constant currency revenue growth of approximately $333 million, or 5.7%, reflecting revenue growth primarily in the Europe and Africa region and to a lesser extent in the Americas region. The constant currency revenue growth was primarily driven by an increase in real world services and to a lesser extent by information and technology services. The constant currency revenue growth for the year was impacted by a decrease in COVID-19 related work. Cost of Revenues, exclusive of Depreciation and Amortization 2024 compared to 2023 Technology & Analytics Solutions’ cost of revenues, exclusive of depreciation and amortization, increased $225 million, or 6.4%, in 2024 as compared to 2023. This increase included a constant currency increase of approximately $261 million, or 7.5%, reflecting primarily an increase in compensation and related expenses, and to a lesser extent increases in reimbursed expenses and costs of acquiring and processing data, all to support revenue growth. 54 Selling, General and Administrative Expenses 2024 compared to 2023 Technology & Analytics Solutions’ selling, general and administrative expenses increased $41 million, or 4.7%, in 2024 as compared to 2023. This increase included a constant currency increase of approximately $52 million, or 5.9%, reflecting an increase in compensation and related expenses. Research & Development Solutions Year Ended December 31, Change (dollars in millions) 2024 2023 2022 2024 vs. 2023 2023 vs. 2022 Revenues $ 8,527 $ 8,395 $ 7,921 $ 132 1.6% $ 474 6.0% Cost of revenues, exclusive of depreciation and amortization 5,698 5,629 5,395 69 1.2 234 4.3 Selling, general and administrative expenses 881 851 831 30 3.5 20 2.4 Segment profit $ 1,948 $ 1,915 $ 1,695 $ 33 1.7% $ 220 13.0% Backlog Research & Development Solutions' contracted backlog increased from $29.7 billion as of December 31, 2023 to $31.1 billion as of December 31, 2024 and we expect approximately $7.9 billion of this backlog to convert to revenues in the next 12 months. Contracted backlog was $27.2 billion as of December 31, 2022. 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. We believe that backlog is an indicator of future revenues but the timing of revenues 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 revenues 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 2024 compared to 2023 Research & Development Solutions’ revenues were $8,527 million in 2024, an increase of $132 million, or 1.6%, over 2023. This increase was comprised of constant currency revenue growth of approximately $167 million, or 2.0%, reflecting revenue growth in the Asia-Pacific and Europe and Africa regions. The constant currency revenue growth was primarily the result of volume-related increases in clinical services and to a lesser extent from volume-related increases in lab testing. The constant currency revenue growth was impacted by a decrease in COVID-19 related work. Cost of Revenues, exclusive of Depreciation and Amortization 2024 compared to 2023 Research & Development Solutions’ cost of revenues, exclusive of depreciation and amortization, increased $69 million, or 1.2%, in 2024 as compared to 2023. This increase included a constant currency increase of approximately $374 million, or 6.6%, reflecting primarily an increase in compensation and related expenses and to a lesser extent an increase in other direct costs because of volume-related increases in clinical services and lab testing. 55 Selling, General and Administrative Expenses 2024 compared to 2023 Research & Development Solutions’ selling, general and administrative expenses increased $30 million, or 3.5%, in 2024 as compared to 2023. This increase included a constant currency increase of approximately $42 million, or 4.9%, reflecting an increase in compensation and related expenses. Contract Sales & Medical Solutions Year Ended December 31, Change (dollars in millions) 2024 2023 2022 2024 vs. 2023 2023 vs. 2022 Revenues $ 718 $ 727 $ 743 $ (9) (1.2)% $ (16) (2.2)% Cost of revenues, exclusive of depreciation and amortization 611 620 639 (9) (1.5) (19) (3.0) Selling, general and administrative expenses 60 58 62 2 3.4 (4) (6.5) Segment profit $ 47 $ 49 $ 42 $ (2) (4.1)% $ 7 16.7% Revenues 2024 compared to 2023 Contract Sales & Medical Solutions’ revenues were $718 million in 2024, a decrease of $9 million, or 1.2%, over 2023. This decrease included constant currency revenue growth of approximately $10 million, or 1.4%, reflecting revenue growth primarily in the Europe and Africa region and to a lesser extent in the Asia-Pacific region. Cost of Revenues, exclusive of Depreciation and Amortization 2024 compared to 2023 Contract Sales & Medical Solutions’ cost of revenues, exclusive of depreciation and amortization, decreased $9 million, or 1.5%, in 2024 as compared to 2023. This decrease included a constant currency increase of approximately $8 million, or 1.3%, reflecting primarily an increase in costs associated with supporting revenue growth. Selling, General and Administrative Expenses 2024 compared to 2023 Contract Sales & Medical Solutions’ selling, general and administrative expenses increased $2 million, or 3.4%, in 2024 as compared to 2023. This increase included a constant currency increase of approximately $2 million, or 3.4%. 56 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, 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 $1,702 million as of December 31, 2024 ($713 million of which was in the United States), an increase from $1,376 million as of December 31, 2023. 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, capital expenditures, contractual obligations, 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. Equity Repurchase Program On February 5, 2025, the Board increased the stock repurchase authorization under the Repurchase Program with respect to the repurchase of the Company's common stock by an additional $2,000 million, which increased the total amount that has been authorized under the Repurchase Program to $13,725 million. The Repurchase Program does not obligate us to repurchase any particular amount of common stock, and it may be modified, extended, suspended or discontinued at any time. As of December 31, 2024, we had remaining authorization to repurchase up to $1,013 million of our common stock under the Repurchase Program. 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. 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, 2024, we had $14,045 million of total indebtedness, excluding $1,170 million of additional available borrowings under our revolving credit facility. 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, 2024, we believe we were in compliance with our restrictive covenants in all material respects. 57 Senior Secured Credit Facilities As of December 31, 2024, the Fifth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the " Credit Agreement") provided financing through several senior secured credit facilities (collectively, the “senior secured credit facilities”) of up to approximately $6,585 million, which consisted of $5,415 million principal amounts of debt outstanding and $1,170 million of available borrowing capacity on the revolving credit facility and standby letters of credit, with a total capacity of $2,000 million. The revolving credit facility is comprised of a $1,175 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 revolving credit facility under the Credit Agreement matures in August 2026, the term A loans mature in August 2026 and June 2027, while the term B loans under the Credit Agreement mature in 2025 and 2031. 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. The US dollars term B loan requires us to make scheduled quarterly payments equal to 0.25% of the original principal balance amount, with the remaining principal balance due 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, see Note 10 to our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Senior Secured Notes and Senior Notes For information regarding the senior secured notes 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 the 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, 2024, no additional amounts of revolving loan commitments were available under the receivables financing facility. Years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022 Cash Flow from Operating Activities Year Ended December 31, (in millions) 2024 2023 2022 Net cash provided by operating activities $ 2,716 $ 2,149 $ 2,260 2024 compared to 2023 Cash provided by operating activities increased $567 million in 2024 as compared to 2023. The increase is primarily due to an increase in cash from accounts receivable and unbilled services ($570 million), an increase in cash-related net income ($129 million), more cash from unearned income ($38 million), and less cash used for income tax and other payables ($9 million), offset by more cash used for accounts payable and accrued expenses ($152 million) and more cash used for prepaid expenses and other assets ($27 million). 58 Cash Flow from Investing Activities Year Ended December 31, (in millions) 2024 2023 2022 Net cash used in investing activities $ (1,444) $ (1,603) $ (2,006) 2024 compared to 2023 Cash used in investing activities decreased $159 million in 2024 as compared to 2023, primarily due to less cash used for the acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired ($141 million), less cash used for the acquisition of property, equipment, and software ($47 million), less cash used for investments in debt and equity securities ($36 million), less cash used for purchases of marketable securities ($6 million), and cash received from sale of property, equipment and software ($25 million), offset by more cash used for investments in unconsolidated affiliates, net ($93 million), and less cash from other sources ($3 million). Cash Flow from Financing Activities Year Ended December 31, (in millions) 2024 2023 2022 Net cash used in financing activities $ (878) $ (382) $ (329) 2024 compared to 2023 Cash used in financing activities increased $496 million in 2024 as compared to 2023, primarily due to less cash provided by proceeds from debt issuances, net of payment of debt issuance costs ($3,951 million), more cash used to repurchase common stock ($358 million), and more cash payments related to employee stock option plans ($3 million), offset by less debt payments ($2,701 million), less cash used in repayments of revolving credit facilities, net of proceeds ($1,050 million), and less cash payments on contingent consideration and deferred purchase price accruals ($65 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 included 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 accruals 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. 59 Information about our Guarantors and the Issuer of our Guaranteed Securities IQVIA Inc. (the “Issuer”), a wholly owned subsidiary of IQVIA Holdings Inc., completed the issuance and sale of $1,250 million in gross proceeds of the Issuer’s 6.250% senior secured notes due 2029 (the “2029 Senior Secured Notes”) on November 28, 2023, and completed the issuance and sale of $750 million in gross proceeds of the Issuer’s 5.700% senior secured notes due 2028 (the “2028 Senior Secured Notes”) on May 23, 2023. In February 2024, the Issuer completed an exchange offer in which it issued $1,250 million aggregate principal amount of 6.250% Senior Secured Notes due 2029 registered under the Securities Act (the “2029 Registered Notes”) and $750 million aggregate principal amount of 5.700% Senior Secured Notes due 2028 registered under the Securities Act (the “2028 Registered Notes” and, together with the 2029 Registered Notes, the 2029 Senior Secured Notes, and the 2028 Senior Secured Notes, the “Notes”) in exchange for the same principal amount and substantially identical terms of the 2029 Senior Secured Notes and 2028 Senior Secured Notes, respectively. The accompanying summarized financial information has been prepared and presented pursuant to Rule 3-10 of Regulation S-X, “Financial Statements of Guarantors and Issuers of Guaranteed Securities Registered or Being Registered,” and Rule 13-01 of Regulation S-X, “Financial Disclosures about Guarantors and Issuers of Guaranteed Securities and Affiliates Whose Securities Collateralized a Registrant’s Securities.” Each of our current direct and indirect material U.S. wholly owned restricted subsidiaries (excluding IQVIA Solutions Japan LLC and IQVIA Services Japan LLC) (the "Guarantor subsidiaries" and, together with IQVIA Holdings Inc., the “Guarantors”), have jointly and severally, irrevocably and unconditionally, on a senior secured basis, guaranteed the obligations under the Notes. The following presents the summarized financial information on a combined basis for IQVIA Holdings Inc. (parent company), IQVIA Inc. (issuer of the guaranteed obligations) and the Guarantor subsidiaries, which are collectively referred to as the “obligated group.” Each Guarantor subsidiary is consolidated by IQVIA Holdings Inc. as of December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 . Refer to Exhibit 22.1 to this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the detailed list of entities included within the obligated group as of December 31, 2024. The guarantee of a Guarantor subsidiary with respect to the Notes will be automatically and unconditionally released and discharged and shall terminate and be of no further force and effect, and no further action by such Guarantor subsidiary, the Issuer, or U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as trustee, be required upon the occurrence of any of the following: a. any sale, exchange, issuance, disposition or transfer (by merger, amalgamation, consolidation or otherwise) of (i) the capital stock of such Guarantor, after which the applicable Guarantor is no longer a Restricted Subsidiary, or (ii) all or substantially all of the assets of such Guarantor, in each case if such sale, exchange, issuance, disposition or transfer is made in compliance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture; b. the release or discharge of the guarantee by such Guarantor of indebtedness under the senior secured term loan facilities and the senior secured revolving credit facilities under that certain Fifth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, or the release or discharge of such other guarantee that resulted in the creation of such Guarantee, except, in each case, a discharge or release by or as a result of payment of such Indebtedness or under such guarantee (it being understood that a release subject to a contingent reinstatement is still a release, and that if any such guarantee is so reinstated, such Guarantee shall also be reinstated to the extent that such Guarantor would then be required to provide a Guarantee pursuant to Section 4.11 of the Indenture); c. the designation of any Restricted Subsidiary that is a Guarantor as an Unrestricted Subsidiary in compliance with the applicable provisions of the Indenture; d. the exercise by the Issuer of its Legal Defeasance option or Covenant Defeasance option in accordance with Article VIII of the Indenture or the discharge of the Issuer’s obligations under the Indenture in accordance with the terms of this Indenture; e. the merger, amalgamation or consolidation of any Guarantor with and into the Issuer or a Guarantor that is the surviving Person in such merger, amalgamation or consolidation, or upon the liquidation of a Guarantor following the transfer of all or substantially all of its assets, in each case in a transaction that complies with the applicable provisions of this Indenture; or 60 f. as described in Article IX of the Indenture. Summarized Combined Financial Information of the Issuer and Guarantors: Each entity in the summarized combined financial information follows the same accounting policies as described in the consolidated financial statements, see Note 1 to our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Information for the non-Guarantor subsidiaries has been excluded from the combined summarized financial information of the obligated group. The accompanying summarized combined financial information does not reflect investments of the obligated group in non-Guarantor subsidiaries. The financial information of the obligated group is presented on a combined basis; intercompany balances and transactions within the obligated group have been eliminated. The obligated group’s amounts due from and amounts due to non-Guarantor subsidiaries and related parties, if any, have been presented in separate line items. The following table contains summarized combined financial information from the Statements of Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Position of the obligated group as of: (in millions) December 31, 2024 December 31, 2023 Total current assets (excluding amounts due from subsidiaries that are non-Guarantors) $ 935 $ 805 Total noncurrent assets $ 10,937 $ 9,622 Amounts due from subsidiaries that are non-Guarantors $ 4,952 $ 4,762 Total current liabilities $ 3,792 $ 3,471 Total noncurrent liabilities $ 12,333 $ 12,334 Amounts due to subsidiaries that are non-Guarantors $ 6,341 $ 5,556 The following table contains summarized combined financial information from the Statements of Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Operations of the obligated group: Twelve months ended Twelve months ended (in millions) December 31, 2024 December 31, 2023 Net revenues $ 6,661 $ 6,299 Costs and expenses applicable to net revenues $ 4,145 $ 4,190 Income from operations $ 1,259 $ 912 Net income $ 554 $ 86 Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements We do not have any material off-balance sheet arrangements. 61 Contractual Obligations and Commitments Below is a summary of our future payment commitments by year under contractual obligations as of December 31, 2024: (in millions) 2025 2026-2027 2028-2029 Thereafter Total Long-term debt, including interest (1) $ 1,801 $ 7,445 $ 4,852 $ 2,024 $ 16,122 Operating leases 109 120 47 22 298 Finance leases 13 27 28 269 337 Data acquisition 563 760 232 24 1,579 Purchase obligations (2) 113 59 11 1 184 Commitments to unconsolidated affiliates (3) — — — — — Benefit obligations (4) 30 33 34 100 197 Uncertain income tax positions (5) 13 32 17 — 62 Total $ 2,642 $ 8,476 $ 5,221 $ 2,440 $ 18,779 (1) Interest payments on our debt are based on the interest rates in effect as of December 31, 2024. (2) 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. (3) We are currently committed to invest $678 million in private equity funds. As of December 31, 2024, we have funded approximately $310 million of these commitments and we have approximately $368 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. (4) Amounts represent expected future benefit payments for our pension and postretirement benefit plans, as well as expected contributions for 2025 for our funded pension benefit plans. We made cash contributions totaling approximately $30 million to our defined benefit plans in 2024, and we estimate that we will make contributions totaling approximately $30 million to our defined benefit plans in 2025. 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 2025. (5) As of December 31, 2024, our liability related to uncertain income tax positions was approximately $161 million, $99 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 and Estimates 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. 62 Revenue Recognition The majority of our contracts within the Research & Development Solutions segment are service contracts for clinical research that represent a single performance obligation. We provide 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. We recognize revenues 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 reimbursed expenses for our clinical monitors). This cost-based method of revenue recognition requires us to make estimates of costs to complete our 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. A hypothetical increase of one percent in the estimated costs to complete these service contracts as of December 31, 2024 could have resulted in approximately a one percent reduction in total revenues for the year ended December 31, 2024, whereas, a hypothetical decrease of one percent could have resulted in a one percent increase in total revenues. Income Taxes The provision for income taxes includes federal, state, local and foreign taxes. Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future tax consequences of temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the year in which the temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. We record U.S. deferred taxes based on the Federal corporate income tax rate of 21%, We account for tax related to Global Intangible Low-Taxed Income (“GILTI”) and Qualified Domestic Minimum Top-up Taxes ("QDMTT") in relation to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development's ("OECD") Pillar Two global corporate minimum tax rate of 15%, as period costs when and if incurred. 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, capital loss carryforwards, and income tax credits, will 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 and Goodwill We use the acquisition method to account for business combinations, and accordingly, the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed and any non-controlling interests 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 interests including expected future cash flows and 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 purchase price over the fair value of the net assets acquired, known as goodwill. The recoverability of goodwill is evaluated annually for impairment, or if and when events or circumstances indicate a possible impairment. We perform our annual goodwill impairment evaluation as of July 31. 63 For the year ended December 31, 2024, we performed a qualitative impairment evaluation. The qualitative evaluation requires significant judgments, estimates and assumptions, including those related to macroeconomic conditions, industry and market considerations, cost factors, financial performance, fair value history and other company specific events. For the year ended December 31, 2023, we elected to perform a quantitative impairment evaluation for each of our reporting units. We estimated the fair value of each reporting by weighting results of the income and market approaches, with greater weight given to the income approach. Significant estimates used in the income approach include estimates of future revenues, EBITDA, cash flows, long-term growth rates, tax rates, and discount rates. The selected discount rates consider the risk and nature of the respective reporting unit’s cash flows, and the rates of return a market participant would expect to earn by investing in our reporting units. The market approach uses information about the Company as well as other publicly traded guideline companies, including revenue and EBITDA-related multiples and estimates of control premiums. As part of the quantitative impairment evaluation, we compared the fair value of each reporting unit to its carrying value. If results of the evaluation indicate the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, an impairment charge would be recorded by calculating the implied fair value of the reporting unit goodwill as compared to its carrying amount. For the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, we determined that there was no impairment of goodwill. 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. 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. 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. 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 an analysis of the historical volatility of our stock since the Merger in October 2016 and reported data for selected reasonably similar publicly traded companies for which the historical information is available; • 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. We account for our stock-based compensation for performance awards related to compound annual earnings per share (“EPS”) growth over a three year period based on the closing market price of our common stock on the date of grant, and for performance awards related to relative total shareholder return (“TSR”) based on a Monte Carlo simulation model. We record the expense amount of the EPS awards based on our estimates of the likelihood that the various performance targets will be achieved. The estimates are assessed on a quarterly basis. For the TSR awards we record the expense amount evenly over the service period. 64 Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits We provide retirement benefits to certain employees, including defined benefit pension 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. 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.