Item 8. Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

TABLE OF CONTENTS

	Page
Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm	55
Consolidated Statements of Income	57
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income	58
Consolidated Balance Sheets	59
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows	60
Consolidated Statements of Equity	61
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements	62
1 Accounting Policies	62
2 Acquisitions and Divestitures	72
3 Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	75
4 Taxes on Income	76
5 Debt	79
6 Derivative Instruments	80
7 Employee Benefits	81
8 Stock-Based Compensation	87
9 Equity	90
10 Earnings per Share	93
11 Restructuring	93
12 Segment and Geographic Information	94
13 Commitments and Contingencies	97
14 Quarterly Financial Information	98
15 Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements	99

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors of S&P Global Inc.

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of S&P Global Inc. (the Company) as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2018, and the related notes and financial statement schedule listed in Item 15(a)(2) (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company at December 31, 2018 and 2017, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2018, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework), and our report dated February 12, 2019 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the 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 audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the 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 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 financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

/s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 1969.

New York, New York

February 12, 2019

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors of S&P Global Inc.

Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

We have audited S&P Global Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) (the COSO criteria). In our opinion, S&P Global Inc. (the Company) maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018, based on the COSO criteria.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated balance sheets of S&P Global Inc. as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2018, and the related notes and financial statement schedule listed in Item 15(a)(2) and our report dated February 12, 2019 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

Basis for Opinion

The Company’s management is responsible 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 Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the 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 audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.

Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

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 (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) 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 (3) 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.

/s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP

New York, New York

February 12, 2019

Consolidated Statements of Income

(in millions, except per share data)	Year Ended December 31,
	2018				2017				2016
Revenue	$	6,258			$	6,063			$	5,661
Expenses:
Operating-related expenses	1,701				1,695				1,773
Selling and general expenses	1,561				1,605				1,467
Depreciation	84				82				85
Amortization of intangibles	122				98				96
Total expenses	3,468				3,480				3,421
Gain on dispositions	—				—				(1,101		)
Operating profit	2,790				2,583				3,341
Other income, net	(25		)		(27		)		(28		)
Interest expense, net	134				149				181
Income before taxes on income	2,681				2,461				3,188
Provision for taxes on income	560				823				960
Net income	2,121				1,638				2,228
Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(163		)		(142		)		(122		)
Net income attributable to S&P Global Inc.	$	1,958			$	1,496			$	2,106
Earnings per share attributable to S&P Global Inc. common shareholders:
Net income:
Basic	$	7.80			$	5.84			$	8.02
Diluted	$	7.73			$	5.78			$	7.94
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic	250.9				256.3				262.8
Diluted	253.2				258.9				265.2
Actual shares outstanding at year end	248.4				253.7				258.3
Dividend declared per common share	$	2.00			$	1.64			$	1.44

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

(in millions)	Year Ended December 31,
	2018				2017				2016
Net income	$	2,121			$	1,638			$	2,228
Other comprehensive income:
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(96		)		93				(132		)
Income tax effect	(4		)		—				(7		)
	(100		)		93				(139		)
Pension and other postretirement benefit plans	(14		)		52				(27		)
Income tax effect	9				(11		)		(10		)
	(5		)		41				(37		)
Unrealized gain (loss) on investment and forward exchange contracts	2				(10		)		4
Income tax effect	—				—				(1		)
	2				(10		)		3
Comprehensive income	2,018				1,762				2,055
Less: comprehensive income attributable to nonredeemable noncontrolling interests	(12		)		(13		)		(13		)
Less: comprehensive income attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests	(151		)		(129		)		(109		)
Comprehensive income attributable to S&P Global Inc.	$	1,855			$	1,620			$	1,933

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(in millions)	December 31,
	2018				2017
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	1,917			$	2,777
Restricted cash	41				2
Short-term investments	18				12
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts: 2018- $34 ; 2017 - $33	1,449				1,319
Prepaid and other current assets	179				214
Total current assets	3,604				4,324
Property and equipment:
Buildings and leasehold improvements	372				354
Equipment and furniture	494				475
Total property and equipment	866				829
Less: accumulated depreciation	(596		)		(554		)
Property and equipment, net	270				275
Goodwill	3,535				2,989
Other intangible assets, net	1,524				1,388
Other non-current assets	525				449
Total assets	$	9,458			$	9,425
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	211			$	195
Accrued compensation and contributions to retirement plans	354				472
Short-term debt	—				399
Income taxes currently payable	72				77
Unearned revenue	1,641				1,613
Accrued legal and regulatory settlements	1				107
Other current liabilities	350				351
Total current liabilities	2,629				3,214
Long-term debt	3,662				3,170
Pension and other postretirement benefits	229				244
Other non-current liabilities	634				679
Total liabilities	7,154				7,307
Redeemable noncontrolling interest	1,620				1,352
Commitments and contingencies (Note 13)
Equity:
Common stock, $1 par value: authorized - 600 million shares; issued: 2018 - 294 million shares; 2017 - 412 million shares	294				412
Additional paid-in capital	833				525
Retained income	11,284				10,023
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(742		)		(649		)
Less: common stock in treasury - at cost: 2018 - 45 million shares; 2017 - 158 million shares	(11,041		)		(9,602		)
Total equity – controlling interests	628				709
Total equity – noncontrolling interests	56				57
Total equity	684				766
Total liabilities and equity	$	9,458			$	9,425

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(in millions)	Year Ended December 31,
	2018				2017				2016
Operating Activities:
Net income	$	2,121			$	1,638			$	2,228
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation	84				82				85
Amortization of intangibles	122				98				96
Provision for losses on accounts receivable	21				16				9
Deferred income taxes	81				—				79
Stock-based compensation	94				99				76
Gain on dispositions	—				—				(1,101		)
Accrued legal settlements	1				55				54
Other	52				96				30
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effect of acquisitions and dispositions:
Accounts receivable	(164		)		(196		)		(177		)
Prepaid and other current assets	(1		)		10				5
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	(106		)		75				19
Unearned revenue	70				85				107
Accrued legal settlements	(108		)		(4		)		(150		)
Other current liabilities	(67		)		(85		)		(19		)
Net change in prepaid/accrued income taxes	(7		)		32				174
Net change in other assets and liabilities	(129		)		15				45
Cash provided by operating activities	2,064				2,016				1,560
Investing Activities:
Capital expenditures	(113		)		(123		)		(115		)
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(401		)		(83		)		(177		)
Contingent consideration payment	—				—				(34		)
Proceeds from dispositions	6				2				1,498
Changes in short-term investments	(5		)		(5		)		(1		)
Cash (used for) provided by investing activities	(513		)		(209		)		1,171
Financing Activities:
Payments on short-term debt, net	—				—				(143		)
Proceeds from issuance of senior notes, net	489				—				493
Payments on senior notes	(403		)		—				(421		)
Dividends paid to shareholders	(503		)		(421		)		(380		)
Distributions to noncontrolling interest holders	(154		)		(111		)		(116		)
Repurchase of treasury shares	(1,660		)		(1,001		)		(1,123		)
Exercise of stock options	34				75				88
Contingent consideration payment	—				—				(5		)
Purchase of additional CRISIL shares	(25		)		—				—
Employee withholding tax on share-based payments	(66		)		(49		)		(55		)
Cash used for financing activities	(2,288		)		(1,507		)		(1,662		)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(84		)		87				(158		)
Net change in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash	(821		)		387				911
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of year	2,779				2,392				1,481
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of year	$	1,958			$	2,779			$	2,392
Cash paid during the year for:
Interest	$	151			$	139			$	150
Income taxes	$	558			$	709			$	683

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

Consolidated Statements of Equity

(in millions)	Common Stock $1 par				Additional Paid-in Capital				Retained Income					Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss					Less: Treasury Stock				Total SPGI Equity				Noncontrolling Interests				Total Equity
Balance as of December 31, 2015	$	412			$	475			$	7,636				$	(600	)			$	7,729			$	194			$	49			$	243
Comprehensive income 1									2,106					(173		)							1,933				13				1,946
Dividends									(380		)												(380		)		(10		)		(390		)
Share repurchases																			1,097				(1,097		)						(1,097		)
Employee stock plans, net of tax benefit					27														(125		)		152								152
Change in redemption value of redeemable noncontrolling interest									(153		)												(153		)						(153		)
Other									1														1				(1		)		—
Balance as of December 31, 2016	$	412			$	502			$	9,210				$	(773	)			$	8,701			$	650			$	51			$	701
Comprehensive income 1									1,496					124									1,620				15				1,635
Dividends									(421		)												(421		)		(10		)		(431		)
Share repurchases																			1,001				(1,001		)		(5		)		(1,006		)
Employee stock plans					23														(100		)		123				8				131
Change in redemption value of redeemable noncontrolling interest									(260		)												(260		)						(260		)
Other									(2		)												(2		)		(2		)		(4		)
Balance as of December 31, 2017	$	412			$	525			$	10,023				$	(649	)			$	9,602			$	709			$	57			$	766
Comprehensive income 1									1,958					(103		)							1,855				12				1,867
Dividends									(503		)												(503		)		(11		)		(514		)
Share repurchases					(75		)												1,585				(1,660		)						(1,660		)
Retirement of common stock	(118		)																(118		)		—								—
Employee stock plans					56														(28		)		84								84
Change in redemption value of redeemable noncontrolling interest									(228		)												(228		)						(228		)
Increase in CRISIL ownership					(25		)																(25		)		2				(23		)
Stock consideration for Kensho					352																		352								352
Other									34			2		10			2						44				(4		)		40
Balance as of December 31, 2018	$	294			$	833			$	11,284				$	(742	)			$	11,041			$	628			$	56			$	684

1	Excludes $151 million, $129 million and $109 million in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively, attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest.

2	Includes opening balance sheet adjustments related to the adoption of the new revenue recognition standard and the reclassification of the unrealized loss on investments from Accumulated other comprehensive loss to Retained income. See Note 1 — Accounting Policies for additional details.

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

1. Accounting Policies

Nature of operations

S&P Global Inc. (together with its consolidated subsidiaries, the “Company,” the “Registrant,” “we,” “us” or “our”) is a leading provider of transparent and independent ratings, benchmarks, analytics and data to the capital and commodity markets worldwide. The capital markets include asset managers, investment banks, commercial banks, insurance companies, exchanges, trading firms and issuers; and the commodity markets include producers, traders and intermediaries within energy, metals, petrochemicals and agriculture.

Our operations consist of four reportable segments: S&P Global Ratings ("Ratings"), S&P Global Market Intelligence ("Market Intelligence"), S&P Global Platts ("Platts") and S&P Dow Jones Indices ("Indices").

•	Ratings is an independent provider of credit ratings, research and analytics, offering investors and other market participants information, ratings and benchmarks.

•	Market Intelligence is a global provider of multi-asset-class data, research and analytical capabilities, which integrate cross-asset analytics and desktop services.

•	Platts is the leading independent provider of information and benchmark prices for the commodity and energy markets. We completed the sale of J.D. Power on September 7, 2016, with the results included in Platts results through that date.

•	Indices is a global index provider that maintains a wide variety of valuation and index benchmarks for investment advisors, wealth managers and institutional investors.

In April of 2018, we acquired Kensho Technologies Inc. ("Kensho") for approximately $550 million, net of cash acquired, in a mix of cash and stock. The results of Kensho, an operating segment of the Company, are included in Corporate revenue and Corporate Unallocated for financial reporting purposes. Restricted cash of $32 million included in our consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2018 includes amounts held in escrow accounts in connection with our acquisition of Kensho. See Note 2 — Acquisitions and Divestitures for additional information and Note 12 – Segment and Geographic Information for further discussion on our reportable segments.

In January of 2018, we adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 606 as discussed below.

Adoption of ASC 606, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers”

We adopted ASC 606 "Revenue from Contracts with Customers" using the modified retrospective transition method applied to our revenue contracts with customers as of January 1, 2018. Results for reporting periods beginning after January 1, 2018 are presented under ASC 606, while prior year amounts are not adjusted and continue to be reported in accordance with our historic accounting under ASC 605 "Revenue Recognition". We recorded a net increase to opening retained earnings of $35 million as of January 1, 2018 due to the cumulative effect of adopting ASC 606, with the impact primarily related to our treatment of costs to obtain a contract and to a lesser extent, changes to the timing of the recognition of our subscription and non-transaction revenues. We recognized incremental revenue of $6 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 as a result of the adoption of this standard.

Under ASC 606, revenue is recognized when a customer obtains control of promised goods or services in an amount that reflects the consideration the entity expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. Under ASC 605, revenue was recognized as it was earned and when services were rendered.

The following table presents our revenue disaggregated by revenue type for the years ended December 31:

(in millions)	Ratings				Market Intelligence				Platts				Indices				Corporate				Intersegment Elimination 1				Total
	2018
Subscription	$	—			$	1,773			$	750			$	144			$	15			$	—			$	2,682
Non-transaction	1,506				—				—				—				—				(125		)		1,381
Non-subscription / Transaction	1,377				40				11				—				—				—				1,428
Asset-linked fees	—				20				—				522				—				—				542
Sales usage-based royalties	—				—				54				171				—				—				225
Total revenue	$	2,883			$	1,833			$	815			$	837			$	15			$	(125	)		$	6,258
Timing of revenue recognition
Services transferred at a point in time	$	1,377			$	40			$	11			$	—			$	—			$	—			$	1,428
Services transferred over time	1,506				1,793				804				837				15				(125		)		4,830
Total revenue	$	2,883			$	1,833			$	815			$	837			$	15			$	(125	)		$	6,258

(in millions)	Ratings				Market Intelligence				Platts				Indices				Corporate				Intersegment Elimination 1				Total
	2017 2
Subscription	$	—			$	1,614			$	704			$	136			$	—			$	—			$	2,454
Non-transaction	1,448				—				—				—				—				(110		)		1,338
Non-subscription / Transaction	1,540				46				$	13			—				—				—				1,599
Asset-linked fees	—				23				—				461				—				—				484
Sales usage-based royalties	—				—				57				131				—				—				188
Total revenue	$	2,988			$	1,683			$	774			$	728			$	—			$	(110	)		$	6,063
Timing of revenue recognition
Services transferred at a point in time	$	1,540			$	46			$	13			$	—			$	—			$	—			$	1,599
Services transferred over time	1,448				1,637				761				728				—				(110		)		4,464
Total revenue	$	2,988			$	1,683			$	774			$	728			$	—			$	(110	)		$	6,063

(in millions)	Ratings				Market Intelligence				Platts				Indices				Corporate				Intersegment Elimination 1				Total
	2016 2
Subscription	$	—			$	1,543			$	689			$	132			$	—			$	—			$	2,364
Non-transaction	1,357				—				—				—				—				(98		)		1,259
Non-subscription / Transaction	1,178				99				183				—				—				—				1,460
Asset-linked fees	—				19				—				381				—				—				400
Sales usage-based royalties	—				—				53				125				—				—				178
Total revenue	$	2,535			$	1,661			$	925			$	638			$	—			$	(98	)		$	5,661
Timing of revenue recognition
Services transferred at a point in time	$	1,178			$	99			$	183			$	—			$	—			$	—			$	1,460
Services transferred over time	1,357				1,562				742				638				—				(98		)		4,201
Total revenue	$	2,535			$	1,661			$	925			$	638			$	—			$	(98	)		$	5,661

1	Intersegment eliminations mainly consists of a royalty charged to Market Intelligence for the rights to use and distribute content and data developed by Ratings.

2	As noted above, amounts for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 were not adjusted under the modified retrospective transition method applied to our revenue contracts with customers as of January 1, 2018.

Subscription revenue

Subscription revenue at Market Intelligence is primarily derived from distribution of data, analytics, third party research, and credit ratings-related information primarily through web-based channels including Market Intelligence Desktop, RatingsDirect®, RatingsXpress®, and Credit Analytics. Subscription revenue at Platts is generated by providing customers access to commodity and energy-related price assessments, market data, and real-time news, along with other information services. Subscription revenue at Indices is derived from the contracts for underlying data of our indexes to support our customers' management of index funds, portfolio analytics, and research.

For subscription products and services, we generally provide continuous access to dynamic data sets and analytics for a defined period, with revenue recognized ratably as our performance obligation to provide access to our data and analytics is progressively fulfilled over the stated term of the contract.

Non-transaction revenue

Non-transaction revenue at Ratings is primarily related to surveillance of a credit rating, annual fees for customer relationship-based pricing programs, fees for entity credit ratings and global research and analytics. Non-transaction revenue also includes an intersegment revenue elimination of $125 million, $110 million and $98 million for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016 respectively, mainly consisting of the royalty charged to Market Intelligence for the rights to use and distribute content and data developed by Ratings.

For non-transaction revenue related to Rating’s surveillance services, we continuously monitor factors that impact the creditworthiness of an issuer over the contractual term with revenue recognized to the extent that our performance obligation is progressively fulfilled over the term contract. Because surveillance services are continuously provided throughout the term of the contract, our measure of progress towards fulfillment of our obligation to monitor a rating is a time-based output measure with revenue recognized ratably over the term of the contract.

Non-subscription / Transaction revenue

Transaction revenue at our Ratings segment primarily includes fees associated with:

•	ratings related to new issuance of corporate and government debt instruments; and structured finance instruments;

•	bank loan ratings; and

•	corporate credit estimates, which are intended, based on an abbreviated analysis, to provide an indication of our opinion regarding creditworthiness of a company which does not currently have a Ratings credit rating.

Transaction revenue is recognized at the point in time when our performance obligation is satisfied by issuing a rating on our customer's instruments, our customer's creditworthiness, or a counter-party's creditworthiness and when we have a right to payment and the customer can benefit from the significant risks and rewards of ownership.

Non-subscription revenue at Market Intelligence is primarily related to certain advisory, pricing and analytical services. Non-subscription revenue at Platts is primarily related to conference sponsorship, consulting engagements and events.

Asset-linked fees

Asset-linked fees at Indices and Market Intelligence are primarily related to royalties payments based on the value of assets under management in our customers exchange-traded funds and mutual funds.

For asset-linked products and services, we provide licenses conveying continuous access to our index and benchmark-related intellectual property during a specified contract term. Revenue is recognized when the extent that our customers have used our licensed intellectual property can be quantified. Recognition of revenue for our asset-linked fee arrangements is subject to the "recognition constraint" for usage-based royalty payments because we cannot reasonably predict the value of the assets that will be invested in index funds structured using our intellectual property until it is either publicly available or when we are notified by

our customers. Revenue derived from an asset-linked fee arrangement is measured and recognized when the certainty of the extent of its utilization of our index products by our customers is known.

Sales usage-based royalties

Sales usage-based royalty revenue at our Indices segment is primarily related to trading based fees from exchange-traded derivatives. Sales and usage-based royalty revenue at our Platts segment is primarily related to licensing of its proprietary market price data and price assessments to commodity exchanges.

For sales usage-based royalty products and services, we provide licenses conveying the right to continuous access to our intellectual property over the contract term, with revenue recognized when the extent of our license’s utilization can be quantified, or more specifically, when trading volumes are known and publicly available to us or when we are notified by our customers. Recognition of revenue of fees tied to trading volumes is subject to the recognition constraint for a usage-based royalty promised by our customers in exchange for the license of our intellectual property, with revenue recognized when trading volumes are known.

Arrangements with Multiple Performance Obligations

Our contracts with customers may include multiple performance obligations. Revenue relating to agreements that provide for more than one performance obligation is recognized based upon the relative fair value to the customer of each service component as each component is earned. The fair value of the service components are determined using an analysis that considers cash consideration that would be received for instances when the service components are sold separately. If the fair value to the customer for each service is not objectively determinable, we make our best estimate of the services’ stand-alone selling price and record revenue as it is earned over the service period.

Receivables

We record a receivable when a customer is billed or when revenue is recognized prior to billing a customer. For multi-year agreements, we generally invoice customers annually at the beginning of each annual period. The opening balance of accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts, was $1,319 million as of January 1, 2018.

Contract Assets

Contract assets include unbilled amounts from when the Company transfers service to a customer before a customer pays consideration or before payment is due. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, contract assets were $26 million and $17 million, respectively, and are included in accounts receivable in our consolidated balance sheets.

Unearned Revenue

We record unearned revenue when cash payments are received or due in advance of our performance. The increase in the unearned revenue balance for the year ended December 31, 2018 is primarily driven by cash payments received or due in advance of satisfying our performance obligations, offset by $1.5 billion of revenues recognized that were included in the unearned revenue balance at the beginning of the period.

Remaining Performance Obligations

Remaining performance obligations represent the transaction price of contracts for work that has not yet been performed. As of December 31, 2018, the aggregate amount of the transaction price allocated to remaining performance obligations was $1.4 billion. We expect to recognize revenue on approximately half and three-quarters of the remaining performance obligations over the next 12 and 24 months, respectively, with the remainder recognized thereafter.

We do not disclose the value of unfulfilled performance obligations for (i) contracts with an original expected length of one year or less and (ii) contracts where revenue is a usage-based royalty promised in exchange for a license of intellectual property.

Costs to Obtain a Contract

We recognize an asset for the incremental costs of obtaining a contract with a customer if we expect the benefit of those costs to be longer than one year. We have determined that certain sales commission programs meet the requirements to be capitalized. Total capitalized costs to obtain a contract were $101 million as of December 31, 2018, and are included in prepaid and other current assets and other non-current assets on our consolidated balance sheets. The asset will be amortized over a period consistent with the transfer to the customer of the goods or services to which the asset relates, calculated based on the customer term and the average life of the products and services underlying the contracts. The expense is recorded within selling and general expenses.

We expense sales commissions when incurred if the amortization period would have been one year or less. These costs are recorded within selling and general expenses.

Presentation of net periodic pension cost and net periodic postretirement benefit cost

During the first quarter of 2018, we adopted new accounting guidance requiring that net periodic benefit cost for our retirement and postretirement plans other than the service cost component be included outside of operating profit; these costs are included in other income, net in our consolidated statements of income.

The components of other income, net for the year ended December 31 are as follows:

(in millions)	2018				2017				2016
Other components of net periodic benefit cost	$	(30	)		$	(27	)		$	(28	)
Net loss from investments	5				—				—
Other income, net	$	(25	)		$	(27	)		$	(28	)

Assets and Liabilities Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations

Assets and Liabilities Held for Sale

We classify a disposal group to be sold as held for sale in the period in which all of the following criteria are met: management, having the authority to approve the action, commits to a plan to sell the disposal group; the disposal group is available for immediate sale in its present condition subject only to terms that are usual and customary for sales of such disposal group; an active program to locate a buyer and other actions required to complete the plan to sell the disposal group have been initiated; the sale of the disposal group is probable, and transfer of the disposal group is expected to qualify for recognition as a completed sale within one year, except if events or circumstances beyond our control extend the period of time required to sell the disposal group beyond one year; the disposal group is being actively marketed for sale at a price that is reasonable in relation to its current fair value; and actions required to complete the plan indicate that it is unlikely that significant changes to the plan will be made or that the plan will be withdrawn.

A disposal group that is classified as held for sale is initially measured at the lower of its carrying value or fair value less any costs to sell. Any loss resulting from this measurement is recognized in the period in which the held for sale criteria are met. Conversely, gains are not recognized on the sale of a disposal group until the date of sale.

The fair value of a disposal group less any costs to sell is assessed each reporting period it remains classified as held for sale and any subsequent changes are reported as an adjustment to the carrying value of the disposal group, as long as the new carrying value does not exceed the carrying value of the disposal group at the time it was initially classified as held for sale. Upon determining that a disposal group meets the criteria to be classified as held for sale, the Company reports the assets and liabilities of the disposal group as held for sale in the current period in our consolidated balance sheets.

Discontinued Operations

In determining whether a disposal of a component of an entity or a group of components of an entity is required to be presented as a discontinued operation, we make a determination whether the disposal represents a strategic shift that had, or will have, a major effect on our operations and financial results. A component of an entity comprises operations and cash flows that can be clearly distinguished both operationally and for financial reporting purposes. If we conclude that the disposal represents a strategic shift, then the results of operations of the group of assets being disposed of (as well as any gain or loss on the disposal transaction) are aggregated for separate presentation apart from our continuing operating results in the consolidated financial statements.

Principles of consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of all subsidiaries and our share of earnings or losses of joint ventures and affiliated companies under the equity method of accounting. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

Use of estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include ordinary bank deposits and highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less that consist primarily of money market funds with unrestricted daily liquidity and fixed term time deposits. Such investments and bank deposits are stated at cost, which approximates market value, and were $1.9 billion and $2.8 billion as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. These investments are not subject to significant market risk.

Restricted cash

Cash that is subject to legal restrictions or is unavailable for general operating purposes is classified as restricted cash.

Short-term investments

Short-term investments are securities with original maturities greater than 90 days that are available for use in our operations in the next twelve months. The short-term investments, primarily consisting of certificates of deposit and mutual funds, are classified as held-to-maturity and therefore are carried at cost. Interest and dividends are recorded in income when earned.

Accounts receivable

Credit is extended to customers based upon an evaluation of the customer’s financial condition. Accounts receivable, which include billings consistent with terms of contractual arrangements, are recorded at net realizable value.

Allowance for doubtful accounts

The allowance for doubtful accounts reserve methodology is based on historical analysis, a review of outstanding balances and current conditions. In determining these reserves, we consider, amongst other factors, the financial condition and risk profile of our customers, areas of specific or concentrated risk as well as applicable industry trends or market indicators.

Capitalized technology costs

We capitalize certain software development and website implementation costs. Capitalized costs only include incremental, direct costs of materials and services incurred to develop the software after the preliminary project stage is completed, funding has been committed and it is probable that the project will be completed and used to perform the function intended. Incremental costs are expenditures that are out-of-pocket to us and are not part of an allocation or existing expense base. Software development and website implementation costs are expensed as incurred during the preliminary project stage. Capitalized costs are amortized from the year the software is ready for its intended use over its estimated useful life, three to seven years, using the straight-line method. Periodically, we evaluate the amortization methods, remaining lives and recoverability of such costs. Capitalized software development and website implementation costs are included in other non-current assets and are presented net of accumulated amortization. Gross capitalized technology costs were $205 million and $186 million as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Accumulated amortization of capitalized technology costs was $105 million and $104 million as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Fair Value

Certain assets and liabilities are required to be recorded at fair value and classified within a fair value hierarchy based on inputs used when measuring fair value. We have forward exchange contracts that are adjusted to fair value on a recurring basis.

Other financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments, are recorded at cost, which approximates fair value because of the short-term maturity and highly liquid nature of these instruments. The fair value of our total debt borrowings were $3.8 billion as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and was estimated based on quoted market prices.

Accounting for the impairment of long-lived assets (including other intangible assets)

We evaluate long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Upon such an occurrence, recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by comparing the carrying amount of an asset to current forecasts of undiscounted future net cash flows expected to be generated by the asset.

If the carrying amount of the asset exceeds its estimated future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized equal to the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset. For long-lived assets held for sale, assets are written down to fair value, less cost to sell. Fair value is determined based on market evidence, discounted cash flows, appraised values or management’s estimates, depending upon the nature of the assets.

For the year ended December 31, 2016, we recorded a non-cash impairment charge of $24 million related to a technology project at our Market Intelligence segment in selling and general expenses in our consolidated statement of income.

Goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets

Goodwill represents the excess of purchase price and related costs over the value assigned to the net tangible and identifiable intangible assets of businesses acquired. Goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite lives are not amortized, but instead are tested for impairment annually during the fourth quarter each year, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. We have four reporting units with goodwill that are evaluated for impairment.

We initially perform a qualitative analysis evaluating whether any events and circumstances occurred or exist that provide evidence that it is more likely than not that the fair value of any of our reporting units is less than its carrying amount. If, based on our evaluation we do not believe that it is more likely than not that the fair value of any of our reporting units is less than its carrying amount, no quantitative impairment test is performed. Conversely, if the results of our qualitative assessment determine that it is more likely than not that the fair value of any of our reporting units is less than their respective carrying amounts we perform a two-step quantitative impairment test.

When conducting the first step of our two step impairment test to evaluate the recoverability of goodwill at the reporting unit level, the estimated fair value of the reporting unit is compared to its carrying value including goodwill. Fair value of the reporting units are estimated using the income approach, which incorporates the use of the discounted free cash flow (“DCF”) analyses and are corroborated using the market approach, which incorporates the use of revenue and earnings multiples based on market data. The DCF analyses are based on the current operating budgets and estimated long-term growth projections for each reporting unit. Future cash flows are discounted based on a market comparable weighted average cost of capital rate for each reporting unit, adjusted for market and other risks where appropriate. In addition, we analyze any difference between the sum of the fair values of the reporting units and our total market capitalization for reasonableness, taking into account certain factors including control premiums.

If the fair value of the reporting unit is less than the carrying value, a second step is performed which compares the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill to the carrying value of the goodwill. The fair value of the goodwill is determined based on the difference between the fair value of the reporting unit and the net fair value of the identifiable assets and liabilities of the reporting unit. If the implied fair value of the goodwill is less than the carrying value, the difference is recognized as an impairment charge.

We evaluate the recoverability of indefinite-lived intangible assets by first performing a qualitative analysis evaluating whether any events and circumstances occurred that provide evidence that it is more likely than not that the indefinite-lived asset is impaired. If, based on our evaluation of the events and circumstances that occurred during the year we do not believe that it is more likely than not that the indefinite-lived asset is impaired, no quantitative impairment test is performed. Conversely, if the results of our qualitative assessment determine that it is more likely than not that the indefinite-lived asset is impaired, a quantitative impairment test is performed. If necessary, the impairment test is performed by comparing the estimated fair value of the intangible asset to its carrying value. If the indefinite-lived intangible asset carrying value exceeds its fair value, an impairment analysis is performed using the income approach. An impairment charge is recognized in an amount equal to that excess.

Significant judgments inherent in these analyses include estimating the amount and timing of future cash flows and the selection of appropriate discount rates, royalty rates and long-term growth rate assumptions. Changes in these estimates and assumptions could materially affect the determination of fair value for each reporting unit and indefinite-lived intangible asset and could result in an impairment charge, which could be material to our financial position and results of operations.

We performed our impairment assessment of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets and concluded that no impairment existed for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016.

Foreign currency translation

We have operations in many foreign countries. For most international operations, the local currency is the functional currency. For international operations that are determined to be extensions of the parent company, the United States ("U.S.") dollar is the functional currency. For local currency operations, assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars using end of period exchange

rates, and revenue and expenses are translated into U.S. dollars using weighted-average exchange rates. Foreign currency translation adjustments are accumulated in a separate component of equity.

Depreciation

The costs of property and equipment are depreciated using the straight-line method based upon the following estimated useful lives: buildings and improvements from 15 to 40 years and equipment and furniture from 2 to 10 years. The costs of leasehold improvements are amortized over the lesser of the useful lives or the terms of the respective leases.

Advertising expense

The cost of advertising is expensed as incurred. We incurred $33 million, $33 million and $35 million in advertising costs for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Stock-based compensation

Stock-based compensation expense is measured at the grant date based on the fair value of the award and is recognized over the requisite service period, which typically is the vesting period. Stock-based compensation is classified as both operating-related expense and selling and general expense in the consolidated statements of income.

We use a lattice-based option-pricing model to estimate the fair value of options granted. The following assumptions were used in valuing the options granted:

		Year Ended
		December 31, 2018
Risk-free average interest rate		2.6 - 2.7%
Dividend yield		1.1		%
Volatility		21.8 - 22.0%
Expected life (years)		5.67 - 6.07
Weighted-average grant-date fair value per option		$	112.98

Because lattice-based option-pricing models incorporate ranges of assumptions, those ranges are disclosed. These assumptions are based on multiple factors, including historical exercise patterns, post-vesting termination rates, expected future exercise patterns and the expected volatility of our stock price. The risk-free interest rate is the imputed forward rate based on the U.S. Treasury yield at the date of grant. We use the historical volatility of our stock price over the expected term of the options to estimate the expected volatility. The expected term of options granted is derived from the output of the lattice model and represents the period of time that options granted are expected to be outstanding.

In 2018, we made a one-time issuance of incentive stock options in connection with our acquisition of Kensho in April of 2018. There were no stock options granted in 2017 and 2016.

Income taxes

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to be applied to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. We recognize liabilities for uncertain tax positions taken or expected to be taken in income tax returns. Accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits are recognized in interest expense and operating expense, respectively.

Judgment is required in determining our provision for income taxes, deferred tax assets and liabilities and unrecognized tax benefits. In determining the need for a valuation allowance, the historical and projected financial performance of the operation that is recording a net deferred tax asset is considered along with any other pertinent information.

We file income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction, various states, and foreign jurisdictions, and we are routinely under audit by many different tax authorities. We believe that our accrual for tax liabilities is adequate for all open audit years based on our assessment of many factors including past experience and interpretations of tax law. This assessment relies on estimates and assumptions and may involve a series of complex judgments about future events. It is possible that examinations will be settled prior to December 31, 2019. If any of these tax audit settlements do occur within that period we would make any necessary adjustments to the accrual for unrecognized tax benefits.

As of December 31, 2018, we have approximately $2.3 billion of undistributed earnings of our foreign subsidiaries, of which $784 million is reinvested indefinitely in our foreign operations.

Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest

The agreement with the minority partners of our S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC joint venture established in June of 2012 contains redemption features whereby interests held by our minority partners are redeemable either (i) at the option of the holder or (ii) upon the occurrence of an event that is not solely within our control. Since redemption of the noncontrolling interest is outside of our control, this interest is presented on our consolidated balance sheets under the caption “Redeemable noncontrolling interest.” If the interest were to be redeemed, we would be required to purchase all of such interest at fair value on the date of redemption. We adjust the redeemable noncontrolling interest each reporting period to its estimated redemption value, but never less than its initial fair value, using a combination of an income and market valuation approach. Our income and market valuation approaches may incorporate Level 3 measures for instances when observable inputs are not available, including assumptions related to expected future net cash flows, long-term growth rates, the timing and nature of tax attributes, and the redemption features. Any adjustments to the redemption value will impact retained income. See Note 9 – Equity for further detail.

Contingencies

We accrue for loss contingencies when both (a) information available prior to issuance of the consolidated financial statements indicates that it is probable that a liability had been incurred at the date of the financial statements and (b) the amount of loss can reasonably be estimated. We continually assess the likelihood of any adverse judgments or outcomes to our contingencies, as well as potential amounts or ranges of probable losses, and recognize a liability, if any, for these contingencies based on an analysis of each matter with the assistance of outside legal counsel and, if applicable, other experts. Because many of these matters are resolved over long periods of time, our estimate of liabilities may change due to new developments, changes in assumptions or changes in our strategy related to the matter. When we accrue for loss contingencies and the reasonable estimate of the loss is within a range, we record our best estimate within the range. We disclose an estimated possible loss or a range of loss when it is at least reasonably possible that a loss may be incurred.

Recent Accounting Standards

In November of 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued guidance that provides clarification on whether certain transactions between collaborative arrangement participants should be accounted for revenue with ASC 606. The guidance is effective for reporting periods after December 15, 2019; however early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this guidance on our consolidated financial statements.

In August of 2018, the FASB issued guidance to align the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software. The guidance is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019; however, early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of this guidance on our consolidated financial statements.

In February of 2018, the FASB issued guidance which allows companies to reclassify certain stranded income tax effects resulting from the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings. The guidance is effective for reporting periods after December 15, 2018; however early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this guidance on our consolidated financial statements.

In August of 2017, the FASB issued guidance to enhance the hedge accounting model for both nonfinancial and financial risk components, which includes amendments to address certain aspects of recognition and presentation disclosure. In October of 2018, the FASB issued a subsequent update that permits the inclusion of the Secured Overnight Financing Rate Overnight Index Swap rate as a benchmark interest rate for hedge accounting purposes. The guidance is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018. We do not expect this guidance to have a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In May of 2017, the FASB issued guidance that provides clarification on when modification accounting should be used for changes to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award. This guidance does not change the accounting for modifications but

clarifies when modification accounting guidance should be applied. Under the new guidance, an entity should apply modification accounting in response to a change in the terms and conditions of an entity's share-based payment awards unless three newly specified criteria are met. The guidance was effective on January 1, 2018, and the adoption of this guidance did not have a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In March of 2017, the FASB issued guidance to enhance the presentation of net periodic pension cost and net periodic postretirement benefit cost. The guidance requires employers to report the service cost component in the same line item or items as other compensation costs arising from services rendered by the pertinent employees during the period, and requires the other components of net periodic pension cost and net periodic postretirement benefit cost to be presented in the income statement separately from

the service cost component outside a subtotal of income from operations. Additionally, only the service cost component is eligible for capitalization. We adopted the guidance on January 1, 2018. The change in capitalization requirement did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. As a result of the adoption of the guidance, net periodic benefit cost for our retirement and post retirement plans other than the service cost component are included in other income, net in our consolidated statements of income. See Note 7 – Employee Benefits for additional information related to our retirement and postretirement plans.

In January of 2017, the FASB issued guidance that simplifies the subsequent measurement of goodwill and eliminates Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. Under the new guidance, an entity should perform its annual, or interim, goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. An entity should recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit's fair value; however, the loss recognized should not exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. Additionally, an entity should consider income tax effects from any tax deductible goodwill on the carrying amount of the reporting unit when measuring the goodwill impairment loss, if applicable. The guidance is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019; however, early adoption is permitted. We do not expect this guidance to have a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In January of 2017, the FASB issued guidance that clarifies the definition of a business with the objective of adding guidance to assist entities with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses. The guidance was effective on January 1, 2018, and the adoption of this guidance did not have a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In November of 2016, the FASB issued guidance requiring that a statement of cash flows explain the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. We adopted this guidance on January 1, 2018. The adoption of this guidance did not have a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In August of 2016, the FASB issued guidance providing amendments to eight specific statement of cash flows classification issues. The guidance was effective on January 1, 2018, and the adoption of this guidance did not have a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In February of 2016, the FASB issued guidance that amends accounting for leases. Under the new guidance, a lessee will recognize a "right of use" asset with an offsetting lease liability, with expenses recognized similar to current lease accounting. The guidance is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. In July of 2018, the FASB issued a subsequent update providing entities an additional transition method to adopt the new lease standard, allowing entities to adopt the standard prospectively without restating prior period's financial statements. We have elected this transition method upon adoption on January 1, 2019. We have also elected to apply the "package" of practical expedients permitting entities to forgo reassessment of (1) the lease classification of expired or existing leases, (2) whether any expired or existing contracts contain leases, and (3) the accounting for initial direct costs of existing leases.

Based on our preliminary analysis, we anticipate that following the adoption of the new standard, the Company will recognize a lease liability of approximately $700 million with an offsetting right of use asset with no impact on our consolidated statements of income or cash flows. As part of our implementation process, we have refined our processes, procedures, and controls to capture the complete population of our leases that incorporates a third party software solution that will report both the initial and ongoing financial statement impact of the new standard.

In January of 2016, the FASB issued guidance to enhance the reporting model for financial instruments, which includes amendments to address certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure. We adopted this guidance on January 1, 2018. We recorded a reduction to opening retained earnings and an increase to accumulated other comprehensive income of $10 million as of January 1, 2018 due to the adoption of this guidance. The adoption of this guidance did not have a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In May of 2014, the FASB and the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”) issued jointly a converged standard on the recognition of revenue from contracts with customers, which is intended to improve the financial reporting of revenue and comparability of the top line in financial statements globally. The core principle of the new standard is for the recognition of revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in amounts that reflect the payment to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The new standard also results in enhanced revenue disclosures, provides guidance for transactions that were not previously addressed comprehensively and improve guidance for multiple-element arrangements. We adopted the new revenue standard effective January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective transition method. See Adoption of ASC 606, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” above for further details.

Reclassification

Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified for comparability purposes.

2. Acquisitions and Divestitures

Acquisitions

2018

For the year ended December 31, 2018, we paid for acquisitions in a mix of cash and stock. We paid cash for acquisitions of $401 million, net of cash acquired, funded with cash flows from operations. Additionally, stock consideration was given for our acquisition of Kensho. None of our acquisitions were material either individually or in the aggregate, including the pro forma impact on earnings. Acquisitions completed during the year ended December 31, 2018 included:

•	In December of 2018, Indices purchased the balance of the intellectual property ("IP") rights in a family of indices derived from the S&P 500, solidifying its IP in and to the S&P 500 index family. We accounted for the acquisition on a cost basis. The transaction is not material to our consolidated financial statements.

•

In August of 2018, we acquired a 5.03% investment in FiscalNote, a technology innovator at the intersection of global business and government that provides advanced, data-driven Issues Management solutions. We measured the investment in FiscalNote at cost, less any impairment, and changes resulting from observable price changes will be recorded in the consolidated statements of income. The investment in FiscalNote is not material to our consolidated financial statements.

•

In June of 2018, Market Intelligence acquired the RateWatch business ("RateWatch") from TheStreet, Inc., a B2B data business that offers subscription and custom reports on bank deposits, loans, fees and other product data to the financial services industry. The acquisition will complement and strengthen Market Intelligence's core capabilities of providing differentiated data and analytics solutions for the banking sector. We accounted for the acquisition of RateWatch using the purchase method of accounting. The acquisition of RateWatch is not material to our consolidated financial statements.

•

In April of 2018, we acquired Kensho for approximately $550 million, net of cash acquired, in a mix of cash and stock. Kensho is a leading-edge provider of next-generation analytics, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data visualization systems to Wall Street's premier global banks and investment institutions, as well as the National Security community. The acquisition will strengthen S&P Global's emerging technology capabilities, enhance our ability to deliver essential, actionable insights that will transform the user experience for our clients, and accelerate efforts to improve efficiency and effectiveness of our core internal operations. We accounted for the acquisition of Kensho using the purchase method of accounting. The acquisition of Kensho is not material to our consolidated financial statements.

•

In February of 2018, Market Intelligence acquired Panjiva, Inc. ("Panjiva"), a privately-held company that provides deep, differentiated, sector-relevant insights on global supply chains, leveraging data science and technology to make sense of large, unstructured datasets. The acquisition will help strengthen the insights, products and data that we provide to our clients throughout the world. We accounted for the acquisition of Panjiva using the purchase method of accounting. The acquisition of Panjiva is not material to our consolidated financial statements.

•

In January of 2018, CRISIL, included within our Ratings segment, acquired a 100% stake in Pragmatix Services Private Limited ("Pragmatix"), a data analytics company focused on delivering cutting edge solutions in the "data to intelligence" life cycle to the Banking, Financial Services and Insurance vertical. The acquisition will strengthen CRISIL's position as an agile, innovative and global analytics company. We accounted for the acquisition of Pragmatix using the purchase method of accounting. The acquisition of Pragmatix is not material to our consolidated financial statements.

For acquisitions during 2018 that were accounted for using the purchase method, the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net assets acquired is allocated to goodwill and other intangibles. The goodwill recognized on our acquisitions is largely attributable to anticipated operational synergies and growth opportunities as a result of the acquisition. The intangible assets, excluding goodwill and indefinite-lived intangibles, will be amortized over their anticipated useful lives between 1 and 10 years which will be determined when we finalize our purchase price allocations. The goodwill for RateWatch is expected to be deductible for tax purposes.

2017

For the year ended December 31, 2017, we paid cash for acquisitions, net of cash acquired, totaling $83 million. None of our acquisitions were material either individually or in the aggregate, including the pro forma impact on earnings. All acquisitions were funded with cash flows from operations. Acquisitions completed during the year ended December 31, 2017 included:

•

In August of 2017, we acquired a 6.02% investment in Algomi Limited ("Algomi"), an innovative fintech company focused on providing software-enabled liquidity solutions to both buy-side and sell-side firms within the credit markets. Our investment in Algomi will help facilitate product collaboration and enable future business expansion. We accounted for the investment in Algomi using the cost method of accounting. The investment with Algomi is not material to our consolidated financial statements.

•

In June of 2017, CRISIL, included within our Ratings segment, acquired 8.9% of the outstanding shares of CARE Ratings Limited ("CARE") from Canara Bank. CARE is a Securities and Exchange Board of India registered credit rating agency providing various rating and grading services in India whose shares are publicly traded on both the Bombay Stock Exchange and the National Stock Exchange of India. We accounted for the investment in CARE as available-for-sale using the fair value method of accounting. The investment in CARE is not material to our consolidated financial statements.

2016

For the year ended December 31, 2016, we paid cash for acquisitions, net of cash acquired, totaling $177 million. None of our acquisitions were material either individually or in the aggregate, including the pro forma impact on earnings. All acquisitions were funded with cash flows from operations. Acquisitions completed during the year ended December 31, 2016 included:

•	In December of 2016, Market Intelligence acquired a 2.54% equity investment in Kensho, a financial technology startup in market data analytics. We accounted for the acquisition of Kensho on a cost basis. Our investment in Kensho is not material to our consolidated financial statements.

•

In October of 2016, Indices acquired Trucost plc, a leader in carbon and environmental data and risk analysis through its subsidiary S&P Global Indices UK Limited. The purchase will build on Indices' current portfolio of Environmental, Social and Governance solutions. The acquisition of Trucost plc is not material to our consolidated financial statements. In 2018, Trucost was integrated from Indices into Market Intelligence and historical reporting was retroactively revised to reflect the change.

•

In September of 2016, Platts acquired PIRA Energy Group ("PIRA"), a global provider of energy research and forecasting products and services. The purchase enhances Platts' energy analytical capabilities by expanding its oil offering and strengthening its position in the natural gas and power markets. We accounted for the acquisition of PIRA using the purchase method of accounting. The acquisition of PIRA is not material to our consolidated financial statements.

•

In June of 2016, Platts acquired RigData, a provider of daily information on rig activity for the natural gas and oil markets across North America. The purchase enhances Platts' energy analytical capabilities by strengthening its position in natural gas and enhancing its oil offering. We accounted for the acquisition of RigData using the purchase method of accounting. The acquisition of RigData is not material to our consolidated financial statements.

•

In June of 2016, Ratings acquired a 49% equity investment in Thailand's TRIS Rating Company Limited from its parent company, TRIS Corporation Limited. The transaction extends an existing association between Ratings and TRIS Rating and deepens their commitment to capital markets in Thailand. We accounted for the acquisition of TRIS Rating Company using the equity method of accounting. The equity investment in TRIS Rating is not material to our consolidated financial statements.

•

In March of 2016, Platts acquired Commodity Flow, a specialist technology and business intelligence service for the global waterborne commodity and energy markets. The purchase helps extend Platts' trade flow analytical capabilities and complements its existing shipping services. We accounted for the acquisition of Commodity Flow using the purchase method of accounting. The acquisition of Commodity Flow is not material to our consolidated financial statements.

Following our acquisition of PIRA, we made a contingent purchase price payment in 2016 for $34 million that has been reflected in the consolidated statement of cash flows as an investing activity.

Following our acquisition of National Automobile Dealers Association's Used Car Guide ("UCG") at J.D. Power in July of 2015, we made a contingent purchase price payment in 2016 for $5 million that has been reflected in the consolidated statement of cash flows as a financing activity.

For acquisitions during 2016 that were accounted for using the purchase method, the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net assets acquired is allocated to goodwill and other intangibles. The goodwill recognized on our acquisitions is largely attributable to anticipated operational synergies and growth opportunities as a result of the acquisition. The intangible assets, excluding goodwill and indefinite-lived intangibles, will be amortized over their anticipated useful lives between 3 and 10 years which will be determined when we finalize our purchase price allocations. The goodwill for PIRA and RigData is expected to be deductible for tax purposes.

Non-cash investing activities

Liabilities assumed in conjunction with our acquisitions are as follows:

(in millions)	Year ended December 31,
	2018				2017				2016
Fair value of assets acquired	$	857			$	83			$	253
Cash and stock consideration (net of cash acquired)	803				83				211
Liabilities assumed	$	54			$	—			$	42

Divestitures

2018

During the year ended December 31, 2018, we did not complete any material dispositions.

2017

In April of 2017, we signed a letter of intent to sell our facility at East Windsor, New Jersey. The fixed assets of the facility of $5 million have been classified as held for sale, which is included in prepaid and other current assets in our consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2018 and 2017.

In January of 2017, we completed the sale of Quant House SAS ("QuantHouse"), included in our Market Intelligence segment, to QH Holdco, an independent third party. In November of 2016, we entered into a put option agreement that gave the Company the right, but not the obligation, to put the entire share capital of QuantHouse to QH Holdco. As a result, we classified the assets and liabilities of QuantHouse, net of our costs to sell, as held for sale, which were included in prepaid and other current assets and other current liabilities, respectively, in our consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2016 resulting in an aggregate loss of $31 million. On January 4, 2017, we exercised the put option, thereby entering into a definitive agreement to sell QuantHouse to QH Holdco. On January 9, 2017, we completed the sale of QuantHouse to QH Holdco.

2016

During the year ended December 31, 2016, we completed the following dispositions that resulted in a net pre-tax gain of $1.1 billion, which was included in gain on dispositions in the consolidated statement of income:

•

In October of 2016, we completed the sale of Standard & Poor's Securities Evaluations, Inc. ("SPSE") and Credit Market Analysis ("CMA"), two businesses within our Market Intelligence segment, for $425 million in cash to Intercontinental Exchange, an operator of global exchanges, clearing houses and data services. During the year ended December 31, 2016, we recorded a pre-tax gain of $364 million ($297 million after-tax) in gain on dispositions in the consolidated statement of income related to the sale of SPSE and CMA. Additionally, in October of 2016, we completed the sale of Equity and Fund Research ("Equity Research") to CFRA, a leading independent provider of forensic accounting research, analytics and advisory services. During the year ended December 31, 2016, we recorded a pre-tax gain of $9 million ($5 million after-tax) in gain on dispositions in the consolidated statement of income related to the sale of Equity Research.

•	In September of 2016, we completed the sale of J.D. Power, included within our Platts segment, for $1.1 billion to XIO Group, a global alternative investments firm headquartered in London. During the year ended December 31, 2016, we recorded a pre-tax gain of $728 million ($516 million after-tax) in gain on dispositions in the consolidated statement of income related to the sale of J.D. Power.

The operating profit of our businesses that were disposed of or held for sale for the years ending December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016 is as follows:

(in millions)	Year ended December 31,
	2018				2017				2016
Operating profit 1	$	—			$	—			$	62

1 The year ended December 31, 2016 excludes a pre-tax gain of $1.1 billion on our dispositions.

3. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess of purchase price and related costs over the value assigned to the net tangible and identifiable intangible assets of businesses acquired.

The change in the carrying amount of goodwill by segment is shown below:

(in millions)	Ratings				Market Intelligence				Platts				Indices				Corporate				Total
Balance as of December 31, 2016	$	109			$	1,960			$	497			$	383			$	—			$	2,949
Other 1	5				1				26				8				—				40
Balance as of December 31, 2017	114				1,961				523				391				—				2,989
Acquisitions	5				62				—				—				498				565
Other 1	(6		)		6				(7		)		(12		)		—				(19		)
Balance as of December 31, 2018	$	113			$	2,029			$	516			$	379			$	498			$	3,535

1	Primarily relates to the impact of foreign exchange and valuation adjustments for prior period acquisitions. 2017 includes adjustments related to PIRA, Trucost, RigData and Commodity Flow. 2018 includes adjustments related to Trucost.

Goodwill additions in the table above relate to transactions discussed in Note 2 – Acquisitions and Divestitures.

Other Intangible Assets

Other intangible assets include both indefinite-lived assets not subject to amortization and definite-lived assets subject to amortization. We have indefinite-lived assets with a carrying value of $846 million and $714 million as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

•	2018 and 2017 both include $380 million and $90 million for Dow Jones Indices intellectual property and the Dow Jones tradename, respectively, that we recorded as part of the transaction to form S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC in 2012.

•	2018 and 2017 both include $185 million within our Market Intelligence segment for the SNL tradename.

•	2018 includes $132 million within our Indices segment for the balance of the IP rights in a family of indices derived from the S&P 500, solidifying Indices IP in and to the S&P 500 index family.

•	2018 and 2017 both include $59 million within our Indices segment for the Goldman Sachs Commodity Index intellectual property and the Broad Market Indices intellectual property.

The following table summarizes our definite-lived intangible assets:

(in millions)
Cost	Databases and software				Content				Customer relationships				Tradenames				Other intangibles				Total
Balance as of December 31, 2016	$	506			$	139			$	330			$	45			$	163			$	1,183
Dispositions	(4		)		—				(2		)		—				—				(6		)
Other 1	52				—				19				5				(86		)		(10		)
Balance as of December 31, 2017	554				139				347				50				77				1,167
Acquisitions	3				—				—				—				123				126
Other (primarily Fx)	4				—				(1		)		—				(6		)		(3		)
Balance as of December 31, 2018	$	561			$	139			$	346			$	50			$	194			$	1,290
Accumulated amortization
Balance as of December 31, 2016	$	132			$	87			$	84			$	36			$	52			$	391
Current year amortization	52				14				22				4				6				98
Dispositions	(3		)		—				(2		)		—				(1		)		(6		)
Reclassifications	2				—				1				1				(4		)		—
Other (primarily Fx)	4				—				1				1				4				10
Balance as of December 31, 2017	187				101				106				42				57				493
Current year amortization	52				14				21				3				32				122
Reclassifications	1				—								—				(1		)		—
Other (primarily Fx)	—				—				(1		)		—				(2		)		(3		)
Balance as of December 31, 2018	$	240			$	115			$	126			$	45			$	86			$	612
Net definite-lived intangibles:
December 31, 2017	$	367			$	38			$	241			$	8			$	20			$	674
December 31, 2018	$	321			$	24			$	220			$	5			$	108			$	678

1	Primarily relates to the impact of foreign exchange and valuation adjustments for prior period acquisitions. 2017 includes adjustments related to PIRA, Trucost, RigData and Commodity Flow.

Definite-lived intangible assets are being amortized on a straight-line basis over periods of up to 20 years. The weighted-average life of the intangible assets as of December 31, 2018 is approximately 11 years.

Amortization expense for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 was $122 million, $98 million, and $96 million, respectively. Expected amortization expense for intangible assets over the next five years for the years ended December 31, assuming no further acquisitions or dispositions, is as follows:

(in millions)	2019				2020				2021				2022				2023
Amortization expense	$	122			$	114			$	83			$	74			$	70

4. Taxes on Income

Income before taxes on income resulting from domestic and foreign operations is as follows:

(in millions)	Year Ended December 31,
	2018				2017				2016
Domestic operations	$	1,857			$	1,723			$	2,585
Foreign operations	824				738				603
Total income before taxes	$	2,681			$	2,461			$	3,188

The provision for taxes on income consists of the following:

(in millions)	Year Ended December 31,
	2018				2017				2016
Federal:
Current	$	183			$	489			$	641
Deferred	68				63				79
Total federal	251				552				720
Foreign:
Current	214				194				133
Deferred	(2		)		(3		)		(4		)
Total foreign	212				191				129
State and local:
Current	81				73				99
Deferred	16				7				12
Total state and local	97				80				111
Total provision for taxes	$	560			$	823			$	960

A reconciliation of the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate to our effective income tax rate for financial reporting purposes is as follows:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2018			2017			2016
U.S. federal statutory income tax rate	21.0	%		35.0	%		35.0	%
State and local income taxes	2.8			2.5			2.7
Divestitures	—			—			(4.3	)
Foreign operations	0.2			(3.9	)		(2.0	)
TCJA Transition Tax	(0.3	)		6.0			—
Stock-based compensation	(1.2	)		(2.7	)		—
S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC joint venture	(1.2	)		(1.8	)		(1.2	)
Tax credits and incentives	(1.7	)		(2.1	)		(1.6	)
Other, net	1.3			0.4			1.5
Effective income tax rate	20.9	%		33.4	%		30.1	%

The decrease in the effective income tax rate in 2018 was primarily due to the reduction of the U.S. federal corporate tax rate as a result of the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“TCJA”). Additionally, a one-time transition tax charge of $149 million due to the TCJA was recorded in 2017, which included tax expense of approximately $173 million on the deemed repatriation of foreign earnings and a tax benefit of approximately $24 million in respect of the re-valuation of the net U.S. deferred tax liabilities at the reduced corporate income tax rate.

We have elected to recognize the tax on Global Intangible Low Taxed Income (“GILTI”) as a period expense in the year the tax is incurred. GILTI expense is included in Other, net above.

The principal temporary differences between the accounting for income and expenses for financial reporting and income tax purposes are as follows:

(in millions)	December 31,
	2018				2017
Deferred tax assets:
Legal and regulatory settlements	$	2			$	27
Employee compensation	57				50
Accrued expenses	36				47
Postretirement benefits	48				34
Unearned revenue	11				26
Allowance for doubtful accounts	8				8
Loss carryforwards	155				135
Other	24				45
Total deferred tax assets	341				372
Deferred tax liabilities:
Goodwill and intangible assets	(295		)		(249		)
Fixed assets	—				(4		)
Total deferred tax liabilities	(295		)		(253		)
Net deferred income tax asset before valuation allowance	46				119
Valuation allowance	(156		)		(127		)
Net deferred income tax (liability) asset	$	(110	)		$	(8	)
Reported as:
Non-current deferred tax assets	$	52			$	59
Non-current deferred tax liabilities	(162		)		(67		)
Net deferred income tax (liability) asset	$	(110	)		$	(8	)

We record valuation allowances against deferred income tax assets when we determine that it is more likely than not that such deferred income tax assets will not be realized based upon all the available evidence. The valuation allowance is primarily related to operating losses.

As of December 31, 2018, we have approximately $2.3 billion of undistributed earnings of our foreign subsidiaries, of which $784 million is reinvested indefinitely in our foreign operations. We have not recorded deferred income taxes applicable to undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries that are indefinitely reinvested in foreign operations. Quantification of the deferred tax liability, if any, associated with indefinitely reinvested earnings is not practicable.

We made net income tax payments totaling $558 million in 2018, $709 million in 2017, and $683 million in 2016. As of December 31, 2018, we had net operating loss carryforwards of $691 million, of which a significant portion has an unlimited carryover period under current law.

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:

(in millions)	Year ended December 31,
	2018				2017				2016
Balance at beginning of year	$	212			$	221			$	162
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year	19				23				48
Additions for tax positions of prior years	2				17				20
Reduction for tax positions of prior years	(21		)		(32		)		(3		)
Reduction for settlements	(65		)		(5		)		(6		)
Expiration of applicable statutes of limitations	—				(12		)		—
Balance at end of year	$	147			$	212			$	221

The total amount of federal, state and local, and foreign unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 was $147 million, $212 million and $221 million, respectively, exclusive of interest and penalties. During the period ending December 31, 2018, there was no net tax impact to tax expense from the change in unrecognized tax benefits.

We recognize accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in interest expense and operating-related expense, respectively. Based on the current status of income tax audits, we believe that the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits on the balance sheet may be reduced by up to approximately $40 million in the next twelve months as a result of the resolution of local tax examinations. In addition to the unrecognized tax benefits, as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, we had $35 million and $59 million, respectively, of accrued interest and penalties associated with unrecognized tax benefits.

The U.S. federal income tax audit for 2017 is in process. During 2018, we completed federal, state and foreign tax audits and, with few exceptions, we are no longer subject to federal, state, or foreign income tax examinations by tax authorities for the years before 2011. The impact to tax expense in 2018, 2017 and 2016 was not material.

We file income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various state and foreign jurisdictions, and we are routinely under audit by many different tax authorities. We believe that our accrual for tax liabilities is adequate for all open audit years based on an assessment of many factors including past experience and interpretations of tax law. This assessment relies on estimates and assumptions and may involve a series of complex judgments about future events. It is possible that tax examinations will be settled prior to December 31, 2019. If any of these tax audit settlements do occur within that period, we would make any necessary adjustments to the accrual for unrecognized tax benefits.

5. Debt

A summary of short-term and long-term debt outstanding is as follows:

(in millions)	December 31,
	2018				2017
2.5% Senior Notes, due 2018 1	$	—			$	399
3.3% Senior Notes, due 2020 2	698				697
4.0% Senior Notes, due 2025 3	693				692
4.4% Senior Notes, due 2026 4	892				892
2.95% Senior Notes, due 2027 5	493				493
6.55% Senior Notes, due 2037 6	396				396
4.5% Senior Notes, due 2048 7	490				—
Total debt	3,662				3,569
Less: short-term debt including current maturities	—				399
Long-term debt	$	3,662			$	3,170

1	We made a $400 million early repayment of our 2.5% senior note in June of 2018.

2	Interest payments are due semiannually on February 14 and August 14, and as of December 31, 2018, the unamortized debt discount and issuance costs total $2 million.

3	Interest payments are due semiannually on June 15 and December 15, and as of December 31, 2018, the unamortized debt discount and issuance costs total $7 million.

4	Interest payments are due semiannually on February 15 and August 15, and as of December 31, 2018, the unamortized debt discount and issuance costs total $8 million.

5	Interest payments are due semiannually on January 22 and July 22, and as of December 31, 2018, the unamortized debt discount and issuance costs total $7 million.

6	Interest payments are due semiannually on May 15 and November 15, and as of December 31, 2018, the unamortized debt discount and issuance costs total $4 million.

7	Interest payments are due semiannually on May 15 and November 15, and as of December 31, 2018, the unamortized debt discount and issuance costs total $10 million.

Annual debt maturities are scheduled as follows based on book values as of December 31, 2018: no amounts due in 2019, $698 million due in 2020, no amounts due in 2021, 2022, and 2023 and $3.0 billion due thereafter.

On May 17, 2018, we issued $500 million of 4.5% notes due in 2048. The notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by our wholly-owned subsidiary, Standard & Poor's Financial Services LLC. In June of 2018, we used the net proceeds to fund the redemption price of the $400 million outstanding principal amount of our 2.5% senior notes due in August of 2018, and the balance for general corporate purposes.

On September 22, 2016, we issued $500 million of 2.95% senior notes due in 2027. The notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by our wholly-owned subsidiary, Standard & Poor's Financial Services LLC. We used the net proceeds to fund the $400 million early repayment of our 5.9% senior notes due in 2017 on October 20, 2016, and the balance for general corporate purposes.

We have the ability to borrow a total of $1.2 billion through our commercial paper program, which is supported by our revolving $1.2 billion five-year credit agreement (our "credit facility") that we entered into on June 30, 2017. This credit facility will terminate on June 30, 2022. There were no commercial paper borrowings outstanding as of December 31, 2018 and 2017.

Depending on our corporate credit rating, we pay a commitment fee of 8 to 17.5 basis points for our credit facility, whether or not amounts have been borrowed. We currently pay a commitment fee of 10 basis points. The interest rate on borrowings under our credit facility is, at our option, calculated using rates that are primarily based on either the prevailing London Inter-Bank Offer Rate, the prime rate determined by the administrative agent or the Federal Funds Rate. For certain borrowings under this credit facility, there is also a spread based on our corporate credit rating.

Our credit facility contains certain covenants. The only financial covenant requires that our indebtedness to cash flow ratio, as defined in our credit facility, is not greater than 4 to 1, and this covenant level has never been exceeded.

6.	Derivative Instruments

Our exposure to market risk includes changes in foreign exchange rates. We have operations in foreign countries where the functional currency is primarily the local currency. For international operations that are determined to be extensions of the parent company, the U.S. dollar is the functional currency. We typically have naturally hedged positions in most countries from a local currency perspective with offsetting assets and liabilities. As of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, we have entered into foreign exchange forward contracts to mitigate or hedge the effect of adverse fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. Foreign exchange forward contracts are recorded at fair value that is based on foreign currency exchange rates in active markets; therefore, we classify these derivative contracts within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. We do not enter into any derivative financial instruments for speculative purposes.

Undesignated Derivative Instruments

During the twelve months ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, we entered into foreign exchange forward contracts in order to mitigate the change in fair value of specific assets and liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet. These forward contracts do not qualify for hedge accounting. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the aggregate notional value of these outstanding forward contracts was $98 million and $130 million, respectively. The changes in fair value of these forward contracts are recorded in prepaid and other assets in the consolidated balance sheet with their corresponding change in fair value recognized into selling and general expenses in the consolidated statement of income. The amount recorded in selling and general expense for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 related to these contracts was a net loss of $12 million and a net gain of $3 million, respectively.

Cash Flow Hedges

During the twelve months ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, we entered into a series of foreign exchange forward contracts to hedge a portion of the Indian rupee, British pound, and Euro exposures through the fourth quarter of 2019 and 2018, respectively. During the twelve months ended December 31, 2016, we entered into a series of foreign exchange forward contracts to hedge a portion of the Indian Rupee exposure through the fourth quarter of 2016. These contracts are intended to offset the impact of movement of exchange rates on future revenue and operating costs and are scheduled to mature within twelve months. The changes in the fair value of these contracts are initially reported in accumulated other comprehensive loss in our consolidated balance sheet and are subsequently reclassified into revenue and selling and general expenses in the same period that the hedged transaction affects earnings.

As of December 31, 2018, we estimate that $4 million of the net gains related to derivatives designated as cash flow hedges recorded in other comprehensive income is expected to be reclassified into earnings within the next twelve months. There was no material hedge ineffectiveness for the year ended December 31, 2018.

As of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the aggregate notional value of our outstanding foreign exchange forward contracts designated as cash flow hedges was $289 million and $307 million, respectively.

The following table provides information on the location and fair value amounts of our cash flow hedges as of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017:

(in millions)		December 31,				December 31,
Balance Sheet Location		2018				2017
Derivatives designated as cash flow hedges:
Prepaid and other current assets	Foreign exchange forward contracts	$	3			$	3

The following table provides information on the location and amounts of pre-tax gains (losses) on our cash flow hedges for the years ended December 31:

(in millions)	Gain (Loss) Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (effective portion)												Location of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss into Income (effective portion)		Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss into Income (effective portion)
Cash flow hedges - designated as hedging instruments	2018				2017				2016						2018				2017				2016
Foreign exchange forward contracts	$	2			$	—			$	3			Revenue, Selling and general expenses		$	(4	)		$	9			$	4

The activity related to the change in unrealized gains (losses) in accumulated other comprehensive loss was as follows for the years ended December 31:

(in millions)	Year ended December 31,
	2018				2017				2016
Net unrealized gains (losses) on cash flow hedges, net of taxes, beginning of year	$	2			$	2			$	(1	)
Change in fair value, net of tax	(2		)		9				7
Reclassification into earnings, net of tax	4				(9		)		(4		)
Net unrealized gains on cash flow hedges, net of taxes, end of year	$	4			$	2			$	2

7. Employee Benefits

We maintain a number of active defined contribution retirement plans for our employees. The majority of our defined benefit plans are frozen. As a result, no new employees will be permitted to enter these plans and no additional benefits for current participants in the frozen plans will be accrued.

We also have supplemental benefit plans that provide senior management with supplemental retirement, disability and death benefits. Certain supplemental retirement benefits are based on final monthly earnings. In addition, we sponsor a voluntary 401(k) plan under which we may match employee contributions up to certain levels of compensation as well as profit-sharing plans under which we contribute a percentage of eligible employees' compensation to the employees' accounts.

We also provide certain medical, dental and life insurance benefits for active and retired employees and eligible dependents. The medical and dental plans and supplemental life insurance plan are contributory, while the basic life insurance plan is noncontributory. We currently do not prefund any of these plans.

We recognize the funded status of our retirement and postretirement plans in the consolidated balance sheets, with a corresponding adjustment to accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of taxes. The amounts in accumulated other comprehensive loss represent

net unrecognized actuarial losses and unrecognized prior service costs. These amounts will be subsequently recognized as net periodic pension cost pursuant to our accounting policy for amortizing such amounts.

Benefit Obligation

A summary of the benefit obligation and the fair value of plan assets, as well as the funded status for the retirement and postretirement plans as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, is as follows (benefits paid in the table below include only those amounts contributed directly to or paid directly from plan assets):

(in millions)	Retirement Plans								Postretirement Plans
	2018				2017				2018				2017
Net benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	2,329			$	2,260			$	49			$	57
Service cost	3				3				—				—
Interest cost	71				74				1				2
Plan participants’ contributions	—				—				3				3
Actuarial loss (gain)	(199		)		107				(4		)		(5		)
Gross benefits paid	(103		)		(110		)		(8		)		(8		)
Foreign currency effect	(26		)		38				—				—
Other adjustments 1	1				(43		)		(1		)		—
Net benefit obligation at end of year	2,076				2,329				40				49
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	2,219				2,073				20				—
Actual return on plan assets	(113		)		263				—				—
Employer contributions	9				8				1				25
Plan participants’ contributions	—				—				3				3
Gross benefits paid	(103		)		(110		)		(8		)		(8		)
Foreign currency effect	(25		)		31				—				—
Other adjustments 1	—				(46		)		—				—
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	1,987				2,219				16				20
Funded status	$	(89	)		$	(110	)		$	(24	)		$	(29	)
Amounts recognized in consolidated balance sheets:
Non-current assets	$	125			$	114			$	—			$	—
Current liabilities	(9		)		(9		)		—				—
Non-current liabilities	(205		)		(215		)		(24		)		(29		)
	$	(89	)		$	(110	)		$	(24	)		$	(29	)
Accumulated benefit obligation	$	2,066			$	2,319
Plans with accumulated benefit obligation in excess of the fair value of plan assets:
Projected benefit obligation	$	214			$	224
Accumulated benefit obligation	$	204			$	214
Fair value of plan assets	$	—			$	—
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax:
Net actuarial loss (gain)	$	460			$	451			$	(41	)		$	(37	)
Prior service credit	2				1				(14		)		(12		)
Total recognized	$	462			$	452			$	(55	)		$	(49	)

1	Relates to the impact of retiree annuity purchases in 2017.

The actuarial loss included in accumulated other comprehensive loss for our retirement plans and expected to be recognized in net periodic benefit cost during the year ending December 31, 2019 is $13 million. There is an immaterial amount of prior service credit included in accumulated other comprehensive loss for our retirement plans expected to be recognized in net periodic benefit cost during the year ending December 31, 2019.

The actuarial gain included in accumulated other comprehensive loss for our postretirement plans and expected to be recognized in net periodic benefit cost during the year ending December 31, 2019 is $2 million. The prior year service credit included in accumulated other comprehensive loss for our postretirement plans and expected to be recognized in net periodic benefit cost during the year ending December 31, 2019 is $1 million.

Net Periodic Benefit Cost

For purposes of determining annual pension cost, prior service costs are being amortized straight-line over the average expected remaining lifetime of plan participants expected to receive benefits.

A summary of net periodic benefit cost for our retirement and postretirement plans for the years ended December 31, is as follows:

(in millions)	Retirement Plans												Postretirement Plans
	2018				2017				2016				2018				2017				2016
Service cost	$	3			$	3			$	3			$	—			$	—			$	—
Interest cost	71				74				78				1				2				2
Expected return on assets	(124		)		(126		)		(122		)		—				—				—
Amortization of:
Actuarial loss (gain)	20				18				16				(2		)		(2		)		(1		)
Prior service credit	—				—				—				(1		)		(2		)		—
Other 1	4				8				—								—				—
Net periodic benefit cost	$	(26	)		$	(23	)		$	(25	)		$	(2	)		$	(2	)		$	1

1	Represents a charge related to our U.K retirement plan.

Our U.K. retirement plan accounted for a benefit of $10 million in 2018, $6 million in 2017, and $10 million in 2016 of the net periodic benefit cost attributable to the funded plans.

Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive income, net of tax for the years ended December 31, are as follows:

(in millions)	Retirement Plans												Postretirement Plans
	2018				2017				2016				2018				2017				2016
Net actuarial (gain) loss	$	28			$	(20	)		$	60			$	(7	)		$	(3	)		$	(12	)
Recognized actuarial (gain) loss	(15		)		(12		)		(10		)		1				1				1
Prior service (credit) cost	1				—				—				1				1				(8		)
Other 1	(4		)		(7		)		—				—				—				—
Total recognized	$	10			$	(39	)		$	50			$	(5	)		$	(1	)		$	(19	)

1	Represents a charge related to our U.K retirement plan.

The total cost for our retirement plans was $80 million for 2018, $70 million for 2017 and $69 million for 2016. Included in the total retirement plans cost are defined contribution plans cost of $79 million for 2018, $70 million for 2017 and $65 million for 2016.

Assumptions

	Retirement Plans									Postretirement Plans
	2018			2017			2016			2018			2017			2016
Benefit obligation:
Discount rate 2	4.40	%		3.68	%		4.14	%		4.15	%		3.40	%		3.69	%
Net periodic cost:
Weighted-average healthcare cost rate 1										6.50	%		7.00	%		7.00	%
Discount rate - U.S. plan 2	3.68	%		4.13	%		4.47	%		3.40	%		3.69	%		3.94	%
Discount rate - U.K. plan 2	2.41	%		2.58	%		3.84	%
Return on assets 3	6.00	%		6.25	%		6.25	%

1	The assumed weighted-average healthcare cost trend rate will decrease ratably from 6.5% in 2018 to 5% in 2024 and remain at that level thereafter. Assumed healthcare cost trends have an effect on the amounts reported for the healthcare plans. A one percentage point change in assumed healthcare cost trend creates the following effects:

(in millions)	1% point increase				1% point decrease
Effect on postretirement obligation	$	—			$	—

2	Effective January 1, 2018, we changed our discount rate assumption on our U.S. retirement plans to 3.68% from 4.13% in 2017 and changed our discount rate assumption on our U.K. plan to 2.41% from 2.58% in 2017 .

3	The expected return on assets assumption is calculated based on the plan’s asset allocation strategy and projected market returns over the long-term. Effective January 1, 2019, our return on assets assumption for the U.S. plan and U.K. plan remained unchanged at 6.00%.

Cash Flows

In December of 2003, the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 (the “Act”) was enacted. The Act established a prescription drug benefit under Medicare, known as “Medicare Part D”, and a federal subsidy to sponsors of retiree healthcare benefit plans that provide a benefit that is at least actuarially equivalent to Medicare Part D. Our benefits provided to certain participants are at least actuarially equivalent to Medicare Part D, and, accordingly, we are entitled to a subsidy.

Expected employer contributions in 2019 are $46 million and $6 million for our retirement and postretirement plans respectively. In 2019, we may elect to make additional non-required contributions depending on investment performance and the pension plan status. Information about the expected cash flows for our retirement and postretirement plans and the impact of the Medicare subsidy is as follows:

(in millions)					Postretirement Plans 2
	Retirement 1 Plans				Gross payments				Retiree contributions				Medicare subsidy 3				Net payments
2019	$	91			$	8			$	(2	)		$	—			$	6
2020	94				7				(2		)		—				5
2021	96				6				(2		)		—				4
2022	99				6				(2		)		—				4
2023	101				5				1				—				6
2024-2028	534				19				(7		)		—				12

1	Reflects the total benefits expected to be paid from the plans or from our assets including both our share of the benefit cost and the participants’ share of the cost.

2	Reflects the total benefits expected to be paid from our assets.

3	Expected medicare subsidy amounts, for the years presented, are less than $1 million.

Fair Value of Plan Assets

In accordance with authoritative guidance for fair value measurements certain assets and liabilities are required to be recorded at fair value. Fair value is defined as the amount that would be received for selling an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. A fair value hierarchy has been established which requires us to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The three levels of inputs used to measure fair value are as follows:

•	Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

•	Level 2 - Observable inputs other than Level 1 prices, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.

•	Level 3 - Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities.

The fair value of our defined benefit plans assets as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, by asset class is as follows:

(in millions)	December 31, 2018
	Total				Level 1				Level 2				Level 3
Cash and short-term investments	$	4			$	4			$	—			$	—
Equities:
U.S. indexes 1	21				21				—				—
U.S. growth and value	69				69				—				—
Fixed income:
Long duration strategy 2	1,070				—				1,070				—
Intermediate duration securities	35				—				35				—
Agency mortgage backed securities	4				—				4				—
Asset backed securities	18				—				18				—
Non-agency mortgage backed securities 3	13				—				13				—
International, excluding U.K.	18				—				18				—
Real Estate:
U.K. 4	39				—				—				39
Total	$	1,291			$	94			$	1,158			$	39
Collective investment funds 5	$	696
Total	$	1,987

(in millions)	December 31, 2017
	Total				Level 1				Level 2				Level 3
Cash, short-term investments, and other	$	10			$	10			$	—			$	—
Equities:
U.S. indexes 1	50				50				—				—
U.S. growth and value	109				109				—				—
U.K.	5				5				—				—
International, excluding U.K.	45				45				—				—
Fixed income:
Long duration strategy 2	1,076				—				1,076				—
Intermediate duration securities	35				—				35				—
Agency mortgage backed securities	5				—				5				—
Asset backed securities	19				—				19				—
Non-agency mortgage backed securities 3	15				—				15				—
International, excluding U.K.	18				—				18				—
Real Estate:
U.K. 4	39				—				—				39
Total	$	1,426			$	219			$	1,168			$	39
Collective investment funds 5	$	793
Total	$	2,219

1	Includes securities that are tracked in the S&P Smallcap 600 index.

2	Includes securities that are mainly investment grade obligations of issuers in the U.S.

3	Includes U.S. mortgage-backed securities that are not backed by the U.S. government.

4	Includes a fund which holds real estate properties in the U.K.

5	Includes the Standard & Poor's 500 Composite Stock Index, the Standard & Poor's MidCap 400 Composite Stock Index, a short-term investment fund which is a common collective trust vehicle, and other various asset classes.

For securities that are quoted in active markets, the trustee/custodian determines fair value by applying securities’ prices obtained from its pricing vendors. For commingled funds that are not actively traded, the trustee applies pricing information provided by investment management firms to the unit quantities of such funds. Investment management firms employ their own pricing vendors to value the securities underlying each commingled fund. Underlying securities that are not actively traded derive their prices from investment managers, which in turn, employ vendors that use pricing models (e.g., discounted cash flow, comparables). The domestic defined benefit plans have no investment in our stock, except through the S&P 500 commingled trust index fund.

The trustee obtains estimated prices from vendors for securities that are not easily quotable and they are categorized accordingly as Level 3. The following table details further information on our plan assets where we have used significant unobservable inputs (Level 3):

(in millions)	Level 3
Balance as of December 31, 2017	$	39
Purchases	—
Distributions	(2		)
Gain (loss)	2
Balance as of December 31, 2018	$	39

Pension Trusts’ Asset Allocations

There are two pension trusts, one in the U.S. and one in the U.K.

•	The U.S. pension trust had assets of $1,572 million and $1,739 million as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 respectively, and the target allocations in 2018 include 75% fixed income, 16% domestic equities and 9% international equities.

•	The U.K. pension trust had assets of $415 million and $480 million as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and the target allocations in 2018 include 40% fixed income, 30% diversified growth funds, 20% equities and 10% real estate.

The pension assets are invested with the goal of producing a combination of capital growth, income and a liability hedge. The mix of assets is established after consideration of the long-term performance and risk characteristics of asset classes. Investments are selected based on their potential to enhance returns, preserve capital and reduce overall volatility. Holdings are diversified within each asset class. The portfolios employ a mix of index and actively managed equity strategies by market capitalization, style, geographic regions and economic sectors. The fixed income strategies include U.S. long duration securities, opportunistic fixed income securities and U.K. debt instruments. The short-term portfolio, whose primary goal is capital preservation for liquidity purposes, is composed of government and government-agency securities, uninvested cash, receivables and payables. The portfolios do not employ any financial leverage.

U.S. Defined Contribution Plan

Assets of the defined contribution plan in the U.S. consist primarily of investment options, which include actively managed equity, indexed equity, actively managed equity/bond funds, target date funds, S&P Global Inc. common stock, stable value and money market strategies. There is also a self-directed mutual fund investment option. The plan purchased 193,051 shares and sold 205,798 shares of S&P Global Inc. common stock in 2018 and purchased 228,248 shares and sold 297,750 shares of S&P Global Inc. common stock in 2017. The plan held approximately 1.5 million shares of S&P Global Inc. common stock as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, with market values of $251 million and $255 million, respectively. The plan received dividends on S&P Global Inc. common stock of $3 million during both the years ended December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017.

8. Stock-Based Compensation

We issue stock-based incentive awards to our eligible employees and Directors under the 2002 Employee Stock Incentive Plan and a Director Deferred Stock Ownership Plan.

•

2002 Employee Stock Incentive Plan (the “2002 Plan”) – The 2002 Plan permits the granting of nonqualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, performance stock, restricted stock and other stock-based awards. In 2018, we made a one-time issuance of incentive stock options under the 2002 Plan to replace Kensho employees' stock options that were assumed in connection with our acquisition of Kensho in April of 2018.

•

Director Deferred Stock Ownership Plan – Under this plan, common stock reserved may be credited to deferred stock accounts for eligible Directors. In general, the plan requires that 50% of eligible Directors’ annual compensation plus dividend equivalents be credited to deferred stock accounts. Each Director may also elect to defer all or a portion of the remaining compensation and have an equivalent number of shares credited to the deferred stock account. Recipients under this plan are not required to provide consideration to us other than rendering service. Shares will be delivered as of the date a recipient ceases to be a member of the Board of Directors or within five years thereafter, if so elected. The plan will remain in effect until terminated by the Board of Directors or until no shares of stock remain available under the plan.

The number of common shares reserved for issuance are as follows:

(in millions)	December 31,
	2018		2017
Shares available for granting under the 2002 Plan	33.3		33.8
Options outstanding	1.7		2.1
Total shares reserved for issuance 1	35.0		35.9

1	Shares reserved for issuance under the Director Deferred Stock Ownership Plan are not included in the total, but are less than 0.1 million.

We issue treasury shares upon exercise of stock options and the issuance of restricted stock and unit awards. To offset the dilutive effect of the exercise of employee stock options, we periodically repurchase shares. See Note 9 – Equity for further discussion.

Stock-based compensation expense and the corresponding tax benefit are as follows:

(in millions)	Year Ended December 31,
	2018				2017				2016
Stock option expense	$	5			$	3			$	7
Restricted stock and unit awards expense	89				96				69
Total stock-based compensation expense	$	94			$	99			$	76
Tax benefit	$	19			$	38			$	29

Stock Options

Stock options may not be granted at a price less than the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant. Stock options granted vest over a four year service period and have a maximum term of 10 years. Stock option compensation costs are recognized from the date of grant, utilizing a four-year graded vesting method. Under this method, more than half of the costs are recognized over the first twelve months, approximately one-quarter of the costs are recognized over a twenty-four month period starting from the date of grant, approximately one-tenth of the costs are recognized over a thirty-six month period starting from the date of grant, and the remaining costs recognized over a forty-eight month period starting from the date of grant.

We use a lattice-based option-pricing model to estimate the fair value of options granted. The following assumptions were used in valuing the options granted:

	Year Ended
	December 31, 2018
Risk-free average interest rate	2.6 - 2.7%
Dividend yield	1.1		%
Volatility	21.8 - 22.0%
Expected life (years)	5.67 - 6.07
Weighted-average grant-date fair value per option	$	112.98

Because lattice-based option-pricing models incorporate ranges of assumptions, those ranges are disclosed. These assumptions are based on multiple factors, including historical exercise patterns, post-vesting termination rates, expected future exercise patterns and the expected volatility of our stock price. The risk-free interest rate is the imputed forward rate based on the U.S. Treasury yield at the date of grant. We use the historical volatility of our stock price over the expected term of the options to estimate the expected volatility. The expected term of options granted is derived from the output of the lattice model and represents the period of time that options granted are expected to be outstanding.

In 2018, we made a one-time issuance of incentive stock options under the 2002 Plan to replace Kensho employees' stock options that were assumed in connection with our acquisition of Kensho in April of 2018. There were no stock options granted in 2017 and 2016.

Stock option activity is as follows:

(in millions, except per award amounts)	Shares			Weighted average exercise price				Weighted-average remaining years of contractual term		Aggregate intrinsic value
Options outstanding as of December 31, 2017	2.1			$	44.09
Granted	0.2			$	74.11
Exercised	(0.6	)		$	161.14
Forfeited and expired 1	—			$	71.68
Options outstanding as of December 31, 2018	1.7			$	47.92			3.3		$	202
Options exercisable as of December 31, 2018	1.6			$	46.69			3.1		$	195

1 There are less 0.1 million shares forfeited and expired.

(in millions, except per award amounts)	Shares				Weighted-average grant-date fair value
Nonvested options outstanding as of December 31, 2017	—				$	27.52
Granted	0.2				$	112.98
Vested	(0.1		)		$	112.36
Forfeited 1	—				$	112.14
Nonvested options outstanding as of December 31, 2018	0.1				$	113.02
Total unrecognized compensation expense related to nonvested options	$	2
Weighted-average years to be recognized over	2.0

1	There are less than 0.1 million shares forfeited.

The total fair value of our stock options that vested during the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 was $5 million, $4 million and $7 million, respectively.

Information regarding our stock option exercises is as follows:

(in millions)	Year Ended December 31,
	2018				2017				2016
Net cash proceeds from the exercise of stock options	$	34			$	75			$	88
Total intrinsic value of stock option exercises	$	77			$	118			$	95
Income tax benefit realized from stock option exercises	$	27			$	64			$	41

Restricted Stock and Unit Awards

Restricted stock and unit awards (performance and non-performance) have been granted under the 2002 Plan. Performance unit awards will vest only if we achieve certain financial goals over the performance period. Restricted stock non-performance awards have various vesting periods (generally three years), with vesting beginning on the first anniversary of the awards. Recipients of restricted stock and unit awards are not required to provide consideration to us other than rendering service.

The stock-based compensation expense for restricted stock and unit awards is determined based on the market price of our stock at the grant date of the award applied to the total number of awards that are anticipated to fully vest. For performance unit awards, adjustments are made to expense dependent upon financial goals achieved.

Restricted stock and unit activity for performance and non-performance awards is as follows:

(in millions, except per award amounts)	Shares				Weighted-average grant-date fair value
Nonvested shares as of December 31, 2017	0.8				$	124.91
Granted	1.0				$	182.75
Vested	(0.9		)		$	167.13
Forfeited	(0.1		)		$	149.03
Nonvested shares as of December 31, 2018	0.8				$	172.24
Total unrecognized compensation expense related to nonvested awards	$	76
Weighted-average years to be recognized over	1.9

	Year Ended December 31,
	2018				2017				2016
Weighted-average grant-date fair value per award	$	182.75			$	147.12			$	93.01
Total fair value of restricted stock and unit awards vested	$	154			$	147			$	99
Tax benefit relating to restricted stock activity	$	32			$	36			$	26

9. Equity

Capital Stock

Two million shares of preferred stock, par value $1 per share, are authorized; none have been issued.

On January 30, 2019, the Board of Directors approved an increase in the dividends for 2019 to a quarterly rate of $0.57 per common share.

	Year Ended December 31,
	2018				2017				2016
Quarterly dividend rate	$	0.50			$	0.41			$	0.36
Annualized dividend rate	$	2.00			$	1.64			$	1.44
Dividends paid (in millions)	$	503			$	421			$	380

Stock Repurchases

On December 4, 2013, the Board of Directors approved a share repurchase program authorizing the purchase of 50 million shares, which was approximately 18% of the total shares of our outstanding common stock at that time.

Share repurchases were as follows:

(in millions, except average price)	Year Ended December 31,
	2018				2017				2016
Total number of shares purchased 1	$	8.4			$	6.8			$	9.7
Average price paid per share 2	$	197.21			$	147.74			$	113.36
Total cash utilized 2	$	1,660			$	1,001			$	1,097

1	2018, 2017 and 2016 includes shares received as part of our accelerated share repurchase agreements as described in more detail below.

2	In December of 2015, 0.3 million shares were repurchased for approximately $26 million, which settled in January of 2016. Cash used for financing activities only reflects those shares which settled during the year ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 resulting in $1,660 million, $1,001 million and $1,123 million of cash used to repurchase shares, respectively.

Our purchased shares may be used for general corporate purposes, including the issuance of shares for stock compensation plans and to offset the dilutive effect of the exercise of employee stock options. As of December 31, 2018, 10.6 million shares remained available under our current share repurchase program. Our current share repurchase program has no expiration date and purchases under this program may be made from time to time on the open market and in private transactions, depending on market conditions.

Accelerated Share Repurchase Agreements

2018

We entered into an accelerated share repurchase ("ASR") agreement with a financial institution on October 29, 2018 to initiate share repurchases aggregating $500 million. The ASR agreement was structured as an uncapped ASR agreement in which we paid $500 million and received an initial delivery of approximately 2.5 million shares, representing 85% of the $500 million at a price equal to the then market price of the Company. We completed the ASR agreement on January 2, 2019 and received an additional 0.4 million shares. We repurchased a total of 2.9 million shares under the ASR agreement for an average purchase price of $173.80 per share. The total number of shares repurchased under the ASR agreement is equal to $500 million divided by the volume weighted-average share price, less a discount. The repurchased shares are held in Treasury. The ASR agreement was executed under the current share repurchase program, approved on December 4, 2013.

We entered into an ASR agreement with a financial institution on March 6, 2018 to initiate share repurchases aggregating $1 billion. The ASR agreement was structured as an uncapped ASR agreement in which we paid $1 billion and received an initial delivery of approximately 4.5 million shares, representing 85% of the $1 billion at a price equal to the then market price of the Company. We completed the ASR agreement on September 25, 2018, and received an additional 0.6 million shares. We repurchased a total of 5.1 million shares under the ASR agreement for an average purchase price of $197.49 per share. The total number of shares repurchased under the ASR agreement is equal to $1 billion divided by the volume weighted-average share price, less a discount. The repurchased shares are held in Treasury. The ASR agreement was executed under the current share repurchase program, approved on December 4, 2013.

2017

We entered into an ASR agreement with a financial institution on August 1, 2017 to initiate share repurchases aggregating $500 million. The ASR agreement was structured as an uncapped ASR agreement in which we paid $500 million and received an initial delivery of approximately 2.8 million shares, representing 85% of the $500 million at a price equal to the then market price of the Company. We completed the ASR agreement on October 31, 2017 and received an additional 0.5 million shares. We repurchased a total of 3.2 million shares under the ASR agreement for an average purchase price of $154.46 per share. The total number of shares repurchased under the ASR agreement is equal to $500 million divided by the volume weighted-average share price, less a discount. The repurchased shares are held in Treasury. The ASR agreement was executed under the current share repurchase program, approved on December 4, 2013.

2016

Using a portion of the proceeds received from the sale of J.D. Power, we entered into an ASR agreement with a financial institution on September 7, 2016 to initiate share repurchases aggregating $750 million. The ASR agreement was structured as a capped ASR agreement in which we paid $750 million and received an initial delivery of approximately 4.4 million shares and an additional amount of 0.9 million shares during the month of September 2016, representing the minimum number of shares of our common stock to be repurchased based on a calculation using a specified capped price per share. We completed the ASR agreement on December 7, 2016 and received an additional 0.9 million shares, which settled on December 12, 2016. We repurchased a total of 6.1 million shares under the ASR agreement for an average purchase price of $122.18 per share. The total number of shares repurchased under the ASR agreement was based on the volume weighted-average share price, minus a discount, of our common stock over the term of the ASR agreement. The repurchased shares are held in Treasury. The ASR agreement was executed under the current share repurchase program, approved on December 4, 2013.

The ASR agreements discussed above were each accounted for as two transactions: a stock purchase transaction and a forward stock purchase contract. The shares delivered under the ASR agreement resulted in a reduction of our outstanding shares used to determine our weighted average common shares outstanding for purposes of calculating basic and diluted earnings per share. The forward stock purchase contract was classified as an equity instrument.

We entered into an ASR agreement with a financial institution on February 11, 2019 to initiate share repurchases aggregating $500 million.

Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests

The agreement with the minority partners that own 27% of our S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC joint venture contains redemption features whereby interests held by minority partners are redeemable either (i) at the option of the holder or (ii) upon the occurrence of an event that is not solely within our control. Specifically, under the terms of the operating agreement of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC, after December 31, 2017, CME Group and CME Group Index Services LLC ("CGIS") has the right at any time to sell, and we are obligated to buy, at least 20% of their share in S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC. In addition, in the event there is a change of control of the Company, for the 15 days following a change in control, CME Group and CGIS will have the right to put their interest to us at the then fair value of CME Group's and CGIS' minority interest.

If interests were to be redeemed under this agreement, we would generally be required to purchase the interest at fair value on the date of redemption. This interest is presented on the consolidated balance sheets outside of equity under the caption “Redeemable noncontrolling interest” with an initial value based on fair value for the portion attributable to the net assets we acquired, and based on our historical cost for the portion attributable to our S&P Index business. We adjust the redeemable noncontrolling interest each reporting period to its estimated redemption value, but never less than its initial fair value, considering a combination of an income and market valuation approach. Our income and market valuation approaches may incorporate Level 3 fair value measures for instances when observable inputs are not available, including assumptions related to expected future net cash flows, long-term growth rates, the timing and nature of tax attributes, and the redemption features. Any adjustments to the redemption value will impact retained income.

Noncontrolling interests that do not contain such redemption features are presented in equity.

Changes to redeemable noncontrolling interest during the year ended December 31, 2018 were as follows:

(in millions)
Balance as of December 31, 2017	$	1,352
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	151
Distributions to noncontrolling interest	(111		)
Redemption value adjustment	228
Balance as of December 31, 2018	$	1,620

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

The following table summarizes the changes in the components of accumulated other comprehensive loss for the year ended December 31, 2018:

(in millions)	Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment				Pension and Postretirement Benefit Plans 1				Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Forward Exchange Contracts 2				Unrealized Loss on Investment 3				Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Balance as of December 31, 2017	$	(239	)		$	(402	)		$	2			(10		)		$	(649	)
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications	(100		)		(19		)		(2		)		—				(121		)
Reclassifications from accumulated other comprehensive loss to net earnings	—				14				4				—				18
Net other comprehensive (loss) income	(100		)		(5		)		2				—				(103		)
Amounts reclassified to retained income	—				—				—				10				10
Balance as of December 31, 2018	$	(339	)		$	(407	)		$	4			$	—			$	(742	)

1	See Note 7 — Employee Benefits for additional details of items reclassed from accumulated other comprehensive loss to net earnings.

2	See Note 6 — Derivative Instruments for additional details of items reclassed from accumulated other comprehensive loss to net earnings.

3	On January 1, 2018, the unrealized loss on investments was reclassified to retained income. See Note 1 - Accounting Policies for additional details.

The net actuarial loss and prior service cost related to pension and other postretirement benefit plans included in other comprehensive income is net of a tax provision of $9 million for the year ended December 31, 2018.

10. Earnings per Share

Basic earnings per common share ("EPS") is computed by dividing net income attributable to the common shareholders of the Company by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted EPS is computed in the same manner as basic EPS, except the number of shares is increased to include additional common shares that would have been outstanding if potential common shares with a dilutive effect had been issued. Potential common shares consist primarily of stock options and restricted performance shares calculated using the treasury stock method.

The calculation for basic and diluted EPS is as follows:

(in millions, except per share data)	Year Ended December 31,
	2018				2017				2016
Amount attributable to S&P Global Inc. common shareholders:
Net income	$	1,958			$	1,496			$	2,106
Basic weighted-average number of common shares outstanding	250.9				256.3				262.8
Effect of stock options and other dilutive securities	2.3				2.6				2.4
Diluted weighted-average number of common shares outstanding	253.2				258.9				265.2
Earnings per share attributable to S&P Global Inc. common shareholders:
Net income:
Basic	$	7.80			$	5.84			$	8.02
Diluted	$	7.73			$	5.78			$	7.94

Each period we have certain stock options and restricted performance shares that are potentially excluded from the computation of diluted EPS. The effect of the potential exercise of stock options is excluded when the average market price of our common stock is lower than the exercise price of the related option during the period or when a net loss exists because the effect would have been antidilutive. Additionally, restricted performance shares are excluded because the necessary vesting conditions had not been met or when a net loss exists. As of December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, there were no stock options excluded. Restricted performance shares outstanding of 0.5 million, 0.6 million and 0.7 million as of December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively, were excluded.

11. Restructuring

During 2018 and 2017, we continued to evaluate our cost structure and further identified cost savings associated with streamlining our management structure and our decision to exit non-strategic businesses. Our 2018 and 2017 restructuring plans consisted of a company-wide workforce reduction of approximately 160 and 520 positions, respectively, and are further detailed below. The charges for each restructuring plan are classified as selling and general expenses within the consolidated statements of income and the reserves are included in other current liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets.

In certain circumstances, reserves are no longer needed because of efficiencies in carrying out the plans or because employees previously identified for separation resigned from the Company and did not receive severance or were reassigned due to circumstances not foreseen when the original plans were initiated. In these cases, we reverse reserves through the consolidated statements of income during the period when it is determined they are no longer needed. There were approximately $6 million of reserves from the 2017 restructuring plan that we have reversed in 2018, which offset the initial charge of $44 million recorded for the 2017 restructuring plan. There were approximately $7 million of reserves from the 2016 restructuring plan that we have reversed in 2017, which offset the initial charge of $30 million recorded for the 2016 restructuring plan.

The initial restructuring charge recorded and the ending reserve balance as of December 31, 2018 by segment is as follows:

	2018 Restructuring Plan								2017 Restructuring Plan
(in millions)	Initial Charge Recorded				Ending Reserve Balance				Initial Charge Recorded				Ending Reserve Balance
Ratings	$	8			$	8			$	25			$	7
Market Intelligence	7				7				8				1
Platts	—				—				1				—
Indices	—				—				—				—
Corporate	10				9				10				2
Total	$	25			$	24			$	44			$	10

For the year ended December 31, 2018, we have reduced the reserve for the 2018 restructuring plan by $1 million and for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, we have reduced the reserve for the 2017 restructuring plan by $29 million and $5 million, respectively. The reductions primarily related to cash payments for employee severance charges.

12. Segment and Geographic Information

As discussed in Note 1 – Accounting Policies, we have four reportable segments: Ratings, Market Intelligence, Platts and Indices.

Our Chief Executive Officer is our chief operating decision-maker and evaluates performance of our segments and allocates resources based primarily on operating profit. Segment operating profit does not include Corporate Unallocated, other income, net, or interest expense, net, as these are costs that do not affect the operating results of our reportable segments. We use the same accounting policies for our segments as those described in Note 1 – Accounting Policies.

In April of 2018, we acquired Kensho for approximately $550 million, net of cash acquired, in a mix of cash and stock. The results of Kensho, an operating segment of the Company, are included in Corporate revenue and Corporate Unallocated for financial reporting purposes. See Note 2 — Acquisitions and Divestitures for additional information.

Effective beginning with the first quarter of 2018, we began reporting the financial results of Market Intelligence and Platts as separate reportable segments consistent with the changes to our organizational structure and how our Chief Executive Officer evaluates the performance of these segments. Our historical segment reporting has been retroactively revised to reflect the current organizational structure.

A summary of operating results for the years ended December 31 is as follows:

Revenue
(in millions)	2018				2017				2016
Ratings	$	2,883			$	2,988			$	2,535
Market Intelligence	1,833				1,683				1,661
Platts	815				774				925
Indices	837				728				638
Corporate	15				—				—
Intersegment elimination 1	(125		)		(110		)		(98		)
Total revenue	$	6,258			$	6,063			$	5,661
Operating Profit
(in millions)	2018				2017				2016
Ratings 2	$	1,530			$	1,517			$	1,256
Market Intelligence 3	545				457				729
Platts 4	383				326				1,090
Indices 5	563				478				413
Total reportable segments	3,021				2,778				3,488
Corporate Unallocated 6	(231		)		(195		)		(147		)
Total operating profit	$	2,790			$	2,583			$	3,341

1	Revenue for Ratings and expenses for Market Intelligence include an intersegment royalty charged to Market Intelligence for the rights to use and distribute content and data developed by Ratings.

2

Operating profit for the year ended December 31, 2018 includes legal settlement expenses of $74 million and employee severance charges of $8 million. Operating profit for the year ended December 31, 2017 includes legal settlement expenses of $55 million and employee severance charges of $25 million. Operating profit for the year ended December 31, 2016 primarily includes a benefit related to net legal settlement insurance recoveries of $10 million and employee severance charges of $6 million. Additionally, operating profit includes amortization of intangibles from acquisitions of $2 million, $4 million $5 million for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

3

Operating profit for the year ended December 31, 2018 includes restructuring charges related to a business disposition and employee severance charges of $7 million. Operating profit for the year ended December 31, 2017 includes employee severance charges of $7 million, and non-cash disposition-related adjustments of $4 million. Operating profit for the year ended December 31, 2016 includes a $373 million gain from our dispositions, disposition-related costs of $43 million, a technology-related impairment charge of $24 million and an acquisition-related cost of $1 million. Additionally, operating profit includes amortization of intangibles from acquisitions of $73 million, $71 million and $72 million for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

4

Operating profit for the year ended December 31, 2017 includes non-cash acquisition-related adjustment of $11 million, a charge to exit a leased facility of $6 million, an asset write-off of $2 million, and employee severance charges of $2 million. Operating profit for the year ended December 31, 2016 includes a $728 million gain from our dispositions and disposition-related costs of $5 million. Additionally, Operating profit includes amortization of intangibles from acquisitions of $18 million for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 and $14 million for the year ended December 31, 2016.

5	Operating profit includes amortization of intangibles from acquisitions of $6 million for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

6

Corporate Unallocated operating loss for the year ended December 31, 2018 includes Kensho retention related expense of $31 million, lease impairments of $11 million and employee severance charges of $10 million. Corporate Unallocated operating loss for the year ended December 31, 2017 includes a charge to exit leased facilities of $19 million and employee severance charges of $10 million. The year ended December 31, 2016 includes $3 million from a disposition-related reserve release. Additionally, Corporate Unallocated operating loss includes amortization of intangibles from acquisitions of $23 million for the year December 31, 2018.

(in millions)	Depreciation & Amortization												Capital Expenditures
	2018				2017				2016				2018				2017				2016
Ratings	$	32			$	34			$	34			$	42			$	45			$	42
Market Intelligence	99				104				105				30				37				40
Platts	27				25				26				9				15				17
Indices	9				8				8				3				3				3
Total reportable segments	167				171				173				84				100				102
Corporate	39				9				8				29				23				13
Total	$	206			$	180			$	181			$	113			$	123			$	115

Segment information as of December 31 is as follows:

(in millions)	Total Assets
	2018				2017
Ratings	$	680			$	788
Market Intelligence	3,606				3,381
Platts	787				791
Indices	1,443				1,270
Total reportable segments	6,516				6,230
Corporate 1	2,928				3,190
Assets held for sale 2	14				5
Total	$	9,458			$	9,425

1	Corporate assets consist principally of cash and cash equivalents, goodwill and other intangible assets, assets for pension benefits, deferred income taxes and leasehold improvements related to subleased areas.

2	Includes East Windsor and New Jersey facility as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

We do not have operations in any foreign country that represent more than 8% of our consolidated revenue. Transfers between geographic areas are recorded at agreed upon prices and intercompany revenue and profit are eliminated. No single customer accounted for more than 10% of our consolidated revenue.

The following provides revenue and long-lived assets by geographic region:

(in millions)	Revenue												Long-lived Assets
	Year ended December 31,												December 31,
	2018				2017				2016				2018				2017
U.S.	$	3,750			$	3,658			$	3,461			$	5,019			$	4,285
European region	1,543				1,473				1,330				317				346
Asia	647				594				575				51				54
Rest of the world	318				338				295				42				49
Total	$	6,258			$	6,063			$	5,661			$	5,429			$	4,734

	Revenue									Long-lived Assets
	Year ended December 31,									December 31,
	2018			2017			2016			2018			2017
U.S.	60	%		60	%		61	%		92	%		91	%
European region	25			24			24			6			7
Asia	10			10			10			1			1
Rest of the world	5			6			5			1			1
Total	100	%		100	%		100	%		100	%		100	%

See Note 2 – Acquisitions and Divestitures and Note 11 – Restructuring, for actions that impacted the segment operating results.

13. Commitments and Contingencies

Related Party Agreement

In March of 2018, the Company made a $20 million contribution to the S&P Global Foundation.

In June of 2012, we entered into a license agreement (the "License Agreement") with the holder of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC noncontrolling interest, CME Group, which replaced the 2005 license agreement between Indices and CME Group. Under the terms of the License Agreement, S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC receives a share of the profits from the trading and clearing of CME Group's equity index products. During the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC earned $121 million, $74 million and $76 million of revenue under the terms of the License Agreement, respectively. The entire amount of this revenue is included in our consolidated statement of income and the portion related to the 27% noncontrolling interest is removed in net income attributable to noncontrolling interests.

Rental Expense and Lease Obligations

We are committed under lease arrangements covering property, computer systems and office equipment. Leasehold improvements are amortized on a straight-line basis over the shorter of their economic lives or their lease term. Certain lease arrangements contain escalation clauses covering increased costs for various defined real estate taxes and operating services and the associated fees are recognized on a straight-line basis over the minimum lease period.

Rental expense for property and equipment under all operating lease agreements is as follows:

(in millions)	Year ended December 31,
	2018				2017				2016
Gross rental expense	$	172			$	177			$	179
Less: sublease revenue	(17		)		(17		)		(16		)
Net rental expense	$	155			$	160			$	163

Cash amounts for future minimum rental commitments under existing non-cancelable leases with a remaining term of more than one year, along with minimum sublease rental income to be received under non-cancelable subleases are shown in the following table.

(in millions)	Rent commitment				Sublease income				Net rent
2019	$	130			$	(17	)		$	113
2020	102				(3		)		99
2021	85				—				85
2022	75				—				75
2023	67				—				67
2024 and beyond	400				—				400
Total	$	859			$	(20	)		$	839

Legal & Regulatory Matters

In the normal course of business both in the United States and abroad, the Company and its subsidiaries are defendants in a number of legal proceedings and are often the subject of government and regulatory proceedings, investigations and inquiries. Many of these proceedings, investigations and inquiries relate to the ratings activity of S&P Global Ratings brought by issuers and alleged purchasers of rated securities. In addition, various government and self-regulatory agencies frequently make inquiries and conduct investigations into our compliance with applicable laws and regulations, including those related to ratings activities and antitrust matters. For example, as a nationally recognized statistical rating organization registered with the SEC under Section 15E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, S&P Global Ratings is in ongoing communication with the staff of the SEC regarding compliance with its extensive obligations under the federal securities laws. Although S&P Global Ratings seeks to promptly address any compliance issues that it detects or that the staff of the SEC raises, there can be no assurance that the SEC will not seek remedies

against S&P Global Ratings for one or more compliance deficiencies. Any of these proceedings, investigations or inquiries could ultimately result in adverse judgments, damages, fines, penalties or activity restrictions, which could adversely impact our consolidated financial condition, cash flows, business or competitive position.

In view of the uncertainty inherent in litigation and government and regulatory enforcement matters, we cannot predict the eventual outcome of such matters or the timing of their resolution, or in most cases reasonably estimate what the eventual judgments, damages, fines, penalties or impact of activity (if any) restrictions may be. As a result, we cannot provide assurance that such outcomes will not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial condition, cash flows, business or competitive position. As litigation or the process to resolve pending matters progresses, as the case may be, we will continue to review the latest information available and assess our ability to predict the outcome of such matters and the effects, if any, on our consolidated financial condition, cash flows, business or competitive position, which may require that we record liabilities in the consolidated financial statements in future periods.

S&P Global Ratings

In the second quarter the Company entered into an agreement to settle certain civil cases in Australia against the Company and certain of its subsidiaries relating to alleged investment losses in collateralized debt obligations rated by S&P Global Ratings. The settlement was approved by the court in August 2018.

14. Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited)

(in millions, except per share data)	First quarter				Second quarter				Third quarter				Fourth quarter				Total year
2018
Revenue	$	1,567			$	1,609			$	1,546			$	1,536			$	6,258
Operating profit	$	711			$	672			$	704			$	704			$	2,790
Net income	$	534			$	501			$	535			$	551			$	2,121
Net income attributable to S&P Global common shareholders	$	491			$	461			$	495			$	512			$	1,958
Earnings per share attributable to S&P Global Inc. common shareholders:
Net income:
Basic	$	1.94			$	1.83			$	1.97			$	2.06			$	7.80
Diluted	$	1.93			$	1.82			$	1.95			$	2.03			$	7.73
2017
Revenue	$	1,453			$	1,509			$	1,513			$	1,589			$	6,063
Operating profit	$	639			$	668			$	649			$	627			$	2,583
Net income	$	430			$	457			$	452			$	299			$	1,638
Net income attributable to S&P Global common shareholders	$	399			$	421			$	414			$	263			$	1,496
Earnings per share attributable to S&P Global Inc. common shareholders:
Net income:
Basic	$	1.54			$	1.63			$	1.62			1.03				5.84
Diluted	$	1.53			$	1.62			$	1.61			1.02				5.78

Note - Totals presented may not sum due to rounding.

15. Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements

On May 17, 2018, we issued $500 million of 4.5% notes due in 2048. On September 22, 2016, we issued $500 million of 2.95% senior notes due in 2027. On May 26, 2015, we issued $700 million of 4.0% senior notes due in 2025. On August 18, 2015, we issued $2.0 billion of senior notes, consisting of $400 million of 2.5% senior notes due in 2018, $700 million of 3.3% senior notes due in 2020 and $900 million of 4.4% senior notes due in 2026. See Note 5 — Debt for additional information.

The senior notes described above are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Standard & Poor's Financial Services LLC, a 100% owned subsidiary of the Company. The following condensed consolidating financial statements present the results of operations, financial position and cash flows of S&P Global Inc., Standard & Poor's Financial Services LLC, and the Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries of S&P Global Inc. and Standard & Poor's Financial Services LLC, and the eliminations necessary to arrive at the information for the Company on a consolidated basis.

	Statement of Income
	Year Ended December 31, 2018
(in millions)	S&P Global Inc.				Standard & Poor's Financial Services LLC				Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries				Eliminations				S&P Global Inc. Consolidated
Revenue	$	776			$	1,695			$	3,940			$	(153	)		$	6,258
Expenses:
Operating-related expenses	127				434				1,293				(153		)		1,701
Selling and general expenses	183				292				1,086				—				1,561
Depreciation	37				7				40				—				84
Amortization of intangibles	—				—				122				—				122
Total expenses	347				733				2,541				(153		)		3,468
Operating profit	429				962				1,399				—				2,790
Other income, net	(27		)		—				2				—				(25		)
Interest expense (income), net	143				2				(11		)		—				134
Non-operating intercompany transactions	363				(75		)		(1,872		)		1,584				—
(Loss) income before taxes on income	(50		)		1,035				3,280				(1,584		)		2,681
(Benefit) Provision for taxes on income	(14		)		250				324				—				560
Equity in net income of subsidiaries	3,576				(1		)		—				(3,575		)		—
Net income	3,540				784				2,956				(5,159		)		2,121
Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	—				—				—				(163		)		(163		)
Net income attributable to S&P Global Inc.	$	3,540			$	784			$	2,956			$	(5,322	)		$	1,958
Comprehensive income	$	3,510			$	783			$	2,884			$	(5,159	)		$	2,018

	Statement of Income
	Year Ended December 31, 2017
(in millions)	S&P Global Inc.				Standard & Poor's Financial Services LLC				Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries				Eliminations				S&P Global Inc. Consolidated
Revenue	$	717			$	1,780			$	3,704			$	(138	)		$	6,063
Expenses:
Operating-related expenses	90				482				1,261				(138		)		1,695
Selling and general expenses	196				345				1,064				—				1,605
Depreciation	31				11				40				—				82
Amortization of intangibles	—				—				98				—				98
Total expenses	317				838				2,463				(138		)		3,480
Operating profit	400				942				1,241				—				2,583
Other income, net	(16		)		—				(11		)		—				(27		)
Interest expense (income), net	163				—				(14		)		—				149
Non-operating intercompany transactions	365				(77		)		(2,463		)		2,175				—
(Loss) income before taxes on income	(112		)		1,019				3,729				(2,175		)		2,461
Provision for taxes on income	26				370				427				—				823
Equity in net income of subsidiaries	3,808				—				—				(3,808		)		—
Net income	3,670				649				3,302				(5,983		)		1,638
Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	—				—				—				(142		)		(142		)
Net income attributable to S&P Global Inc.	$	3,670			$	649			$	3,302			$	(6,125	)		$	1,496
Comprehensive income	$	3,694			$	649			$	3,401			$	(5,982	)		$	1,762

	Statement of Income
	Year Ended December 31, 2016
(in millions)	S&P Global Inc.				Standard & Poor's Financial Services LLC				Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries				Eliminations				S&P Global Inc. Consolidated
Revenue	$	667			$	1,513			$	3,607			$	(126	)		$	5,661
Expenses:
Operating-related expenses	114				451				1,334				(126		)		1,773
Selling and general expenses	128				243				1,096				—				1,467
Depreciation	38				9				38				—				85
Amortization of intangibles	—				—				96				—				96
Total expenses	280				703				2,564				(126		)		3,421
Gain on disposition	(1,072		)		—				(29		)		—				(1,101		)
Operating profit	1,459				810				1,072				—				3,341
Other income, net	(20		)		—				(8		)		—				(28		)
Interest expense (income), net	191				—				(10		)		—				181
Non-operating intercompany transactions	356				(83		)		(941		)		668				—
Income before taxes on income	932				893				2,031				(668		)		3,188
Provision for taxes on income	275				420				265				—				960
Equity in net income of subsidiaries	2,412				294				—				(2,706		)		—
Net income	3,069				767				1,766				(3,374		)		2,228
Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	—				—				—				(122		)		(122		)
Net income attributable to S&P Global Inc.	$	3,069			$	767			$	1,766			$	(3,496	)		$	2,106
Comprehensive income	$	3,099			$	767			$	1,563			$	(3,374	)		$	2,055

	Balance Sheet
	December 31, 2018
(in millions)	S&P Global Inc.				Standard & Poor's Financial Services LLC				Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries				Eliminations				S&P Global Inc. Consolidated
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	694			$	—			$	1,223			$	—			$	1,917
Restricted cash	—				—				41				—				41
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts	163				109				1,177				—				1,449
Intercompany receivable	550				2,138				2,873				(5,561		)		—
Prepaid and other current assets	58				3				136				—				197
Total current assets	1,465				2,250				5,450				(5,561		)		3,604
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation	192				—				78				—				270
Goodwill	261				—				3,265				9				3,535
Other intangible assets, net	—				—				1,524				—				1,524
Investments in subsidiaries	8,599				6				8,030				(16,635		)		—
Intercompany loans receivable	130				—				1,643				(1,773		)		—
Other non-current assets	194				45				286				—				525
Total assets	$	10,841			$	2,301			$	20,276			$	(23,960	)		$	9,458
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	89			$	15			$	107			$	—			$	211
Intercompany payable	4,453				32				1,076				(5,561		)		—
Accrued compensation and contributions to retirement plans	125				33				196				—				354
Income taxes currently payable	1				—				71				—				72
Unearned revenue	240				235				1,166				—				1,641
Accrued legal settlements	—				—				1				—				1
Other current liabilities	180				16				154				—				350
Total current liabilities	5,088				331				2,771				(5,561		)		2,629
Long-term debt	3,662				—				—				—				3,662
Intercompany loans payable	114				—				1,659				(1,773		)		—
Pension and other postretirement benefits	162				—				67				—				229
Other non-current liabilities	166				75				393				—				634
Total liabilities	9,192				406				4,890				(7,334		)		7,154
Redeemable noncontrolling interest	—				—				—				1,620				1,620
Equity:
Common stock	294				—				2,279				(2,279		)		294
Additional paid-in capital	72				618				9,784				(9,641		)		833
Retained income	12,622				1,277				3,824				(6,439		)		11,284
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(299		)		—				(489		)		46				(742		)
Less: common stock in treasury	(11,040		)		—				(13		)		12				(11,041		)
Total equity - controlling interests	1,649				1,895				15,385				(18,301		)		628
Total equity - noncontrolling interests	—				—				1				55				56
Total equity	1,649				1,895				15,386				(18,246		)		684
Total liabilities and equity	$	10,841			$	2,301			$	20,276			$	(23,960	)		$	9,458

	Balance Sheet
	December 31, 2017
(in millions)	S&P Global Inc.				Standard & Poor's Financial Services LLC				Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries				Eliminations				S&P Global Inc. Consolidated
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	632			$	—			$	2,145			$	—			$	2,777
Restricted cash	—				—				2				—				2
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts	138				152				1,029				—				1,319
Intercompany receivable	768				1,784				2,527				(5,079		)		—
Prepaid and other current assets	143				(3		)		86				—				226
Total current assets	1,681				1,933				5,789				(5,079		)		4,324
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation	158				10				107				—				275
Goodwill	261				—				2,719				9				2,989
Other intangible assets, net	—				—				1,388				—				1,388
Investments in subsidiaries	8,364				5				8,028				(16,397		)		—
Intercompany loans receivable	116				—				1,699				(1,815		)		—
Other non-current assets	215				61				174				(1		)		449
Total assets	$	10,795			$	2,009			$	19,904			$	(23,283	)		$	9,425
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	79			$	23			$	93			$	—			$	195
Intercompany payable	3,433				492				1,154				(5,079		)		—
Accrued compensation and contributions to retirement plans	145				86				241				—				472
Short-term debt	399				—				—				—				399
Income taxes currently payable	2				—				75				—				77
Unearned revenue	293				193				1,127				—				1,613
Accrued legal settlements	—				2				105				—				107
Other current liabilities	136				21				194				—				351
Total current liabilities	4,487				817				2,989				(5,079		)		3,214
Long-term debt	3,170				—				—				—				3,170
Intercompany loans payable	101				—				1,715				(1,816		)		—
Pension and other postretirement benefits	180				—				64				—				244
Other non-current liabilities	376				74				229				—				679
Total liabilities	8,314				891				4,997				(6,895		)		7,307
Redeemable noncontrolling interest	—				—				—				1,352				1,352
Equity:
Common stock	412				—				2,318				(2,318		)		412
Additional paid-in capital	(216		)		602				9,256				(9,117		)		525
Retained income	12,156				516				3,782				(6,431		)		10,023
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(269		)		—				(426		)		46				(649		)
Less: common stock in treasury	(9,602		)		—				(23		)		23				(9,602		)
Total equity - controlling interests	2,481				1,118				14,907				(17,797		)		709
Total equity - noncontrolling interests	—				—				—				57				57
Total equity	2,481				1,118				14,907				(17,740		)		766
Total liabilities and equity	$	10,795			$	2,009			$	19,904			$	(23,283	)		$	9,425

	Statement of Cash Flows
	Year Ended December 31, 2018
(in millions)	S&P Global Inc.				Standard & Poor's Financial Services LLC				Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries				Eliminations				S&P Global Inc. Consolidated
Operating Activities:
Net income	$	3,540			$	784			$	2,956			$	(5,159	)		$	2,121
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation	37				7				40				—				84
Amortization of intangibles	—				—				122				—				122
Provision for losses on accounts receivable	3				4				14				—				21
Deferred income taxes	33				10				38				—				81
Stock-based compensation	28				16				50				—				94
Accrued legal settlements	—				1				—				—				1
Other	46				5				1				—				52
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effect of acquisitions and dispositions:
Accounts receivable	(27		)		39				(176		)		—				(164		)
Prepaid and other current assets	(2		)		(4		)		5				—				(1		)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	(11		)		(64		)		(31		)		—				(106		)
Unearned revenue	(53		)		13				110				—				70
Accrued legal settlements	—				—				(108		)		—				(108		)
Other current liabilities	(22		)		(11		)		(34		)		—				(67		)
Net change in prepaid/accrued income taxes	2				—				(9		)		—				(7		)
Net change in other assets and liabilities	(128		)		32				(33		)		—				(129		)
Cash provided by operating activities	3,446				832				2,945				(5,159		)		2,064
Investing Activities:
Capital expenditures	(81		)		(16		)		(16		)		—				(113		)
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	—				—				(401		)		—				(401		)
Proceeds from dispositions	—				—				6				—				6
Changes in short-term investments	—				—				(5		)		—				(5		)
Cash used for investing activities	(81		)		(16		)		(416		)		—				(513		)
Financing Activities:
Proceeds from issuance of senior notes, net	489				—				—				—				489
Payments on senior notes	(403		)		—				—				—				(403		)
Dividends paid to shareholders	(503		)		—				—				—				(503		)
Distributions to noncontrolling interest holders	—				—				(154		)		—				(154		)
Repurchase of treasury shares	(1,660		)		—				—				—				(1,660		)
Exercise of stock options	26				—				8				—				34
Purchase of additional CRISIL shares					—				(25		)		—				(25		)
Employee withholding tax on share-based payments	(66		)		—				—				—				(66		)
Intercompany financing activities	(1,181		)		(816		)		(3,162		)		5,159				—
Cash used for financing activities	(3,298		)		(816		)		(3,333		)		5,159				(2,288		)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(5		)		—				(79		)		—				(84		)
Net change in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash	62				—				(883		)		—				(821		)
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of year	632				—				2,147				—				2,779
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of year	$	694			$	—			$	1,264			$	—			$	1,958

	Statement of Cash Flows
	Year Ended December 31, 2017
(in millions)	S&P Global Inc.				Standard & Poor's Financial Services LLC				Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries				Eliminations				S&P Global Inc. Consolidated
Operating Activities:
Net income	$	3,670			$	649			$	3,302			$	(5,983	)		$	1,638
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation	31				11				40				—				82
Amortization of intangibles	—				—				98				—				98
Provision for losses on accounts receivable	2				3				11				—				16
Deferred income taxes	108				(10		)		(98		)		—				—
Stock-based compensation	35				22				42				—				99
Accrued legal settlements	—				—				55				—				55
Other	34				19				43				—				96
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effect of acquisitions and dispositions:
Accounts receivable	(2		)		(23		)		(171		)		—				(196		)
Prepaid and other current assets	(5		)		3				12				—				10
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	22				97				(44		)		—				75
Unearned revenue	19				2				64				—				85
Accrued legal settlements	—				(1		)		(3		)		—				(4		)
Other current liabilities	(42		)		(12		)		(31		)		—				(85		)
Net change in prepaid/accrued income taxes	41				(18		)		9				—				32
Net change in other assets and liabilities	7				(6		)		14				—				15
Cash provided by operating activities	3,920				736				3,343				(5,983		)		2,016
Investing Activities:
Capital expenditures	(55		)		(32		)		(36		)		—				(123		)
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	—				—				(83		)		—				(83		)
Proceeds from dispositions	—				—				2				—				2
Changes in short-term investments	—				—				(5		)		—				(5		)
Cash used for investing activities	(55		)		(32		)		(122		)		—				(209		)
Financing Activities:
Dividends paid to shareholders	(421		)		—				—				—				(421		)
Distributions to noncontrolling interest holders	—				—				(111		)		—				(111		)
Repurchase of treasury shares	(1,001		)		—				—				—				(1,001		)
Exercise of stock options	68				—				7				—				75
Employee withholding tax on share-based payments	(49		)		—				—				—				(49		)
Intercompany financing activities	(2,546		)		(704		)		(2,733		)		5,983				—
Cash used for financing activities	(3,949		)		(704		)		(2,837		)		5,983				(1,507		)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	5				—				82				—				87
Net change in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash	(79		)		—				466				—				387
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of year	711				—				1,681				—				2,392
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of year	$	632			$	—			$	2,147			$	—			$	2,779

	Statement of Cash Flows
	Year Ended December 31, 2016
(in millions)	S&P Global Inc.				Standard & Poor's Financial Services LLC				Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries				Eliminations				S&P Global Inc. Consolidated
Operating Activities:
Net income	$	3,069			$	767			$	1,766			$	(3,374	)		$	2,228
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities
Depreciation	38				9				38				—				85
Amortization of intangibles	—				—				96				—				96
Provision for losses on accounts receivable	1				—				8				—				9
Deferred income taxes	16				(9		)		72				—				79
Stock-based compensation	22				17				37				—				76
Gain on disposition	(1,072		)		—				(29		)		—				(1,101		)
Accrued legal settlements	3				1				50				—				54
Other	48				5				(23		)		—				30
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effect of acquisitions and dispositions:
Accounts receivable	(24		)		187				(340		)		—				(177		)
Prepaid and other current assets	(2		)		10				(3		)		—				5
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	(8		)		(39		)		66				—				19
Unearned revenue	19				(395		)		483				—				107
Accrued legal settlements	—				(108		)		(42		)		—				(150		)
Other current liabilities	(27		)		(27		)		35				—				(19		)
Net change in prepaid/accrued income taxes	141				—				33				—				174
Net change in other assets and liabilities	(9		)		38				16				—				45
Cash provided by operating activities	2,215				456				2,263				(3,374		)		1,560
Investing Activities:
Capital expenditures	(68		)		(15		)		(32		)		—				(115		)
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(144		)		—				(33		)		—				(177		)
Contingent consideration payment	—				—				(34		)		—				(34		)
Proceeds from dispositions	1,422				—				76				—				1,498
Changes in short-term investments	—				—				(1		)		—				(1		)
Cash provided by (used for) investing activities	1,210				(15		)		(24		)		—				1,171
Financing Activities:
Additions to short-term debt	(143		)		—				—				—				(143		)
Proceeds from issuance of senior notes, net	493				—				—				—				493
Payments on senior notes	(421		)		—				—				—				(421		)
Dividends paid to shareholders	(380		)		—				—				—				(380		)
Distributions to noncontrolling interest holders	—				—				(116		)		—				(116		)
Repurchase of treasury shares	(1,123		)		—				—				—				(1,123		)
Exercise of stock options	86				—				2				—				88
Contingent consideration payment	(5		)		—				—				—				(5		)
Employee withholding tax on share-based payments	(55		)		—				—				—				(55		)
Intercompany financing activities	(1,333		)		(441		)		(1,600		)		3,374				—
Cash used for financing activities	(2,881		)		(441		)		(1,714		)		3,374				(1,662		)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	—				—				(158		)		—				(158		)
Net change in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash	544				—				367				—				911
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of year	167				—				1,314				—				1,481
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of year	$	711			$	—			$	1,681			$	—			$	2,392