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Contingencies - USD ($)
$ in Millions
12 Months Ended
Oct. 06, 2023
Dec. 31, 2023
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]    
Contingencies   Contingencies
We record accrued liabilities for litigation, regulatory, and other business matters when those matters represent loss contingencies that are both probable and estimable. In these cases, there may be an exposure to loss in excess of any amounts accrued. Unless a loss contingency is both probable and estimable, we do not establish an accrued liability. As litigation, regulatory, or other business matters develop, we evaluate on an ongoing basis whether such matters present a loss contingency that is probable and estimable.

Data Audits and Reviews
In our global data business, we include in our products, or directly redistribute to our customers, data and information licensed from third-party vendors. Our compliance with the terms of these licenses is reviewed internally and is also subject to audit by the third-party vendors. At any given time, we may be undergoing several such internal reviews and third-party vendor audits, and the results and findings may indicate that we may be required to make a payment for prior data usage. Due to a lack of available information and data, as well as potential variations of any audit or internal review findings, we generally are not able to reasonably estimate a possible loss, or range of losses, for these matters. In situations where more information or specific areas subject to audit are available, we may be able to estimate a potential range of losses. While we cannot predict the outcome of these processes, we do not anticipate they will have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results, or financial position.
Regulatory Matters
Our businesses may be, or may become subject to regulation or increased scrutiny from executive, legislative, regulatory, and private parties. As a result, those activities may be subject to governmental, regulatory, and legislative investigations, regulatory examinations in the ordinary course of business, subpoenas, and other forms of legal process, which may lead to claims and litigation that are based on our ratings and related research activities, including credit ratings, ESG ratings, managed investment, and equity ratings. Additionally, our businesses may also be subject to periodic reviews, inspections, examinations, and investigations by regulators in the jurisdictions in which they operate, any of which may result in claims, legal proceedings, assessments, fines, penalties, disgorgement, or restrictions on business activities. While it is difficult to predict the outcome of any particular investigation or proceeding, we do not believe the result of any of these matters will have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results, or financial position.

Credit Ratings Matters

On September 29, 2023, DBRS, Inc. (DBRS) entered into two settlements with the SEC to resolve investigations of DBRS’s compliance with recordkeeping requirements for certain credit ratings-related communications sent over unapproved electronic messaging channels and disclosure and non-financial internal controls requirements related to former commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS) ratings methodologies DBRS used during the period July 2019 through November 2022. Under the terms of the settlements, DBRS agreed to ongoing compliance-related obligations to resolve the investigation related to record-keeping and paid a $6.0 million civil monetary penalty to the SEC for this matter, and also paid a $2.0 million civil monetary penalty to the SEC to resolve the investigation related to CMBS ratings methodologies, both in early October 2023.

Other Matters
We are involved from time to time in commercial disputes and legal proceedings that arise in the normal course of our business. While it is difficult to predict the outcome of any particular dispute or proceeding, we do not believe the result of any of these matters will have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results, or financial position.
Civil Monetary Penalty 1 [Member]    
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]    
Payments for Legal Settlements $ 6.0  
Civil Monetary Penalty 2 [Member]    
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]    
Payments for Legal Settlements $ 2.0