Supplemental Disclosures (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]

Additional information concerning acquisitions, interest and income taxes paid

The following schedule provides additional information concerning acquisitions, interest and income taxes paid:

(In millions of dollars)	2018			2017			2016
Assets acquired, excluding cash	$	1,100		$	898		$	960
Liabilities assumed	(83		)	(134		)	(111		)
Contingent/deferred purchase consideration	(133		)	(109		)	(36		)
Net cash outflow for acquisitions	$	884		$	655		$	813

(In millions of dollars)	2018		2017		2016
Interest paid	$	264	$	199	$	178
Income taxes paid, net of refunds	$	632	$	583	$	642

Analysis of allowance for doubtful accounts

An analysis of the allowance for doubtful accounts is as follows:

For the Years Ended December 31,
(In millions of dollars)	2018			2017			2016
Balance at beginning of year	$	110		$	96		$	87
Provision charged to operations	34			31			31
Accounts written-off, net of recoveries	(24		)	(17		)	(20		)
Effect of exchange rate changes and other	(8		)	—			(2		)
Balance at end of year	$	112		$	110		$	96