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Reportable Segments (Reconciliation of Reportable Segment Net Income to Consolidated Net Income) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended
--- | --- | ---
Dec. 31, 2018 | Sep. 30, 2018 | Jun. 30, 2018 | Mar. 31, 2018 | Dec. 31, 2017 | Sep. 30, 2017 | Jun. 30, 2017 | Mar. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2018 | Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Gain (loss) on foreign currency hedges related to translated earnings |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 93 | $ 121 |  | $ 448
Research, development and engineering expenses |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (993) | (864) |  | (736)
Equity in earnings of affiliated companies |  | $ 288 | $ 32 | $ 31 | $ 39 | $ 213 |  | $ 31 |  | $ 37 |  | $ 80 |  | 390 | 361 |  | 284
Amortization of intangibles |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 94 | 75 |  | 64
Interest expense, net |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (191) | (155) |  | (159)
Gain on realignment of equity investment |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 2,676
Income tax (provision) benefit |  | (54) | (133) | (126) | (124) | (1,978) | [1] | (89) | [1] | (153) | [1] | 66 | [1] | (437) | (2,154) | [1] | 3
Net income (loss) |  | $ 292 | $ 625 | $ 738 | $ (589) | $ (1,412) |  | $ 390 |  | $ 439 |  | $ 86 |  | 1,066 | (497) |  | 3,695
Operating Segments [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Research, development and engineering expenses | [2] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (850) | (760) |  | (635)
Income tax (provision) benefit |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (477) | (442) |  | (421)
Net income (loss) | [3] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1,784 | 1,659 |  | 1,561
Operating Segments [Member] | Reportable Segments [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net income (loss) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 2,065 | 1,918 |  | 1,781
Operating Segments [Member] | Non Reportable Segments [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net income (loss) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (281) | (259) |  | (220)
Segment Reconciling Items [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Impact of foreign currency movements not included in segment net income (loss) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (157) | (168) |  | (85)
Gain (loss) on foreign currency hedges related to translated earnings |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (78) | (121) |  | (448)
Translation loss on Japanese yen-denominated debt |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (18) | (14) |  |
Litigation, regulatory and other legal matters |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (124) | 12 |  | (153)
Research, development and engineering expenses | [4] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (134) | (106) |  | (107)
Equity in earnings of affiliated companies |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 390 | 352 |  | 288
Amortization of intangibles |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (93) | (75) |  | (64)
Interest expense, net |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (149) | (110) |  | (127)
Pension mark to market |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (145) | (22) |  | (67)
Gain on realignment of equity investment |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 2,676
Income tax (provision) benefit |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 42 | (1,709) |  | 424
Other corporate items |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (252) | (195) |  | (203)
Net income (loss) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 1,066 | $ (497) |  | $ 3,695
[1] | In December 2017, the U.S. enacted the 2017 Tax Act which resulted in significant changes to our provision for income taxes during the fourth quarter of 2017. Refer to Note 4 (Income Taxes) to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
[2] | Research, development and engineering expenses include direct project spending that is identifiable to a segment.
[3] | Many of Corning's administrative and staff functions are performed on a centralized basis. Where practicable, Corning charges these expenses to segments based upon the extent to which each business uses a centralized function. Other staff functions, such as corporate finance, human resources and legal are allocated to segments, primarily as a percentage of sales.
[4] | Primarily represents the equity earnings of HSG in 2018 and 2017, and Dow Corning in 2016.

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