
Understanding American Depository Receipts
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6 min read
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investment
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July 22, 2025
04:05 PM
Benzinga
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Market analysis reveals Investors who want to diversify with global stocks don’t necessarily have to go to a foreign exchange
You can buy s of many of the world’s top companies through American Depository Receipts (ADRs)
Here’s everything you need to know ADRs, how they work, and some of their benefits and drawbacks
Table of ContentsWhat is an ADR
Types of ADponsoredSee All 9 ItemsWhat is an ADR
Furthermore, Many overseas companies list their s on U
In contrast, Stock exchanges through an ADR, which is a negotiable certificate that represents a specific number of s held in a foreign company’s stock, amid market uncertainty
However, It’s usually on a one-to-one ratio (noteworthy indeed), amid market uncertainty
ADRs are issued by a broker or a U
Bank and can be listed on a major stock exchange or traded over the counter (OTC)
On the other hand, Types of ADRsWhen a company wishes to offer its s to U
However, Investors, it has to choose between three different levels
At the same time, SponsoredWhen a foreign company and a domestic bank enter into a legal agreement, an ADR is sponsored, given the current landscape
However, The bank is responsible for the sale and distribution of the s, dividends and recordkeeping, while the foreign company retains control of the ADR and bears the expenses, considering recent developments
Banks working with foreign companies issue only one ADR that’s part of the sponsored gram
In contrast, Sponsored ADRs are traded on a stock exchange and may fall under Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) oversight to varying degrees, in today's financial world
UnsponsoredA foreign company doesn’t participate in, permit or get involved in an unsponsored ADR certificate
Brokers and dealers can issue the s, which could result in different unsponsored ADRs for the same foreign company
Unsponsored ADRs trade over the counter, and registration with the SEC is not required
They’re usually more speculative than sponsored ADRs with added risk
ADR Levels Level I: Level I ADRs are not listed on stock exchanges and the s can only be traded on the OTC market
Companies in Level I have minimal reporting requirements to the SEC
Nevertheless, They do not issue quarterly or annual reports
Furthermore, Level II: Level II ADRs can trade on U
Nevertheless, The company is required to comply with higher SEC regulations than Level I issuers, in today's financial world
It has to register with the SEC and file annual reports, given the current landscape
If it doesn’t meet the regulatory requirement, it can be delisted or downgraded, in this volatile climate
On the other hand, Level III: Level III companies enjoy the highest privileges
They can float a public offering of ADRs and raise capital on U
Moreover, However, they have stricter reporting rules and are required to file a registration statement and annual reports
Some examples of foreign companies on this level are Vodafone Group (NASDAQ: VO) and Grifols (NASDAQ: GRFS)
Meanwhile, Benefits of an ADRBesides portfolio diversification, ADRs offer a quick and convenient way to invest in foreign
They also make it convenient for non-U (which is quite significant)
Meanwhile, Companies to access the U
Capital market, given current economic conditions
Represent ownership of a foreign stock: ADRs give investors an ownership of a foreign stock
Each ADR usually represents the same number of s, and some pay dividends too
Trade on American stock exchanges: The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and the Nasdaq list ADRs
On the other hand, You can trade, settle and hold listed ADRs as U
However, Valued in dollars: Since ADRs are denominated in U
Moreover, Dollars, you don’t have to transact in foreign currency and bother with foreign exchange fees, given the current landscape
Liquid way to invest in foreign companies: It's easy to buy or liquidate your securities
You do not need to use international brokers or go through a tedious cess (something worth watching)
Drawbacks of an ADRTaxation on capital gains: The ceeds from ADR holdings could attract income or capital gains taxes (noteworthy indeed)
Moreover, You could also be double-taxed (noteworthy indeed)
Moreover, The dividends and capital gains realized from ADRs are in U
Dollars, and the bank will withhold the amount needed to cover the taxes and conversion expenses
However, Exchange rate risk: There's a risk that the currency of the issuing country drops relative to the dollar (something worth watching)
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AADRs can be purchased through any standard brokerage firm that offers trading services for U
However, Investors simply need to for the ADR ticker symbol and place their order, similar to purchasing other stocks
QDo ADRs pay dividends
AADRs can pay dividends, but the payments may be affected by currency conversion from the foreign company’s currency to U, amid market uncertainty
Meanwhile, Bank that issues the ADR typically converts the dividends and distributes them to investors
QHow are ADR prices determined
Nevertheless, Nevertheless, AADR prices are determined by supply and demand factors in the U, considering recent developments
Market, similar to traditional stocks (noteworthy indeed)
QWill an ADR give me ownership rights common stocks
ANo, an ADR does not grant ownership rights common stocks
ADRs are certificates that trade on the stock exchange and track the value of a foreign company’s domestic s
They do represent the price of those s, but do not give the same rights as common stocks.
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