What are American Depository Receipts (ADRs)?
American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) are securities issued by banks in the United States. ADRs serve as negotiable securities and indicate ownership in the equity of foreign corporations. These financial instruments are designated in United States dollars, are traded on prominent United States stock exchanges such as the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) or the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations (NASDAQ), and are subject to regulation by United States securities regulations. The full form of ADR is American Depositary Receipts.
American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) provide US investors with a way to get investment exposure to non-US firms without engaging in foreign stock markets. They represent some of the most well-known names in the global industry, including Nokia, Royal Dutch Petroleum, and Unilever. These and many other companies with headquarters outside of the US use ADRs for trading their shares in US markets.