This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
American Depository Receipts, or ADRs, allow investors to purchase foreign equities listed on U.S. stock exchanges. Typically issued by a U.S. bank, an investor receives a negotiable certificate representing a specified number of shares.
If you'd like to learn about ADRs, a good place to start is the World Wide Web.
Here are a few sites worth a visit:
The Bank of New York • Learn about ADR basics and check out statistics and performance data, at http://www.adrbnymellon.com/dr_edu_landing.jsp
The Investment FAQ • Explains the ins and outs of ADRs, and how they work, at http://www.invest-faq.com/articles/stock-adrs.html
Investopedia • Provides ADR basics and risks, at http://www.investopedia.com/university/adr
JPMorgan • Features ADR reference material and guide, and search of ADR companies under "DR Search" in top navigation, at http://www.adr.com/Education/AboutDRs
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission • Online brochure discusses international investing, with a section devoted to ADRs, at http://www.sec.gov/investor/pubs/ininvest.htm