ADRs For The Retail Investor

Ease of use - ADRs are quoted in U.S. dollars, trade just like U.S. equities, and settle through a U.S. clearinghouse just like a U.S. security.

No-Hassle Dividends - ADR investors receive their dividend checks promptly and in U.S. dollars.

Access - ADRs offer U.S. investors easy, low-cost access to some of the world's best equity investment opportunities.

Do-It-Yourself International Diversification - Unlike mutual funds and ETFs, ADRs give U.S. investors who want global diversification the opportunity to select exactly the foreign companies they like.

English Spoken Here - Corporate communications, including shareholder reports, financial statements, and corporate actions are translated into English for ADR holders. Plus, current trading data is readily available.

Transparency - Issuers of exchange-traded ADRs are required to maintain the same financial reporting standards as U.S. companies with comparable exchange listings.

Lower transaction costs - Brokerage commissions on ADRs are similar to commissions on other U.S. equities. And international investing through ADRs avoids foreign brokerage and currency exchange commissions.

Lower custody fees - Foreign custody fees range from 10 basis points per year on the value of the investment in developed markets to more than 35 basis points per year in emerging markets. By contrast, custody fees on ADRs - as with U.S. equities - are often no more than $35 and are not based on the value of the securities.

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