what is an american depositary receipt adr 
american depositary receipts adrs are negotiable certificates issued by a u s depositary bank representing a specified number of shares usually one share of a foreign company s stock the adr trades on u s stock markets as any domestic shares would adrs offer u s investors a way to purchase stock in overseas companies that would not otherwise be available foreign firms also benefit as adrs enable them to attract american investors and capital without the hassle and expense of listing on u s stock exchanges investopedia tara anand