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ADR and GDR Full Form

ADR and GDR Full Form

Edited By Team Careers360 | Updated on Apr 26, 2023 04:06 PM IST

What is the full form of ADR and GDR?

The phrase "American depositary receipt" denotes a negotiable certificate issued by a U.S. depository institution that designates a certain amount of stocks one share—of stock of a foreign corporation (ADR). American investors now have the opportunity to purchase stock in overseas companies that they otherwise couldn't. This is made possible through ADRs. Since ADRs enable them to attract American capital and investors even without the hassle and expense of making it public on American stock markets, foreign enterprises also benefit from this arrangement.

A depositary bank will issue a financial instrument known as a Global Depositary Receipt (GDR). It is traded on the national stock exchanges of investors' home countries and represents shares of a foreign corporation. With the aid of GDRs, a business (the issuer) can connect with investors on international capital markets. Issuers frequently use GDRs when raising money from foreign investors through private placements or initial public offerings of stock. The difference between an American depositary receipt (ADR) and a Global depositary receipt (GDR) is that an ADR exclusively lists shares of foreign companies on U.S. marketplaces.

Key Takeaways

  1. Depositary receipts are a general term for shares of foreign equities offered in international markets.

  2. There are several different types of depositary receipts, including Indian depository receipts, European depositary receipts (EDRs), and Luxembourg depositary receipts (LDRs).ADRs are foreign firm shares that were issued in the United States.

  3. GDRs generally trade at American stock exchanges in addition to those in the Eurozone or Asia.

  4. Shares of such a single foreign business issued as part of a GDR programme are known as GDRs.

  5. Businesses can opt to issue their shares through a GDR in many overseas markets at once or they can choose to issue depositary receipts in particular countries.

Considerations Particular to Purchasing Depositary Receipts

In general, depositary receipts may carry a specific set of hazards. Investors in any kind of depositary receipt should make sure they comprehend the prospectus document outlining the investment. ADRs or GDRs may be available to American investors. A foreign business may only offer ADRs through an American share offering. A GDR programme will typically give GDRs in a number of nations. U.S. investors have the option of obtaining international investors in their domestic market through the use of ADRs and GDRs. While the valuation of the underlying firm will determine the issue value of both ADRs and GDRs, a corporation's interest in global markets in addition to its domestic trading will affect the marketplace trading price.

Key Variations Among ADR and GDR

The following details highlight the key distinction between ADR and GDR:

  1. An ADR is a depository receipt that a US depository bank issues in return for a specific number of shares of stock in a non-US corporation that is traded on the US stock market. GDRs are negotiable instruments that are issued by international depository banks and stand in for foreign firm stock that is traded internationally.

  2. Through numerous bank branches, overseas corporations can trade on the US stock market with the use of ADR. In contrast, through the branches of ODB, GDR enables foreign corporations to trade on any stock exchange outside of the US stock market.

  3. While GDR is issued in Europe, ADR is issued in America.

  4. ADR is listed in the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations (NASDAQ) or the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) of the American Stock Exchange. In contrast, GDR is listed on stock exchanges outside the US, such as the London Stock Exchange and the Luxembourg Stock Exchange.

  5. GDR can be negotiated everywhere in the globe, whereas ADR can only be done in America.

  6. The Securities Exchange Commission's (SEC) strict guidelines on ADR disclosure requirements are onerous. Unlike GDRs, which have less onerous disclosure obligations.

  7. In terms of the market, the ADR marketplace is a retail investor market where there is significant investor participation and the stock of a company is valued appropriately. Unlike the GDR, which has a market that is institutional and has less liquidity.

Pros and Cons of ADRs and GDRs

Depository receipts are both a novel means of capital raising for businesses and a novel investment for diverse portfolios. Before investing in them, though, we need to weigh the benefits and drawbacks of using ADRs and GDRs for both investors as well as issuing corporations.

Pros:

  • They make it possible for us to invest in other markets, which is a fantastic method to diversify the portfolio.

  • Both the US dollar and the euro, which are particularly potent currencies to keep investments in, are used to denominate them.

  • They may be exchanged in markets with ease as they are treated as shares. Additionally, they provide all stakeholder benefits to various investors.

  • Depository receipts are really a terrific approach for businesses to gain favourable attention on a global scale and grow their shareholder base.

Cons:

  • One of the most expensive methods for businesses to raise cash is through depository receipts.

  • The investments and capital are vulnerable to the uncertainty of foreign exchange or the forex market because all transactions are conducted in foreign currencies.

  • Depository receipts are just appropriate for Large Net Worth Individuals due to the high capital requirements for trading in them.

  • Due to the small number of companies that issue their shares as depository receipts, potential investors have fewer options.

Procedure

Shares of a large number of publicly traded companies in India are traded on either the Bombay Stock Exchange or the National Stock Exchange. Many businesses seek to trade their stock on foreign exchanges. However, businesses must adhere to certain rules. Companies list themselves through ADR or GDR in such circumstances. In order to accomplish this, the corporation deposits its shares with the Overseas Depository Bank (ODB), which then exchanges the shares for receipts. Now, a specific number of shares comprise each and every single receipt. Following their listing on the stock exchange, these receipts would then be made available to overseas investors for purchase.

By using their ordinary stock trading accounts, non-resident Indians and overseas investors can invest within Indian companies with the use of depository receipts.

Conclusion

A domestic firm must adhere to strict transparency and reporting standards and pay listing fees if it directly lists company shares on a stock market. A depository receipt is a sneaky way to access and engage with a number of markets or a single international capital market. This is a part of the strategy used by the majority of businesses to become listed internationally, acquire capital, create a trading presence abroad, and develop brand equity.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How is GDR applied in the real world?

 Let's use a fictitious example to better comprehend it. An Indian business called XYZ is attempting to float its shares on the London Stock Exchange. This XYZ corporation will enter into a contract with the London-based depository bank. After receiving approval from the domestic custodian of the corporation, the depository will issue the stocks to residents of London.

2. What exactly is a depository bank?

A depository is any company, bank, or organisation that keeps assets and securities for the purpose of trading securities. A depository offers a funds transfer service, invests in other assets, lends out the money put for safekeeping to others, and improves protection & liquidity in the market.

3. What are some Indian depository organisations' examples?

Banks and other institutions are examples of depository organisations. Some instances include

  • Depository Participants of NSDL.

  • National Stock on India Ltd.

  • Industrial Development Bank of India.

  • State Bank of India.

  • HDFC Bank Ltd.

  • Deutsche Bank.

  • Axis Bank.

  • Citi Bank.

4. What are the risks involved with trading ADR GDR?

ADRs carry the same risks as any overseas investments because they are issued by non-US corporations. Change in exchange rates is one of them.

5. How is an ADR sold?

ADR shares will be converted into stock shares in two steps. Your ADR shares are sold by the processing agency via a U.S. exchange. In order to buy the company's stock shares, the processing agent subsequently gets in touch with a registered broker on the foreign exchange.

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