American depositary receipts (ADRs) are shares of foreign companies that are traded on US stock exchanges. They were specifically created to give US investors access to foreign stocks without the added step of dealing in foreign stock markets. They also give foreign companies exposure and sometimes a chance to raise capital in the US.

American Depositary Receipts (ADR) are negotiable security instruments that are issued by a US bank that represent a specific number of shares in a foreign company that is traded in US financial markets. ADRs pay dividends in US dollars and trade like regular shares of stock.