What is Global Depository Receipts

American / Global Depository Receipts (ADRs/ GDRs)

Equity shares which are offered in international markets to international investors are issued in the form of Depository Receipts (DRs). If these DRs are issued for US investors in US markets, then they are termed as American Depository Receipts (ADRs).  They can be listed on New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) or National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations (NASDAQ) Exchange. If they are issued for international investors to be listed on Luxemburg Stock Exchange in Europe then they are termed as Global Depository Receipts (GDRs).  What goes in the hands of investors isn't a share certificate however a 'receipt' of a share certificate which is lying with depository. The advantages of keeping the shares in the depository include: ease of transfer, less registrar, no bad deliveries and book keeping problems, etc. DRs entitle holders to get both dividend and capital gains. ADRs/ GDRs can be converted into equity shares any time as they signify equity shares anyway and reverse conversion of equity shares into ADRs/ GDRs is allowed to extent of the first conversion.