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Disadvantages of ADRs vs ordinary shares?

Personal Finance & Money Asked on October 13, 2020

Suppose I am able to buy an ADR listed on an American exchange, and also suppose I am able to buy the underlying ordinary shares on its local exchange (in another country). I have bank accounts, funds, and brokerage accounts in both countries and currencies. I don’t have any particular preference. Are there any reasons why I shouldn’t buy the ADR?

  • Are ADRs more expensive? (e.g. custodian fees)
  • Will I be able to receive corporate communications (e.g. annual reports) if I buy the ADR?
  • Are ADR dividends delayed?

One Answer

I'll base my answer on the American depositary receipt (ADRs) AXAHY and TOT as well as their underlying ordinary shares on its local exchange (Euronext), which I own in US-based (for ADRs) and France-based (for ordinary shares) brokerage accounts.

Are ADRs more expensive? (e.g. custodian fees)

Yes. E.g., no yearly fee on AXA, but 0.45 USD/share yearly fee on AXAHY. See https://money.stackexchange.com/a/128258/5656 for the fee breakdown.

From https://www.sec.gov/investor/alerts/adr-bulletin.pdf (mirror): "Depositary banks may charge other fees, such as relating to the distribution of dividends, foreign currency exchange, voting of shares, and other matters."

Are ADR dividends delayed?

Yes. In 2020, I received the AXA dividends on 2020-07-09, whereas I received the AXAHY dividends on 2020-07-24.

Will I be able to receive corporate communications (e.g. annual reports) if I buy the ADR?

I don't know if ADR owners receive all corporate communications, but they do receive at least some of them. For example, I received an optional dividend (mirror) event a few weeks ago for my TOT ADR shares owned in a US-based brokerage account.


Related:

Answered by Franck Dernoncourt on October 13, 2020

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