Investing Abroad: Weighing the Decision Between Foreign Ordinaries and ADRs

Investing outside of one’s home country is a common and effective way to diversify a portfolio. Investors must make an important choice between using foreign ordinary shares or American Depository Receipts (ADRs) to achieve this diversification. Both security types share the same foreign company risk, but there are some key differences between the two. While there is much to consider before making the decision, there’s no wrong answer between the two types—only the best fit based on investor preferences and priorities.