ADRs simplify foreign investing

Article Excerpt

An American Depositary Receipt (ADR) is an investment unit for foreign companies that trade on U.S. stock markets. One ADR typically represents one or more shares of the overseas firm. ADRs make its easier to invest in foreign companies, such as the three we analyze below, without the complications of buying or selling on foreign exchanges or in foreign currencies. We see all three as attractive buys for long-term gains. BHP BILLITON LTD. ADRs $70 (New York symbol BHP; Conservative Growth Portfolio, Resources sector; ADRs outstanding: 2.7 billion; Market cap: $189.0 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 2.7; Dividend yield: 3.3%; TSINetwork Rating: Average; www.bhpbilliton.com) is the world’s largest mining company, with major operations in Australia, South Africa, Chile and the U.K. Its main products include iron ore, coal, aluminum, manganese, titanium, oil and natural gas. In the six months ended December 31, 2012, BHP earned $5.7 billion, or $2.14 per ADR. (BHP’s fiscal year ends June 30; each ADR represents two BHP…