Take a look at the top 10 most popular foreign ADRs, as well as some important considerations for investors before purchasing them.

What Are ADRs?

American depository receipts are essentially American versions of foreign stocks. They are a popular way for American investors to invest in foreign companies. ADRs are created when U.S. banks purchase a bulk lot of shares from a company, bundle them into groups, and reissue them on a U.S. stock exchange. The bank then manages the ratio of U.S. ADRs to foreign shares to ensure that the ADRs are accurately priced on U.S. exchanges. While these ADRs are easy to use, there are several risks that investors should consider. First, investors should consider any political risk in the foreign stock’s home country. Second, there could be an exchange rate risk if the foreign currency fluctuates significantly, relative to the U.S. dollar. Third, consider any inflationary (or deflationary) risks that face the foreign stock’s home country.

Below, you’ll find the 10 most popular foreign companies trading on U.S. exchanges, as measured by trading value. This data is sourced from J.P. Morgan’s ADR Directory and was last updated on Oct. 24, 2021. These companies represent some of the largest operations in foreign countries with substantial trading volume. Including some in your investment portfolio may be a great way to diversify with securities spanning geographies and industries.

1. Alibaba Group (BABA)

Alibaba Group Holdings Ltd. is a China-based company that’s engaged in online and mobile commerce through products, services, and technology offerings in the People’s Republic of China and around the world. J.P. Morgan lists its trading value at $3.72 billion. The ADR is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE).

2. NIO (NIO)

NIO is a Chinese car manufacturer that specializes in developing new electric vehicles. It’s a relatively new company that was founded in 2014 and first went public in 2018. Its trading value is $1.11 billion, and trades in America on the NYSE.

3. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSM)

As the name suggests, this company is a semiconductor manufacturer based in Taiwan. It traces its history back to 1987, and it currently manufactures thousands of products for hundreds of customers. Its trading value is $725.45 million and, like the other two stocks so far, it also trades on the NYSE.

4. JD.Com (JD)

Like Alibaba, JD.Com is a China-based e-commerce company and direct competitor also specializing in online direct sales of electronics, home appliance products, and general merchandise. However, unlike Alibaba, JD.com trades on Nasdaq, not the NYSE. Its trading value is $490.79 million.

5. Baidu (BIDU)

An early adopter of AI technology, Baidu is the number one search engine in China and develops new AI businesses. Its trading value is $547.97 million on the Nasdaq.

6. Nokia (NOK)

A Finnish tech company, Nokia is a global provider of network equipment, software, services, and licensing opportunities. Traded as an ADR on the NYSE, it has a trade value of $112.40 million.

7. Pinduoduo (PDD)

Yet another Chinese e-commerce company, this ADR connects Chinese agricultural growers with their communities via a mobile marketplace. It is traded on the Nasdaq with a trading value of $1.04 billion.

8. AstraZeneca (AZN)

This NYSE-traded ADR allows Americans to invest in the British-Swedish biopharmaceutical company AstraZeneca. Its operations include the discovery, development, and commercialization of prescription medicines, including vaccines. Its trading value is $247.26 million.

9. Bilibili, Inc. (BILI)

Catering to young generations in China, Bilibili is a full-spectrum video community, from lifestyle, games, entertainment, anime, and tech and knowledge. This ADR has a trade value of $209.33 million on the Nasdaq.

10. ASML (ASML)

This Dutch semiconductor manufacturer rounds out the list of the top 10 most popular ADRs. Founded in 1984, the company claims to have a physical presence in over 60 companies, giving it a wide range of potential customers. It trades on the Nasdaq and has a trading value of $1.04 billion.