Recently a few ADR stocks that used to trade for higher prices have split and are now trading at lower prices.Two such ADRs are listed below.Usually smaller investors find higher priced stocks unattractive since they get fewer number of shares.Stocks over $100 tend to fall in this category.

1. Banco Bradesco – BBD
Split Date: April 16
Split Ratio: 3:2
Before Split: 29.73
After Split: 20.36
Current Price: $22.58

2. National Bank of Australia – NABZY
Split Date: March 28
Before Split: $140.30
Split Ratio: 1:5
After Split: $27.39
Current Price: $28.26

Soon to split ADRs:

Petrobras of Brazil – PBR
Nestle of Switzerland – NSRGY

[tag]ABN Amro ADR [/tag]used to trade on the NYSE with the ticker ABN. A few months ago a consortium of banks led by Fortis(Holland), [tag]RBS[/tag] (UK) and Santander (Spain) acquired ABN Amro. As a result of this, ABN’s ADR is now trading in the OTC market under the ticker ABNYY.

In March, the company issued a press release stating that it was de-listing the ADR from NYSE. ADR investors will receive mostly cash and some stock due to the takeover by the consortium.

The original press release from [tag]ABN Amro[/tag]:

“ABN AMRO HOLDING N.V. applies for [tag]de-listing[/tag] of shares

ABN AMRO Holding N.V. has resolved to apply for de-listing of its ordinary shares with a par value of €0.56 each ( “Ordinary Shares”) and the (formerly convertible) preference shares with a nominal value of €2.24 each from Euronext Amsterdam by NYSE Euronext (“Euronext Amsterdam”), the regulated market of Euronext Amsterdam N.V. and to apply for the de-listing of its American Depositary Shares (“ADSs”), each representing one Ordinary Share from the New York Stock Exchange.

Notice is hereby given that following this decision, the Ordinary Shares are expected to be de-listed from Euronext Amsterdam, and the ADSs are expected to be de-listed from the New York Stock Exchange, effective 25 April 2008. The (formerly convertible) preference shares are expected to be de-listed from Euronext Amsterdam shortly after finalisation of the pending squeeze-out proceedings.

Press contact: +31 20 6288900″

ABB Ltd, the Switzerland based global infrastructure company, is set to report 2008 Q1 Earnings on April 24, 2008 (Thursday).

Back in February, the company announced great earnings with strong order numbers for full year 2007 and 2007 Q4. From the corporate site: “2007 was a great year for ABB,” said Michel Demaré, ABB’s interim Chief Executive Officer and its Chief Financial Officer. “Demand remained strong around the globe for the products and services at the heart of our business – to increase energy efficiency, deliver power more reliably, and improve industrial productivity. We also profited again from our improved operational performance and expansion in emerging markets. This puts us in a strong position heading into 2008.

For  Q4, ABB said:

“Large orders increased 27 percent in the fourth quarter and represented 19 percent of total orders received, the same as the fourth quarter in 2006. Base orders (less than $15 million) were up 24 percent (local currencies: 14 percent).

Revenues increased across all divisions for the full year and fourth quarter. Revenues were supported by the strong order backlog, increased volume resulting from high demand, and a favorable business environment in which increased raw material costs could be offset by higher prices.”

So many folks expect another good quarterly earnings from ABB tomorrow ABB has already announced that its order-book is growing strong in emerging countries like China,India, etc.

On Feb 13,2008 the company announced that the CEO Fred Kindle left ABB due to differences in strategy execution with other management. This pushed the stock down although temporarily. From a recent low of $23+ the stock, ABB is now back to $28.03.

The market  seems to expect that ABB’s Q1 numbers will be good.This should push the stock price higher and by year year the stock may be in the mid to high 30s.