DRS (Direct Registration System)

The Direct Registration System (DRS) is a system that allows shareholders to register their stocks directly with the issuing company instead of holding them through a broker or bank. This skips the step of depositing the shares into a broker or bank account, which can lead to faster transactions and lower administrative costs.

For retail investors, the DRS can offer some advantages. For example, they can communicate directly with the issuing company, which can be helpful for questions or issues. Additionally, the DRS can help reduce the risk of errors or delays in transferring stocks. Since it is usually free, it can also be a cost-effective option for holding and trading stocks.