As the advisory committee finished voting, the company's stock, which trades in this country as American depositary receipts, closed at $43.07, down $1.31 or 2.95 percent.

Unilever's American depositary receipts rose $1, to $25.75.

The company's American depositary receipts closed up 1/8, to 58 1/2.

This is similar to the depositary receipts issued in other countries.

Teva's depositary receipts added 7 cents to close at $31.23.

Trading in American depositary receipts starts today in London.

Upon receipt, the brokerage uses a custodian connected to the international stock exchange for selling the depositary receipts.

For example, he led India's first forays into overseas capital markets with international public offerings of global depositary receipts, convertibles and bonds.

Shares of Elan, an Irish company, were hit even worse, with its American depositary receipts falling 70 percent, or $18.90, to $8.

Shire's American depositary receipts fell $3.50, or 10 percent, to $31.02.