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The TSX Venture Exchange (TSXV) is a stock exchange in Canada. It is headquartered in Calgary and is owned by the TMX Group. The exchange represents small-cap and venture companies.

Investing in what was once formerly known as the Canadian Venture Exchange can help diversify your portfolio and can give you access to stocks that aren't listed on U.S. exchanges. When you finish reading the article, you'll discover more about the TSXV as well as some methods of investing in it.

Understanding TSX Venture Exchange

There are about 1,600 TSX Venture Exchange listings with a total market capitalization of CAD $78.3 billion as of November 2022. It's one of the main exchanges in Canada alongside the Toronto Stock Exchange.

The was originally founded in 1999 as the Canadian Venture Exchange (CDNX). In 2001, it was renamed the TSX Venture Exchange, or the Toronto Venture Exchange, as part of a merger between the Vancouver and Alberta stock exchanges.

TSX Venture lists companies in a wide range of industries, including oil and gas, technology, life sciences and real estate companies. Over half of the companies listed on the TSX are involved in the mining industry.

The goal of the TSX Venture Exchange is to provide small Canadian companies with access to capital while protecting investors.

TSX Venture 50

The TSX Venture 50 is a ranking index of the top 50 companies listed on the TSX Venture Exchange. The ranking is compiled by the TSX Venture Exchange and published annually. You can view these side by side with the TSX Venture Exchange listings. Companies in this index are some of the best-performing companies on the TSX and could be considered some of the best Canadian stocks.

TSX Venture 50 Selection Criteria

To be eligible for the TSX Venture 50, a company must first:

• Be listed on the TSX for over one year.
• Have a share price of CA $0.10 or higher at the close of the previous year.
• Post a market capitalization of over CA $5 million.
• Have a share price close of more than CA $0.25 on December 31 the year prior.

Once a company meets these requirements, further analysis is then done on the company's fundamentals and share price performance. The TSX Venture 50 selects strong performers based on market capitalization change, share price appreciation and one-year trading volume over the past year. The eligibility requirements for selection include meeting certain market capitalization and trading volume thresholds.

Getting featured on the TSX Venture 50 is considerably different to other indexes such as the Shangai stock exchange composite index, which simply lists companies by their market capitalization, which makes it a more exclusive index.

Investing in TSX Venture Exchange 

One of the easiest ways to invest in the TSX Venture Exchange involves contacting a registered broker or investment dealer that supports trading on foreign stock exchanges. You can find a list of these firms on the TSX website.

A brokerage account is an arrangement between an individual and a licensed brokerage firm that allows the individual to deposit funds with the firm and place investment orders through that firm. The firm provides the individual with access to various markets where the individual can buy and sell stocks, bonds, mutual funds and other securities.

Most brokerage firms require that individuals open an account with a minimum deposit which can vary depending on the firm. Once the account opens, you can begin funding it and placing investment orders. There are a few different types of brokerage accounts, including individual, joint and custodial accounts. Each type of account has its own set of rules and regulations, so it's important to choose the right account for your needs.

Here are the steps on how to open a brokerage account to invest in the TSX Venture Exchange.

Step 1: Choose a broker. 

There are a number of things to consider when choosing a broker for investing in the TSX Venture Exchange. One of the most important things to consider is the fees charged by the broker. Some brokers charge higher fees than others and some may also charge different fees for different services.

Another important thing to consider is the level of customer service provided by the broker. Some brokers are better than others at providing customer service and helping investors with their investment decisions. Finally, it is also important to consider the reputation of the broker. Some brokers have a better reputation than others and this can be important when choosing a broker for stock investing.

Step 2: Open an account. 

Once you’ve found a few stock brokers that you’re interested in, the next step is to open a demo account with each one. This will allow you to test out the platform and get a feel for how the stock broker operates. When you’re ready to open a live account, you’ll need to provide some personal information and documents, such as your ID and proof of address.

You may also need to fill out an online application form, as well as provide more personal details such as your Social Security number and answer questions about your investment experience.

Step 3: Deposit funds. 

There are generally four ways to deposit funds into your brokerage account so you can start trading on the TSX Venture Exchange:

• Wire transfer: This is the most common and fastest way to deposit funds. You will need to provide your broker with your bank's routing number and your account number. Log into your bank's online banking portal and initiate a wire transfer. The funds will then transfer from your bank to the broker's bank and then into your brokerage account.
• ACH transfer: ACH transfers are similar to wire transfers, but they are not as fast. An ACH transfer will require you to provide your broker with your bank's routing number and your account number. You can log into your bank's online banking portal and initiate an ACH transfer.
• Check: You can also deposit funds into your brokerage account by mailing a check. Make the check out to your broker and write your account number on the memo line and mail it in to your broker.
• Cash: You can also deposit cash into your brokerage account by going to your broker's office and handing the cash to a representative. The representative will then deposit the cash into their bank and the funds will be transferred into your brokerage account.

Step 4: Monitor your account. 

Here are a few tips to help you monitor your brokerage account:

• Check your account balance. You should check your account balance regularly to make sure that your investments perform as you expect them to. If your account balance goes down, it could be a sign that your investments are losing value.
• Monitor your account activity. You should also monitor your account activity to make sure that there aren't any unauthorized transactions. If you see any suspicious activity, contact your broker immediately.
• Review your account statements. Finally, review your account statements to make sure that everything looks accurate. If you see any errors, contact your broker right away.

Monitoring your brokerage account is an important part of being a successful investor. By keeping an eye on your account balance, activity and statements, you can help ensure that your investments perform as you expect.

Investing in the TSX Venture Exchange Through American Depositary Receipts (ADRs)

Another way you can invest in companies listed on the TSX Venture Exchange is through the use of American depositary receipts (ADRs). An ADR is a negotiable instrument that represents securities of a foreign company that trades in the U.S. financial markets. They are issued by a U.S. bank or broker and traded in U.S. dollars.

Each ADR represents a specified number of shares (or one share) of foreign company stock. ADRs have the same rights and privileges as the underlying foreign shares, including voting rights and dividends. ADRs make it easier and more convenient for U.S. investors to buy and sell foreign securities, such as companies listed on the TSX Venture Exchange.

Investing in ADRs can be a similar process to buying the best OTC stocks because they both commonly focus on companies outside of the United States.

There are two significant drawbacks to using ADRs for buying foreign companies listed on the TSX Venture Exchange.

The first is that not all companies are dual-listed on the exchange and in the U.S. as depositary receipts. This means that your selection of potential investments may be smaller. You also won't see the best NYSE stocks listed or the best NASDAQ stocks listed via ADRs.

Another risk is that ADRs generally have less trading volume than stocks, which means it may take you longer to open and exit orders.

How to Invest in ADRs

Here are a few things to keep in mind if you're considering investing in ADRs.

Step 1: Research the company. 

Just like with any other stock, it's important to do your homework before investing in an ADR. Read up on the company's financials, business model, competitive landscape and growth prospects.

Step 2: Consider the risks.

When you purchase an ADR, you're also exposed to currency risk. That is, the value of your investment will fluctuate along with changes in the exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and the foreign currency.

Keep political risk in mind as well, which means that a company will be adversely affected by political developments in the country where it operates. For example, a company doing business in a country with volatile politics may be at risk of nationalization or other government interference.

Step 3: Consider the taxes.

When you invest in an ADR, you may be subject to both U.S. and foreign taxes. Be sure to research the tax implications before making any investment.

Step 4: Use limit orders.

When you place an order to buy or sell an ADR, consider using a limit order. A limit order allows you to specify the price at which you're willing to buy or sell the stock. This can help you to avoid getting caught up in the volatility of the market.

Pros and Cons of Investing in TSX Venture Exchange Stocks

There are some pros and cons of investing in companies listed on the TSX Venture Exchange. 

Pros of Investing in TSX Venture Exchange

There are certain benefits to investing on the TSX:

• High risk, high reward: The TSXV provides investors with access to early-stage companies that may not be ready for listing on a major exchange. These companies are typically high risk but also offer the potential for high rewards.
• Offers diversification: Another benefit of investing in the TSXV is that it can help to diversify your portfolio. By investing in a range of small to medium-sized businesses, you can spread your risk and potentially reduce your overall losses if any one company fails.
• Promote economic growth: Investing in the TSXV can also help to promote economic growth. This is because the listing fees and other charges associated with the TSXV are used to fund the Canadian Securities Exchange Commission (CSE), which regulates all public companies in Canada. 

Cons of Investing in TSX Venture Exchange

Consider the downsides as well: 

• Small exchange: The TSX Venture Exchange is a relatively small exchange and you may see limited liquidity in the shares of companies listed on the exchange. This can make it difficult to buy or sell shares when you want to and can also lead to wide swings in the share price.
• Small-caps only: The vast majority of companies listed on the TSX Venture Exchange are small-cap companies. This makes it difficult to assess their future prospects and whether they will be able to generate sufficient revenues and profits to justify their share price.
• Reliant on natural resources: Many of the companies listed on the TSX Venture Exchange are in the business of exploring and developing natural resources. This means that their share price is often highly volatile and dependent on the price of commodities such as oil and gas.

The TSX Venture Exchange Offers Opportunity and Risk

You could broaden your investment horizons by investing in companies listed on the TSXV because they are mostly small-cap companies that have the potential for significant upside.

However, your potential for significant losses is higher than investing in a large-cap stock listed on a U.S. exchange. You face company-specific risks, currency risks, regulatory risks and more when you invest in companies outside of the United States, so always exercise due diligence.