Broker/Dealers spend millions of dollars a year for their analysts to do both primary and secondary research, on selected equities that they follow. This includes talking to management as well. But why stop there? If the company in question is local, why not talk to other employees as well. Its your hard earned money that your investing. Through this process, there is always the possibility, of discovering a local company with great potential, often before the investment community has taken notice of it.
Corporations by definition are legal entities owned by shareholders (risk takers). Although these concerns are not allowed to furnish non published "insider" information to the general public, they are in fact as a general rule, more than happy to speak to their current and perspective shareholders. In actuality, the visitation to a corporation, is one of the best steps one can take in the due diligence process. However, if you do not perceive this tool to be of value to you in your stock selection process, then there is no need to consider it. Perhaps you feel more comfortable with the technical school of thought, rather than fundamental. That is your choice. This is why we often say that security analysis is both an art, as well as a science.
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