This isn't exactly a serious issue for investors wanting to know what to do with their savings, but I read once of a man who owned a very large portfolio of stocks, but with very little money invested in each.

Now this gentleman never really intended to use his portfolio for long term wealth creation, in any rate his holdings in each company were so small that selling the parcels would not have been particularly worthwhile after brokerage. What was this bloke up to?

Well it turns out that he had in mind a distinctly different purpose for investing. He had figured out which companies hold their annual general meetings near where he lives, and his whole portfolio was chosen to provide him with the opportunity to attend annual general meetings throughout the year. He wasn't very interested in the slide shows and speeches though.

What was he up to? Well if you ever attend an AGM you will find out for yourself, free food! The hors d'oeuvres they put on can be very tasty, and this was his reason for investing. I can't really say I have anything bad to say about this man's methods at all! The AGM is always a fun affair and for an old bloke who is retired and has some time on his hands this can be a good night out!

I am unaware of any broker research that compares the size and quality of the spread laid out by each company at its AGM, this remains a seriously neglected and under researched field. Perhaps opportunities exist for some epicure to study the problem and publish the first Food Lover's Guide to Listed Corporations of Australia. Watch this space.