Can you have too many ETF's in portfolio?

Question

Can you have too many ETF's in portfolio?

Answer 1

It depends if it's your trading portfolio or just your watch list.  

A good rule of thumb for trading portfolio is have as many as you can reasonably research for the timeframe in which you're trading.  So if you're an active trader, then seven might be the magic number since you'd have to be on top of the stocks daily.

If you're trading longer term (investing) and are trading longer term trends, then having 50 ETFs may not be unreasonable to watch while having perhaps up to 20 in your portfolio to get the desired mix.  

Though personally, I usually don't have more than 5 or so at any time, it's truly up to the individual and what you feel comfortable managing.  

Beyond too many ETFs, you might as well get an index!  ;-)

Hope that helps!