Is It Harmful To Have Too Many Mutual Funds?

Published on: Mon Aug 21 2023

The world of mutual funds can be complex. These investment vehicles are designed to pool together funds from many investors to purchase a diversified portfolio of stocks, bonds, or other securities. But is there such a thing as owning too many mutual funds? Let's delve into this question and explore the potential implications.

Understanding Diversification

To understand why someone might invest in multiple mutual funds, we first need to grasp the concept of diversification. Diversification is a risk management strategy that mixes a wide variety of investments within a portfolio. The rationale behind this technique contends that a portfolio constructed of diverse investments will, on average, pose a lower risk than any individual investment found within the portfolio.

The Allure of Multiple Mutual Funds

So, why do investors opt for multiple mutual funds? Here are some common reasons:

Chasing Returns: Some investors believe that by owning many top-performing funds, they can maximize their returns.
Different Objectives: Each mutual fund has a unique investment objective. Some may focus on growth, while others might prioritize income or capital preservation.
Manager Trust: Investors might spread their investments among different fund managers to leverage each one's expertise.

The Over-Diversification Dilemma

While diversification is a cornerstone of investment wisdom, over-diversification can be detrimental. Here's why:

Diminished Returns: When an investor spreads their money too thinly across many funds, the standout performances of some might be watered down by the mediocre performances of others.
Increased Costs: Some mutual funds have fees. Owning many funds can mean paying numerous fees, diminishing returns.
Complexity: Keeping track of many funds can be a logistical nightmare, especially when assessing performance, rebalancing, and keeping tabs on tax implications.

Overlap Issues

One major concern with owning multiple mutual funds is the risk of overlap. This means that many of the funds in an investor's portfolio could be holding the same stocks or bonds. This redundancy defeats the purpose of diversification.

For example, if an investor owns five different U.S. large-cap equity funds, they might find that a significant percentage of these funds invest in the same set of companies. This kind of overlap can expose the investor to unintended risks.

Cognitive Overload

Another issue with having many mutual funds is cognitive overload. Investors might struggle to make informed decisions when faced with too much information. This can lead to investment paralysis or poorly-thought-out decisions.

When Does It Make Sense to Own Multiple Mutual Funds?

While there are risks to over-diversification, there are scenarios where owning multiple funds makes sense:

Different Asset Classes: If each mutual fund targets a different asset class (e.g., one for international equities, one for U.S. bonds), this can provide genuine diversification.
Strategic Objectives: An investor might have specific goals that require specialized funds (e.g., a fund focused on environmentally sustainable companies).
Dollar-Cost Averaging: If an investor is systematically investing in various funds over time, this can help mitigate the impact of market volatility.

The Bottom Line

Like many aspects of personal finance and investing, the answer to whether it's harmful to have too many mutual funds isn't a simple "yes" or "no." It's essential to weigh the benefits of diversification against the pitfalls of over-diversification.

For most investors, the key is balance. Instead of collecting funds impulsively, it's crucial to have a clear investment strategy. Regularly reviewing and understanding the contents of each fund, being aware of overlaps, and ensuring that each fund serves a distinct purpose in the portfolio can help investors strike the right balance.

Seeking the advice of a financial advisor can be a valuable step in ensuring one's portfolio is well-constructed and aligned with their goals and risk tolerance. Remember, it's not about the quantity of mutual funds you own, but the quality and purpose of each in your overall investment strategy.

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