How many is enough?

Varies but currently 100% in back wednesday only three stocks gold silver and uraniunm cto/mmn/mmno/bmn but also have silver bullion which is long term (can't store uranium or oil). But everything I invest in is mainly commodities more risk but more gains.
Towards retirement will look at stocks which pay dividends and are not as volitile and will diversify.

Broadside said:

I have maybe 15-20 stocks but decent holdings (90% of value) in just 6: AGS BMN ADI EKA MGX INL, lots of smaller holdings in long shots...each to his own as to what is right, no question I could be a lot more diversified but I am comfortable taking some reasonable risk

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kind of like throwing a bet on the longshot in a horse race? Small amount and a less likely chance, but if it comes through would be great?

I got about 6 now... and only really plan in longterm for now. I dont know enough to keep trading in and out, and as long as they go up each year its better than my bank interest getting taken at tax time.

Nick Radge said:

The correct number is 18 which I believe is the efficient frontier.

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If I recall correctly from A Random Walk Down Wall Street, this proffered up similar academic research, although I think they concluded that the optimum number of positions was more like 15, not 18

This work does, however, assume that a diversified buy and hold strategy has been adopted as I understand it, so I'm not convinced that we are able to extrapolate this to an active trader.