Based on 1656 hedge funds · latest filing: 2026 Q1 · updated quarterly
📉
Selling streak — 1 quarter in a row
For 1 consecutive quarter, more hedge funds reduced or closed their AFL positions than added to them. Sustained institutional selling is a meaningful warning sign — these are professionals with deep research teams collectively deciding to exit.
🏔️
At the ownership peak (100% of max)
100% of all-time peak
1,656 hedge funds hold AFL right now — the highest count in 3.0 years. When ownership is this concentrated, any bad news can trigger a chain reaction: one big fund sells, others follow. This is a classic 'crowded trade' — high popularity doesn't equal safety.
📶
Steady growth — +4% more funds vs a year ago
fund count last 6Q
+57 new funds entered over the past year (+4% YoY). Gradual, steady growth in institutional ownership is generally a healthy signal — not a speculative rush, but consistent conviction.
🟠
More sellers than buyers — 45% buying
665 buying809 selling
Last quarter: 809 funds reduced or exited vs 665 that bought or added. When more than half of active funds are selling, it's a caution flag — especially if the stock price hasn't moved down yet.
⚠️
Fewer new buyers each quarter (-49 vs last Q)
new funds entering per quarter
Funds opening this position for the first time: 133 → 148 → 190 → 141. Each quarter fewer new institutions are entering. This usually means most funds that wanted in are already in — the stock is well-known but the pool of potential new buyers is shrinking.
🔒
69% of holders stayed for 2+ years
■ 69% conviction (2yr+)
■ 17% medium
■ 13% new
1,149 out of 1,656 hedge funds have held AFL for over 2 years without selling. Long-term investors are generally harder to shake out during market stress, creating a stable ownership base that limits the risk of sudden capitulation.
📈
Growing discovery — still being found
171 → 133 → 148 → 190 → 141 new funds/Q
New funds entering each quarter: 133 → 148 → 190 → 141. A growing number of institutions are discovering AFL each quarter. The narrative is still spreading — leaving room for ongoing capital accumulation.
🏛️
Veteran-anchored — 71% veterans vs 17% newcomers
■ 71% veterans
■ 12% 1-2yr
■ 17% new
Entry-cohort mix of 1,710 holders: 1,212 (71%) are 2+ year veterans, 208 entered 1–2 years ago, and 290 (17%) joined within the past year. A veteran-weighted cap table skews toward institutional memory over fresh momentum.
✅
Strong quality — 37% AUM from major funds
37% from top-100 AUM funds
62 of 1650 holders rank in the top 100 by AUM, accounting for 37% of total institutional value held. A meaningful share of the ownership value comes from the most well-resourced institutions.
Exit risk score 3.7/10 — low institutional crowding. Ownership is below peak levels, holder base is relatively sticky, and buying momentum is positive.