Based on 295 hedge funds · latest filing: 2026 Q1 · updated quarterly
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Buying streak — 3 quarters in a row
For 3 consecutive quarters, more hedge funds added AXL than sold it. That's a consistent pattern of professional buying — not a one-time trade. When institutions keep buying quarter after quarter, it usually means they see a multi-year opportunity, not just a short-term momentum flip.
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At the ownership peak (100% of max)
100% of all-time peak
295 hedge funds hold AXL 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.
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Steady growth — +19% more funds vs a year ago
fund count last 6Q
+47 new funds entered over the past year (+19% YoY). Gradual, steady growth in institutional ownership is generally a healthy signal — not a speculative rush, but consistent conviction.
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More buyers than sellers — 61% buying
200 buying129 selling
Last quarter: 200 funds were net buyers (77 opened a brand new position + 123 added to an existing one). Only 129 were sellers (81 trimmed + 48 sold completely). A clear majority buying is a strong confirmation signal.
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More new buyers each quarter (+40 vs last Q)
new funds entering per quarter
Funds opening a new AXL position: 37 → 53 → 37 → 77. A growing influx of new institutional buyers means the asset is still gathering momentum — the consensus hasn't fully saturated yet.
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59% of holders stayed for 2+ years
■ 59% conviction (2yr+)
■ 19% medium
■ 23% new
173 out of 295 hedge funds have held AXL 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.
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Value +333% but shares only +52% — price-driven
Last quarter: the total dollar value of institutional holdings rose +333%, but actual share count only changed +52%. The gap is explained by the stock's price rising — not new buying. Strong value growth with weak share growth means the rally is price momentum, not fresh institutional demand.
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Growing discovery — still being found
46 → 37 → 53 → 37 → 77 new funds/Q
New funds entering each quarter: 37 → 53 → 37 → 77. A growing number of institutions are discovering AXL each quarter. The narrative is still spreading — leaving room for ongoing capital accumulation.
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Veteran-anchored — 67% veterans vs 26% newcomers
■ 67% veterans
■ 8% 1-2yr
■ 26% new
Entry-cohort mix of 312 holders: 208 (67%) are 2+ year veterans, 24 entered 1–2 years ago, and 80 (26%) joined within the past year. A veteran-weighted cap table skews toward institutional memory over fresh momentum.
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Elite ownership — 82% AUM from top-100 funds
82% from top-100 AUM funds
49 of 293 holders are among the 100 largest funds by AUM, controlling 82% of total institutional value in AXL. When the biggest players dominate the cap table, it signifies deep institutional support — since mega-funds deploy the most rigorous due diligence and capital.
Exit risk score 3.8/10 — low institutional crowding. Ownership is below peak levels, holder base is relatively sticky, and buying momentum is positive.