Based on 1281 hedge funds · latest filing: 2026 Q2 · updated quarterly
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Selling streak — 3 quarters in a row
For 3 consecutive quarters, more hedge funds reduced or closed their AZO positions than added to them. Sustained institutional selling is a meaningful warning sign — these are professionals with deep research teams collectively deciding to exit.
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At the ownership peak (96% of max)
96% of all-time peak
1,281 hedge funds hold AZO 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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Stable — ownership unchanged year-over-year
fund count last 6Q
The number of hedge funds holding AZO is almost the same as a year ago (-10 funds, -1% change). No significant rush to buy or sell — institutional backing is holding steady.
🟠
More sellers than buyers — 47% buying
550 buying626 selling
Last quarter: 626 funds reduced or exited vs 550 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.
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More new buyers each quarter (+9 vs last Q)
new funds entering per quarter
Funds opening a new AZO position: 151 → 162 → 123 → 132. A growing influx of new institutional buyers means the asset is still gathering momentum — the consensus hasn't fully saturated yet.
🔒
69% of holders stayed for 2+ years
■ 69% conviction (2yr+)
■ 16% medium
■ 15% new
888 out of 1,281 hedge funds have held AZO 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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Buying through price weakness — shares +572%, value +7%
Last quarter: funds added +572% more shares while total portfolio value only changed +7%. Institutions were buying while the price was falling — a high-conviction accumulation signal. They're deliberately loading up on the dip.
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Peak discovery — momentum slowing
151 → 151 → 162 → 123 → 132 new funds/Q
New funds entering each quarter: 151 → 162 → 123 → 132. AZO is well-known in the hedge fund world, but fresh entries are gradually declining. The explosive phase of institutional discovery is likely behind us.
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Veteran-anchored — 71% veterans vs 17% newcomers
■ 71% veterans
■ 12% 1-2yr
■ 17% new
Entry-cohort mix of 1,310 holders: 927 (71%) are 2+ year veterans, 160 entered 1–2 years ago, and 223 (17%) joined within the past year. A veteran-weighted cap table skews toward institutional memory over fresh momentum.
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Elite ownership — 55% AUM from top-100 funds
55% from top-100 AUM funds
68 of 1268 holders are among the 100 largest funds by AUM, controlling 55% of total institutional value in AZO. 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 3.3/10 — low institutional crowding. Ownership is below peak levels, holder base is relatively sticky, and buying momentum is positive.