Based on 1240 hedge funds · latest filing: 2025 Q4 · updated quarterly
📉
Selling streak — 1 quarter in a row
For 1 consecutive quarter, 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.
🏔️
At the ownership peak (99% of max)
99% of all-time peak
1,240 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.
📶
Steady growth — +11% more funds vs a year ago
fund count last 6Q
+126 new funds entered over the past year (+11% YoY). Gradual, steady growth in institutional ownership is generally a healthy signal — not a speculative rush, but consistent conviction.
🟠
More sellers than buyers — 43% buying
508 buying670 selling
Last quarter: 670 funds reduced or exited vs 508 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.
📈
More new buyers each quarter (+9 vs last Q)
new funds entering per quarter
Funds opening a new AZO position: 162 → 138 → 145 → 154. A growing influx of new institutional buyers means the asset is still gathering momentum — the consensus hasn't fully saturated yet.
🔒
67% of holders stayed for 2+ years
■ 67% conviction (2yr+)
■ 19% medium
■ 14% new
830 out of 1,240 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.
💎
Buying through price weakness — shares +1%, value -20%
Last quarter: funds added +1% more shares while total portfolio value only changed -20%. Institutions were buying while the price was falling — a high-conviction accumulation signal. They're deliberately loading up on the dip.
➡️
Steady discovery — ~154 new funds/quarter
105 → 162 → 138 → 145 → 154 new funds/Q
New funds entering each quarter: 162 → 138 → 145 → 154. Consistent flow of new institutional buyers without clear acceleration or slowdown.
🏛️
Deep conviction — 68% of holders stayed 2+ years
■ 68% veterans
■ 12% 1-2yr
■ 20% new
Of 1,271 current holders: 861 (68%) have held for over 2 years without selling. These are not momentum buyers — they have lived through drawdowns and stayed. A large veteran base acts as a stabilizing force during selloffs.
🏆
Elite ownership — 49% AUM from top-100 funds
49% from top-100 AUM funds
44 of 1240 holders are among the 100 largest funds by AUM, controlling 49% 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 3.8/10 — low institutional crowding. Ownership is below peak levels, holder base is relatively sticky, and buying momentum is positive.