Based on 1295 hedge funds · latest filing: 2026 Q1 · updated quarterly
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Selling streak — 2 quarters in a row
For 2 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.
🏔️
At the ownership peak (97% of max)
97% of all-time peak
1,295 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 — +4% more funds vs a year ago
fund count last 6Q
+47 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 — 43% buying
511 buying675 selling
Last quarter: 675 funds reduced or exited vs 511 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 (-41 vs last Q)
new funds entering per quarter
Funds opening this position for the first time: 148 → 151 → 162 → 121. 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.
🔒
67% of holders stayed for 2+ years
■ 67% conviction (2yr+)
■ 19% medium
■ 14% new
870 out of 1,295 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.
➡️
Steady discovery — ~121 new funds/quarter
171 → 148 → 151 → 162 → 121 new funds/Q
New funds entering each quarter: 148 → 151 → 162 → 121. Consistent flow of new institutional buyers without clear acceleration or slowdown.
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Veteran-anchored — 69% veterans vs 19% newcomers
■ 69% veterans
■ 12% 1-2yr
■ 19% new
Entry-cohort mix of 1,323 holders: 913 (69%) are 2+ year veterans, 157 entered 1–2 years ago, and 253 (19%) joined within the past year. A veteran-weighted cap table skews toward institutional memory over fresh momentum.
🏆
Elite ownership — 42% AUM from top-100 funds
42% from top-100 AUM funds
65 of 1289 holders are among the 100 largest funds by AUM, controlling 42% 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 3.6/10 — low institutional crowding. Ownership is below peak levels, holder base is relatively sticky, and buying momentum is positive.