Based on 453 hedge funds · latest filing: 2025 Q4 · updated quarterly
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Selling streak — 2 quarters in a row
For 2 consecutive quarters, more hedge funds reduced or closed their CAVA 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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High ownership — 91% of 3.0Y peak
91% of all-time peak
453 funds currently hold this stock — 91% of the 3.0-year high of 500 funds (reached 2025 Q2). Ownership is elevated but not yet at maximum concentration. Room to grow, but watch if the trend reverses.
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Outflows — 7% fewer funds vs a year ago
fund count last 6Q
33 fewer hedge funds hold CAVA compared to a year ago (-7% decline). When institutions consistently reduce their exposure, it's worth exploring the underlying fundamental reasons driving them away.
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Slight buying edge — 50% buying
265 buying262 selling
Last quarter: 265 funds bought or added vs 262 that reduced or exited. It's nearly a 50/50 split — some institutions are convinced, others are taking profits. This mixed picture is normal near price highs.
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More new buyers each quarter (+14 vs last Q)
new funds entering per quarter
Funds opening a new CAVA position: 110 → 102 → 82 → 96. 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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Mixed — 26% long-term, 29% new
■ 26% conviction (2yr+)
■ 45% medium
■ 29% new
Of the 453 current holders: 120 (26%) held >2 years, 203 held 1–2 years, and 130 entered in the last year. A mixed base — the stock has long-term believers but also recent buyers who haven't been tested by a downturn yet.
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Peak discovery — momentum slowing
110 → 110 → 102 → 82 → 96 new funds/Q
New funds entering each quarter: 110 → 102 → 82 → 96. CAVA 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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Mixed cohorts — 26% veterans, 40% new entrants
■ 26% veterans
■ 34% 1-2yr
■ 40% new
Of 493 current holders: 126 (26%) held 2+ years, 168 held 1–2 years, 199 (40%) entered in the past year. Balanced distribution — some institutional memory, some recent momentum buyers.
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Elite ownership — 48% AUM from top-100 funds
48% from top-100 AUM funds
45 of 453 holders are among the 100 largest funds by AUM, controlling 48% of total institutional value in CAVA. 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.