Based on 541 hedge funds · latest filing: 2026 Q2 · updated quarterly
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Buying streak — 2 quarters in a row
For 2 consecutive quarters, more hedge funds added CAVA 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
541 hedge funds hold CAVA 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 CAVA is almost the same as a year ago (+10 funds, +2% change). No significant rush to buy or sell — institutional backing is holding steady.
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More sellers than buyers — 47% buying
256 buying292 selling
Last quarter: 292 funds reduced or exited vs 256 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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Fewer new buyers each quarter (-44 vs last Q)
new funds entering per quarter
Funds opening this position for the first time: 89 → 100 → 128 → 84. 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.
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Mixed — 34% long-term, 26% new
■ 34% conviction (2yr+)
■ 40% medium
■ 26% new
Of the 541 current holders: 184 (34%) held >2 years, 218 held 1–2 years, and 139 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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Growing discovery — still being found
108 → 89 → 100 → 128 → 84 new funds/Q
New funds entering each quarter: 89 → 100 → 128 → 84. A growing number of institutions are discovering CAVA each quarter. The narrative is still spreading — leaving room for ongoing capital accumulation.
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Mixed cohorts — 36% veterans, 31% new entrants
■ 36% veterans
■ 33% 1-2yr
■ 31% new
Of 574 current holders: 207 (36%) held 2+ years, 187 held 1–2 years, 180 (31%) entered in the past year. Balanced distribution — some institutional memory, some recent momentum buyers.
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Elite ownership — 60% AUM from top-100 funds
60% from top-100 AUM funds
64 of 534 holders are among the 100 largest funds by AUM, controlling 60% 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 3.9/10 — low institutional crowding. Ownership is below peak levels, holder base is relatively sticky, and buying momentum is positive.