Based on 42 hedge funds · latest filing: 2025 Q4 · updated quarterly
📉
Selling streak — 3 quarters in a row
For 3 consecutive quarters, more hedge funds reduced or closed their CSTE positions than added to them. Sustained institutional selling is a meaningful warning sign — these are professionals with deep research teams collectively deciding to exit.
🔻
Below peak — only 58% of 3.0Y high
58% of all-time peak
Only 42 funds hold CSTE today versus a peak of 72 funds at 2023 Q1 — just 58% of the maximum. Low institutional ownership can mean the stock is out of favor, but it also means there's a large pool of potential buyers if sentiment turns.
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Outflows — 33% fewer funds vs a year ago
fund count last 6Q
21 fewer hedge funds hold CSTE compared to a year ago (-33% decline). When institutions consistently reduce their exposure, it's worth exploring the underlying fundamental reasons driving them away.
🔴
Heavy selling pressure — only 38% buying
13 buying21 selling
Last quarter: 21 funds sold vs only 13 buyers. This is widespread institutional distribution — not a few funds rebalancing, but a broad exit. High conviction bearish signal.
➡️
Steady new buyers — ~4 new funds per quarter
new funds entering per quarter
Funds opening this position for the first time: 9 → 13 → 4 → 4. A stable flow of new institutional buyers suggests ongoing interest without signs of either acceleration or slowdown.
🔒
74% of holders stayed for 2+ years
■ 74% conviction (2yr+)
■ 14% medium
■ 12% new
31 out of 42 hedge funds have held CSTE 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.
💰
Value +32% but shares only +13% — price-driven
Last quarter: the total dollar value of institutional holdings rose +32%, but actual share count only changed +13%. The gap is explained by the stock's price rising — not new buying. Strong value growth with weak share growth means the rally is price momentum, not fresh institutional demand.
⚠️
Saturation — most institutions already know this story
7 → 9 → 13 → 4 → 4 new funds/Q
New funds entering each quarter: 9 → 13 → 4 → 4. Far fewer institutions are entering now vs. a year ago. When the pool of potential new buyers shrinks this fast, future price support from institutional inflows weakens significantly.
🏛️
Deep conviction — 81% of holders stayed 2+ years
■ 81% veterans
■ 10% 1-2yr
■ 10% new
Of 42 current holders: 34 (81%) 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.
📋
Smaller funds dominant — 11% AUM from top-100
11% from top-100 AUM funds
10 of 42 holders rank in the top 100 by AUM, but together hold only 11% of total institutional value. The stock is held primarily by smaller and mid-sized funds.
Exit risk score 1.8/10 — low institutional crowding. Ownership is below peak levels, holder base is relatively sticky, and buying momentum is positive.