Based on 370 hedge funds · latest filing: 2026 Q2 · updated quarterly
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Buying streak — 5 quarters in a row
For 5 consecutive quarters, more hedge funds added DES 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
370 hedge funds hold DES 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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Steady growth — +17% more funds vs a year ago
fund count last 6Q
+53 new funds entered over the past year (+17% YoY). Gradual, steady growth in institutional ownership is generally a healthy signal — not a speculative rush, but consistent conviction.
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Slight buying edge — 52% buying
164 buying149 selling
Last quarter: 164 funds bought or added vs 149 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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Steady new buyers — ~39 new funds per quarter
new funds entering per quarter
Funds opening this position for the first time: 32 → 37 → 38 → 39. A stable flow of new institutional buyers suggests ongoing interest without signs of either acceleration or slowdown.
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64% of holders stayed for 2+ years
■ 64% conviction (2yr+)
■ 19% medium
■ 17% new
238 out of 370 hedge funds have held DES 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.
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Growing discovery — still being found
39 → 32 → 37 → 38 → 39 new funds/Q
New funds entering each quarter: 32 → 37 → 38 → 39. A growing number of institutions are discovering DES each quarter. The narrative is still spreading — leaving room for ongoing capital accumulation.
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Veteran-anchored — 67% veterans vs 22% newcomers
■ 67% veterans
■ 11% 1-2yr
■ 22% new
Entry-cohort mix of 370 holders: 247 (67%) are 2+ year veterans, 41 entered 1–2 years ago, and 82 (22%) joined within the past year. A veteran-weighted cap table skews toward institutional memory over fresh momentum.
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Elite ownership — 48% AUM from top-100 funds
48% from top-100 AUM funds
27 of 370 holders are among the 100 largest funds by AUM, controlling 48% of total institutional value in DES. 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.