Based on 176 hedge funds · latest filing: 2025 Q4 · updated quarterly
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Buying streak — 3 quarters in a row
For 3 consecutive quarters, more hedge funds added this stock 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 trade.
🏔️
At the ownership peak (100% of max)
100% of all-time peak
176 hedge funds hold this stock 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 'crowded trade' — high ownership doesn't mean safe.
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Steady growth — +11% more funds vs a year ago
fund count last 6Q
+18 new funds entered over the past year (+11% YoY). Gradual, steady growth in institutional ownership is generally a healthy signal — not a speculative rush, but consistent conviction. The peak was reached in just 3 quarters from the low — a sharp move.
🟠
More sellers than buyers — 49% buying
87 buying91 selling
Last quarter: 91 funds reduced or exited vs 87 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 (-11 vs last Q)
new funds entering per quarter
Funds opening this position for the first time: 20 → 36 → 38 → 27. 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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68% of holders stayed for 2+ years
■ 68% conviction (2yr+)
■ 12% medium
■ 20% new
119 out of 176 hedge funds have held this stock for over 2 years without selling. Long-term holders are harder to shake out during market dips — they represent a stable ownership base that reduces the risk of sudden mass selling.
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Price up while funds trimmed (+24% value, -5% shares)
Last quarter: total value of institutional ECPG holdings rose +24% even though funds reduced share count by 5%. The stock price increased enough to offset the selling. Institutions are quietly trimming into price strength — watch for rotation.
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Growing discovery — still being found
21 → 20 → 36 → 38 → 27 new funds/Q
New funds entering each quarter: 20 → 36 → 38 → 27. A growing number of institutions are discovering this stock each quarter. The idea is still spreading — there is room for more buyers to enter.
🏛️
Deep conviction — 75% of holders stayed 2+ years
■ 75% veterans
■ 6% 1-2yr
■ 19% new
Of 179 current holders: 135 (75%) 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.
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Smaller funds dominant — 19% top-100 AUM
19% from top-100 AUM funds
Only 33 of 176 current holders rank in the top 100 by AUM. The stock is held mostly by smaller and mid-sized funds — the largest institutional players haven't yet built significant positions.
Exit risk score 3.8/10 — low institutional crowding. Ownership is below peak levels, holder base is relatively sticky, and buying momentum is positive.