Based on 6 hedge funds · latest filing: 2026 Q1 · updated quarterly
📉
Selling streak — 3 quarters in a row
For 3 consecutive quarters, more hedge funds reduced or closed their ESMV 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 50% of 3.0Y high
50% of all-time peak
Only 6 funds hold ESMV today versus a peak of 12 funds at 2025 Q2 — just 50% 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
3 fewer hedge funds hold ESMV compared to a year ago (-33% decline). When institutions consistently reduce their exposure, it's worth exploring the underlying fundamental reasons driving them away.
🟡
Slight buying edge — 50% buying
4 buying4 selling
Last quarter: 4 funds bought or added vs 4 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.
➡️
Steady new buyers — ~1 new funds per quarter
new funds entering per quarter
Funds opening this position for the first time: 5 → 0 → 0 → 1. A stable flow of new institutional buyers suggests ongoing interest without signs of either acceleration or slowdown.
🔒
50% of holders stayed for 2+ years
■ 50% conviction (2yr+)
■ 33% medium
■ 17% new
3 out of 6 hedge funds have held ESMV 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.
⚠️
Saturation — most institutions already know this story
0 → 5 → 0 → 0 → 1 new funds/Q
New funds entering each quarter: 5 → 0 → 0 → 1. 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 — 50% of holders stayed 2+ years
■ 50% veterans
■ 33% 1-2yr
■ 17% new
Of 6 current holders: 3 (50%) 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 — 8% AUM from top-100
8% from top-100 AUM funds
1 of 6 holders rank in the top 100 by AUM, but together hold only 8% of total institutional value. The stock is held primarily by smaller and mid-sized funds.
Exit risk score 1.0/10 — low institutional crowding. Ownership is below peak levels, holder base is relatively sticky, and buying momentum is positive.