Based on 149 hedge funds · latest filing: 2025 Q4 · updated quarterly
📉
Selling streak — 1 quarter in a row
For 1 consecutive quarter, more hedge funds reduced or closed their ESQ positions than added to them. Sustained institutional selling is a meaningful warning sign — these are professionals with deep research teams collectively deciding to exit.
🏔️
At the ownership peak (99% of max)
99% of all-time peak
149 hedge funds hold ESQ 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.
🚀
Fast accumulation — +25% more funds vs a year ago
fund count last 6Q
+30 new funds entered over the past year (+25% YoY). That's a rapid rush of institutional money. Fast accumulation often signals a major thesis — but it also means the stock could fall quickly if that thesis breaks.
🟡
Slight buying edge — 53% buying
70 buying63 selling
Last quarter: 70 funds bought or added vs 63 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.
⚠️
Fewer new buyers each quarter (-7 vs last Q)
new funds entering per quarter
Funds opening this position for the first time: 21 → 31 → 23 → 16. 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.
🔒
43% of holders stayed for 2+ years
■ 43% conviction (2yr+)
■ 32% medium
■ 26% new
64 out of 149 hedge funds have held ESQ 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.
📊
Peak discovery — momentum slowing
23 → 21 → 31 → 23 → 16 new funds/Q
New funds entering each quarter: 21 → 31 → 23 → 16. ESQ is well-known in the hedge fund world, but fresh entries are gradually declining. The explosive phase of institutional discovery is likely behind us.
🏛️
Deep conviction — 50% of holders stayed 2+ years
■ 50% veterans
■ 12% 1-2yr
■ 38% new
Of 149 current holders: 74 (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.
✅
Strong quality — 35% AUM from major funds
35% from top-100 AUM funds
31 of 149 holders rank in the top 100 by AUM, accounting for 35% of total institutional value held. A meaningful share of the ownership value comes from the most well-resourced institutions.
Exit risk score 3.9/10 — low institutional crowding. Ownership is below peak levels, holder base is relatively sticky, and buying momentum is positive.