Based on 264 hedge funds · latest filing: 2026 Q1 · updated quarterly
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Buying streak — 3 quarters in a row
For 3 consecutive quarters, more hedge funds added IYG 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
264 hedge funds hold IYG 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 — +6% more funds vs a year ago
fund count last 6Q
+16 new funds entered over the past year (+6% 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 — 56% buying
131 buying102 selling
Last quarter: 131 funds bought or added vs 102 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: 21 → 28 → 39 → 39. A stable flow of new institutional buyers suggests ongoing interest without signs of either acceleration or slowdown.
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58% of holders stayed for 2+ years
■ 58% conviction (2yr+)
■ 19% medium
■ 22% new
154 out of 264 hedge funds have held IYG 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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Acceleration phase — new buyers rushing in
34 → 21 → 28 → 39 → 39 new funds/Q
New funds entering each quarter: 21 → 28 → 39 → 39. The pace of institutional discovery is accelerating sharply. This is the 'hot idea' phase — the thesis is being passed from fund to fund. You are not late — the accumulation wave is still building.
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Veteran-anchored — 59% veterans vs 26% newcomers
■ 59% veterans
■ 15% 1-2yr
■ 26% new
Entry-cohort mix of 265 holders: 157 (59%) are 2+ year veterans, 40 entered 1–2 years ago, and 68 (26%) joined within the past year. A veteran-weighted cap table skews toward institutional memory over fresh momentum.
✅
Strong quality — 34% AUM from major funds
34% from top-100 AUM funds
20 of 263 holders rank in the top 100 by AUM, accounting for 34% of total institutional value held. A meaningful share of the ownership value comes from the most well-resourced institutions.
Exit risk score 3.7/10 — low institutional crowding. Ownership is below peak levels, holder base is relatively sticky, and buying momentum is positive.