Based on 43 hedge funds · latest filing: 2025 Q4 · updated quarterly
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Buying streak — 1 quarter in a row
For 1 consecutive quarter, more hedge funds added NDLS 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.
🔻
Below peak — only 42% of 3.0Y high
42% of all-time peak
Only 43 funds hold NDLS today versus a peak of 102 funds at 2023 Q1 — just 42% 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 — 4% fewer funds vs a year ago
fund count last 6Q
2 fewer hedge funds hold NDLS compared to a year ago (-4% decline). When institutions consistently reduce their exposure, it's worth exploring the underlying fundamental reasons driving them away.
🟡
Slight buying edge — 59% buying
22 buying15 selling
Last quarter: 22 funds bought or added vs 15 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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More new buyers each quarter (+6 vs last Q)
new funds entering per quarter
Funds opening a new NDLS position: 9 → 5 → 3 → 9. A growing influx of new institutional buyers means the asset is still gathering momentum — the consensus hasn't fully saturated yet.
🔒
77% of holders stayed for 2+ years
■ 77% conviction (2yr+)
■ 12% medium
■ 12% new
33 out of 43 hedge funds have held NDLS 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.
💰
Price up while funds trimmed (+34% value, -9% shares)
Last quarter: total value of institutional NDLS holdings rose +34% even though funds reduced share count by 9%. The stock price increased enough to offset the selling. Institutions are quietly trimming into price strength — watch for rotation.
➡️
Steady discovery — ~9 new funds/quarter
2 → 9 → 5 → 3 → 9 new funds/Q
New funds entering each quarter: 9 → 5 → 3 → 9. Consistent flow of new institutional buyers without clear acceleration or slowdown.
🏛️
Deep conviction — 84% of holders stayed 2+ years
■ 84% veterans
■ 2% 1-2yr
■ 13% new
Of 45 current holders: 38 (84%) 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 — 39% AUM from major funds
39% from top-100 AUM funds
14 of 43 holders rank in the top 100 by AUM, accounting for 39% of total institutional value held. A meaningful share of the ownership value comes from the most well-resourced institutions.
Exit risk score 1.0/10 — low institutional crowding. Ownership is below peak levels, holder base is relatively sticky, and buying momentum is positive.