Based on 75 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 NKSH 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 (96% of max)
96% of all-time peak
75 hedge funds hold NKSH 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.
📶
Steady growth — +15% more funds vs a year ago
fund count last 6Q
+10 new funds entered over the past year (+15% YoY). Gradual, steady growth in institutional ownership is generally a healthy signal — not a speculative rush, but consistent conviction.
🟠
More sellers than buyers — 46% buying
29 buying34 selling
Last quarter: 34 funds reduced or exited vs 29 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 (-6 vs last Q)
new funds entering per quarter
Funds opening this position for the first time: 8 → 9 → 11 → 5. 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.
🔒
63% of holders stayed for 2+ years
■ 63% conviction (2yr+)
■ 21% medium
■ 16% new
47 out of 75 hedge funds have held NKSH 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.
➡️
Steady discovery — ~5 new funds/quarter
3 → 8 → 9 → 11 → 5 new funds/Q
New funds entering each quarter: 8 → 9 → 11 → 5. Consistent flow of new institutional buyers without clear acceleration or slowdown.
🏛️
Deep conviction — 66% of holders stayed 2+ years
■ 66% veterans
■ 12% 1-2yr
■ 22% new
Of 76 current holders: 50 (66%) 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 — 38% AUM from major funds
38% from top-100 AUM funds
21 of 75 holders rank in the top 100 by AUM, accounting for 38% of total institutional value held. A meaningful share of the ownership value comes from the most well-resourced institutions.
Exit risk score 3.6/10 — low institutional crowding. Ownership is below peak levels, holder base is relatively sticky, and buying momentum is positive.