Based on 1272 hedge funds · latest filing: 2025 Q4 · updated quarterly
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Buying streak — 4 quarters in a row
For 4 consecutive quarters, more hedge funds added NUE 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
1,272 hedge funds hold NUE 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 — +17% more funds vs a year ago
fund count last 6Q
+183 new funds entered over the past year (+17% 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
654 buying524 selling
Last quarter: 654 funds bought or added vs 524 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 (+59 vs last Q)
new funds entering per quarter
Funds opening a new NUE position: 147 → 150 → 138 → 197. A growing influx of new institutional buyers means the asset is still gathering momentum — the consensus hasn't fully saturated yet.
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67% of holders stayed for 2+ years
■ 67% conviction (2yr+)
■ 17% medium
■ 15% new
855 out of 1,272 hedge funds have held NUE 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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Value +24% but shares only +3% — price-driven
Last quarter: the total dollar value of institutional holdings rose +24%, but actual share count only changed +3%. The gap is explained by the stock's price rising — not new buying. Strong value growth with weak share growth means the rally is price momentum, not fresh institutional demand.
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Growing discovery — still being found
128 → 147 → 150 → 138 → 197 new funds/Q
New funds entering each quarter: 147 → 150 → 138 → 197. A growing number of institutions are discovering NUE each quarter. The narrative is still spreading — leaving room for ongoing capital accumulation.
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Deep conviction — 70% of holders stayed 2+ years
■ 70% veterans
■ 10% 1-2yr
■ 20% new
Of 1,319 current holders: 921 (70%) 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.
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Elite ownership — 52% AUM from top-100 funds
52% from top-100 AUM funds
50 of 1272 holders are among the 100 largest funds by AUM, controlling 52% of total institutional value in NUE. When the biggest players dominate the cap table, it signifies deep institutional support — since mega-funds deploy the most rigorous due diligence and capital.
Exit risk score 3.6/10 — low institutional crowding. Ownership is below peak levels, holder base is relatively sticky, and buying momentum is positive.