Based on 668 hedge funds · latest filing: 2025 Q4 · updated quarterly
📉
Selling streak — 2 quarters in a row
For 2 consecutive quarters, more hedge funds reduced or closed their PAYC 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
668 hedge funds hold PAYC 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.
〰️
Stable — ownership unchanged year-over-year
fund count last 6Q
The number of hedge funds holding PAYC is almost the same as a year ago (+9 funds, +1% change). No significant rush to buy or sell — institutional backing is holding steady.
🟠
More sellers than buyers — 47% buying
338 buying383 selling
Last quarter: 383 funds reduced or exited vs 338 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.
📈
More new buyers each quarter (+35 vs last Q)
new funds entering per quarter
Funds opening a new PAYC position: 92 → 100 → 77 → 112. A growing influx of new institutional buyers means the asset is still gathering momentum — the consensus hasn't fully saturated yet.
🔒
62% of holders stayed for 2+ years
■ 62% conviction (2yr+)
■ 23% medium
■ 15% new
416 out of 668 hedge funds have held PAYC 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.
💎
Buying through price weakness — shares +0%, value -22%
Last quarter: funds added +0% more shares while total portfolio value only changed -22%. Institutions were buying while the price was falling — a high-conviction accumulation signal. They're deliberately loading up on the dip.
➡️
Steady discovery — ~112 new funds/quarter
111 → 92 → 100 → 77 → 112 new funds/Q
New funds entering each quarter: 92 → 100 → 77 → 112. Consistent flow of new institutional buyers without clear acceleration or slowdown.
🏛️
Deep conviction — 67% of holders stayed 2+ years
■ 67% veterans
■ 13% 1-2yr
■ 20% new
Of 692 current holders: 465 (67%) 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.
🏆
Elite ownership — 40% AUM from top-100 funds
40% from top-100 AUM funds
44 of 668 holders are among the 100 largest funds by AUM, controlling 40% of total institutional value in PAYC. 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 3.3/10 — low institutional crowding. Ownership is below peak levels, holder base is relatively sticky, and buying momentum is positive.