Based on 416 hedge funds · latest filing: 2025 Q4 · updated quarterly
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Selling streak — 2 quarters in a row
For 2 consecutive quarters, more hedge funds reduced or closed their S positions than added to them. Sustained institutional selling is a meaningful warning sign — these are professionals with deep research teams collectively deciding to exit.
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At the ownership peak (96% of max)
96% of all-time peak
416 hedge funds hold S 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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Outflows — 4% fewer funds vs a year ago
fund count last 6Q
18 fewer hedge funds hold S compared to a year ago (-4% decline). When institutions consistently reduce their exposure, it's worth exploring the underlying fundamental reasons driving them away.
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Slight buying edge — 52% buying
255 buying233 selling
Last quarter: 255 funds bought or added vs 233 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 (+32 vs last Q)
new funds entering per quarter
Funds opening a new S position: 75 → 73 → 67 → 99. 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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50% of holders stayed for 2+ years
■ 50% conviction (2yr+)
■ 24% medium
■ 26% new
210 out of 416 hedge funds have held S 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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Buying through price weakness — shares +10%, value -6%
Last quarter: funds added +10% more shares while total portfolio value only changed -6%. Institutions were buying while the price was falling — a high-conviction accumulation signal. They're deliberately loading up on the dip.
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Growing discovery — still being found
95 → 75 → 73 → 67 → 99 new funds/Q
New funds entering each quarter: 75 → 73 → 67 → 99. A growing number of institutions are discovering S each quarter. The narrative is still spreading — leaving room for ongoing capital accumulation.
🏛️
Deep conviction — 57% of holders stayed 2+ years
■ 57% veterans
■ 13% 1-2yr
■ 30% new
Of 453 current holders: 260 (57%) 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
38 of 416 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 3.4/10 — low institutional crowding. Ownership is below peak levels, holder base is relatively sticky, and buying momentum is positive.