Based on 2206 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 SBUX 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 (97% of max)
97% of all-time peak
2,206 hedge funds hold SBUX 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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Stable — ownership unchanged year-over-year
fund count last 6Q
The number of hedge funds holding SBUX is almost the same as a year ago (-38 funds, -2% change). No significant rush to buy or sell — institutional backing is holding steady.
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More sellers than buyers — 44% buying
971 buying1254 selling
Last quarter: 1,254 funds reduced or exited vs 971 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.
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More new buyers each quarter (+124 vs last Q)
new funds entering per quarter
Funds opening a new SBUX position: 208 → 171 → 137 → 261. 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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75% of holders stayed for 2+ years
■ 75% conviction (2yr+)
■ 15% medium
■ 11% new
1,651 out of 2,206 hedge funds have held SBUX 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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Steady discovery — ~261 new funds/quarter
210 → 208 → 171 → 137 → 261 new funds/Q
New funds entering each quarter: 208 → 171 → 137 → 261. Consistent flow of new institutional buyers without clear acceleration or slowdown.
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Deep conviction — 75% of holders stayed 2+ years
■ 75% veterans
■ 10% 1-2yr
■ 16% new
Of 2,284 current holders: 1,704 (75%) 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 — 67% AUM from top-100 funds
67% from top-100 AUM funds
50 of 2206 holders are among the 100 largest funds by AUM, controlling 67% of total institutional value in SBUX. 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 3.4/10 — low institutional crowding. Ownership is below peak levels, holder base is relatively sticky, and buying momentum is positive.