Based on 1438 hedge funds · latest filing: 2026 Q2 · updated quarterly
📉
Selling streak — 1 quarter in a row
For 1 consecutive quarter, more hedge funds reduced or closed their SLV positions than added to them. Sustained institutional selling is a meaningful warning sign — these are professionals with deep research teams collectively deciding to exit.
📊
High ownership — 91% of 3.0Y peak
91% of all-time peak
1,438 funds currently hold this stock — 91% of the 3.0-year high of 1,577 funds (reached 2026 Q1). Ownership is elevated but not yet at maximum concentration. Room to grow, but watch if the trend reverses.
🚀
Fast accumulation — +33% more funds vs a year ago
fund count last 6Q
+357 new funds entered over the past year (+33% YoY). That's a rapid rush of institutional money. Fast accumulation often signals a major thesis — but it also means the stock could fall quickly if that thesis breaks.
🟠
More sellers than buyers — 44% buying
636 buying797 selling
Last quarter: 797 funds reduced or exited vs 636 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 (-128 vs last Q)
new funds entering per quarter
Funds opening this position for the first time: 219 → 426 → 253 → 125. 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.
🔒
52% of holders stayed for 2+ years
■ 52% conviction (2yr+)
■ 25% medium
■ 23% new
742 out of 1,438 hedge funds have held SLV 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 -20%, value -38%
Last quarter: funds added -20% more shares while total portfolio value only changed -38%. Institutions were buying while the price was falling — a high-conviction accumulation signal. They're deliberately loading up on the dip.
📊
Peak discovery — momentum slowing
169 → 219 → 426 → 253 → 125 new funds/Q
New funds entering each quarter: 219 → 426 → 253 → 125. SLV is well-known in the hedge fund world, but fresh entries are gradually declining. The explosive phase of institutional discovery is likely behind us.
🏛️
Veteran-anchored — 58% veterans vs 30% newcomers
■ 58% veterans
■ 13% 1-2yr
■ 30% new
Entry-cohort mix of 1,549 holders: 897 (58%) are 2+ year veterans, 194 entered 1–2 years ago, and 458 (30%) joined within the past year. A veteran-weighted cap table skews toward institutional memory over fresh momentum.
🏆
Elite ownership — 50% AUM from top-100 funds
50% from top-100 AUM funds
37 of 1414 holders are among the 100 largest funds by AUM, controlling 50% of total institutional value in SLV. 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 3.8/10 — low institutional crowding. Ownership is below peak levels, holder base is relatively sticky, and buying momentum is positive.