Based on 461 hedge funds · latest filing: 2026 Q2 · updated quarterly
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Buying streak — 11 quarters in a row
For 11 consecutive quarters, more hedge funds added SMFG 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
461 hedge funds hold SMFG 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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Fast accumulation — +25% more funds vs a year ago
fund count last 6Q
+92 new funds entered over the past year (+25% 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.
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More buyers than sellers — 66% buying
294 buying149 selling
Last quarter: 294 funds were net buyers (71 opened a brand new position + 223 added to an existing one). Only 149 were sellers (94 trimmed + 55 sold completely). A clear majority buying is a strong confirmation signal.
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Steady new buyers — ~71 new funds per quarter
new funds entering per quarter
Funds opening this position for the first time: 58 → 76 → 69 → 71. A stable flow of new institutional buyers suggests ongoing interest without signs of either acceleration or slowdown.
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54% of holders stayed for 2+ years
■ 54% conviction (2yr+)
■ 21% medium
■ 24% new
251 out of 461 hedge funds have held SMFG 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 +30% but shares only +9% — price-driven
Last quarter: the total dollar value of institutional holdings rose +30%, but actual share count only changed +9%. 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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Steady discovery — ~71 new funds/quarter
56 → 58 → 76 → 69 → 71 new funds/Q
New funds entering each quarter: 58 → 76 → 69 → 71. Consistent flow of new institutional buyers without clear acceleration or slowdown.
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Veteran-anchored — 58% veterans vs 28% newcomers
■ 58% veterans
■ 14% 1-2yr
■ 28% new
Entry-cohort mix of 467 holders: 270 (58%) are 2+ year veterans, 67 entered 1–2 years ago, and 130 (28%) joined within the past year. A veteran-weighted cap table skews toward institutional memory over fresh momentum.
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Elite ownership — 72% AUM from top-100 funds
72% from top-100 AUM funds
41 of 459 holders are among the 100 largest funds by AUM, controlling 72% of total institutional value in SMFG. 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 3.9/10 — low institutional crowding. Ownership is below peak levels, holder base is relatively sticky, and buying momentum is positive.