Based on 762 hedge funds · latest filing: 2026 Q2 · updated quarterly
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Buying streak — 3 quarters in a row
For 3 consecutive quarters, more hedge funds added SPLV 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
762 hedge funds hold SPLV 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 SPLV is almost the same as a year ago (+5 funds, +1% change). No significant rush to buy or sell — institutional backing is holding steady.
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More sellers than buyers — 48% buying
325 buying346 selling
Last quarter: 346 funds reduced or exited vs 325 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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Fewer new buyers each quarter (-20 vs last Q)
new funds entering per quarter
Funds opening this position for the first time: 56 → 93 → 95 → 75. 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.
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66% of holders stayed for 2+ years
■ 66% conviction (2yr+)
■ 18% medium
■ 16% new
505 out of 762 hedge funds have held SPLV 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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Growing discovery — still being found
95 → 56 → 93 → 95 → 75 new funds/Q
New funds entering each quarter: 56 → 93 → 95 → 75. A growing number of institutions are discovering SPLV each quarter. The narrative is still spreading — leaving room for ongoing capital accumulation.
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Veteran-anchored — 68% veterans vs 19% newcomers
■ 68% veterans
■ 12% 1-2yr
■ 19% new
Entry-cohort mix of 767 holders: 524 (68%) are 2+ year veterans, 95 entered 1–2 years ago, and 148 (19%) joined within the past year. A veteran-weighted cap table skews toward institutional memory over fresh momentum.
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Elite ownership — 52% AUM from top-100 funds
52% from top-100 AUM funds
34 of 758 holders are among the 100 largest funds by AUM, controlling 52% of total institutional value in SPLV. 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 3.6/10 — low institutional crowding. Ownership is below peak levels, holder base is relatively sticky, and buying momentum is positive.