Based on 697 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 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 (97% of max)
97% of all-time peak
697 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 (+8 funds, +1% change). No significant rush to buy or sell — institutional backing is holding steady.
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More sellers than buyers — 46% buying
291 buying343 selling
Last quarter: 343 funds reduced or exited vs 291 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 (+36 vs last Q)
new funds entering per quarter
Funds opening a new SPLV position: 90 → 89 → 49 → 85. 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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68% of holders stayed for 2+ years
■ 68% conviction (2yr+)
■ 19% medium
■ 13% new
473 out of 697 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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Peak discovery — momentum slowing
72 → 90 → 89 → 49 → 85 new funds/Q
New funds entering each quarter: 90 → 89 → 49 → 85. SPLV is well-known in the hedge fund world, but fresh entries are gradually declining. The explosive phase of institutional discovery is likely behind us.
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Deep conviction — 69% of holders stayed 2+ years
■ 69% veterans
■ 12% 1-2yr
■ 19% new
Of 702 current holders: 485 (69%) 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 — 51% AUM from top-100 funds
51% from top-100 AUM funds
22 of 697 holders are among the 100 largest funds by AUM, controlling 51% 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 3.4/10 — low institutional crowding. Ownership is below peak levels, holder base is relatively sticky, and buying momentum is positive.