Based on 755 hedge funds · latest filing: 2026 Q1 · updated quarterly
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Buying streak — 2 quarters in a row
For 2 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
755 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 (+2 funds, +0% change). No significant rush to buy or sell — institutional backing is holding steady.
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More sellers than buyers — 48% buying
317 buying344 selling
Last quarter: 344 funds reduced or exited vs 317 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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Steady new buyers — ~95 new funds per quarter
new funds entering per quarter
Funds opening this position for the first time: 94 → 56 → 93 → 95. A stable flow of new institutional buyers suggests ongoing interest without signs of either acceleration or slowdown.
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64% of holders stayed for 2+ years
■ 64% conviction (2yr+)
■ 21% medium
■ 15% new
485 out of 755 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
100 → 94 → 56 → 93 → 95 new funds/Q
New funds entering each quarter: 94 → 56 → 93 → 95. 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 — 67% veterans vs 20% newcomers
■ 67% veterans
■ 13% 1-2yr
■ 20% new
Entry-cohort mix of 758 holders: 507 (67%) are 2+ year veterans, 97 entered 1–2 years ago, and 154 (20%) joined within the past year. A veteran-weighted cap table skews toward institutional memory over fresh momentum.
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Elite ownership — 48% AUM from top-100 funds
48% from top-100 AUM funds
29 of 753 holders are among the 100 largest funds by AUM, controlling 48% 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 3.5/10 — low institutional crowding. Ownership is below peak levels, holder base is relatively sticky, and buying momentum is positive.