Based on 709 hedge funds · latest filing: 2025 Q4 · updated quarterly
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Selling streak — 3 quarters in a row
For 3 consecutive quarters, more hedge funds reduced or closed their WSO positions than added to them. Sustained institutional selling is a meaningful warning sign — these are professionals with deep research teams collectively deciding to exit.
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High ownership — 91% of 3.0Y peak
91% of all-time peak
709 funds currently hold this stock — 91% of the 3.0-year high of 775 funds (reached 2025 Q1). Ownership is elevated but not yet at maximum concentration. Room to grow, but watch if the trend reverses.
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Outflows — 7% fewer funds vs a year ago
fund count last 6Q
55 fewer hedge funds hold WSO compared to a year ago (-7% decline). When institutions consistently reduce their exposure, it's worth exploring the underlying fundamental reasons driving them away.
🟠
More sellers than buyers — 44% buying
324 buying407 selling
Last quarter: 407 funds reduced or exited vs 324 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 (+30 vs last Q)
new funds entering per quarter
Funds opening a new WSO position: 87 → 75 → 74 → 104. A growing influx of new institutional buyers means the asset is still gathering momentum — the consensus hasn't fully saturated yet.
🔒
67% of holders stayed for 2+ years
■ 67% conviction (2yr+)
■ 18% medium
■ 15% new
477 out of 709 hedge funds have held WSO 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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Buying through price weakness — shares +5%, value -14%
Last quarter: funds added +5% more shares while total portfolio value only changed -14%. Institutions were buying while the price was falling — a high-conviction accumulation signal. They're deliberately loading up on the dip.
➡️
Steady discovery — ~104 new funds/quarter
89 → 87 → 75 → 74 → 104 new funds/Q
New funds entering each quarter: 87 → 75 → 74 → 104. Consistent flow of new institutional buyers without clear acceleration or slowdown.
🏛️
Deep conviction — 69% of holders stayed 2+ years
■ 69% veterans
■ 13% 1-2yr
■ 18% new
Of 718 current holders: 493 (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.
🏆
Elite ownership — 51% AUM from top-100 funds
51% from top-100 AUM funds
43 of 709 holders are among the 100 largest funds by AUM, controlling 51% of total institutional value in WSO. 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 3.2/10 — low institutional crowding. Ownership is below peak levels, holder base is relatively sticky, and buying momentum is positive.