Based on 1672 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 XLI 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
1,672 hedge funds hold XLI 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 — +21% more funds vs a year ago
fund count last 6Q
+287 new funds entered over the past year (+21% 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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Slight buying edge — 58% buying
886 buying638 selling
Last quarter: 886 funds bought or added vs 638 that reduced or exited. It's nearly a 50/50 split — some institutions are convinced, others are taking profits. This mixed picture is normal near price highs.
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More new buyers each quarter (+19 vs last Q)
new funds entering per quarter
Funds opening a new XLI position: 139 → 208 → 200 → 219. 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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62% of holders stayed for 2+ years
■ 62% conviction (2yr+)
■ 19% medium
■ 19% new
1,041 out of 1,672 hedge funds have held XLI 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 +28% but shares only +4% — price-driven
Last quarter: the total dollar value of institutional holdings rose +28%, but actual share count only changed +4%. 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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Growing discovery — still being found
167 → 139 → 208 → 200 → 219 new funds/Q
New funds entering each quarter: 139 → 208 → 200 → 219. A growing number of institutions are discovering XLI each quarter. The narrative is still spreading — leaving room for ongoing capital accumulation.
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Veteran-anchored — 66% veterans vs 22% newcomers
■ 66% veterans
■ 12% 1-2yr
■ 22% new
Entry-cohort mix of 1,720 holders: 1,129 (66%) are 2+ year veterans, 214 entered 1–2 years ago, and 377 (22%) joined within the past year. A veteran-weighted cap table skews toward institutional memory over fresh momentum.
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Elite ownership — 53% AUM from top-100 funds
53% from top-100 AUM funds
43 of 1658 holders are among the 100 largest funds by AUM, controlling 53% of total institutional value in XLI. 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 3.7/10 — low institutional crowding. Ownership is below peak levels, holder base is relatively sticky, and buying momentum is positive.