Based on 1815 hedge funds · latest filing: 2026 Q1 · updated quarterly
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Selling streak — 1 quarter in a row
For 1 consecutive quarter, more hedge funds reduced or closed their XLV positions than added to them. Sustained institutional selling is a meaningful warning sign — these are professionals with deep research teams collectively deciding to exit.
🏔️
At the ownership peak (99% of max)
99% of all-time peak
1,815 hedge funds hold XLV 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.
📶
Steady growth — +4% more funds vs a year ago
fund count last 6Q
+68 new funds entered over the past year (+4% YoY). Gradual, steady growth in institutional ownership is generally a healthy signal — not a speculative rush, but consistent conviction.
🟠
More sellers than buyers — 49% buying
863 buying903 selling
Last quarter: 903 funds reduced or exited vs 863 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.
⚠️
Fewer new buyers each quarter (-143 vs last Q)
new funds entering per quarter
Funds opening this position for the first time: 127 → 137 → 321 → 178. 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.
🔒
69% of holders stayed for 2+ years
■ 69% conviction (2yr+)
■ 17% medium
■ 14% new
1,249 out of 1,815 hedge funds have held XLV 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.
🚀
Acceleration phase — new buyers rushing in
184 → 127 → 137 → 321 → 178 new funds/Q
New funds entering each quarter: 127 → 137 → 321 → 178. The pace of institutional discovery is accelerating sharply. This is the 'hot idea' phase — the thesis is being passed from fund to fund. You are not late — the accumulation wave is still building.
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Veteran-anchored — 71% veterans vs 17% newcomers
■ 71% veterans
■ 13% 1-2yr
■ 17% new
Entry-cohort mix of 1,863 holders: 1,315 (71%) are 2+ year veterans, 233 entered 1–2 years ago, and 315 (17%) joined within the past year. A veteran-weighted cap table skews toward institutional memory over fresh momentum.
🏆
Elite ownership — 54% AUM from top-100 funds
54% from top-100 AUM funds
40 of 1806 holders are among the 100 largest funds by AUM, controlling 54% of total institutional value in XLV. 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.