Based on 27 hedge funds · latest filing: 2026 Q1 · updated quarterly
📉
Selling streak — 3 quarters in a row
For 3 consecutive quarters, more hedge funds reduced or closed their IVVB positions than added to them. Sustained institutional selling is a meaningful warning sign — these are professionals with deep research teams collectively deciding to exit.
🔻
Below peak — only 68% of 2.8Y high
68% of all-time peak
Only 27 funds hold IVVB today versus a peak of 40 funds at 2025 Q2 — just 68% of the maximum. Low institutional ownership can mean the stock is out of favor, but it also means there's a large pool of potential buyers if sentiment turns.
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Outflows — 31% fewer funds vs a year ago
fund count last 6Q
12 fewer hedge funds hold IVVB compared to a year ago (-31% decline). When institutions consistently reduce their exposure, it's worth exploring the underlying fundamental reasons driving them away.
🟡
Slight buying edge — 50% buying
14 buying14 selling
Last quarter: 14 funds bought or added vs 14 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.
➡️
Steady new buyers — ~4 new funds per quarter
new funds entering per quarter
Funds opening this position for the first time: 8 → 10 → 7 → 4. A stable flow of new institutional buyers suggests ongoing interest without signs of either acceleration or slowdown.
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Mostly new holders — 41% entered in last year
■ 11% conviction (2yr+)
■ 48% medium
■ 41% new
Only 3 funds (11%) have held >2 years. The majority of current holders are relatively new to the position. New holders tend to sell faster when prices drop — a shallow conviction base that could amplify any sell-off.
💎
Buying through price weakness — shares +63%, value -6%
Last quarter: funds added +63% more shares while total portfolio value only changed -6%. Institutions were buying while the price was falling — a high-conviction accumulation signal. They're deliberately loading up on the dip.
📊
Peak discovery — momentum slowing
27 → 8 → 10 → 7 → 4 new funds/Q
New funds entering each quarter: 8 → 10 → 7 → 4. IVVB is well-known in the hedge fund world, but fresh entries are gradually declining. The explosive phase of institutional discovery is likely behind us.
🌱
Early stage — 70% of holders entered in last year
■ 7% veterans
■ 22% 1-2yr
■ 70% new
Of 27 current holders: 19 (70%) entered in the past year, only 2 (7%) are 2+ year veterans. This is an early-phase institutional idea — still being discovered. High upside potential if the thesis plays out, but thin conviction base.
📋
Smaller funds dominant — 4% AUM from top-100
4% from top-100 AUM funds
4 of 27 holders rank in the top 100 by AUM, but together hold only 4% of total institutional value. The stock is held primarily by smaller and mid-sized funds.
Exit risk score 2.4/10 — low institutional crowding. Ownership is below peak levels, holder base is relatively sticky, and buying momentum is positive.