Based on 29 hedge funds · latest filing: 2026 Q1 · updated quarterly
📉
Selling streak — 1 quarter in a row
For 1 consecutive quarter, more hedge funds reduced or closed their LEAD positions than added to them. Sustained institutional selling is a meaningful warning sign — these are professionals with deep research teams collectively deciding to exit.
📊
High ownership — 85% of 3.0Y peak
85% of all-time peak
29 funds currently hold this stock — 85% of the 3.0-year high of 34 funds (reached 2025 Q4). Ownership is elevated but not yet at maximum concentration. Room to grow, but watch if the trend reverses.
📶
Steady growth — +7% more funds vs a year ago
fund count last 6Q
+2 new funds entered over the past year (+7% YoY). Gradual, steady growth in institutional ownership is generally a healthy signal — not a speculative rush, but consistent conviction. The peak was reached in just 4 quarters from the low — a sharp move.
🔴
Heavy selling pressure — only 38% buying
11 buying18 selling
Last quarter: 18 funds sold vs only 11 buyers. This is widespread institutional distribution — not a few funds rebalancing, but a broad exit. High conviction bearish signal.
⚠️
Fewer new buyers each quarter (-6 vs last Q)
new funds entering per quarter
Funds opening this position for the first time: 1 → 5 → 7 → 1. 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.
🔒
62% of holders stayed for 2+ years
■ 62% conviction (2yr+)
■ 10% medium
■ 28% new
18 out of 29 hedge funds have held LEAD 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.
➡️
Steady discovery — ~1 new funds/quarter
4 → 1 → 5 → 7 → 1 new funds/Q
New funds entering each quarter: 1 → 5 → 7 → 1. Consistent flow of new institutional buyers without clear acceleration or slowdown.
🏛️
Deep conviction — 62% of holders stayed 2+ years
■ 62% veterans
■ 14% 1-2yr
■ 24% new
Of 29 current holders: 18 (62%) 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 — 40% AUM from top-100 funds
40% from top-100 AUM funds
7 of 29 holders are among the 100 largest funds by AUM, controlling 40% of total institutional value in LEAD. 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 3.8/10 — low institutional crowding. Ownership is below peak levels, holder base is relatively sticky, and buying momentum is positive.