Based on 84 hedge funds · latest filing: 2026 Q1 · updated quarterly
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Buying streak — 2 quarters in a row
For 2 consecutive quarters, more hedge funds added NREF 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
84 hedge funds hold NREF 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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Steady growth — +14% more funds vs a year ago
fund count last 6Q
+10 new funds entered over the past year (+14% YoY). Gradual, steady growth in institutional ownership is generally a healthy signal — not a speculative rush, but consistent conviction.
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Slight buying edge — 52% buying
42 buying38 selling
Last quarter: 42 funds bought or added vs 38 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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Steady new buyers — ~17 new funds per quarter
new funds entering per quarter
Funds opening this position for the first time: 11 → 11 → 13 → 17. A stable flow of new institutional buyers suggests ongoing interest without signs of either acceleration or slowdown.
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45% of holders stayed for 2+ years
■ 45% conviction (2yr+)
■ 29% medium
■ 26% new
38 out of 84 hedge funds have held NREF 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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Growing discovery — still being found
10 → 11 → 11 → 13 → 17 new funds/Q
New funds entering each quarter: 11 → 11 → 13 → 17. A growing number of institutions are discovering NREF each quarter. The narrative is still spreading — leaving room for ongoing capital accumulation.
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Veteran-anchored — 49% veterans vs 29% newcomers
■ 49% veterans
■ 23% 1-2yr
■ 29% new
Entry-cohort mix of 84 holders: 41 (49%) are 2+ year veterans, 19 entered 1–2 years ago, and 24 (29%) joined within the past year. A veteran-weighted cap table skews toward institutional memory over fresh momentum.
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Smaller funds dominant — 8% AUM from top-100
8% from top-100 AUM funds
28 of 84 holders rank in the top 100 by AUM, but together hold only 8% of total institutional value. The stock is held primarily by smaller and mid-sized funds.
Exit risk score 3.8/10 — low institutional crowding. Ownership is below peak levels, holder base is relatively sticky, and buying momentum is positive.