Based on 1475 hedge funds · latest filing: 2025 Q4 · updated quarterly
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Selling streak — 3 quarters in a row
For 3 consecutive quarters, more hedge funds reduced or closed their PAYX 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 — 94% of 3.0Y peak
94% of all-time peak
1,475 funds currently hold this stock — 94% of the 3.0-year high of 1,577 funds (reached 2025 Q1). Ownership is elevated but not yet at maximum concentration. Room to grow, but watch if the trend reverses.
〰️
Stable — ownership unchanged year-over-year
fund count last 6Q
The number of hedge funds holding PAYX is almost the same as a year ago (-40 funds, -3% change). No significant rush to buy or sell — institutional backing is holding steady.
🟠
More sellers than buyers — 46% buying
672 buying793 selling
Last quarter: 793 funds reduced or exited vs 672 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.
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More new buyers each quarter (+39 vs last Q)
new funds entering per quarter
Funds opening a new PAYX position: 157 → 115 → 123 → 162. A growing influx of new institutional buyers means the asset is still gathering momentum — the consensus hasn't fully saturated yet.
🔒
75% of holders stayed for 2+ years
■ 75% conviction (2yr+)
■ 14% medium
■ 11% new
1,103 out of 1,475 hedge funds have held PAYX 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 — ~162 new funds/quarter
149 → 157 → 115 → 123 → 162 new funds/Q
New funds entering each quarter: 157 → 115 → 123 → 162. Consistent flow of new institutional buyers without clear acceleration or slowdown.
🏛️
Deep conviction — 75% of holders stayed 2+ years
■ 75% veterans
■ 9% 1-2yr
■ 17% new
Of 1,514 current holders: 1,130 (75%) 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 — 61% AUM from top-100 funds
61% from top-100 AUM funds
45 of 1475 holders are among the 100 largest funds by AUM, controlling 61% of total institutional value in PAYX. 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 3.2/10 — low institutional crowding. Ownership is below peak levels, holder base is relatively sticky, and buying momentum is positive.