Based on 445 hedge funds · latest filing: 2026 Q1 · updated quarterly
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Buying streak — 11 quarters in a row
For 11 consecutive quarters, more hedge funds added SMFG 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
445 hedge funds hold SMFG 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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Fast accumulation — +26% more funds vs a year ago
fund count last 6Q
+93 new funds entered over the past year (+26% YoY). That's a rapid rush of institutional money. Fast accumulation often signals a major thesis — but it also means the stock could fall quickly if that thesis breaks.
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More buyers than sellers — 64% buying
269 buying151 selling
Last quarter: 269 funds were net buyers (69 opened a brand new position + 200 added to an existing one). Only 151 were sellers (107 trimmed + 44 sold completely). A clear majority buying is a strong confirmation signal.
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Fewer new buyers each quarter (-7 vs last Q)
new funds entering per quarter
Funds opening this position for the first time: 56 → 58 → 76 → 69. 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.
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54% of holders stayed for 2+ years
■ 54% conviction (2yr+)
■ 22% medium
■ 24% new
241 out of 445 hedge funds have held SMFG 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
46 → 56 → 58 → 76 → 69 new funds/Q
New funds entering each quarter: 56 → 58 → 76 → 69. A growing number of institutions are discovering SMFG each quarter. The narrative is still spreading — leaving room for ongoing capital accumulation.
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Veteran-anchored — 59% veterans vs 30% newcomers
■ 59% veterans
■ 11% 1-2yr
■ 30% new
Entry-cohort mix of 447 holders: 263 (59%) are 2+ year veterans, 51 entered 1–2 years ago, and 133 (30%) joined within the past year. A veteran-weighted cap table skews toward institutional memory over fresh momentum.
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Elite ownership — 70% AUM from top-100 funds
70% from top-100 AUM funds
41 of 442 holders are among the 100 largest funds by AUM, controlling 70% of total institutional value in SMFG. 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 3.9/10 — low institutional crowding. Ownership is below peak levels, holder base is relatively sticky, and buying momentum is positive.