What is a good WhaleScore?

Above 70 indicates high-quality signal. Above 80 is exceptional. The highest score among major filers is Berkshire Hathaway at 85.75.

Does a low WhaleScore mean the filer is bad?

No. It means their 13F data carries less investment signal. Options market makers may have low WhaleScores because their holdings reflect hedging, not directional bets.

Can WhaleScore change over time?

Yes. WhaleScore is recalculated as filing patterns and portfolio characteristics evolve. A filer that becomes more concentrated or consistent may see their score increase.

Should I ignore low-WhaleScore filers entirely?

Not necessarily. Some low-WhaleScore filers like custodian banks reveal broad market trends. But for individual stock ideas, focus on higher scores.

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What WhaleScore Means and How to Use It on 13F Insight

WhaleScore is a portfolio quality heuristic on 13F Insight that ranges from 0 to 100. Here is what it measures, how to interpret it, and how to use it for smarter institutional research.

By Marcus Chen, Senior Market Analyst

PublishedApril 14, 2026UpdatedApril 14, 2026

When browsing institutional filers on 13F Insight, you will notice a WhaleScore next to each filer. This metric ranges from 0 to 100 and serves as a portfolio quality heuristic — a quick way to gauge whether a filer's holdings data carries genuine investment signal.

TL;DR

WhaleScore is a composite metric that reflects how signal-rich a filer's 13F appears.
It considers scale, concentration, consistency, and filing patterns.
Berkshire Hathaway scores 85.75 — the highest among major filers.
Options market makers and custodian banks tend to score lower because their holdings reflect trading/custody, not investment conviction.

What WhaleScore Measures

WhaleScore synthesizes multiple dimensions of portfolio quality:

Scale: Larger portfolios from established managers score higher.
Concentration: Portfolios with meaningful position sizes (not thousands of tiny positions) score higher.
Consistency: Filers with stable, predictable filing patterns score higher than those with erratic reporting.
Signal density: Holdings that reflect genuine investment decisions rather than hedging, market-making, or custody activities score higher.

WhaleScore Ranges

Range	Interpretation	Examples
80+	Exceptional signal quality	Berkshire (85.75), CTC LLC (84.50)
70-80	High quality, active conviction	Capital World (73.00), Capital Intl (73.50)
60-70	Solid institutional signal	Goldman Sachs (67.75), Wells Fargo (65.25)
Below 60	Weaker signal (broad/trading-heavy)	Some wealth platforms, market makers

Practical Uses

Filter your research: Focus on high-WhaleScore filers when looking for investment ideas.
Weight position signals: Changes from a 85+ WhaleScore filer carry more weight than from a 60.
Identify hidden gems: Lesser-known filers with high WhaleScores (like CTC LLC at 84.50) may be worth following.
Contextualize holdings: Low WhaleScore warns you that holdings may reflect trading activity rather than investment conviction.

FAQ

Marcus ChenSenior Market Analyst

Senior Market Analyst at 13F Insight. Covers institutional portfolio strategy, 13F filings, and smart money trends.