LAZR vs QQQ
Tema Photonics & Optical ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, LAZR or QQQ?
Each has led over a different period.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. LAZR led over 1Y, QQQ over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. QQQ is less concentrated, with 46.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 65.5%.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | LAZR | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.75% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $82M | $483.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 26 | 107 |
| YTD Return | -19.71% | +15.94%Best |
| 1Y Return | +1807.51%Best | +20.44% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | -19.08% | +24.86%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -30.48% | +14.26%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 11591.0% | 20.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | - | -35.1% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $1,624 | $19,475Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 65.5% | 46.5%Best |
| Fund Family | Tema Global Limited | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Jun 30, 2026 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 3, 2020 to Sep 14, 2026 (5.8 years).
LAZR vs QQQ growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 5.8 years both funds cover.
LAZR vs QQQ Performance
Tema Photonics & Optical ETF (LAZR) is an ETF from Tema Global Limited and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year LAZR returned +1807.51% while QQQ returned +20.44%. Year to date, LAZR is down 19.71% versus a gain of 15.94% for QQQ.
Over three years, LAZR compounded at -19.08% per year against +24.86% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are -30.48% and +14.26% respectively. Across the full 6-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +16.42% annualized vs -30.92%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
LAZR has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 11591.0% compared with 20.0% for QQQ. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at -0.03. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
LAZR charges 0.75% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $75 vs $18 annually, a gap of $57 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, LAZR currently yields 0.00% against 0.44% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
16.3% of LAZR's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 0.3% of QQQ's money is in holdings LAZR also owns.
LAZR and QQQ share little of their money.
1 positions in common, counted across the 26 positions we hold weights for in LAZR and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 26 and 107.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 95 positions for QQQ that do not appear in our book for LAZR (97.3% of the fund), and 9 for LAZR that do not appear in QQQ (28.3%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in LAZR | Weight in QQQ | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| LITELumentum Holdings Inc | 16.32% | 0.28% | 16.04% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of LAZR and QQQ you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, LAZR or QQQ?
LAZR has an expense ratio of 0.75% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $57 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, LAZR or QQQ?
Over the past year LAZR returned +1807.51% vs +20.44% for QQQ, so LAZR leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (6 years), LAZR annualized -30.92% vs +16.42% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, LAZR or QQQ?
LAZR has been the more volatile fund at 11591.0% annualized versus 20.0% for QQQ.
Should I hold both LAZR and QQQ?
LAZR and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of -0.03, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between LAZR and QQQ?
16.3% of LAZR's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 0.3% of QQQ's is in holdings LAZR also owns. They hold 1 positions in common, counted across the 26 positions we hold weights for in LAZR and 102 in QQQ.
Which pays a higher dividend, LAZR or QQQ?
LAZR yields 0.00% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so QQQ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than LAZR?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. LAZR led over 1Y, QQQ over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. QQQ is less concentrated, with 46.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 65.5%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.