LAZR vs VTI
Tema Photonics & Optical ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, LAZR or VTI?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. LAZR led over 1Y, VTI over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% 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 | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.75% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $82M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 26 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | -19.71% | +12.08%Best |
| 1Y Return | +1807.51%Best | +16.31% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | -19.08% | +20.83%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -30.48% | +11.89%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 11591.0% | 15.2%Best |
| Max Drawdown | - | -25.4% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $1,624 | $17,537Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 65.5% | 33.3%Best |
| Fund Family | Tema Global Limited | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 30, 2026 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 3, 2020 to Sep 14, 2026 (5.8 years).
LAZR vs VTI 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 VTI Performance
Tema Photonics & Optical ETF (LAZR) is an ETF from Tema Global Limited and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year LAZR returned +1807.51% while VTI returned +16.31%. Year to date, LAZR is down 19.71% versus a gain of 12.08% for VTI.
Over three years, LAZR compounded at -19.08% per year against +20.83% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are -30.48% and +11.89% respectively. Across the full 6-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +14.01% 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 15.2% for VTI. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at -0.04. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
LAZR charges 0.75% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $75 vs $3 annually, a gap of $72 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, LAZR currently yields 0.00% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
42.8% of LAZR's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 0.3% of VTI's money is in holdings LAZR also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
8 positions in common, counted across the 26 positions we hold weights for in LAZR and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 26 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,143 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for LAZR (97.2% of the fund), and 2 for LAZR that do not appear in VTI (1.7%).
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 VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| LITELumentum Holdings Inc | 16.32% | 0.08% | 16.24% |
| AXTIAxt Inc Com | 8.11% | 0.01% | 8.10% |
| AAOIApplied Optoelectronics Inc | 5.36% | 0.01% | 5.35% |
| COHRCoherent Corp | 3.58% | 0.07% | 3.51% |
| AEHRAehr Test Systems | 3.62% | 0.00% | 3.62% |
| CIENCiena Corp | 2.71% | 0.07% | 2.64% |
| SMTCSemtech Corp | 1.65% | 0.02% | 1.63% |
| SITMSitime Corp | 1.49% | 0.02% | 1.47% |
42.8% of LAZR is already inside VTI.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, LAZR or VTI?
LAZR has an expense ratio of 0.75% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $72 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, LAZR or VTI?
Over the past year LAZR returned +1807.51% vs +16.31% for VTI, so LAZR leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (6 years), LAZR annualized -30.92% vs +14.01% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, LAZR or VTI?
LAZR has been the more volatile fund at 11591.0% annualized versus 15.2% for VTI.
Should I hold both LAZR and VTI?
LAZR and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of -0.04, 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 VTI?
42.8% of LAZR's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 0.3% of VTI's is in holdings LAZR also owns. They hold 8 positions in common, counted across the 26 positions we hold weights for in LAZR and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, LAZR or VTI?
LAZR yields 0.00% while VTI yields 1.03%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than LAZR?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. LAZR led over 1Y, VTI over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% 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.