$FOTO vs $LAZR
Tuttle Capital Pure Play Photonics ETF vs. Tema Photonics & Optical ETF: fees, size, strategy and live prices side by side.
Side by side
| Metric | $FOTO | $LAZR |
|---|---|---|
| Provider | Tuttle Capital | Tema |
| Focus | Fiber & optical networking | Fiber & optical networking |
| Management | Actively managed | Actively managed |
| AUM | $139M | $81M |
| Expense ratio | 0.75% | 0.75% |
| Yearly fee on $10,000 | $75 | $75 |
| Launched | May 29, 2026 | Jun 30, 2026 |
The short version
FOTO is the bigger fund, with $139M in assets. FOTO has been around longer, launching on May 29, 2026.
FOTO
The Tuttle Capital Pure Play Photonics ETF targets companies whose business is built around photonics: optical components, lasers, optical networking gear and the manufacturers behind them. Recent holdings have included names such as Lumentum, Coherent, Ciena, IPG Photonics and Fabrinet. FOTO gets part of its exposure through total return swaps and holds a meaningful slice of cash and Treasury bills alongside those swaps, so its holdings list looks different from a plain stock basket. Check the issuer's latest holdings file to see how exposure is split between shares and swaps.
LAZR
The Tema Photonics & Optical ETF invests in global photonics and optical technology companies tied to AI data movement, including optical interconnect, semiconductor technology and related equipment and materials. Tema launched it with research input from semiconductor analysis firm SemiAnalysis. LAZR has also held a position in privately held AI company Anthropic, which is unusual for an ETF. Private positions are valued differently from listed stocks and can be harder to trade, so read the prospectus on how they are handled.
Lower fees and more assets are helpful, but they are not the whole story. The bigger question is which strategy matches what you want to own. This comparison is not a recommendation to buy or sell either fund.
FAQ
What is the difference between FOTO and LAZR?
FOTO is the Tuttle Capital Pure Play Photonics ETF from Tuttle Capital (fiber & optical networking), while LAZR is the Tema Photonics & Optical ETF from Tema (fiber & optical networking). They differ in strategy, fees and size.
Which is cheaper, FOTO or LAZR?
They charge the same expense ratio, or data is not available.
Which is bigger, FOTO or LAZR?
FOTO has more assets: $139M vs $81M.
More comparisons
PhotonicsETFs.com is published by Dividend Empire LLC for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute investment, financial, tax or legal advice. Nothing here is a buy or sell signal. Fund data comes from our own data sheet and issuer materials, is refreshed daily and can be delayed, incomplete or incorrect. Always verify against the issuer's website and prospectus, do your own research and consult a licensed financial professional. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal. Price charts are provided by TradingView and may be delayed.