AAPL Options Signal Bullish Bias: Key Strikes and Block Trades Point to $280+ Upside Potential

• AAPL trades at $269.52, down 0.86% from $271.86 after a volatile open at $272.05
• RSI at 31.28 (oversold) and Bollinger Bands near lower bound ($268.42) hint at rebound potential
• Put/Call OI ratio at 0.68 shows 38% more bullish positioning; $280 call OI jumps 32,852 contracts

The market is whispering 'buy the dip' in Apple's case. Despite today's pullback, technicals and options data align on a short-term rebound scenario. Let's break down why $280 could be the next battleground—and what block trades are telling us about big money moves.Bullish OI Clusters and Whale Moves at $280

Options traders are stacking up for a breakout. The $280 call (AAPL20260102C280) leads with 32,852 open contracts—nearly double the next strike. This isn't just retail noise: block trades show 250-contract puts at $255 and 880-contract calls at $240 being bought ahead of October expirations. Think of it like a football team stacking blockers—these positions suggest big players are hedging against a $280+ move while quietly accumulating calls.

The AI Narrative Fuels the Fire

Apple's Q4 beat ($1.25 EPS vs $1.15 est) and $1.2B NeuralCore acquisition are more than headlines. The $9.99/month Apple AI subscription and M3 MacBooks with on-device AI show they're doubling down on their ecosystem. But here's the twist: while earnings drove an 8% post-earnings surge, today's dip reflects profit-taking. The EU fine ($2.3B) is a speed bump, not a roadblock—especially with $90B buybacks extending through 2026.

Trade Ideas: Calls at $275-$280, Stock Buy at 272-275

For options:

• Buy AAPL20260109C275 at $2.80 (next Friday's $275 call) if price holds above $272
• Or AAPL20260102C280 at $1.50 for a 5-day breakout play

For stock:

• Enter near $272 (today's open) with a stop at $265 (lower Bollinger Band)
• Target $285 if RSI breaks 50 and volume surges past 30M

Volatility on the Horizon

The next 7 days will test Apple's resolve. With $280 call OI acting as a gravity point and block trades hinting at $255-$240 support/resistance, this isn't just a stock—it's a chess match. The AI-driven product cycle and $400B revenue guidance give bulls a strong hand, but the EU fine and privacy lawsuits add wild cards. Position yourself at the key levels, and watch the $280 threshold like a hawk.