AAPL Options Signal Bullish Bias: Key Strikes and Block Trades Point to Strategic Entry Zones

• AAPL trades at $271.28, down 0.34% amid short-term bearish momentum but long-term bullish trends.
• Options data shows heavy call open interest at $280 and $300, while puts at $230 suggest downside caution.
• Block trades hint at institutional positioning: 880 calls bought at $240 and 600 puts at $235 signal mixed signals.
• Upcoming AI partnership rumors and strong earnings estimates could fuel volatility ahead of earnings.

Here’s the takeaway: AAPL’s options market is leaning bullish, but technicals warn of near-term fragility. The stock sits just below its 30-day moving average ($274.94) and faces immediate resistance at $278.61. While long-term investors see a clear path to $285+, today’s traders need to watch how options-heavy positioning collides with key support levels.

The Pressure Points in Options and Block Trades

Let’s start with the elephant in the room: AAPL20251219C300 (OI: 50,677) and AAPL20251219C280 (OI: 40,587) dominate this Friday’s call chain. That’s not just noise—it’s a bet that AAPL will break above $280 before expiration. But here’s the twist: the top puts ($230 and $200) suggest some hedging against a sharp drop. The put/call ratio of 0.706 (calls > puts) reinforces a bullish bias, but don’t ignore the block trades. The 880 AAPL20251017C240 calls bought recently? That’s a big vote of confidence for a rebound above $240. Meanwhile, the 600 AAPL20250926P235 puts bought signal caution below $235. The message? Bullish but cautious—a classic setup for a breakout trade with a stop-loss in mind.

News That Could Tip the Scales

The AI partnership buzz between Apple and Google isn’t just speculative chatter. Wedbush’s 2026 predictions (tech stocks up 20%+) and Zacks’ +10.4% Q4 earnings estimate create a tailwind. But here’s the catch: Apple’s Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) means investors aren’t fully pricing in the upside yet. If the AI partnership rumors crystallize into a real deal by Q1 2026, we could see a re-rating. However, the Zacks Value Style Score “F” (premium valuation) warns that any bad news—like weaker-than-expected Q4 sales—could trigger a sharp correction. The options market is pricing in optimism, but reality could swing either way.

Actionable Trades for Today and Tomorrow

For options traders:

• Bullish Play: Buy AAPL20251226C280 (next Friday’s $280 calls). Why? The $280 level has massive open interest, and a break above $272.92 (today’s high) could trigger a cascade. Target: $285+ by Dec 26. Stop-loss: below $270.27 (today’s low).
• Bearish Hedge: Buy AAPL20251226P260 (next Friday’s $260 puts). If AAPL dips below $267.85 (lower Bollinger Band), these puts could catch a rebound. Target: $255 by Dec 26. Stop-loss: above $275.

For stock traders:

• Entry Near Support: If AAPL holds above $267.85 (lower Bollinger Band), consider buying the dip. Target: $279 (30D support/resistance zone). Stop-loss: below $265.
• Breakout Play: If AAPL closes above $272.92 (today’s high), add to your position. Target: $285 (aligned with 30D MA and key call OI levels). Stop-loss: $270.27.

Volatility on the Horizon: Positioning for AAPL’s Next Move

The coming weeks will test AAPL’s resolve. The stock needs to hold above $270 to validate the long-term bullish case. If it breaks below $267.85, the 200D MA ($229.72) becomes a critical psychological level. For options, the $280 calls and $260 puts are your best bets to capitalize on either scenario. Remember: options are a leveraged way to play the edges, while stock positions require patience. Either way, the key is to stay nimble—because in AAPL’s world, momentum shifts faster than a swipe on an iPhone.