Alphabet A (GOOGL) Options Signal Bullish Momentum: Key Strikes and Whale Moves to Watch for January 16–23 Expirations

• Current Price Action: GOOGL trades at $329.31, up 0.23% with a 30-day moving average of $314.58. Intraday high hits $334.04.
• Options Imbalance: Call open interest (OI) outpaces puts 1.21:1, with heavy call OI at $350 and $340 strikes.
• Block Trade Alert: 5,000+ shares of $350 March 2026 calls sold, hinting at short-term ceiling expectations.

The stock isn’t just ticking up—it’s telling a story. Options data and technicals align on a bullish bias, but the risks of overbought conditions and whale-driven volatility can’t be ignored. Let’s break it down.Bullish Sentiment Locked in OTM Calls, Whale Moves Signal Caution

The options market is a tug-of-war right now. Call OI at the $350 strike (33,908 contracts) dwarfs put OI at $300 (41,463), but here’s the twist: those deep-OTM puts are more about hedging a black-swan drop than near-term bearishness. The real signal? Heavy call buying at $340–$350 strikes for this Friday’s expiry. Traders are pricing in a test of $334.04 (intraday high) as a potential breakout point.

But don’t ignore the block trades. Over 5,000 shares of $350 March 2026 calls were sold recently—GOOGL20260320C350—suggesting institutional players are either locking in profits or betting the rally will stall before March. That strike price could become a psychological battleground.

No Major News, But Technicals Are the Story

With no recent headlines to anchor sentiment, the market is leaning hard on charts. RSI at 88.52 screams overbought, and the MACD histogram (0.75) shows momentum still trending higher. But here’s the catch: when RSI crosses 80, pullbacks often follow. If GOOGL dips toward the 30-day support at $313.28, that could trigger a short-covering rally. The absence of news means any earnings or product announcements (even if dated) could amplify swings—watch for a “nothing news” rally.

Actionable Trades: Calls for the Bold, Stock for the Patient

For options traders: GOOGL20260123C345 (next Friday’s $345 call) is a high-conviction play. If GOOGL breaks $334 today, this strike offers leverage with a 1.5% buffer above current price. For stock buyers: Consider entries near $334 (breakout level) with a stop at $325.00 (intraday low). Target $345 if the $350 block trades are wrong about resistance.

Longer-term, the GOOGL20260320C350 calls sold by whales could be a contrarian signal. If the stock clears $345 without melting down, those sellers might regret their bearish bet.

Volatility on the Horizon: Bullish Trends With a Twist

This isn’t a “buy and hold” setup—it’s a high-probability, time-sensitive play. The next 72 hours will test whether the $334 level holds. If it does, the path to $350 becomes clearer. But if RSI cools and volume drops below 18 million, watch for profit-taking. The key takeaway? Position yourself for a breakout, but keep a tight stop. The options market isn’t just bullish—it’s pricing in a sharp, directional move. Your job? Ride the wave before the tide turns.