AMZN Options Signal $235 Bull Call Play as AI Infrastructure Drives 2026 Upside

• Options flow shows heavy call buying at $235–$240 strikes with a 0.72 put/call ratio, signaling strong bullish bias.
• Block trade of 500 AMZN20260116C250 calls hints at institutional bets for a $250+ move by mid-2026.
• AWS’s AI infrastructure growth and 56 “Strong Buy” analyst ratings back a $295+ price target.

Here’s the takeaway: AMZN’s options market and fundamentals align for a bullish breakout. The stock is testing Bollinger Band resistance while AWS’s AI-driven data center expansion—spending $61B globally—positions it to outperform in 2026. But watch for short-term volatility from AI shopping agent risks.Bullish Options Flow and Block Trades Signal Institutional Confidence

Let’s start with the options data—it’s telling a clear story. Open interest for OTM calls peaks at $235 (32,408 contracts) and $240 (18,129) for this Friday’s expiration, with even heavier positioning ($15,167) at $240 for next Friday. The put/call ratio of 0.72 (calls dominate puts) isn’t just a number; it’s a vote of confidence.

But the real signal? A $480K block trade of 500 AMZN20260116C250 calls. That’s not retail noise—it’s a whale betting on a $250+ price level by mid-2026. Combine this with AWS’s 3.8 gigawatt AI infrastructure boost and Oppenheimer’s $305 target, and you’ve got a recipe for upside.

Still, don’t ignore the puts. Open interest at $230 and $225 (9,829 and 8,652 contracts) suggests some hedging activity. If AMZN dips below its 30D support at $222.25, that could trigger a short-term pullback. But the long-term moving averages (30D: $229.44, 200D: $215.97) are all trending higher.

AWS AI Expansion Validates Options Sentiment

The news isn’t just noise—it’s fuel. AWS’s AI infrastructure has become a multibillion-dollar engine, with triple-digit growth in Trainium-based systems. Analysts love it: 56 “Strong Buy” ratings and an average target of $295.80. That’s not just optimism—it’s math.

But there’s a catch. Amazon’s blocking 47 AI shopping bots to protect data, yet it’s also exploring partnerships with third-party agents. This duality creates friction. While agentic commerce could unlock $1T in retail value by 2030, glitches in AI-driven purchases and regulatory hurdles could dent margins. For now, the bulls outweigh the bears, but keep an eye on CEO Andy Jassy’s strategy shifts.

Actionable Trade Ideas: Calls, Stock, and Exit Zones

For options traders, the AMZN20251226C240 (expiring this Friday) and AMZN20260116C250 (next Friday) are prime plays. Why? The $240 strike sits just above the 30D moving average and below the Bollinger Band upper bound ($236.26). If AMZN breaks $236, the $240 calls could surge. For longer-term bets, the $250 strike aligns with analyst price targets and the block trade signal.

Stock traders: Consider entries near $231.33 (today’s intraday low) if support holds. A breakout above $236.26 (Bollinger Band resistance) would target $245–$250. Stop-loss levels? If it drops below $228.77 (middle Bollinger Band), reassess.

Volatility on the Horizon: Balancing Risk and Reward

AMZN isn’t a straight-line trade. The AI shopping agent drama and regulatory risks could cause whipsaw moves. But the fundamentals—AWS’s AI infrastructure, $61B in data center deals, and 56 “Strong Buy” ratings—paint a resilient picture.

Bottom line: This is a high-conviction bull case. If you’re in, use the $240 and $250 calls to leverage upside. If you’re cautious, hedge with $230 puts. Either way, AMZN’s 2026 story hinges on AI—and the options market is already pricing in the future.