JPMorgan Chase (JPM) Options Signal Bullish Momentum: Key Strike Levels and Trade Setups for Dec 19–26 Expirations

• JPM’s stock trades at $315.71, up 0.05% with a short-term bullish Kline pattern and MACD crossing above its signal line.
• Options data shows heavy call open interest at $320–$360 strikes and put OI at $265–$300, with a put/call ratio of 1.04 hinting at cautious bearishness.
• Analysts at Keefe, Bruyette & Woods raised JPM’s price target to $363, citing strong earnings and a strategic pivot toward wealth management.

The options market is whispering optimism, but with a side of caution. Here’s how to position for JPM’s next move.Bullish Sentiment in the Striking Zones

Let’s start with the options chain. This Friday’s expirations show JPM20251219C320 and JPM20251219C325 calls with 5,868 and 5,890 open interest, respectively. These strikes sit just above today’s price, suggesting traders are hedging for a modest rally. Meanwhile, the top puts—like JPM20251219P300 (7,333 OI)—indicate some fear of a pullback below $300. The put/call ratio isn’t screaming bearish, but it’s not ignoring risk either. Think of it as a crowd holding their breath: they want a rebound but aren’t all-in.

Block trading? None to report. No whales are moving mountains here, so the action stays in the hands of retail and institutional players balancing growth hopes with macro jitters.

News That Could Fuel the Fire

JPM’s recent headlines are a mixed bag of long-term bets. The new Mag Mile flagship? A signal that the bank is doubling down on high-net-worth clients, a segment with fat margins. Keefe, Bruyette’s $363 price target isn’t just a number—it’s a vote of confidence in JPM’s ability to outperform peers as the Fed pivots. And that $350 billion shift from reverse repos to Treasuries? It’s a strategic move to lock in yields before rate cuts, which could juice capital efficiency and stabilize earnings.

But here’s the catch: these moves take time. The Mag Mile branch won’t open until 2026, and rate cuts are still months away. For now, the market is pricing in potential, not proven results. That means the stock could face short-term headwinds if macro data surprises to the downside.

Trade Setups: Calls, Puts, and Precision Entries

For options traders, the JPM20251219C320 call (Dec 19 expiry) looks tempting. With the stock hovering near $315.71, a break above $320 could trigger a rally toward $325, where the 30D moving average sits. If you’re bearish, the JPM20251219P310 put (794 OI) offers downside protection. For next Friday’s expirations, eye JPM20251226C322.5 (973 OI) as a longer-dated play on the bullish case.

Stock traders: Consider entries near $315.71 if the 200D support at $289.57 holds. A breakout above $325 could target the Bollinger Upper Band at $323.91, with a stop-loss below $310. If the stock dips to $310, it could test the 30D support at $298.0—hold for a rebound there.

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

JPM’s technicals and options data align on a cautious bullish case. The MACD’s positive histogram and RSI near 60 suggest momentum is building, but the Bollinger Bands show the stock is still below its 200D average. This is a stock in transition—balancing short-term volatility with long-term strategic bets.

The key takeaway? JPM isn’t screaming for a breakout, but it’s not begging for a breakdown either. For traders, that means positioning with precision: use the $320 call as a leveraged bet, or play the range between $310 and $325 with tight stops. And for the long game? The Mag Mile and Fed pivot stories could keep this train moving higher by 2026.