NVDA Options Signal Bullish Bias: Key Strikes and Block Buys Point to $195+ Upside Potential

• NVDA trades at $187.33, down 1.68% from $190.53 after a volatile open near $187.70
• Call open interest dominates at $192.5–$200 strikes, while puts cluster at $160–$185
• Block trade of 26,000 calls at $175 (expiring 9/19/25) hints at institutional conviction

Here’s the takeaway: NVDA shows a clear bullish bias from options positioning and block trades, but today’s price action below key moving averages introduces near-term risk. The stock is caught between a short-term bearish correction and a long-term bullish setup. Let’s break it down.

Bullish Fortresses and Bearish Anchors in Options Data

The options market is painting a vivid picture. For this Friday’s expiration (1/2/26), call open interest peaks at $192.5 (82,913 contracts) and $195 (76,557), forming a tight cluster above current price. This suggests traders are bracing for a breakout above $190—a level that’s been a psychological hurdle for months. Meanwhile, puts at $185 (22,867) and $160 (22,736) act as bearish anchors, with the latter strike far below the 200D MA ($159.10).

The most telling signal? A 26,000-contract block trade at NVDA20250919C175 (strike $175, expiring 9/19/25). This isn’t just noise—it’s a whale-sized bet that NVDA will hold above $175 through late 2025. Combine that with the put/call ratio of 0.88 (calls dominate), and you’ve got a market that’s pricing in optimism despite today’s dip.

News Flow: Strategic Moves vs. Short-Term Jitters

Nvidia’s recent $5B Intel stake and $20B Groq acquisition are textbook bullish catalysts. These moves reinforce its AI infrastructure dominance, especially with Bernstein and UBS hiking price targets to $275. But today’s selloff isn’t just about fundamentals. SoftBank’s share sales and Google’s AI push are creating short-term headwinds. The market is parsing whether this is a buying opportunity or a warning sign.

Here’s the twist: options data aligns with the long-term narrative. The heavy call positioning at $192.5–$200 suggests traders see the Groq deal as a catalyst, not a distraction. The real test? Whether NVDA can hold above its 30D support ($180.74) and retest the $190 level.

Actionable Trade Ideas: Calls, Breakouts, and Strategic Entries

For options traders, the NVDA20260102C1925 (strike $192.5, expiring 1/2/26) is a high-conviction play. With 82,913 contracts in open interest, this strike acts as a liquidity magnet—if NVDA breaks above $190, the call could see explosive volume. For a longer-term bet, the NVDA20260116P160 (strike $160, expiring 1/16/26) offers downside protection, though it’s a high-risk trade given the distance from current price.

Stock traders should watch two levels:

• Entry near $181.30 (middle Bollinger Band) if the price holds above the 30D MA ($181.93). Target $195 if the 200D MA ($159.10) holds as support.
• Stop-loss below $179.98 (200D support zone) to avoid a breakdown into the $170–$175 range.

Volatility on the Horizon: Balancing Risk and Reward

The next 72 hours will be critical. If NVDA closes above $188.75 (intraday high), the call-heavy options chain could fuel a rally toward $200. But a close below $185.91 (intraday low) would trigger panic at the $160–$170 put cluster. The block trade at $175 suggests a floor exists, but don’t ignore the 200D MA—it’s a psychological line in the sand.

Bottom line: This is a stock caught between a short-term correction and a long-term bull case. The options market is pricing in a rebound, but today’s dip forces a reality check. Play it smart—use the pullback to test the $181.30 support, and let the options data guide your exit strategy. The AI train isn’t stopping anytime soon, but the tracks are bumpy right now.