TSLA Options Signal $490 Bullish Bias as Robotaxi Hype Fuels Short-Term Call Buying – Here’s How to Play It

• TSLA trades at $445.48, up 0.07% with volume surging to 25.7M shares.
• Options market shows 22,008 open interest at the $490 call strike (this Friday’s expiry) – the highest of any OTM contract.
• Block trades reveal $3.8M call buying at the TSLA20250919C380 strike and $1.9M put activity at TSLA20251003P415.
• Elon Musk’s robotaxi timeline announcement and Model Y sales incentives are fueling near-term optimism.

The stock isn’t just ticking up – it’s telling a story. TSLA’s options activity and technicals align on a clear narrative: bulls are stacking up for a potential $490+ move before year-end, while bears remain on the sidelines. Let’s break down why this is a high-conviction setup – and where the risks lie.Bullish Overload at $490 – But Puts Tell a Different Tale

TSLA’s options chain is a one-way street right now. The $490 call (TSLA20251219C490) has 22,008 open interest – nearly double the next strike – while the $470 and $500 calls hover close behind. This isn’t just retail FOMO: block trades show institutional players moving $3.8M at the TSLA20250919C380 strike and $1.9M at the TSLA20251003P415 put.

The put/call ratio of 0.85 (put open interest vs calls) reinforces the bullish tilt. But don’t ignore the puts entirely – the $160 and $260 strikes have 43,887 and 39,327 open interest respectively. These are likely long-term hedgers or speculative bears, but their presence means a sharp reversal could catch traders off guard if sentiment shifts.

Robotaxi Hype Meets Real-World Incentives

Musk’s December 10th announcement – removing safety monitors from robotaxis by year-end – is the spark here. Combine that with zero-percent financing for Model Y buyers and free upgrades, and you’ve got a recipe for short-term momentum. The stock’s 0.7% intraday gain post-announcement isn’t just noise; it’s a vote of confidence from retail and institutional buyers alike.

But here’s the catch: competitors like Stellantis and Ford are closing the gap on autonomous tech. If TSLA’s Q4 delivery numbers miss expectations (especially with tax credits fading), those $160 put buyers might get louder. For now, though, the news flow and options data are in sync – both pointing higher.

How to Play This – With Clear Entry/Exit Rules

For options traders: Buy the TSLA20251219C490 call if price breaks above $450. With 3 days to expiry, a move to $490 would turn this 7.5% OTM strike into a 9% gain. For downside protection, consider selling the TSLA20251219P430 put if price holds above $435 – collecting premium while capping risk.

Stock traders: Look to enter near $445 with a tight stop below $430 (30D support level). First target is $460 (Bollinger Band middle at $423.57 + 15%), with a stretch goal of $490 if the robotaxi narrative accelerates. Avoid chasing above $455 without confirmation – the RSI at 71.4 suggests overbought conditions.

Volatility on the Horizon: Positioning for TSLA’s Robotaxi Milestone

This is a high-conviction trade with clear catalysts. The options market is pricing in a 10-15% move by December 19th, and the fundamentals are lining up. But don’t ignore the block trades at older expiries – they suggest some players are locking in gains or hedging long-dated positions.

Bottom line: TSLA is at a crossroads. The robotaxi timeline and sales incentives are bullish, but execution risks remain. For traders comfortable with the volatility, the $490 call and $430 put strikes offer defined-risk ways to play the narrative. Just keep a close eye on that RSI – if it drops below 50, it’s time to reassess.