UNH Options Signal Bullish Bias: Key Strikes at $340 and $315 Highlight Volatility Playbook

• UNH trades at $328.55, down 0.99% from $331.83, with intraday lows near $328.28
• Call open interest dominates at $340 and $350 strikes, while puts cluster at $315 and $300
• Bollinger Bands show price hovering near middle band, 30D support at $323.5, and 200D resistance at $310.11

Here’s the thing: UNH’s options market is painting a clear picture of a stock caught between short-term optimism and long-term caution. The data suggests a potential rebound above $334.17 (intraday high) could reignite bullish momentum—but don’t ignore the bearish shadows at $315. Let’s break it down.

The Call-Put Imbalance: A Battle for $340

UNH’s options chain is heavy on calls at the $340 and $350 strikes (OI: 3,497 and 2,355 for this Friday’s expiry). That’s not random—those strikes sit just above the 200D MA of $351.79, a psychological hurdle for long-term bulls. Meanwhile, puts at $315 (OI: 1,562) and $300 (OI: 1,444) hint at a bearish camp bracing for a breakdown below the 30D support at $323.5.

The put/call ratio of 0.51 (calls > puts) leans bullish, but here’s the catch: if UNH fails to hold above $328.55, those puts could accelerate a slide toward $310.11. No block trades to tip the scales—this is a crowd-driven setup.

Silent News, Noisy Charts

There’s no recent headline noise to explain this options action. That means the market is pricing in technical triggers—like a break above the Bollinger Upper Band ($342.20) or a collapse below the Lower Band ($318.56). Retail traders and algorithms are likely reacting to the Kline pattern’s short-term bullish tilt, but the 200D MA’s bearish slope keeps the long-term outlook in check.

Your Playbook: Calls at $340, Puts at $315

• For Options: Buy UNH20260102C340 (this Friday’s $340 call) if UNH closes above $334.17. The strike is 4.1% out of the money but sits at a key psychological level. Alternatively, sell UNH20260102P315 puts if the stock holds above $323.5—those puts are 3.8% in the money and could collect premium if the dip stalls.
• For Stock: Consider entries near $324 (30D support) with a target at $334 (Bollinger Upper Band). Exit if UNH breaks below $323.5 or surges past $335.50. Avoid buying above $331.83 (previous close) unless volume surges.

Volatility on the Horizon: Navigating UNH’s Tightrope Walk

This isn’t a one-way bet. The RSI at 50.93 and MACD near zero mean UNH is in a tight trading range. A breakout above $342.20 (Bollinger Upper) could trigger a 5-7% rally, but a drop below $318.56 would test the 200D MA’s bearish grip. Either way, the options market is pricing for a directional move—your job is to pick the side that aligns with your risk tolerance.

Bottom line: UNH is dancing on a tightrope. The calls at $340 and puts at $315 are your best bets to capitalize on whichever way it leans. Stay nimble, and watch those key levels like a hawk.