AAPL Options Signal $300 Call Frenzy as Whale Trades Hint at AI-Driven Bull Case – Here’s How to Play It

• Apple’s options market is fixated on $300 calls, with 48,403 open contracts ahead of next Friday’s expiry.
• Block traders are quietly loading up on deep-out-of-the-money puts (like the $230 strike) as a hedge against AI sector volatility.
• Technical indicators show a 66.46 RSI and bullish 200D MA crossover, but Bollinger Bands hint at a tight trading range.

Here’s the thing: Apple’s stock isn’t just trading—it’s telling a story. Right now, that story is about cautious optimism. The options market is pricing in a potential $300+ move, but the technicals and block trades suggest investors are hedging their bets. Let’s break down why this is a pivotal moment for AAPL traders.

The $300 Call Frenzy and Whale Moves That Could Shift the Script

If you look at the options chain, the $300 strike stands out like a neon sign. With 48,403 open contracts for next Friday’s expiry, it’s the most watched level. But it’s not just retail traders jumping in—block trading data tells a different tale. A $431,200 buy of the AAPL20251017C240 call (expiring Oct 17) and a $192,000 purchase of the AAPL20250926P235 put (Sep 26 expiry) show big players are positioning for both upside and downside.

The put/call ratio of 0.698 (calls dominate) reinforces the bullish bias, but don’t ignore the $230 put block trade at 22,526 contracts. That’s a massive hedge against a potential AI sector selloff. Think of it like this: the market wants Apple to rise, but it’s not betting everything on it.

Why AI News and Analyst Hikes Make This Setup Valid

Wall Street’s love letter to Apple keeps getting longer. Three price-target hikes to $330 this week? That’s not noise—it’s a signal. Analysts are betting on iPhone sales and the upcoming AI-powered Siri launch. But here’s the kicker: Apple’s deliberate avoidance of the AI arms race is turning into a strength. While Microsoft and Nvidia burn cash on data centers, Apple’s 33x forward P/E looks "defensive" by comparison.

This narrative matches the options data. The $300 call frenzy aligns with the $330 analyst targets. The deep put buying? That’s insurance against a sector-wide correction if AI enthusiasm wanes. It’s like having your cake and eating it too.

3 Specific Trades to Consider Today

1. Stock Play: Buy AAPL near $277.50 (current support level) with a stop just below $275. If it holds, target $285 (Bollinger Band) and $290 (key call strike).
2. Options Play (Short-Term): Buy the AAPL20251212C280 call (this Friday expiry) at $1.25. With the 30D MA at $273.39 and RSI near overbought, a breakout above $280 could trigger a rally.
3. Options Play (Longer-Term): Buy the AAPL20251219C300 call (next Friday expiry) at $6.50. This is the big-money play—if AI optimism holds, the $300 strike could become a catalyst.

Volatility on the Horizon: What to Watch Next

Apple isn’t in a vacuum. The AI sector’s mood will swing like a pendulum—up when earnings beat, down when Meta or Nvidia miss. But right now, the technicals and options data are aligned: the stock is testing key resistance ($280.03 intraday high), and the 200D MA ($228.31) is a long-term floor.

If the $280 level breaks cleanly, look for a rush to the $300 calls. If it falters, the $277.50 put strike (5,774 OI) could become a magnet. Either way, this is a stock at a crossroads—and the options market is already placing its bets.