AAPL Options Signal Bullish Bias: Calls at $270–$280 Dominate as RSI Hits 19.06—Here’s How to Play the Rebound

• AAPL trades at $260.46, hovering near its 100D MA of $260.13 but far below the 30D MA of $271.88.
• Options OI shows a 0.697 put/call skew, with heavy call interest at $270 and $280 strikes.
• RSI at 19.06 suggests oversold conditions, hinting at potential short-term rebound.

The market is whispering: "Buy the dip, but watch the legal storm." Apple’s options activity screams bullish bias, but technicals and news paint a nuanced picture. Let’s break it down.

Bullish OI Clusters vs. Deep Put Skew: What Traders Are Bidding For

The options chain tells two stories. First, calls at $270 (OI: 95,364) and $280 (OI: 67,888) dominate this Friday’s open interest. That’s not just noise—it’s a vote of confidence in a potential rebound above $261.03 (today’s high). But here’s the catch: puts at $150–$210 (OI: 63,343–35,521) suggest some hedging against extreme downside, though those strikes are far from current levels.

The put/call ratio of 0.697 leans heavily toward calls, which usually signals bullish sentiment. But don’t ignore the histogram: MACD (-3.74) and RSI (19.06) confirm bearish momentum. Think of it like a tug-of-war—bulls are pushing hard, but bears haven’t surrendered.

No major block trades today, so no whale moves to flag. But the heavy call OI at $270–$280? That’s a setup for a breakout play if AAPL breaks above $261.03.Legal Headwinds vs. Supply Chain Gains: How News Shapes the Narrative

India’s antitrust case looms like a storm cloud. A $38B fine? Unlikely, but the legal back-and-forth adds volatility. Meanwhile, Apple’s scramble for chip materials (glass cloth fiber) shows it’s staying aggressive in AI-driven tech. That’s a long-term positive, but short-term traders care more about the $260.13 100D MA holding.

The OpenAI Siri deal no-show? A minor setback. Apple’s AI roadmap isn’t dead—it’s just taking a detour. Retailers and investors might shrug this off, but it’s a reminder: Apple’s ecosystem is its moat, and partnerships matter.

Trade Ideas: Calls for the Rebound, Puts for the FloorFor options traders:

• Buy AAPL20260116C270 (this Friday’s $270 call) if AAPL closes above $261.03. The RSI dip and heavy OI at this strike suggest a target-rich environment.
• Sell AAPL20260123P255 (next Friday’s $255 put) as downside protection. The lower Bollinger Band at $255.96 is a key support level.

For stock traders:

• Entry near $259.19 (today’s low) if AAPL holds above $259.19. Target $268.11 (middle Bollinger Band) as a first goal.
• Short-term bear call spread: Buy AAPL20260116C260 (OI: 62,389) and sell AAPL20260116C265 (OI: 56,772) if AAPL consolidates between $259–$261.

Volatility on the Horizon: Balancing Risk and Reward

Here’s the bottom line: AAPL is stuck in a long-term range but shows short-term bullish momentum. The RSI at 19.06 is screaming for a rebound, but the MACD (-3.74) and 30D MA at $271.88 act as a ceiling.

Your playbook? Play the bounce, but keep a tight stop. If AAPL breaks $261.03 and holds, the $270–$280 calls could take off. But if it slips below $259.19, those puts at $255 become your safety net.

The market isn’t all-or-nothing. It’s a dance between legal risks, supply chain grit, and technical levels. And right now, the music’s leaning bullish—just don’t play it too loud.

Final note: Always size your positions to match your risk tolerance. This setup favors aggressive traders with a 1–2 week time horizon. For longer-term bets, watch the 200D MA at $233.71—it’s a long way off, but it’s there.