AAPL Options Signal Bullish Bias: Focus on $287.5 Calls as iPhone 17 Sales Surge Fuels Upside Potential

• AAPL trades at $282.13, down 0.71% from $284.15, but sits above its 30D moving average of $271.50.
• Call open interest dominates with 3.48M contracts vs. 2.41M puts, especially heavy at $287.5 and $290 strikes.
• iPhone 17 sales and a $325 price target from Loop Capital are fueling near-term optimism.

Here’s the takeaway: options market sentiment and technicals align for a bullish bias, but risks linger below key support. Let’s break it down.

Bullish Call Skew and Whale Moves: What’s Cooking at $287.5?

Options data tells a clear story—traders are piling into AAPL20251205C287.5 and AAPL20251205C290 (55,879 and 44,527 open interest this Friday). This concentration suggests a short-term price target above $285 is in play. The RSI at 66.98 and MACD crossing above its signal line (5.40 vs. 4.54) reinforce momentum.

But don’t ignore the bears: A block trade of 880 AAPL20251017C240 calls (buy to open) and 600 AAPL20250926P235 puts (buy to open) hints at mixed positioning. The former could signal a hedge against a rally, while the latter reflects caution. For now, the bulls hold the edge, but watch for a breakdown below $277.5 (key put open interest level).

iPhone 17 Sales and Price Targets: Fuel for the Fire

Apple’s 247M iPhone 17 shipment forecast and Loop Capital’s $325 price target (up from $315) are no coincidence. The options market is pricing in this narrative—call volume at $290 strikes (next Friday’s AAPL20251212C290 with 39,789 OI) suggests traders expect the stock to test $290 before year-end.

Yet the valuation debate matters: Analysts flag Apple as slightly overvalued at $284, with a fair value of $281.75. If the stock can’t break above $285, profit-taking could trigger a pullback. But with Bollinger Bands widening and the 200D MA at $227.81 far below current levels, the path of least resistance is up.

Trade Ideas: Calls, Stock, and Strategic Spreads

• Options Play: Buy AAPL20251205C287.5 (strike price $287.50, expiring Friday). With the stock at $282.13, this call offers leverage if AAPL closes above $285. For a longer play, consider AAPL20251212C290 (next Friday).
• Stock Entry: Target a buy near $277.50 (immediate support level) with a stop-loss below $275. If the stock holds, aim for $290 as a first target.
• Bearish Hedge: Sell AAPL20251205P277.5 (11,696 OI) to collect premium if volatility spikes.

Volatility on the Horizon: Balancing Bullish Momentum and Risks

Apple’s story is a classic case of momentum vs. valuation. The options market is pricing in a $290+ move, but regulatory risks (App Store scrutiny) and hardware saturation could cap gains. For now, the technicals and news flow favor bulls—but don’t ignore the put/call ratio of 0.69 (calls dominate). If AAPL closes above $285 Friday, the $290 level becomes a psychological catalyst.

Bottom line: This is a high-conviction bullish setup, but keep a tight stop below $275. The next 72 hours will tell if the iPhone 17 magic can translate to a sustained rally.