AAPL Options Signal Bullish Bias: Key Strikes at $270 Call and $252.5 Put Highlight Breakout Potential

• Apple’s Q4 earnings smashed expectations, with revenue hitting $102.3B and a $90B stock buyback approved.
• Options market shows heavy call open interest at $270 and $280 strikes, while puts at $252.5 suggest cautious downside hedging.
• RSI at 22 and MACD bearish, but long-term 200D MA at $232.95 hints at re-entry into bullish territory.

Here’s the thing: Apple’s stock is caught in a tug-of-war between short-term profit-taking and long-term optimism. The options data leans bullish, but traders need to watch for a critical breakout or breakdown.

What the Options Chain Reveals About Market Sentiment

The next Friday options chain (expiring Jan 16) tells a story. Calls at $270 (OI: 90,885) and $280 (OI: 68,650) dominate, suggesting institutional bets on a rebound above current levels. Meanwhile, puts at $252.5 (OI: 31,978) and $250 (OI: 31,978) show hedgers bracing for a drop below $256.38 (today’s intraday low). The put/call ratio of 0.68 (calls outweighing puts) reinforces the bullish tilt, but don’t ignore the $252.5 put strike—it’s a psychological floor many are watching.

Block trading? Quiet today. No whale moves to flag, so the action is purely crowd-driven. That means the $270 call strike could be a self-fulfilling prophecy if enough buyers show up.

How Recent News Fuels the Bull Case

Apple’s Q4 results are the elephant in the room. A $102.3B revenue print and $90B buyback program scream "value creation." Combine that with the M2 Pro/Max chip launch and Vision Pro headset hype, and you’ve got a product pipeline that justifies a higher multiple. The EU fine is a headwind, sure, but it’s a short-term issue compared to the long-term growth levers Apple is pulling.

Here’s the rub: Retailers and investors are already pricing in part of this story. The stock’s 5% post-earnings pop last week shows enthusiasm, but the current price of $256.75 is still 8% below the 52-week high. That gap could close if the $270 call strike gains traction.

Actionable Trade Ideas for TodayFor Options Traders:

• Bullish Play: Buy AAPL20260116C270 (next Friday’s $270 call). With 90,885 open contracts, this strike has liquidity and sentiment on its side. A close above $265 would validate the move.
• Bearish Hedge: Buy AAPL20260116P252.5 (next Friday’s $252.5 put) if Apple dips below $256.38. The RSI at 22 suggests oversold conditions, but don’t ignore the 200D MA at $232.95 as a deeper support zone.

For Stock Traders:

• Entry Near $256.38 (intraday low) if the stock holds above $255. Target $270 (call strike) as a short-term ceiling. Stop-loss below $252.5 if the put buyers take over.
• Long-Term Buy: Consider averaging in near $250–$255, where the 200D MA and recent support align. Apple’s 200D MA is rising, and a break above $273.70 (30D support) would signal a re-entry into bullish territory.

Volatility on the Horizon

The next two weeks will test Apple’s resolve. A breakout above $270 could reignite the long-term bullish trend, while a breakdown below $252.5 would force a reevaluation of the $232.95 200D MA as a new floor. The options market is pricing in a 68% probability of staying above $252.5 by Jan 16, but don’t be surprised if the EU fine or earnings revisions shake things up.

Bottom line: Apple’s story is a classic "buy the rumor, sell the news" scenario. The options data and fundamentals lean bullish, but short-term volatility is inevitable. Position yourself with the $270 call or a stock entry near $255, and let the fundamentals do the heavy lifting.