AAPL Options Signal Bullish Momentum at $265 as RSI Hovers Near Oversold: Trade Setup for Mar 31, 2026

• Apple is trading at $247.51 with a 0.36% gain
• Intraday high of $249.27, volume of 7,019,428
• Call open interest dominates at key strikes like $265 and $260
• RSI is at 28, suggesting potential for a rebound
• Warren Buffett’s comments and sanctions news add nuance to the story

Apple has been trading with a faint upward bias today, but the real story isn’t just in the stock price—it’s in the options. The call options with the highest open interest are clustered above $265, showing that traders are pricing in a meaningful upside move ahead. At the same time, the RSI is hovering near oversold territory, hinting at the possibility that a bounce could be more imminent than many expect. The question isn’t just whether AAPL can move higher—it’s whether this move will be strong enough to test the $265 level, and what the options market is betting on.

Bullish Sentiment at $265 as Call Options Dominate the Chain

The options market is clearly leaning bullish. For this Friday’s expiry (April 3), the top OTM call is at $265 with 13,495 open interest. That’s well ahead of the $260 and $262.5 strikes, which tell me that traders expect a strong move above $260. And for next Friday’s expiry (April 10), the $265 call still holds the lead with 9,018 open interest, followed by $270 and $275. That consistency across expirations suggests that many are buying calls with longer time decay in mind—like for a potential earnings bounce or a post-WWDC rally.

On the put side, the numbers are much lighter. The most open interest is at $235 and $230, but those strikes are far OTM. That means the market isn’t pricing in a sharp downside risk right now. That could change if Apple struggles with demand in China or if the AI rollout underwhelms at WWDC, but for now, the sentiment is clearly skewed to the upside.

No significant whale activity was reported today, which means the movement is more driven by retail and institutional positioning via options than by large institutional block trades. So while we don’t see a massive move in the underlying stock yet, the options activity points to a clear setup for those who are optimistic about Apple’s long-term story.

Warren Buffett’s Comments and Sanctions News Add Context

Warren Buffett saying he sold Apple too soon is a psychological boost for bulls. He still doesn’t regret the move, but his openness to buying more if the stock is “cheap” adds a layer of comfort to investors who think Apple is undervalued. Apple is currently trading below its 200-day moving average of $248.30, and the valuation model mentioned in the news implies a 21% upside to $301. So the idea that Buffett might come back in fits the narrative of a stock that could be nearing a buying opportunity.

On the flip side, the sanctions fine and compliance update in Russia add a layer of regulatory risk. While Apple’s fine is not catastrophic, it shows how complex its global operations are and how sensitive it is to geopolitical shifts. For investors who are already cautious, this could be a reason to stay on the sidelines until the company shows stronger execution in international markets.

Actionable Trade Ideas: Calls at $265 and Stock Entries Near $249

For options traders, the most compelling play is the AAPL20260403C265 call. With Apple already trading near $247.50, a move to $265 could be supported by earnings in late April and the AI announcements in June. That strike has the most open interest for this Friday and is just under the 200-day support level of $255. If Apple manages to break above $249.27 (the intraday high today) and hold it, this could be the spark traders have been waiting for.

For those willing to take a directional bet, entering AAPL near $249 with a stop just below $247.48 (the intraday low today) could be a smart setup. The target is $260–$265, depending on how the options market reacts. If the stock holds its 200-day line, that’s a strong signal that the bearish trend is losing steam.

Volatility on the Horizon as Earnings and AI Timeline Approach

The next 30 days will be critical for Apple. April 30 brings earnings, and June’s WWDC is the big AI reveal. If the company can show meaningful progress in AI integration and maintain momentum in Services revenue, the stock could surprise to the upside. The RSI at 28 suggests that the stock may not have much more downside left, especially if the options market is pricing in a rebound.

Traders should keep an eye on the $265 level for calls expiring next Friday. That strike could act as a psychological catalyst for a broader move. Meanwhile, any weakness below the $243.85 lower Bollinger Band would be a red flag for a deeper pullback. Until then, the setup looks like a classic short-term bullish trade with a longer-term story to back it up.