AAPL Options Signal Bullish Momentum: Key Strikes and Block Trades Point to $280+ Upside Potential

• Current Price Action: AAPL trades at $277.34, up 0.52% with volume surging to 31.18M shares.
• Options Imbalance: Call open interest dominates (2.83M vs. 1.85M puts), with heavy positioning at $280 and $285 strikes.
• Block Trade Alert: $10M+ in March 2026 call options (AAPL20260320C270, AAPL20260320C290) hints at institutional bullishness.

Here’s what’s happening: The options market and technicals are painting a clear picture—AAPL is primed for a breakout above $280. Let’s break down why this is a high-probability trade and how to position for it.Bullish Options Flow and Whale Moves

The options chain is screaming upside bias. For this Friday’s expirations, AAPL20260213C280 (33,958 open contracts) and AAPL20260213C285 (19,575 OI) dominate call activity, while puts max out at AAPL20260213P270 (13,467 OI). This 2:1 call/put skew suggests traders are pricing in a sharp rally before the $280 psychological level.

But it’s the block trades that catch the eye. A $10M+ trade in AAPL20260320C290 (9,355 contracts) and double that in AAPL20260320C270 implies big money is hedging a multi-week rally. These strikes align with Bollinger Band resistance ($276.22 upper band) and the 30D support/resistance zone ($258.02–$258.62). If price breaks above $277.50 (the 200D MA at $238.18 is a distant floor), these block trades could push AAPL toward $285+ by March.

News-Driven Narrative: Earnings, AI Strategy, and Valuation

Apple’s Q1 2026 earnings ($2.84 EPS, $143.76B revenue) and dividend hike ($0.26/share) have traders salivating. The European Commission’s regulatory relief for Apple Ads and Maps removes a near-term overhang, while the Google Gemini partnership for Siri keeps AI costs low.

But here’s the catch: Analysts are split. While Jefferies and Evercore ISI tout $276–$330 price targets, Barclays’ “underweight” rating and $239 target highlight valuation concerns. The stock’s P/E of 34.88 is rich for a company still hedging its AI bets. Still, the options data suggests investors are pricing in earnings momentum, not AI moonshots.

Actionable Trade Ideas: Calls, Stock, and Exit PlansFor Options Traders:

• Immediate Play: Buy AAPL20260213C280 (strike price $280, expiring Friday). With AAPL trading at $277.34, this call has 0.9% implied volatility and needs a $277.50 close to profit.
• Longer-Term Play: If AAPL holds above $275 (a key support level), buy AAPL20260213C282.5 (14,214 OI) for next Friday’s expiration.

For Stock Investors:

• Entry: Consider buying AAPL near $275 if price retests the 200D MA ($238.18 is a distant floor).
• Targets: First resistance at $280 (Bollinger Band), then $285 (call-heavy zone).
• Stop-Loss: Below $270 (put-heavy zone) invalidates the bullish case.

Volatility on the Horizon

The next 72 hours will be critical. If AAPL closes above $280 this week, the $285–$290 call strikes will become liquidity magnets. Conversely, a drop below $275 could trigger a short-term selloff as put buyers (like those at $270) take control. Either way, the options market has already priced in a directional move—now it’s about timing the catalyst.

Final Take: AAPL’s technicals, options flow, and earnings momentum all align for a $280+ breakout. The risks? Overbought RSI (68.74) and AI monetization uncertainty. But for now, the data says buy the call—and the stock. Position accordingly.