AAPL Options Signal Bullish Rebound Potential: Focus on $280 Call OI and $260 Put Defense as AI News Fuels Long-Term Optimism

• Apple (AAPL) trades at $270.86, down 1.03% after opening at $272.86
• Options data shows 23,650 open interest at the $280 call (this Friday) and 12,872 at the $300 call (next Friday)
• RSI at 30.3 suggests oversold conditions, while Bollinger Bands show price near lower bound at $269.55
• Recent $90B buyback and iPhone 16 Pro launch signal strong fundamentals despite short-term volatility

Here’s the takeaway: AAPL’s options market is pricing in a potential rebound above $280, but short-term technicals warn of a test of $269.55 support. The key is whether AI-driven news can override near-term bearish momentum.

Bullish Call OI vs. Defensive Put Positioning

Options traders are clearly leaning bullish. The $280 call (AAPL20251226C280) has 23,650 open interest for this Friday’s expiration—nearly double the next highest call at $275. Even more telling: next Friday’s $300 call (AAPL20260102C300) has 12,872 open interest, suggesting positioning for a multi-week rally. This contrasts with put activity, where the $260 put (AAPL20251226P260) leads with 9,367 open interest.

Block trades add intrigue. A 880-lot buy of the AAPL20251017C240 call and a 600-lot buy of the AAPL20250926P235 put indicate strategic hedging. The call block suggests confidence in a rebound above $240, while the put block implies downside protection is being bought ahead of earnings or product cycles.

News Flow: AI and Buybacks Outweigh Short-Term Volatility

Apple’s recent headlines are a goldmine for bulls. The iPhone 16 Pro’s AI features, $90B buyback, and $3.2B AI acquisition all point to a company accelerating growth. Services revenue hitting $20.5B in Q4 and new retail expansions in Dubai, Tokyo, and Paris further reinforce long-term optimism.

But here’s the catch: the stock’s 1.03% drop today reflects profit-taking after hitting all-time highs. The legal battle with the EU over App Store rules adds a wildcard—though the $2.5B fine is unlikely to derail fundamentals. For now, the news flow supports the bullish options positioning, but traders should watch for any regulatory headwinds to test the $260 put level.

Actionable Trade Ideas: Calls for Rebound, Puts for Safety

For options traders:

• Bullish Play: Buy the AAPL20251226C280 call if price breaks above $273.88 (intraday high). Target $285 with a stop below $270.51.
• Bearish Hedge: Buy the AAPL20251226P260 put if price dips to $269.55 (lower Bollinger Band). Target $265 with a stop above $272.

For stock traders:

• Entry at Support: Consider buying AAPL near $269.55 if it holds, with a target at $278.61 (30D support).
• Breakout Play: If price closes above $273.88, push entry to $275 with a target at $285 (aligning with high open interest calls).

Volatility on the Horizon

AAPL sits at a crossroads. The RSI at 30.3 and MACD histogram (-1.41) suggest a short-term bounce is likely, but the 200D moving average at $229.91 remains a distant floor. With AI-driven products and buybacks in play, the $280–$300 range could become a battleground. Traders should balance bullish call positioning with defensive puts at $260, while watching for a breakout above $278.61 to confirm the trend reversal.