Meta (META) Options Signal Aggressive Bullish Play: $700 Call OI Surpasses Puts Amid AI Acquisition Hype

• Meta’s stock surges 1.25% to $666.91, trading above its 200D MA of $672.65
• Call open interest dominates (1.7x puts), with $700 strike as top OTM call ahead of Jan 2
• Block trade of 400 contracts at $770 call hints at big players eyeing a $700+ move

Here’s the takeaway: Meta’s options market is screaming bullish. With call open interest outpacing puts 1.7:1 and block trades targeting $700+ strikes, the data points to a high-probability upside breakout. But let’s dig into why this matters—and where to position for it.Bullish OI Clusters and Whale Moves: What’s Cooking at $700?

Meta’s options chain is a one-way street right now. The top OTM call strikes for this Friday ($675, $680) and next Friday ($700) show a clear preference for upside. At 5,384 open contracts, the $700 call (META20260109C700) is the most watched, sitting just 4% out of the money. Meanwhile, put open interest pales in comparison, with the top OTM puts clustered below $660.

This isn’t just retail noise. A block trade of 400 contracts at the $770 call (META20260116C770) for $2.37M suggests institutional players are hedging or speculating on a sharp move. Combine that with Meta’s AI acquisition news, and it’s clear: big money is pricing in a $700+ near-term target.

AI Acquisition Fuels Narrative, But Can It Sustain the Buzz?

Meta’s $2B+ buyout of Manus AI isn’t just a headline—it’s a strategic pivot. The company is betting big on general-purpose AI agents to compete with OpenAI and Google. For retail traders, this means two things: 1) Short-term hype could push the stock above $700, and 2) The discontinuation of Manus’ China operations might limit upside if geopolitical risks resurface.

The stock’s 1.25% gain today reflects optimism, but technicals tell a mixed story. While the RSI (45.3) suggests oversold conditions, the short-term bearish Kline pattern warns of potential pullbacks. This makes options—especially calls with defined risk—more attractive than a straight long stock play.

Actionable Plays: Calls for the Bold, Puts for the Pragmatic

For options traders: Buy the META20260109C700 call if Meta breaks above its upper Bollinger Band ($675.30). With 3 days to expiry, a move to $700 would turn this 4% OTM strike into a 10% gain. For a longer play, the META20260116C770 block-traded call offers leverage if AI hype escalates.

Stock traders: Consider entry near the 200D MA at $672.65 if support holds. Target $700 as a key level—break above that, and $747 (200D resistance) becomes the next test. On the downside, watch $656.34 (middle Bollinger Band). A close below $637.37 would trigger a reevaluation.

Volatility on the Horizon: Balancing AI Optimism and Technical Realism

Meta’s story is a classic case of fundamentals (AI bets) clashing with technicals (bearish near-term trend). The options market has already priced in a $700+ move, but execution matters. If the stock can hold above $656.34 and close above $675 by Friday, the bullish case strengthens. But a drop below $637.37 would force a reassessment of the AI narrative.

Bottom line: This is a high-conviction trade. The reward is clear, but so is the risk. Position accordingly—and keep an eye on that $700 level. It’s not just a number; it’s a psychological battleground.