Meta’s Options Signal Bullish Bias: Key Levels and Block Trades to Watch for 2026

• META trades at $662.88, down 0.46% from its 52-week high of $701.34.
• Call open interest dominates at strikes like $675 and $690, while block trades hint at big money positioning.
• Meta’s AI acquisition and regulatory risks create a high-stakes backdrop for near-term volatility.

Here’s the thing: Meta’s options market is screaming direction. The call/put open interest ratio is skewed 1.7:1, with heavy concentration at $675–$700. Combine that with a MACD crossover and a $2B AI acquisition, and we’re looking at a stock primed for a breakout—or a sharp correction. Let’s break it down.

Bullish Pressure and Hidden Risks in the Options Chain

The options market isn’t just bullish—it’s selectively bullish. For this Friday’s expiry (Jan 2), the top call open interest piles up at $675 (OI: 10,602), $690 (OI: 9,280), and $680 (OI: 8,341). These strikes form a tight cluster just above the 200-day MA ($672.94), suggesting traders expect a push toward $680–$690 before the weekend.

But here’s the catch: Puts aren’t ignored. The $660 put (OI: 6,137) and $650 put (OI: 4,309) act as a floor. If the stock dips below $660, those puts could trigger a rebound. The block trade at META20260116C770 ($770 call, $2.37M turnover) is the real wildcard. Someone’s betting big on a post-holiday surge—maybe tied to Meta’s AI rollout or Q4 earnings.

News Flow: AI Wins vs. Regulatory Headaches

Meta’s $2B Manus acquisition is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it’s a strategic win for AI agents—those tools are already generating $100M+ in ARR. On the other, the company’s playbook to dodge scam ad regulations (and past Metaverse losses) paints a mixed picture.

Retail traders love the AI narrative, but institutional investors are wary. The “regulatory theater” angle from internal docs could resurface if the stock surges. That means volatility isn’t just from product bets—it’s from legal and reputational risks.

Actionable Trades: Calls, Breakouts, and Strategic Stops

For options, the META20260102C675 ($675 call, expiring Jan 2) is a short-term play. With the stock near the upper Bollinger Band ($675.54), a close above $675 would validate bullish momentum. If you want more time, the META20260109C690 ($690 call, OI: 1,486) offers leverage on a potential AI-driven rally.

For stock, watch $646–$648 (30D support). A bounce here could trigger a move toward $675. But if the 200-day MA breaks ($672.94), target $630–$645 as a defensive play.

Volatility on the Horizon: Preparing for Meta’s 2026 Moves

Meta’s options and news flow tell a story of calculated optimism. The AI acquisition is a catalyst, but regulatory risks and past missteps (hello, $77B Metaverse write-off) keep the stock’s path uncertain.

Bottom line: This is a stock where big money is hedging both ways. If you’re in, lock in tight stops. If you’re out, the next few weeks could offer a high-conviction entry—just don’t ignore the puts at $650. The market isn’t all-in on a bull run… yet.