NVDA Options Highlight Bullish Momentum as $190–$170 Straddles Heat Up: Here’s How to Play the Agentic AI Inflection

• Nvidia (NVDA) trading near $184, up nearly 2.1% today, amid a short-term bearish pattern and long-term range-bound behavior.

• Options activity shows heavy call open interest at $190–$200 and puts at $170–$160, with a bullish-leaning put/call ratio of 0.84 (call OI ahead of put OI).

• Big block trades on $190 calls and $175 puts suggest strategic positioning ahead of Friday’s expiry and next week’s options cycle.

Nvidia is sitting at a crossroads—its chart shows mixed signals, but its options activity tells a clearer story. Calls are outpacing puts, and big money is moving on specific strikes. The real question is: are we looking at a breakout or a trap? Let’s break it down.

Bullish Calls Stack Up at $190–$200 as Puts Anchor at $170: What It Means for Traders

The top OTM calls for Friday are clustered at $190 to $200, with the $190 strike alone carrying over 177k in open interest. That’s not just noise—it’s a sign of conviction. The $200 strike has 238k OI, indicating traders are pricing in a potential push above $190 in the next few days.

On the put side, $170 is the most watched level with 164k OI, followed by $180 (87k). It’s a tighter setup, but it shows a floor is forming at $170–$180.

Now, the block trades add context. On Friday, there was a $2.86 million block of 2,000 NVDA20260320C190 calls, and another $4.25 million block of 3,780 NVDA20260320P195 puts. These could be hedged bets—someone wants to ride the $190 level up, but also protect against a pullback.

AI News Bolsters Long-Term Bull Case, But Technicals Ask: Is the Stock Ready to Follow?

Nvidia just launched its Nemotron 3 Super AI model, a 120B-parameter beast meant for agentic systems. CEO Jensen Huang has been bullish on AI’s $3–$4 trillion future, and the market has been listening. Truist reaffirmed its Buy rating, and analysts are still calling it hard to beat.

But here’s the catch: stock prices don’t always follow headlines. Right now, the RSI is at 39—a slight oversold, but not a buy signal. MACD is negative, and the stock is below its 30D MA at 184.77. It’s not a bear case, but it’s not screaming for a long trade either.

Exact Entry & Exit Points for Stock and Options as of 2026-03-16

Here’s how to play this setup without jumping the gun:

• Stock traders: Consider entering a long position near $182–$184 if the 30D support at 179.9–180.4 holds. A break above $185.95 (middle Bollinger Band) could signal a resumption of the 100D–200D range. Target zone: $187–$190 as a near-term top.

• Options traders with a bullish bias: Buy the NVDA20260320C190 call at ~$183 stock price. With the stock already at 183.99, this is a mid-strike call with leverage potential if the stock breaks $190.

• Conservative hedgers or short-term traders: Buy the NVDA20260320P170 put to protect against a pullback. If the stock dips below $184.95 (middle Bollinger), the puts could be a safe play.

• Advanced play: Buy a strangle with NVDA20260320C190 and NVDA20260320P170. This gives you upside exposure if AI news keeps pushing the stock higher, and downside protection if volatility kicks in.

• For next Friday (March 27), consider the NVDA20260327C195 for a slightly out-of-the-money call that could catch a post-GTC rally.

Volatility on the Horizon: Positioning for the AI Inflection Point

The next week is a key time window. GTC is over, but the market will be watching for follow-up news on product roadmaps, AI adoption, and potential earnings surprises. If Nvidia’s AI momentum continues, the $190–$195 range could become support. But if it breaks $180, the 200D MA at $177.39 is next in line.

This is a stock at a turning point. The options data says we’re in a setup—calls ahead of puts, key strike levels stacking up, and big block trades confirming positioning. It’s not a guaranteed move, but it’s a signal worth respecting.

If you’re playing this, do it with a plan. Know your exit before you enter, and respect the $170 level as a hard floor. The AI revolution is unfolding, and Nvidia is the engine—whether you buy the stock or the options, now’s the time to position.