NVDA Options Signal Bullish Momentum: Key Strikes and Block Trades Point to $200+ Target

• NVDA trades at $185.12, clinging to a 0.04% intraday gain amid heavy options volume (73.5M shares traded).
• Call open interest dominates at $200 and $195 strikes, while block trades hint at strategic hedging below $170.
• RSI near overbought levels and Bollinger Band positioning suggest a potential breakout above $185.82.

Here’s the takeaway: NVDA shows upside potential with a bullish technical setup and options data skewed toward higher price targets. But watch for support breakdowns near $180.73—this stock isn’t giving up its gains without a fight.

What the Options Chain Reveals About Market Sentiment

Let’s start with the elephant in the room: 103,004 open contracts at the $200 call strike (expiring Friday). That’s not just noise—it’s a vote of confidence from traders expecting a 7.5% pop in the next five days. The next Friday’s $200 call (NVDA20260116C200) has even more open interest (160,848 contracts), amplifying the signal.

But it’s not all one-way bullishness. The $180 put strike (33,576 OI this week) and a massive block trade buying 2,500 puts at $170 (expiring March 20) show some hedging activity. Think of it like a football game: the offense is throwing deep (calls to $200), but the defense is preparing for a sack (puts below $180).

The put/call ratio of 0.87 for open interest confirms the bias—calls outweigh puts by 12.5%. Yet extreme put strikes like $100 (100,938 OI) suggest volatility plays, not directional bets. This isn’t a bearish crowd—it’s a crowd prepping for fireworks.

No Major News, But Options Tell a Story Anyway

The lack of recent headlines (within 3-4 days) means this move isn’t driven by earnings or product drops. Instead, it’s a technical and options-driven narrative. Traders are pricing in momentum from Nvidia’s long-term bullish trend (200D MA at $161.87 vs current $185) and positioning for a retest of the Bollinger Upper Band at $195.49.

Here’s the catch: without fundamental catalysts, this rally could fizzle if the $185.82 intraday high isn’t sustained. But if the stock holds above $183.67 (the day’s low), the 30D support at $180.73 becomes the next critical level.

Actionable Trade Ideas for Today

For options traders, the most compelling setup is the NVDA20260116C195 call (next Friday’s $195 strike). Why? The strike sits just below the Bollinger Upper Band and aligns with heavy open interest. If NVDA breaks above $185.82, this contract could see exponential gains. For risk management, pair it with a short put at NVDA20260116P180 to hedge downside.

Stock traders should consider entry near $183.67 (the intraday low) with a target at $190. The 30D MA at $182.83 acts as a floor; if it holds, the 100D MA ($183.25) will likely be conquered next. A stop-loss below $180.73 would invalidate the bullish case, making it a high-reward/defined-risk setup.Volatility on the Horizon

The block trades—especially the $170 put purchase—hint at potential macro risks (interest rate jitters? AI hype cooling?). But for now, NVDA’s technicals and options flow tell a story of conviction. The key question: Will the $200 call buyers get their wish, or will the puts at $170–$180 act as a safety net?

My bet? The bulls have momentum, but don’t ignore the hedging activity. This isn’t a straight-line trade—it’s a chess game. Stay nimble, and keep an eye on Friday’s expiration: if the $200 calls expire worthless, the narrative shifts. But for now, the board is set for a breakout.