Salesforce (CRM) Options Signal Bullish Bias: Key Strike Levels and Trade Setups for Jan 16 Expiry

• Institutional investors boosted CRM stakes by 13–31% in Q4 2025
• Q3 2025 earnings beat by $0.39/share, revenue up 9.1% YoY
• Call open interest dominates next Friday’s chain, especially at $300 strike
• Analysts raised price targets to $290–$380, signaling AI-driven optimism

Here’s the thing: Salesforce’s options market is whispering a clear story. Call open interest for the Jan 16 expiry dwarfs puts, with heavy positioning at $300 calls. Combine that with a recent earnings beat and institutional buying, and it feels like the crowd’s leaning bullish—but not without risks. Let’s break it down.

Bullish Sentiment Locked in OTM Calls, But Puts Signal Caution

Next Friday’s options chain tells a tale of two extremes. The $300 call (CRM20260116C300) has 8,916 open contracts—the most of any strike—while the $220 put (CRM20260116P220) leads puts with 9,511 OI. That’s a 4.2x call/put ratio at those strikes. Think of it like a seesaw: big bets on a rally above $300, but also a hedge against a sharp drop below $220. No major block trades today, so this looks like retail and institutional positioning, not a single whale moving the needle.

News Flow Fuels the Bull Case—But Dividends Add Nuance

Institutional investors aren’t just buying shares; they’re betting on Salesforce’s AI push. The recent $0.416 dividend (0.6% yield) might dampen short-term momentum, though. Here’s the kicker: analysts raised price targets to $290–$380 after Q3’s $0.39 earnings beat. That aligns with the $300 call frenzy. But if AI integration stumbles or macro risks flare, those $250 puts (CRM20260116P250) could see action. The market’s pricing in optimism, but it’s not blind to risks.

Trade Ideas: Ride the Call Wave or Hedge with Puts

For options players, the CRM20260116C300 call is the standout. At $260.02, it’s ~15% out of the money but has massive open interest—meaning liquidity and collective conviction. If you’re bullish, this could pay off if CRM cracks $300. For a safer play, pair it with the CRM20260116P250 put (6,047 OI) to cap downside.

Stock traders: Watch the 200D MA at $256.53. If CRM holds above $254.31 (30D support), consider entries near $255–$257. A break below $253.01 (lower Bollinger Band) could trigger a test of $245.60 (200D support). Bold move? Short near $260 if RSI (52.86) fails to cross 55 and MACD stays negative.

Volatility on the Horizon: Positioning for CRM’s Next Move

Salesforce’s at a crossroads. The options market’s pricing in a $300+ rally by Jan 16, but technicals show a short-term bearish bias. My take? This is a setup for a volatile week. If AI-driven optimism holds, the $300 call could be a winner. But if the stock stumbles below $255, those puts might save the day. Either way, the next 72 hours will tell us if this is a breakout or a false flag.