TSLA Options Signal Bullish Bias: Key Strikes and Block Trades Point to Strategic Entry Zones

• Tesla trades at $447.91, down 0.32% from yesterday’s close
• Call open interest dominates at $450–$500 strikes, while puts cluster below $435
• Block trades reveal $900k in March 2026 $450 call/put activity

Here’s the thing: Tesla’s options market is whispering bullish optimism, even as the stock nudges lower today. With calls outpacing puts 3:2 in open interest and block traders loading up on March 2026 contracts, the data suggests a battle between near-term caution and long-term conviction. Let’s break down what this means for your strategy.

Bullish Sentiment Locked in OTM Calls, But Puts Tell a Cautious Tale

Options traders are piling into out-of-the-money calls above $450, with 22,785 contracts at the $450 strike (this Friday’s expiry) and another 9,667 at the same level for next Friday. That’s not just noise—it’s a vote of confidence in Tesla breaking above its 30-day support cluster of $448.91–$450.33. The $500 strike sees 17,758 open calls this week alone, hinting at a potential price target if Elon Musk’s robotaxi rollout gains traction.

But don’t ignore the puts. The $435 strike has 15,072 open puts for next Friday, and the $420 strike adds another 11,294. This isn’t just hedging—it’s a bet that Tesla could retest its 200-day moving average ($371.68) if short-term optimism falters. The put/call ratio of 0.78 (based on open interest) confirms the skew: bulls are in control, but bears aren’t backing down.

Block Trades: A $900k Signal in March 2026 Contracts

Two massive block trades in March 2026 $450 contracts stand out. A 900-lot sale of calls (TSLA20260320C450) and a 900-lot put trade (TSLA20260320P450) moved nearly $6 million in volume. This isn’t retail noise—this is institutional positioning. Selling calls could signal a hedge against near-term volatility, while the put activity suggests a dark horse bet on a deeper pullback by March. Either way, these strikes become psychological anchors to watch.

News Flow: Deliveries Miss, But FSD Could Be the Wild Card

Tesla’s 8.5% delivery drop in 2025 and BYD’s EV supremacy are real headwinds. But here’s the twist: the market isn’t pricing this in fully. While the stock trades at a 201x forward P/E, Musk’s FSD push—especially the removal of safety monitors in robotaxis—could reignite growth hopes. The recent Autopilot discontinuation and hints at FSD price hikes mean investors are betting on a tech-driven rebound, not just EV sales. This explains why calls dominate despite the fundamentals.

Actionable Trades: Calls for Breakouts, Puts for Protection

For options players, the TSLA20260130C450 (next Friday’s $450 call) offers a high-conviction play if Tesla breaks above $448.91. With the stock sitting just below its 30-day support, a close above this level could trigger a rally toward the $452.43 intraday high. For downside protection, the TSLA20260130P435 put (15,072 open contracts) becomes a strategic hedge if the price dips below $444.04.

Stock traders should consider entries near $445–$447 if the 200-day moving average holds. A breakout above $450.33 targets the Bollinger Band upper limit at $483, while a breakdown below $444.04 risks a test of the $425.56 support zone.

Volatility on the Horizon: Balancing Near-Term Risks and Long-Term Bets

Tesla’s story is a tug-of-war between its battered delivery numbers and Musk’s moonshot ambitions. The options market is pricing in both: near-term jitters (those $435 puts) and long-term FSD optimism (the $500 calls). If history teaches us anything, it’s that Tesla’s volatility isn’t a bug—it’s a feature. The key is to play the probabilities, not the headlines. Right now, the data leans bullish, but the puts are there for a reason. Stay nimble, and let the strikes do the talking.