TSLA Options Signal Bullish Bias: Target $460–$470 as Calls Dominate Amid Robotaxi Hype

• TSLA surges 1.4% to $453.18, hitting a 52-week high of $463.01
• Call open interest crushes puts (0.85 ratio), with 18,050 contracts at $460 and 17,372 at $500
• Kimbal Musk's $25M+ in Tesla sales clash with robotaxi progress news

Here's the deal: TSLA's options market is screaming bullish—but not without risks. The stock's 1.4% rally today, coupled with a 75.38 RSI and a 5.62 MACD, suggests momentum is on the attack. But let's dig into what the numbers really mean.

Where the Money Is Flowing: Calls at $460–$500 Outshine Puts

The options chain tells a clear story: traders are betting big on a breakout above $460. This Friday's top call strikes ($460, $470, $500) have combined open interest of 52,795 contracts—nearly triple the top puts ($160, $260). That's not just noise; it's a crowd of investors pricing in a post-robotaxi rally.

But don't ignore the shadows. While puts are less popular, the $430 strike (15,874 OI) acts as a psychological floor. If the stock stumbles below $441.67 (today's low), that level could become a battleground. And those block trades? The TSLA20250919C380 and C400 options (expiring in September) hint at long-term bullish positioning—maybe Musk's team is hedging their own bets.

News That Could Flip the Script

Tesla's robotaxi timeline is the obvious catalyst. Musk's December deadline for removing Model Y safety monitors in Austin could spark a short-term pop. But Kimbal Musk's $25M+ in sales (including 56,820 shares at $450.66) adds a wrinkle. Insiders selling often raise eyebrows—but context matters. He still holds 1.37 million shares, so this might be a routine tax move rather than a bearish signal.

The bigger wild card? U.S. sales falling to a four-year low. Yes, that's bearish. But Tesla's 56.7% EV market share is a double-edged sword—it shows dominance but also highlights the shrinking pie. The market will care more about robotaxi progress than quarterly numbers right now.

Your Playbook: Calls, Breakouts, and a Safety Net

For options traders, the TSLA20251219C460 and TSLA20251219C470 strikes are prime targets. With 18,050 and 17,373 contracts in open interest, these strikes represent a sweet spot between affordability and upside potential. If you're bullish but cautious, consider a risk-reversal strategy: buy the TSLA20251219C460 and sell the TSLA20251219P430 (15,874 OI) to offset premiums.

Stock traders should eye $450–$455 as entry zones if support holds. A break above $463.01 (today's high) could trigger a run to the upper Bollinger Band at $467.17. For a longer play, the TSLA20251219C500 (43,373 OI next Friday) offers leverage if the robotaxi news is strong enough.

Volatility on the Horizon

The next 72 hours will test TSLA's resolve. A close above $460 could validate the bullish case, while a drop below $441.67 would invite short-term pain. The options market is pricing in a 10–15% move by year-end—robotaxi success or failure will be the wildcard. For now, the crowd is betting on Musk's magic. But as always, don't let FOMO blind you to the risks. Keep a tight stop and watch those Bollinger Bands like a hawk.