TSLA Options Signal Bullish Momentum: Key Strike Levels and Whale Moves to Watch for Dec 5 Expiry

• TSLA trades at $451.61, up 1.09% with volume surging to 19.5M shares
• Call open interest dominates (4.27M vs. 3.73M puts), with heavy concentration at $450–$460 calls
• Block trades reveal $3.8M call buying at $380 strike and $1.9M put activity at $410 strike

The options market is whispering a clear message: bulls are circling. With TSLA trading near its 52-week high and call open interest outpacing puts by 12%, today’s data suggests a potential breakout above key resistance levels. But let’s dig into why this could be a high-conviction trade—or a trap.

Bullish Sentiment Locked in OTM Calls, Bearish Bets at Extreme Puts

TSLA’s options chain tells a story of cautious optimism. For Friday’s expiry, 28,299 calls at the $450 strike and 27,444 at $460 show heavy demand for upside catalysts. These strikes align with TSLA’s 30-day support/resistance range (429.73–431.28), suggesting traders expect a push above $454.62 (intraday high) to test the $462 Bollinger Band.

The put side tells a different tale. While 40,262 puts at $140 and 32,556 at $220 strikes exist, these extreme levels are more about tail-risk hedging than active bearishness. The 0.87 put/call ratio (for open interest) confirms calls dominate, but don’t ignore the $380–$415 put verticals gaining traction for next week’s expiry.

Block trades add intrigue. A $3.8M bet on the TSLA20250919C380 call and $1.9M on the TSLA20260116P410 put suggest institutional players are hedging long-term exposure. The $410 put (TSLA20260116P410) could signal a dark pool short at $410, while the $380 call hints at bullish positioning if TSLA breaks above $454.

News Flow: Robotics Hype vs. Margin Realities

TSLA’s recent rally has been fueled by two conflicting narratives. On one hand, the Trump administration’s robotics push and $240M in tax credits have boosted sentiment. Optimus and FSD updates are framing TSLA as an AI play, not just an EV maker.

But fundamentals tell a grimmer story. Margins are contracting, Chinese competition is intensifying, and delivery forecasts are softening. The bearish thesis—targeting $330—gains traction if TSLA fails to hold above its 50-day SMA ($432.18). The key question: Will the market prioritize AI hype over margin erosion?

Actionable Trades: Calls for Breakouts, Puts for Hedging

For options traders, the TSLA20251205C460 call ($460 strike, expiring Friday) is a high-conviction play if TSLA closes above $454.62. With 14,477 open contracts, this strike could act as a liquidity magnet. A $451.61 entry with a stop below $431.27 (lower resistance) and target at $462 (Bollinger Band) offers a 5% risk/reward ratio.

Bearish players might consider the TSLA20260116P410 put vertical: buy the $425 put (TSLA20260116P425) at $24.68 and sell the $370 put (TSLA20260116P370) at $7.20. This $17.48 debit trade profits if TSLA drops below $370, with breakeven at $407.52.

Stock traders should watch $445.85 (intraday low) as a critical support level. A rebound here could trigger a test of $462, while a breakdown below $431.27 would validate the bearish case.

Volatility on the Horizon

TSLA’s options market is a battleground between bulls eyeing a $460+ breakout and bears bracing for a $330 collapse. The coming days will test whether the stock can sustain momentum above $454 or if margin pressures force a retest of $422.99 (middle Bollinger Band).

For now, the data leans bullish—but with a warning: this is a high-volatility name. Use defined-risk strategies like vertical spreads and tight stops. The real action? It’s all in the options chain.