UNH Options Signal Bullish Bias: Key Strike Levels and Trade Setups for Dec 19, 2025

• UnitedHealth’s stock (UNH) surges 1.8% to $334.06, trading near its 200-day moving average of $355.75
• Options data shows call open interest dominance (1.09M calls vs 546K puts), with heavy positioning at $350–$400 strikes
• Recent news: Q4 earnings on Jan 3, $500M HealthTech acquisition, and a new telehealth platform launch

Here’s the thing: UNH’s options market is screaming bullish right now. Call open interest is packed with big money bets at strikes far above today’s price, while puts trail behind. Combine that with strong fundamentals, and this stock is set up for a breakout—or a trap if you’re not careful. Let’s break it down.

Bullish Sentiment Locked in Call Options

Take a look at the options chain: 13,578 contracts at the $400 call (this Friday’s expiry) and 10,319 at $350. That’s not just noise—it’s a signal. Big players are pricing in a sharp rally, likely betting on the Q4 earnings report or the new telehealth platform. The put/call ratio of 0.497 (for open interest) reinforces this: calls are nearly double puts. But don’t ignore the risk. If UNH stumbles below its 30-day support ($321.53), those calls could turn into losses. Block trading is quiet today, so no hidden whale moves to flag—yet.

News Flow Fuels the Bull Case

UnitedHealth’s recent headlines are all winners. The Q3 earnings beat sent shares up 5%, and the $500M HealthTech buyout adds long-term value. The FDA-approved GenoScan tool? That’s a $150M/year revenue stream waiting to happen. Retail investors are catching on: the 5% rally last week wasn’t just earnings—it was FOMO. But here’s the catch: the 200-day MA at $355.75 is a psychological wall. If the stock can’t break through that, the bullish options bets might expire worthless.

Actionable Trade Ideas for Today

For options traders, the UNH20251226C350 call (expiring Dec 26) is a no-brainer. With 2,249 contracts in open interest, it’s the most liquid of the next-week strikes. If UNH closes above $350 by Friday, this could run 20%+ in a day. Conservative players might pair it with a bull call spread: buy the $335 call and sell the $345 call (both Dec 26) to cap risk while keeping upside potential.

For stock traders, the key levels are clear. Entry near $321.53 (30-day support) with a stop just below $320. If it holds, target the upper Bollinger Band at $344.43. A break above $355.75 (200-day MA) would validate the big-money call bets and open the door to $370+.

Volatility on the Horizon

This isn’t a "buy and forget" trade. Earnings in early January could shake things up, and the options market is already pricing in a 10% move by Dec 26. If you’re long calls, consider rolling some contracts to the next expiry (Dec 26) to ride the momentum. But if UNH falters below $320, cut losses fast—this rally is only as strong as its fundamentals. The next 7 days will tell if this is a breakout or a bubble.

Bottom line: UNH is in a sweet spot. The options data, technicals, and news all line up for a bullish play—but the 200-day MA is a tall wall. Play it smart: use options for leverage, set tight stops, and watch that $350 level like a hawk. The market’s betting on a big move—now it’s up to the stock to deliver.