Visa (V) Options Signal $320–$350 Battle: How to Play the Upcoming Volatility with Calls and Puts

• Visa’s options market is loaded with bearish puts at $320 and bullish calls at $350, hinting at a key price war ahead.
• Technical indicators like RSI (24.9) and MACD (-4.7) scream oversold conditions, but bearish trends linger.
• A $750-block trade at the $350 call suggests big players are hedging or betting on a rebound.

Here’s the deal: Visa’s stock is stuck in a tug-of-war between oversold technicals and bearish options sentiment. The current price of $325.83 sits just above its 200-day moving average ($346.14), but the options market is pricing in a high probability of a breakdown below $320. Let’s break down why this $320–$350 range is the most critical battleground—and how to trade it.

The Options Market’s Bearish Bullseye: $320 and $350

The options chain is screaming a key message: traders are bracing for a sharp move, but the direction is split. For Friday expiration, the top OTM puts are clustered at $320 (OI: 2,491) and $315 (OI: 2,163), while the top OTM calls are at $350 (OI: 2,453) and $370 (OI: 2,308). This isn’t random—it’s a classic "straddle" setup, where market participants expect a big move but can’t agree on the direction.

But here’s the twist: the put/call ratio for open interest is 0.81, meaning more capital is allocated to calls than puts. That suggests a subtle bullish bias, especially with the $350 call seeing a massive block trade of 750 contracts at $350 (V20251017C350). Think of it like a football game where the defense is stacked at the 30-yard line, but the offense keeps pushing forward. The $350 strike could act as a psychological magnet if the stock breaks above its 30-day moving average ($339.92).

News Flow: Partnerships vs. Slowing Growth

Visa’s recent news is a mixed bag. On the positive side, the Made Card partnership and BMO’s CDRs expand its reach into homeowners and international investors. The Web Summit pilot for stablecoin payouts also signals innovation in digital assets. But the stock’s recent pullback and concerns about slowing growth (highlighted in headlines) are dragging sentiment lower.

Here’s the rub: the options market is pricing in a bearish outcome despite these positive partnerships. That disconnect matters. If the stock can rally on news-driven optimism, the $350 call block trade could ignite a short-term pop. But if macroeconomic fears win out, the $320 puts will dominate. The key is to watch whether the $325.83 price holds above the lower Bollinger Band ($322.44)—a breakdown there would validate the bearish case.

Actionable Trade Ideas: Calls for the Bold, Puts for the Pragmatic

For options traders, the most attractive setups are:

• Bull Call Spread (Friday Expiry): Buy the $350 call (OI: 2,453) and sell the $370 call (OI: 2,308). This limits risk while capitalizing on the block trade at $350. If Visa breaks above $350, the spread could yield 15–20% in a day.
• Bear Put Spread (Friday Expiry): Buy the $320 put (OI: 2,491) and sell the $315 put (OI: 2,163). This plays the heavy put interest while capping losses if the stock rallies.

For stock traders, the key levels are:

• Entry Near $323.40 (Intraday Low): If support holds, target a rebound to $337.76 (middle Bollinger Band) or $346.75 (30D support). Use a stop-loss below $322.44.
• Short-Selling Above $328.40 (Intraday High): If the stock fails to break above this level, target a drop to $320. A break below $325.83 would confirm the bearish case.

Volatility on the Horizon: What to Watch

The next 72 hours will be critical. If Visa’s price stays above $325.83, the $350 call block trade could drive a short-term rally. But a breakdown below $322.44 would validate the bearish options setup, sending the stock toward $315. Either way, the $320–$350 range is where the action will unfold.

For long-term investors, the 200-day moving average at $346.14 remains a key target. If the stock can rally above that level, it could signal a shift in sentiment. But for now, the options market is betting on a volatile near-term battle—and that’s where the opportunities lie.