Visa (V) Options Signal Bullish Bias: 355 Call OI Surge and Holiday Spending Hype Set Up Holiday Rally

• Visa’s price hit $356.38 today, up 0.6% from open, with RSI near overbought territory (74.76).
• Options market favors calls: Call open interest (186,602) outpaces puts (160,991), with heavy OI at the $355 strike.
• Block trade alert: A $321K trade in the V20251017C350 call hints at institutional positioning ahead of year-end.

Here’s the takeaway: Visa shows upside potential as options data and holiday spending news align with a short-term bullish trend. But watch for overbought risks.

Bullish OI Clusters and Whale Moves: Why $355 Matters

Options market sentiment is skewed bullish. For this Friday’s expiration, the V20251226C355 call has 862 open contracts—the highest among OTM calls. Next Friday’s chain amplifies this, with 1,153 OI at the same $355 strike. Puts, meanwhile, peak at $340 (1,248 OI for next Friday), suggesting a defensive stance if the stock dips.

The block trade in V20251017C350 (a call expiring Oct 17) is telling. While the expiration is past, the $321K volume suggests large players are hedging or extending positions into year-end. Combine this with the $355 OI surge, and it feels like a setup for a push above that level.

Holiday Spending and Saudi Expansion: Fuel for the Fire

Visa’s recent news is a double-edged sword. The 4.2% U.S. holiday spending increase and Saudi Arabia’s cashless push are positives. But here’s the twist: The market already priced in much of this. The stock’s 0.6% intraday gain today feels more like a consolidation after the news cycle than a breakout.

Still, the Saudi hub announcement ties Visa to long-term growth in digital payments. If the stock breaks above $355, this could validate the bullish options bets and attract more retail buyers.

Actionable Trades: Calls for the Rally, Puts for the Safety Net

For options traders:

• Bullish play: Buy the V20260102C355 call (next Friday’s expiration). If Visa closes above $355 by Jan 2, the call could see significant gamma-driven acceleration.
• Bearish hedge: Buy the V20260102P340 put to protect against a pullback. The $340 level aligns with the 200D MA (344.35), making it a psychological support zone.

For stock traders:

• Entry near $352 (today’s low) if the price holds above the 30D support (329.22). Target $360–$365 if the $355 level breaks.
• Stop-loss below $344 (200D MA) to avoid a breakdown into lower Bollinger Band territory.

Volatility on the Horizon: Ride the Wave or Ride the Rollercoaster?

Visa’s technicals and options data paint a clear picture: The market is pricing in a holiday rally. But RSI overbought levels and the stock’s proximity to the upper Bollinger Band (355.03) mean a short-term correction isn’t out of the question.

Here’s the plan: Use the $355 call OI as a guide. If the stock holds above $352, the rally could extend into next week. If it dips below $344, the puts at $340 might catch buyers. Either way, the options market is betting on a directional move—now it’s about timing the entry.

Bottom line: This is a high-conviction trade for bulls, but don’t ignore the risks. The market isn’t all-in on a straight-line rally—position yourself to adapt.