Visa (V) Options Signal Bullish Bias: Key Strike Levels and Block Trades Point to Potential Breakout Above $350

• Visa’s price action is trading near $345, just below its 100-day moving average of $348.43, with intraday volume surging to 409K shares.
• Options market heat shows heavy call open interest at $350–$355 strikes (expiring this Friday) and a massive $350 call block trade of 750 contracts.
• Technical indicators suggest a short-term bullish tilt: RSI at 49.4, MACD near zero, and Bollinger Bands hinting at a potential breakout.

Here’s the thing: when options traders are piling into calls at $350 while puts at $337.50 dominate the downside, it’s not just noise—it’s a vote of confidence. Combine that with a block trade worth $321K targeting that same $350 level, and you’ve got a setup that screams "price is testing a key inflection point." Let’s break it down.

What the Options Chain Reveals About Market Sentiment

The options market isn’t whispering—it’s shouting. For Friday’s expirations, calls at $350 (OI: 1,570) and $352.50 (OI: 1,929) dominate the upside, while puts at $337.50 (OI: 1,815) anchor the downside. That’s not random. It’s a classic "buy the dip, sell the rally" playbook, with bulls stacking up just above current levels and bears bracing for a drop toward $335.

But here’s the kicker: the block trade of 750 contracts at V20251017C350 (a $350 call expiring October 17) adds a layer of intrigue. Institutional players are betting Visa will punch through $350, and they’re doing it with volume that’s 3x the next-largest call strike. That’s the kind of move you see before earnings surprises or macro-driven rallies—like a bearish market suddenly getting a Fed pivot hint.

The News Vacuum and What It Means for Traders

There’s no recent headlines to anchor this move. The options action isn’t reacting to a product launch, lawsuit, or regulatory shift—it’s pure technical speculation. That’s both a risk and an opportunity. Without fundamental catalysts, the trade hinges on liquidity providers and algorithmic momentum. But that also means the market is primed to react violently to any news, positive or negative.

Think of it like a coiled spring. If Visa’s next earnings report (October 29) surprises to the upside, the $350–$360 call strikes could blow out. Conversely, a miss could see puts at $330–$335 accelerate. The lack of news isn’t a void—it’s a blank canvas for volatility.

Actionable Trade Ideas: Calls, Puts, and Stock Entries

Let’s get practical. For options traders, the most compelling setup is the $350 call (V20251017C350) expiring October 17. Why? Because it’s the most liquid strike with heavy open interest and that block trade. If Visa closes above $348.43 (its 100-day MA) tomorrow, this call could see a 10–15% pop. For a safer play, the $347.50 call (OI: 801) offers a lower entry with less immediate pressure.

Stock traders should watch two levels:

• Entry near $341.58 (30-day support) if the stock dips below $344.64 (Bollinger Band middle). Target $348.43 to retest the 100-day MA.
• Aggressive entry at $346.20 (today’s open) if the price holds above $344.61 (intraday low). Target $354.57 (upper Bollinger Band) as a breakout threshold.

For the downside, puts at $337.50 are a watch item. If Visa cracks $341.58, those could gain traction. But given the block trade and call bias, I’d lean into a covered call strategy—buying stock near $345 and selling the $350 call to generate premium while capping upside.

Volatility on the Horizon: What to Watch Next

The next 72 hours will be critical. Visa needs to hold above $344.64 to keep the bullish case alive. A close below $341.58 would shift the narrative to defensive plays. For options, the Friday expirations (October 11) could see a wash of the $350 calls if the stock doesn’t break out—so timing matters.

Longer-term, the 200-day MA at $344.87 is a psychological floor. If bulls hold there, the $350–$355 calls expiring next Friday (October 18) could become the new battleground. But don’t ignore the puts at $330 either—those are a hedge against a broader market selloff, not just Visa-specific risk.

Bottom line: This isn’t a "buy and forget" trade. It’s a high-conviction call on technical momentum and institutional positioning. If you’re in, manage your stops. If you’re out, keep an eye on the $348.43 level—it could be the start of a new trend or the setup for a sharp reversal.