Visa (V) Options Signal Bullish Bias: Key Strike Levels and Block Trades Point to Strategic Entry Points

• Visa’s Q3 2025 earnings beat and strategic cross-border partnerships fuel short-term optimism.
• Options data shows heavy call open interest at $345–$350, with a put/call ratio of 0.8 signaling bullish sentiment.
• A $350 call block trade hints at institutional positioning ahead of critical support/resistance levels.
• Regulatory risks and leadership transitions add near-term volatility but don’t overshadow long-term growth drivers.

Here’s the thing: Visa’s stock isn’t just ticking up—it’s telling a story. The options market is leaning hard into a bullish narrative, with call options dominating open interest and block trades hinting at big money moves. But there’s nuance here. Let’s break it down. If you’re eyeing V, this is the setup you need to know before Friday’s expiration.

Where the Money Is Flowing: Calls at $345–$350 Outshine Puts

The options chain for this Friday’s expiration is a telltale sign of market positioning. Calls at $345 ($OI: 1,203) and $340 ($OI: 1,136) dominate, while puts at $335 ($OI: 774) and $320 ($OI: 751) trail. The put/call ratio of 0.8 (calls > puts) isn’t just a number—it’s a crowd-sourced bet on upside. Think of it like a crowd at a concert: more people are buying tickets to the front row (calls) than the exits (puts).

But don’t ignore the risks. The $345 call is a critical level. If V breaks above $341.61 (Bollinger middle band) and holds, it could trigger a cascade of call buyers. However, the 30D support zone ($338.71–$339.07) is fragile. A close below that could reignite bearish sentiment, especially with the 200D MA at $346.51 acting as a distant ceiling.

The block trade at V20251017C350 ($350 call, 750 contracts) adds intrigue. This isn’t just noise—it’s a whale hedging or betting on a breakout. If V hits $350 by October 17, those calls could explode in value. But if it stalls, the trade turns into a costly lesson.

News Flow: Growth vs. Scrutiny—Which Wins?

Visa’s Q3 earnings ($6.2B revenue, $2.1B net income) and its $2.3B cross-border partnership with Mastercard are tailwinds. These moves validate its role in global payments, especially as cross-border volumes surge. The new Visa BlockchainPay platform and AI-driven fraud detection with IBM also position it to compete with PayPal and Stripe.

But here’s the catch: the U.S. Treasury’s antitrust probe and the class-action lawsuit over a data breach create headwinds. Regulatory risks aren’t just headlines—they’re a drag on multiples. And CEO Alfred Kelly’s retirement? It’s not a red flag, but it adds uncertainty during a leadership transition. The market’s mixed reaction (12% drop in early November) shows investors are hedging their bets.

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

For options traders, the $345 call (expiring Friday) is a high-conviction play. If V closes above $341.61 by Friday, this strike could see a 20%+ pop. For a longer-term bet, the $350 call (next Friday’s expiration) offers leverage if the stock surges past $346.51 (200D MA). Both are bold moves—use them if you’re confident in Visa’s ability to hold its gains.

On the stock side, here’s the plan:

• Bullish entry: Buy V near $339.00 if it holds above the 30D support zone ($338.71–$339.07). Target $345 first, then $349.90 (200D resistance).
• Bearish hedge: Buy the $335 put (next Friday’s expiration) if V dips below $337.02 (intraday low). This gives downside protection if the regulatory risks flare up.

Volatility on the Horizon: Balancing Optimism and Caution

Visa’s story isn’t binary. The options market is pricing in a 10–15% upside move by October 17, but the news flow adds layers of complexity. Regulatory scrutiny could delay the breakout, while the new CFO and AI-driven tools might accelerate it. The key is to stay nimble. If V hits $345 by Friday, consider rolling the $350 calls to next week’s $370 strike for more leverage. If it falters, tighten your stops below $337.02.

Bottom line: This is a stock at a crossroads. The options data leans bullish, but the news reminds us that no rally is straight up. Play it smart—position for the breakout, but keep a safety net in place. After all, the best traders aren’t just right about the direction—they’re right about the risks.