Today’s notable TSLA options activity shows significant put selling pressure with over $6.6 million in total premium across three major sweep transactions. The most notable trade involves 1,480 contracts of January 16, 2026 $250 puts being sold for $22.85 each. The trade generated $3.4 million in premium with a moderate volume-to-open interest ratio of 11.6% (1,817/15,723). However, the September 18, 2026 $260 puts stand out with an exceptionally high V/OI ratio of 56.1% (271/483). This points to substantial new activity relative to existing positions.
With TSLA trading around $300-301 at the time of execution, these put strikes at $250-260 represent out-of-the-money downside protection being sold. This suggests institutional traders are collecting premium by taking the opposite side of downside protection bets. The expirations across these contracts indicate long-term positioning, with the bulk of activity concentrated in January 2026. The presence of one $300 call purchase worth $1.6 million (discussed below) among predominantly put sales suggests a clear bullish sentiment for TSLA. Traders are potentially positioning for TSLA to remain above these lower strike levels through 2026.
Volume and Open Interest Data
The image provides historical volume and open interest (OI) data for the TSLA $250 Put expiring January 16, 2026. A key spike is visible on July 1st, 2025, when volume surged to 1,830 contracts. This marks a dramatically higher daily volume than the preceding days (126 on June 30th and 106 on June 27th). Despite this volume spike, the OI only increased modestly by 30 contracts, rising from 15,693 to 15,723. This minimal OI change relative to the large volume suggests that the majority of these contracts were likely sold to close, rather than newly opened positions.
Additionally, the option’s closing price jumped from $19.15 to $23.00 while implied volatility (IV) slightly ticked up from 56.57% to 56.95%. This further supports the idea that the activity might have been part of a strategic unwind or profit-taking move. The consistency of OI around 15.7K over several days implies a well-established position in this strike. Today’s latest activity points toward tactical adjustments rather than fresh speculative bets.
More Notable Options Trades Observed
Notable bullish sentiment on Tesla was found on the call side as well. The sweep order for the $300 strike expiring January 16, 2026 involved the purchase of 300 contracts at a price of $53.85. This in turn represents a premium outlay of $1.6 million. The order type is labeled a “Sweep”, indicating urgency and a desire for quick execution—often a sign of institutional activity.
The spot price at the time was $301.30, making this an at-the-money to slightly in-the-money call. Importantly, the trade occurred amidst 1,651 in daily volume against an open interest of 20,131. These metrics result in a volume/open interest (V/OI) ratio of ~8.2%. This ratio implies the trade is likely an addition to an existing position, rather than a fresh open or full close. The size, premium, and aggressive order type collectively suggest a strong directional bet that TSLA will trade significantly higher by early 2026.
What’s Happening with Tesla
Tensions between Donald Trump and Elon Musk have recently resurfaced, reigniting political friction that had previously rattled markets. While past clashes between the two high-profile figures often led to sharp declines in Tesla’s share price. This is an inevitable consequence of Musk’s visibility and Tesla’s association with broader political sentiment.
However, this time the market response was notably more muted. Although Tesla shares did see a modest dip following the renewed feud, the decline was far less severe than during prior episodes. This suggests that investors may be growing desensitized to political drama or more focused on the company’s long-term fundamentals.
About Tesla
Tesla, Inc. is an American multinational company headquartered in Austin, Texas, specializing in electric vehicles, battery energy storage solutions, and solar energy products. Founded in 2003, Tesla designs, manufactures, and sells battery electric vehicles ranging from sedans and SUVs to trucks. They also manufacture stationary battery systems for homes and businesses, and solar panels and solar roof tiles.
The company is recognized as a pioneer in the electric vehicle market. They are known for their focus on innovation, sustainability, and advanced technologies like autopilot and full self-driving features. In addition to automotive products, Tesla is expanding its energy division with large-scale battery storage systems known as Megapacks, aiming to accelerate the global transition to renewable energy.
Analyst Ratings
| Source / Research House | Current Rating | Last Update |
|---|---|---|
| CFRA | ★★★ (3 Stars) | 22 Jun 2025 |
| Market Edge | Long | 14 May 2025 |
| Argus | Hold | 09 Jun 2025 |
| Morningstar | ★★ (2 Stars) | 11 Jun 2025 |
| LSEG (Refinitiv) | Hold | 20 Jun 2025 |
| Schwab Equity Ratings | D | 23 Jun 2025 |
Tesla’s analyst dashboard shows sentiment hovering near neutral, with only one outright bull amid otherwise cautious tones. CFRA’s fresh 3-star rating (22 Jun 2025) equates to a traditional Hold. Argus (9 Jun 2025) and LSEG/Refinitiv (20 Jun 2025) echo that stance with explicit “Hold” calls. Market Edge, however, upgraded the shares to “Long” back on 14 May 2025, marking the lone decisively positive view.
On the bearish side, Morningstar’s 2-star assignment (11 Jun 2025) implies the stock screens as over-valued, while Schwab Equity Ratings’ “D” grade (23 Jun 2025) likewise signals below-average expectations. Taken together, professional opinion skews more balanced than bullish, suggesting investors see a fair valuation after Tesla’s recent volatility and big-ticket autonomy bets.
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Disclaimer: Options trading involves significant risk and is not suitable for all investors. You may lose the entire investment, and certain strategies may result in losses exceeding the initial amount invested. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice. Always consult a financial or tax advisor before making investment decisions.
