Why AI Could Rise Sharply Before Friday's Options ExpirationIn a market where enterprise AI spending is projected to hit $100B+ by 2026, C3.ai's 130+ turnkey apps (from supply chain optimization to ESG tracking) position it as a must-have for Fortune 500 digital transformations.
Trading at around $17.27 as of midday September 15, down a staggering 33% over the past month, the stock has been battered by leadership turmoil and disappointing quarterly results.
But for options traders eyeing the September 19 expiration, this could be the setup for a sharp rebound. Last month, we loaded up on those $25 strike calls, a tough grind to profitability amid the sell-off, but with fresh tailwinds emerging.
From a charting perspective on TradingView, the stock is testing support near its 200-day moving average around $16.50, with volume spiking on the downside but showing signs of capitulation.A bounce from here isn't just wishful thinking—it's backed by historical patterns. In similar drawdowns earlier this year, NYSE:AI rebounded 15-20% within a week on lighter selling pressure. With the broader Nasdaq futures pointing higher amid cooling inflation data, a risk-on rotation could propel NYSE:AI toward $20+ resistance by expiration, putting those $25 calls back in the money.
Smart money appears to be accumulating; recent options flow shows unusual call volume at the $20 and $22 strikes, hinting at bets on a quick snapback.
New CEO Stephen Ehikian: A Stabilizing Force with Proven PedigreeThe elephant in the room has been the abrupt CEO transition. Founder Thomas Siebel stepped aside for health reasons in late July, triggering a sales slowdown and the withdrawn full-year guidance that spooked investors.
Ehikian isn't just a placeholder; he's a serial innovator with deep ties to enterprise software giants. He built RelateIQ (acquired by Salesforce to form Einstein) and Airkit.ai (now core to Salesforce's Agentforce), and most recently served as Acting Administrator of the U.S. General Services Administration under President Trump.
His track record in scaling AI integrations could accelerate C3.ai's federal deals, which already made up a chunk of Q1 wins (e.g., expansions with the U.S. Air Force).
In his first comments, Ehikian emphasized capturing the "immense market opportunity in Enterprise AI," and whispers from the Street suggest he's fast-tracking partner integrations with Microsoft and AWS—key channels that drove 155% YoY growth in partner-sourced deals last quarter.
This leadership reset screams "buy the dip" for contrarians.3. Solid Q1 Fundamentals Amid AI TailwindsDon't let the headlines fool you—C3.ai's fiscal Q1 2026 results (ended July 31) weren't a disaster; they were a pause in an otherwise accelerating growth story. Revenue hit a record $87.2 million, up 21% YoY, with subscription revenue (86% of total) climbing to $60.3 million.
The company closed 71 deals—more than double last year's tally—and federal expansions highlight sticky demand for its Agentic AI platform.
Options Expiration Gamma Squeeze: The Friday Catalyst With September 19 OPEX looming, NYSE:AI 's options chain is primed for fireworks. Open interest is heavy on out-of-the-money calls around $20-$25, mirroring last month's setup where we rode the $25 strikes through volatility.
As delta hedging ramps up, a modest 5-10% pop in the underlying could trigger gamma squeezes, forcing market makers to buy shares and amplifying the move.
If NYSE:AI clears $18.50 early this week (a key pivot on the daily chart), momentum could carry it to $22+ by Friday.
