Monsanto (NYSE: MON) has been identified by InvestorsObserver analysts as being well-positioned for a new covered call today. Buying the stock for $86.90 while selling the January $85.00 call will produce a new covered call with a break-even point around $80.40. At that price, this position has a target return of 5.7 %. This trade will have roughly 7.5 % downside protection, while still aiming for a 5.7 % return in 158 days. It will lock in that return as long as Monsanto  is above $85.00 on 1/19/2013. For comparison purposes only, this MON covered call aims for an annualized return rate of 13.2 %.

National Oilwell Varco (NYSE: NOV) has been selected by InvestorsObserver analysts as a stock that is an ideal candidate for a new covered call today. Buying the stock for $76.47 while simultaneously selling the November $75.00 call will result in a new position with a target return of 6.0 %. Based on recent prices, this position will cost about $70.77, which is also the trade’s breakeven point. At that level, this covered call has 7.5 % downside protection, while still providing a 6.0 % return in 95 days as long as  NOV is above $75.00 on 11/17/2012. For comparison purposes only, this National Oilwell Varco covered call aims for an annualized return rate of 22.9 %.

Intuit (NASDAQ: INTU) has been selected by InvestorsObserver analysts as a stock that is an ideal candidate for a new covered call today. Buying the stock for $58.30 while simultaneously selling the January $57.50 call will result in a new position with a target return of 6.3 %. Based on recent prices, this position will cost about $54.10, which is also the trade’s breakeven point. At that level, this covered call has 7.2 % downside protection, while still providing a 6.3 % return in 158 days as long as  INTU is above $57.50 on 1/19/2013. For comparison purposes only, this Intuit covered call aims for an annualized return rate of 14.5 %.

Helmerich and Payne (NYSE: HP) has been chosen by InvestorsObserver analysts as a candidate for a new covered call today. Selling the January $47.50 call while at the same time buying HP stock for $48.30 will produce a new covered call with a target return of 10.0 %. Based on recent data, this trade will cost about $43.20, which is also the covered call’s breakeven point. At that price, this covered call has 10.6 % downside protection, while seeking an assigned return of 10.0 % return in 158 days. If HP is higher than $47.50 on 1/19/2013, we are assured that simple return. For comparison purposes only, that equates to an annualized return rate of 23.0 %.

Qlik Technologies (NASDAQ: QLIK) has been selected by InvestorsObserver analysts as a stock that is a strong candidate for a new covered call today. Selling the November $21.00 call while simultaneously buying QLIK stock for $21.82 will result in a new position with a break-even point around $19.32. At that price, this position has a target return of 8.7 %. This trade has 11.5 % downside protection, while still providing a 8.7 % return in 95 days as long as  QLIK is above $21.00 on 11/17/2012. For comparison purposes only, this Qlik Technologies covered call targets an annualized return rate of 33.4 %.