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Best Stocks for Covered Calls in 2024

TOP1 Markets Analyst 2024-01-20 19:34:35

A covered call strategy deploys by traders who wish to hold the stock in the future and minimize the risk by selling its call option. This guide will help you to find out the best stocks for covered calls.

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A covered call is the most advantageous stock position if the stock rises to the strike price, creating profit from the long stock position. At the same time, the option that was sold expires worthless, allowing the call writer to receive the entire premium.

Introduction

A covered call is when you possess 100 shares of a stock and then sell a call option against it. A bullish technique is a covered call. You want to invest in high-quality large-cap stocks that are unlikely to fail. You don't want a stock with a high beta because it's volatile. You don't want them to make any significant, random downward moves. Stick with well-known and heavily traded companies, as they will have better liquidity. If your stock satisfies these criteria, it will very certainly have the best stocks for covered calls available for you to trade. Selling covered calls on dividend-paying equities is also a good idea.


Most covered call and cash-secured put investors will have a universe of fundamentally strong stocks to choose from. Then, once a week, they check their technical to see if anything has been set up. If you're investing in the stock market as a beginner, you can start by selecting stocks from the Dow Jones Index (DIA), Nasdaq 100 (QQQ), S & P 100 (OEF), and Investor Business Daily 50 list (FFTY), as well as popular exchange-traded funds (ETFs) (such as ARKK). We'll be using FinViz and Barchart's free tools, so read our reviews to understand better how they work.

What is a covered call?

A covered call is a stock position that includes shares of the underlying stock and a call option on that stock. You sell the call option while keeping the underlying stock when executing a covered call. Covered calls allow the buyer to acquire the underlying stock at a certain price and a predetermined period for a premium paid to the seller. The key reason why many investors choose this method is because of the premium. Many stock advisory services recommend a handful of the top stocks to their users and subscribers.


These scenarios could occur when the covered call matures:

  • The current price of the shares is less than the strike price.

  • The choice expires, and no further action is required.

  • The current stock price exceeds the strike price.


Your shares are automatically sold at the strike price when the option is exercised. Whatever the case may be, the premium for the call option has already been paid to the seller. As a result, the buyer accepts this risk while purchasing a covered call. You can save your timing without wasting it on technical analysis to understand the market using stock signals. To take maximum, benefit to buying a covered call option is:

  • When the stock price has reached your desired level

  • When a massive jump in price is expected following a significant company news

How to pick the best covered call stocks?

The underlying stock, the period, and the strike are all important factors in any covered call trade. Before selecting the best-covered call stocks, you must analyze all three factors. You have a few things to consider when selecting the best-covered call stocks, depending on your investment strategies:

  • Because the stock's performance will determine the return on investment, choose stocks that you want to include in your portfolio. It will be tough to make a profit on a stock with a decreasing price trend.

  • Consider if the premium you're paying is worth the risk you're taking on a covered call trade.

Best stocks for covered calls 

Oracle (NYSE: ORCL)

Oracle is a computer based company best recognized for its Java-based software and services. Oracle's four main business segments—cloud and license, hardware, and services—sell cloud-engineering services and systems and database management systems. Semiconductor stocks are one of the most profitable investments.


Oracle reported sales of $10.4 billion in the second quarter, a 6% rise over the previous quarter. Within Oracle's revenue-generating categories, cloud services and licence support sales increased by 6%, cloud licensing and on-premise licence revenues increased by 13%, and Non-GAAP earnings per share increased by 14% to $1.21. The company's infrastructure and applications cloud businesses have grown by 22%, resulting in these impressive results.


Oracle has a market capitalization of 75.97 billion dollars. The company's stock is currently trading at $75.97. According to CNN Money, analysts predict a 12-month price range of $126 to $83, with a consensus target price of $105.


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Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFZR)

Pfizer Inc. is a research-based worldwide biopharmaceutical company. Biopharmaceutical products are discovered, developed, manufactured, marketed, sold, and distributed by the firm. The company's global range includes pharmaceuticals and vaccines. Learn about the greatest vaccine stocks to buy right now.


The corporation recently released its fourth-quarter report for 2021, which showed outstanding financial results. The total income was $23.8 billion, up 106 percent from the previous year. $1.08 was reported as adjusted profit per share.


In recent years, the global pharmaceutical stock market has seen tremendous growth. According to a patient view global poll, Pfizer is ranked #2 among large biopharma businesses and #4 on Fortune's list of the world's most admired corporations. In addition, by 2021, the corporation will have reached 1.4 billion patients with its vaccines and medications.


The biopharmaceutical business expects record revenue of $98 billion to $102 billion in 2023, with earnings per share targets of $6.35 and $6.55. Furthermore, Pfizer's solid balance sheet and predicted near-term incremental free cash flow should allow it to maintain its dividend growth and pursue new company development.


Pfizer's market value is estimated to be around $264 billion. The company's stock is currently trading at $46.94. Analysts predict a 12-month price objective of $76, a minimum of $49, and a median target price of $57, according to CNN Money.

Advanced Micro Devices (NASDAQ: AMD)

The semiconductor business Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. is based in the United States. Computing & Graphics, which comprises desktop and laptop processors, discrete and integrated graphics processing units (GPUs), data center and professional GPUs, and development services, is one of the company's segments.


Server and embedded processors, semi-custom SoC devices, development services, and game console technologies are all part of the Enterprise, Embedded, and Semi-Custom categories. The corporation just released its annual report for the year 2021, in which it recorded record revenue of $16.4 billion, up 68 percent from the previous year, and a gross margin of 48 percent. Furthermore, the corporation recorded a huge increase in profitability, with a net income of $3.2 billion and earnings per share of $2.57.


Furthermore, operating cash flow increased by 229 percent year over year to $3.5 billion. AMD announced a record $3.2 billion in free cash flow, up 314 percent from the previous year.


The fiscal year 2023 has a bright future ahead of it. AMD anticipates a revenue increase of 31% and a gross margin of 51%. The market capitalization of Advanced Micro Devices is $200 billion. The company's stock is currently trading at $123. Analysts predict a 12-month price target of $246, a minimum of $100, and a median target price of $156, according to CNN Money.

Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F)

An American automaker, Ford Motor Company, produces, markets, and services a variety of Ford trucks, SUVs, cars, and Lincoln luxury vehicles. The business is divided into three segments:


Automotive: This division is responsible for developing, manufacturing, distributing, and servicing Ford and Lincoln cars, as well as their components and accessories.


Mobility: This area mostly consists of Ford's autonomous car development and related businesses.


Ford Credit: On a consolidated basis, this division consists of Ford Credit operations, largely consisting of vehicle-related financing and leasing activities.


The corporation recently released its fiscal year 2021 fourth-quarter results. Revenue generated was $37.7 billion, up 5% from the previous year, owing to increased net price and improved mix. The earnings per share came in at $0.26. Long-term investment stocks have received a lot of attention.


The organization intends to capitalize on fresh growth prospects in the following year. The business stated ambitions for a global battery capacity of 240GWh by the end of the decade and an $11.4 billion investment in BlueOval City and BlueOval SK Battery Park to develop next-generation electric F-Series pickups and sophisticated batteries. Ford Motors is also on track to treble annual BEV capacity to 600,000 by 2023, with the mission of being the number one BEV in the U.S.


Ford Motor Company has a market value of more than $70 billion. The stock of the corporation is currently trading at $17.56 per share. Analysts predict a 12-month price target of $30, a minimum of $13, and a median target price of $22.5, according to CNN Money.

ConocoPhillips (NYSE: COP)

ConocoPhillips is a multinational corporation that explores, produces, markets, and transports crude oil, bitumen, natural gas, natural gas liquids, and liquefied natural gas.


In their fourth-quarter report for the year 2021, ConocoPhillips achieved great operational success. The company earned outstanding returns on capital and completed two substantial, highly-accretive acquisitions in the heart of the Permian Basin for its stockholders. The corporation made an adjusted profit of $8 billion and a profit per share of $2.27. ConocoPhillips also distributed $2.4 billion in cash dividends to its stockholders. The corporation generated $10.4 billion in free cash flow and reported a 14 percent Return on Capital Employed.


ConocoPhillips also expects to invest $7.2 billion in capital expenditures in 2023, 1.8 million barrels of oil equivalent are produced on a daily basis. Shell's investment in the Permian Basin was recently purchased for $9.5 billion in cash by the firm.


The stock of ConocoPhillips is presently trading at $94.86. The stock is worth $94.86 on the market. Analysts at CNN Money predict a 12-month price objective of $128, a minimum of $77, and a median target price of $106.

Verizon Communication (NYSE: VZ)

  • Verizon Communications is a significant provider of technology and communications services around the world. It is divided into two categories: consumer and business. One of the best investing options is technology stocks.

  • Verizon Consumer Group offers cellular and wireline communications services and products to consumers.

  • Verizon Business Group – The Verizon Business segment offers wireless and wireline communications services and products, as well as video and data services, corporate networking solutions, security and managed network services, local and long-distance voice services, and network access, in order to deliver various Internet of Things (IoT) services and products.


The corporation released its fourth-quarter earnings report, which showed good financial results. The company's earnings totaled $34.1 billion, down 1.8 percent year over year. The company's earnings per share were $1.31, up 8.3 percent from the previous year. 


  • Activations of 11.4 million wireless postpaid devices,

  • 1.1 million wireless retail postpaid net additions,

  • 6.7 million wireless postpaid upgrades,

  • and 47,000 wireless retail account net additions occurred during the quarter.


The company's prognosis for 2023 is upbeat and progressive. Verizon anticipates a 1%-1.5 percent increase in service and other revenues, with overall wireless revenue growth estimated to be between 9% and 10%.


Verizon has a market value of more than $225 billion. The company's stock is currently trading at $53.67. Analysts predict a 12-month price target of $71, a minimum of $52, and a median target price of $58.5, according to CNN Money.


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Devon Energy (NYSE: DVN)

Devon Energy is a major oil and gas producer in the United States, with a diverse portfolio that includes a world-class acreage position in the Delaware Basin. Devon's disciplined cash-return business model focuses on safe and sustainable operations while generating great returns, creating free cash flow and reinvesting resources in the company. According to the CEO, these ideas have helped Devon become a notable and consistent builder of economic value throughout the cycle. Learn about the crypto mining firms that are at the forefront of the industry.


The company has released its fourth-quarter financial and operational results for 2021. The company recorded $4.3 billion in overall earnings and $1.4 billion in net earnings. The company recorded $2.23 in earnings per share. The corporation has significant liquidity, with $2.3 billion in cash on hand and a better debt position. By the end of December 2021, the company had reduced debt by $1.2 billion, with a net debt to equity ratio of 0.8 times. Devon Energy has been paying dividends for 29 years in a row. The firm declared a $1 dividend per share for the current quarter. 


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For the year 2023, the company is well-positioned for rapid growth. Devon Energy is well-positioned for a strong free cash flow yield, with total production projected to be between 570 and 600 MBOED.


Devon Energy has a $39.55 billion market capitalization. The company's stock is currently trading at $59.55. According to CNN Money, experts expect the stock to reach a 12-month high of $70, a low of $60, and a median target price of $59.54.

Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA)

NVIDIA is a maker of graphics cards and a developer of graphics processing units (GPUs). The company makes supercomputing and AI acceleration graphics, general-purpose GPU (GPGPU) solutions, and rack-mounted AI acceleration units and servers for GPGPU. Under the GeForce name, NVIDIA produces some of the most well-known consumer graphics cards. NVIDIA GeForce is the largest gaming platform in the world, with over 200 million users.


NVIDIA's annual report for the year 2022 was recently released. The corporation recorded $16.7 billion in revenue, up 53% over the previous year. Net income was $4.3 billion, with earnings per share of $6.9, up 53 percent from the previous year. NVIDIA's computer systems had a breakout year this year. Because of the company's pioneering work in accelerated computing, gaming has become the world's most popular form of entertainment, supercomputing has become democratized for all researchers, and artificial intelligence has emerged as the most powerful force in technology.


Revenue is expected to be around $5.3 billion in the coming quarter, with gross margins ranging from 63.8 percent to 66 percent.


NVIDIA is worth more than $607 billion on the stock market. The company's stock is currently trading at $243.85. Analysts predict a 12-month price target of $400, a minimum of $210, and a median target price of $350, according to CNN Money. Cybersecurity stocks have grown in popularity and are gaining a lot of investor interest.

Conclusion

Dividend investors who don't consider selling covered calls may be missing out on a source of additional income in reasonably steady and predictable markets. Holding stock in your portfolio carries a risk, which you can mitigate by selling best stocks for covered calls. Selling covered calls is a smart strategy to supplement your income while also protecting yourself from nearly unlimited losses if your stock's price declines.


Stocks under $10 and $5, in general, are not suitable prospects for the covered call strategy. Instead, stick to large-cap blue chips, which have more liquidity and tend to produce more orderly markets. Consider subscribing to the Benzinga options newsletter if you need more help with market strategy. This guide will update you with new information on covered calls and other methods to assist you in making the most of the market.