A covered call involves selling a call option on a stock the investor already owns. The strategy generates income in the form of the premium collected for selling the call, providing additional returns on the stock position.

D is correct because the primary goal of a covered call is to generate income.

A is incorrect because covered calls do not hedge against large declines in the stock price.

B is incorrect because speculation involves taking higher risks, not a covered call’s conservative strategy.

C is incorrect because no strategy guarantees a profit.