Medtronic (NYSE: MDT) closed at $39.93. MDT is scheduled to report Q2 EPS on November 18. MDT November 40 straddle is priced at $3.50, December 40 is at $5.50. MDT December option implied volatility of 54 is above its 26-week average of 32 according to Track Data, suggesting larger price movement.

Covidien (NYSE: COV), a medical solutions device provider, closed at $37.07. COV is scheduled to report Q4 EPS on November 17. COV November 40 straddle is priced at $4.40, December 40 straddle is priced at $6.40. COV December option implied volatility of 58 is above its 26-week average of 32 according to Track Data, suggesting larger price movement.

Abbott Lab (NYSE: ABT) closed at $57.14. ABT December option implied volatility of 42 is above its 26-week average of 32 according to Track Data, suggesting larger price movement.

Stryker (NYSE: SYK), a medical technology company, closed at $47.70. SYK December option implied volatility of 60 is above its 26-week average of 32 according to Track Data, suggesting larger price movement.

Option Update is provided by Stock Specialist Paul Foster of theflyonthewall.com

MOST NOTEWORTHY: Comcast (CMCSA), Time Warner Cable (TWC), CNet Networks (CNET), Coviden (COV) and I.D. Systems (IDSY) were today's noteworthy initiations:

• Banc of America resumed coverage of Comcast (NADAQ: CMCSA) and Time Warner Cable (NYSE: TWC) with Buy ratings and $32 and $43 targets, respectively.

• Stanford started CNet (NASDAQ: CNET) with a Buy rating and $10 target, as the company is well positioned to benefit from its developing web properties.

• Bear Stearns expects shares of Covidien (NYSE: COV) to move up, starting shares with an Outperform rating, as the management transforms the company from a cash flow focused conglomerate division into a faster-growing, nimble competitor.

• Merriman said I.D. Systems (NASDAQ: IDSY) is uniquely positioned in the wireless asset tracking market given its focus on industrial machinery and material handling equipment, starting shares with a Buy rating...

OTHER INITIATIONS:

• Comverse (OTC: CMVT) was initiated with a Neutral rating at Merriman.

• Lehman started Getty Images (NYSE: GYI) with a Equal Weight rating and ShoreTel (NASDAQ: SHOR) with an Overweight rating.

• Jefferies initiated Harmonic (NYSE: HLIT) with a Buy rating.

Analyst summaries provided by TheFlyOnTheWall.com (subscription required).

Tyco International Ltd. (NYSE: TYC) hosts its analyst meetings Tuesday to showcase its new spin-off companies. Late last week we saw trading begin in the two spin-offs on a when issued basis:

The Tyco Healthcare unit is named Covidien Ltd. and is trading under a when-issued ticker (NYSE: COV) or on most symbols as "COV-WI"; Covidien traded down 0.5% to $46.25 yesterday.

The Tyco Electronics"unit is appropriately named Tyco Electronics and trades as (NYSE: TEL) or "TEL-WI"; Tyco Electronics closed down 4.25% yesterday at $37.15.

The remaining company for all of the security and fire company is remaining Tyco International Ltd. and keeping the "(NYSE: TYC)" ticker; shares traded down 0.67% to $34.09 yesterday.