Mark Wolfinger

Mark Wolfinger

Mark D. Wolfinger grew up in Brooklyn and holds a Bachelor of Science from Brooklyn College and a PhD in chemistry from Northwestern University. After seven years as a research chemist, in 1976, he packed his belongings, left his career behind and headed to Chicago to become a market maker on the trading floor of the Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE).

Over the next 23 years, he worked primarily as a floor trader and also held a variety of positions in the industry, including risk manager, and coach for new market makers. When he left the trading floor in 2000, he began to help educate investors on how to use options.

He has published three books and numerous magazine articles. As an educator, he stresses the conservative methods detailed in his newest book, The Rookie’s Guide to Options. He is one of five option writers who founded a new online magazine devoted exclusively to options, Expiring Monthly: The Option Trader’s Journal.

He currently resides in Evanston, Ill., with his life partner, Penny.

Mark also writes a blog called Options for Rookies where comments and questions are welcome.

Recent Articles

6 Options Expiration Day Traps to Avoid

By Mark Wolfinger

Find out what you need to know and what steps you should take to avoid unpleasant surprises on expiration day.

4 Critical Tips for Every Options Trader

By Mark Wolfinger

Four rules every options trader should follow.

5 Things You Must Know to Trade Index Options

By Mark Wolfinger

A tutorial on trading index options like the S&P 500 (CBOE: SPX), CBOE Volatility Index (CBOE: VIX), Russell 2000 (.RUT), and the Nasdaq-100 Index (.NDX).

5 Advantages of Trading Weekly Options

By Mark Wolfinger

Find out what it is that traders love so much about Weeklys.

Options a Cheap Play for Next Move

By Mark Wolfinger

Death of bin Laden offers opportunity for call and put options traders.

Smart Options Trading – Earnings Season

By Mark Wolfinger

During earnings season the smartest options strategies involve less risk, lower returns, and a greater probability of success.

Speculating on Market Direction for One Stock

By Mark Wolfinger

An options spread trade raises the opportunity for profit though the return may be modest.

Are Options a Zero Sum Game?

By Mark Wolfinger

Those who claim options are a zero sum game do not understand the product or its many uses.

Options Beginners – Know the Rules

By Mark Wolfinger

Beginning option traders often assume they know the rules, a mistake that can lead to money-losing trades.

SPX Options Undergo a Metamorphosis

By Mark Wolfinger

The S&P 500 Index option (CBOE: SPX) is a popular product that will become more popular when it shifts to afternoon settlement from morning settlement.

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