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

Is Writing Covered Calls Only for the Wealthy?

Options investing offers strategies that fit many portfolios, from small accounts to the wealthy. Writing covered call options can be used by many investors.

Options Expiration – Dreams Die Hard

Options expiration can be difficult for traders. They either love it, hate it, or are neutral and miss the action. Find your attitude and trade accordingly.

Making Money with Options

A measured approach to options trading works best with options offering leverage, income, and hedging benefits to investors’ portfolios.

Smart Advice Works for All Traders

Traders of all experience levels should not assume that options trading advice is a waste of time. Incorporate helpful ideas without brushing them off.

Options and Dividends — When to Exercise

Option owners will want to follow a few rules to determine the best time to exercise their call options to receive a stock dividend.