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

5 Option Expiration Questions Answered

By Mark Wolfinger

Option expiration can be confusing for traders of all skill sets.

Early Assignment Can Be a Gift

By Mark Wolfinger

A rookie option trader should not fear early exercise of an option that he sold as it can prove profitable.

5 Things to Watch Going Into Expiration

By Mark Wolfinger

There are certain situations that can amplify or crush the value of your option positions as expiration Friday approaches.

5 Ways to Trade a Neutral Iron Condor

By Mark Wolfinger

There's more than one way to trade 'neutral' to minimize risk.

4 Options Trading Myths Busted

By Mark Wolfinger

Beginner traders may need help separating the truth from the myth.

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