Scott Nations: Biography, Career, and Business Insights

Scott Nations’s Profile Summary

Company	Nations Indexes
Position	President and Chief Investment Officer of Nations Indexes
Source of wealth	Management and performance fees from Nations Indexes, proprietary trading in options, and book royalties from his published works
Also known as	Scott Nations is also known as an author, financial educator, and CNBC contributor
Age	61
Education	University of Kansas - Bachelor of Science
Citizenship	United States
Residence	Chicago, Illinois, USA
Family	Wife, Wendi Taylor Nations
Website, Social Media	https://www.scottnations.com/

Scott Nations’s biography

Scott Nations is an experienced trader, financial engineer, and author. Born in 1963 in Overland Park, Kansas, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Kansas. Over his career, he has become well-known for his work in financial markets, particularly in options trading and volatility indexes. Nations is the founder and president of Nations Indexes, an independent developer of volatility-based indexes, such as VolDex® and SkewDex®. His expertise in this field has also led to frequent appearances on CNBC, where he discusses market trends and investment strategies. Before founding Nations Indexes, he was a member of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange and a senior trader for major firms like Sovereign Capital and the Arbitrage Group. Additionally, Scott Nations is an accomplished author, having written multiple books on finance, including "A History of the United States in Five Crashes" and "Options Math for Traders." He currently resides in Chicago with his wife, Wendi

How did Scott Nations make money?

Scott Nations makes money in the following areas:

Management and performance fees from Nations Indexes, proprietary trading in options, and book royalties from his published works
What is Scott Nations net worth?

As of 2025, there is no publicly available and reliable information regarding Scott Nations’s net worth.

What is Scott Nations also known as?

Scott Nations has made a name for himself as a bestselling author, particularly for his book "A History of the United States in Five Crashes," which explores significant stock market crashes in U.S. history. He is also recognized as a contributor to CNBC, where he regularly discusses markets, volatility, and financial strategies. His work in developing volatility-related indexes, such as VolDex® and SkewDex®, has had a notable impact on how investors approach risk and options trading

Prominent achievements of Scott Nations

Created the VolDex® index, frequent CNBC contributor, author of best-selling books on financial markets, including A History of the United States in Five Crashes, developed proprietary option pricing models, and successfully deployed wireless handheld computers to trading floors

What are Scott Nations’s key insights?

Scott Nations advocates for reducing the social aspects of investing and focusing on rational, data-driven decisions. He encourages the use of options and volatility products to manage risk and believes in understanding market history to avoid repeating financial mistakes

Scott Nations’s personal life

Scott Nations has been married to Wendi Taylor Nations since 1994. She has a career in marketing and serves as Chief Marketing Officer at The Conference Board. The couple does not have any children mentioned publicly

Useful insights

Essential books for stock and Forex traders

These essential books provide traders with timeless strategies and practical knowledge to build a strong foundation in stock and Forex markets, and enhance trading success.

Alexander Elder – "Trading for a Living"
- Summary:
  
  Elder’s book is a comprehensive guide that covers the mental, technical, and risk management aspects of trading. It combines psychological discipline, effective trading strategies, and money management techniques to help traders build a sustainable career.
- Why read it:
  
  It is a great starting point for beginners and a valuable resource for experienced traders who want to refine their approach. Elder's focus on the psychology of trading is particularly useful for developing discipline and avoiding common emotional pitfalls.
Jack D. Schwager – "Market Wizards"
- Summary:
  
  In this classic work, Schwager interviews some of the world’s most successful traders, uncovering their strategies, mindsets, and trading philosophies. The book provides a rare glimpse into the minds of top traders across various markets, including stocks, Forex, and futures.
- Why read it:
  
  Learning directly from legendary traders can help you adopt proven strategies and avoid costly mistakes. The interviews offer timeless insights that can benefit both novice and seasoned traders.