Reuters names new columnist

Reuters announced Monday the hiring of Rolfe Winkler, who will join Reuters commentary team as a columnist, effective immediately. Based in New York City, Rolfe will report into Jeffrey Cane, U.S. editor, commentary.

For the past two years, Winkler has been blogging about the financial crisis at OptionARMageddon.com. His commentary has been featured on the Mortgage Lender Implode-o-Meter, Naked Capitalism, RGE Monitor and Seeking Alpha. Previously, he was chief revenue analyst at Fotolog, the leading social media network in Latin America, and an analyst with the hedge fund Matador Capital Management.

Winkler is a CFA Charterholder and an honors graduate of the University of Chicago, where he majored in economics.

Primarily based in London and New York, the commentary team will also have a presence in the main emerging economies. Reuters commentators will produce a blog, and the company has hired the well-known financial blogger Felix Salmon to lead that effort. Commentators will also produce short opinionated columns every day on the top stories from around the globe as well as longer columns written both by in-house commentators and external experts and thought leaders.

“Rolfe brings a set of sophisticated financial skills and a fresh analytical approach that will enliven our columns and blogs,” Cane said in a statement.