IMAX has held ‘preliminary talks’ with potential buyers, source says

Key points

• An Imax private screening for the movie "First Man" at an AMC theater in New York on Oct.
• 10, 2018. Shares of premium theater company IMAX jumped after the closing bell Thursday following a report that it's exploring a sale.
• A source familiar with the company told CNBC that it has held "preliminary talks" through intermediaries, but no official pitches have been made by the company.
• IMAX's longtime bankers occasionally test the waters for potential interest, said the person, who spoke on the condition of anonymity due to the confidential nature of the discussions.
• The Wall Street Journal first reported the potential sale process.