CARNAL NATION

Playboy Enterprises Inc., the men’s magazine publisher, is in talks to sell itself to Iconix Brand Group Inc, clothing brands owner. After Bloomberg broke the story, stock rose by as much as 66 percent during the day and closed up $1.21, or 43 percent, at $4.07. Iconix shares fell 39 cents, or 3.2 percent, to finish at $11.76.

According to two people close to the situation, Iconix had looked over Playboy’s books though a deal wasn’t certain. A spokesperson for Iconix declined to comment. Playboy said in a statement that it wouldn’t comment, in keeping with its policy on such matters.

Rumours had been floating since February that Playboy could be up for sale, when former interim CEO Jerry Kern said the company would be open to offers. The magazine has seen sales decline in recent years with the easy availability of adult entertainment on the Internet. Playboy magazine was founded by Hugh Hefner in 1953.