New York Times Co. shares are up more than 8% today on heavy trading. The reason: a rumor going around that Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim might want to take the company private. Wowza. If you know more, email us. UPDATE:

Carlos Slim's spokesperson tells the WSJ the rumors are false: "'There are no changes,' Mr. Slim's spokesman, Arturo Elias Ayub, said of Mr. Slim's previously stated desire not to control the company. 'These rumors are going to be coming and going all the time.'" The rumor appears to be losing some traction in the market, too; after rising almost 9% earlier, NYT stock is now up less than 6%.