DreamWorks surges in premarket trading on report it is in buyout talks with Hasbro

Shares of DreamWorks Animation SKG Inc. are soaring in Thursday premarket trading following a media report that toy company Hasbro is in discussions to buy the studio.

The New York Times, citing anonymous sources briefed on the talks, reported that Hasbro is in "advanced talks" with DreamWorks about a potential deal that would include a combination of cash and stock.

Hasbro Inc. said Thursday that it does not comment on rumors or speculation.

A representative for DreamWorks did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The report of the talks between Hasbro and DreamWorks comes less than two months after reports said that DreamWorks was in discussions with Japanese telecommunications and Internet company Softbank about a possible buyout or some type of partnership.