Friday's Winners & Losers: Dow Jones

Updated from 11:39 a.m. EDT

Dow Jones(DJ Quote) was among the NYSE's winners Friday, as shares jumped 14.8% after The Wall Street Journal publisher said it would consider strategic alternatives, including a proposed acquisition by News Corporation(NWS Quote).

In a press release issued late Thursday, Dow Jones said it had had a change of heart after reviewing its business options. "After a detailed review of the business of Dow Jones and the evolving competitive environment in which it operates, the [Bancroft] family has reached consensus that the mission of Dow Jones may be better accomplished in combination or collaboration with another organization, which may include News Corp.," the company said.

Dow Jones, which had previously rebuffed News Corp.'s offer to acquire the company for $60 a share, said that it would meet with News Corp. so that it could determine whether a deal would allow the company, if it did agree to be acquired, to maintain its journalistic freedom, integrity and independence. Shares closed up $7.89 to $61.20.

CKX(CKXE Quote) spiked 37.8% after the entertainment content company, which controls the rights to the popular television show, American Idol, and the images of various celebrities, agreed to be acquired by an affiliate of its chief executive for $13.75 a share in cash. The deal will be conducted by merging CKX with 19X, a private company controlled by CKX's CEO Robert F.X. Sillerman and Simon Fuller, the American Idol judge and a director of CKX.

"I am extremely proud of what we have accomplished and am looking forward so much to continuing to work with Bob building the amazing assets that we have in Idol, Elvis Presley, Muhammad Ali and the Beckhams," Fuller said in a statement. "I believe this transaction provides the best way to maximize the value we have created." The merger agreement, meanwhile, includes a 45-day window in which CKX can solicit competing offers. No termination fee would be paid to 19X if CKX accepts a better offer. Shares closed up $4.02 to $14.65.