AMC Network, the cable-programming company behind “Mad Men” and “The Walking Dead,” rose the most in four months after profit and sales topped estimates.

Third-quarter earnings were 51 cents a share, topping the 37 cents predicted by analysts. AMC shares climbed 8.5 percent to $52.57 at the close, its biggest one-day gain since July 2.

The stock has risen 40 percent this year and is trading at its highest level since Cablevision spun off the company in June 2011.