Research In Motion Ltd., maker of the BlackBerry smartphone, advanced on speculation that the company has hired a strategic adviser.

RIM rose 5.3 percent to close at $16.44. The Waterloo, Ontario-based company’s stock has jumped at least 5 percent more than 10 times since the beginning of August on speculation a decline in its valuation will invite a takeover.

Heidi Davidson, a spokeswoman for RIM, said the company doesn’t comment on market rumors or speculation.