Shares of Magnum Ice Cream Company soared as much as 18% following a Reuters report that private equity firms Blackstone and CD&R are in the early stages of exploring a bid for the company [1]. This interest comes just six months after Magnum spun off from Unilever, establishing itself as the world's largest standalone ice cream maker [1]. Magnum owns several prominent brands, including Magnum, Cornetto, Heartbrand, and Ben & Jerry's [1].
According to the report, Blackstone and CD&R are monitoring Magnum's share price and are waiting for the company to report summer sales before making a final decision on whether to proceed with a bid [1]. Blackstone declined to comment, while CD&R and Magnum did not immediately respond to requests for comment [1].
Magnum's Amsterdam-listed shares were up 17% at 12 p.m. London time, and U.S.-listed shares saw a similar increase in premarket trading [1]. Prior to this news, Magnum's stock had been trading at a similar level since the spin-off was completed on December 8, 2025 [1]. The company reported first-quarter sales growth in April that exceeded expectations, which had previously boosted the stock [1].
Additionally, a group led by Ben & Jerry's co-founder Ben Cohen has been advocating for Ben & Jerry's to become independent, criticizing both Magnum and former owner Unilever for limiting the brand's social mission [1].
CONCLUSION
Magnum Ice Cream Company's shares experienced a significant surge following reports of takeover interest from major private equity firms. The market is closely watching for further developments, particularly Magnum's upcoming summer sales report, which could influence potential bids. The company's strong first-quarter performance and ongoing activist campaigns add further complexity to the evolving situation.