Magnum Ice Cream Shares Surge on Reports of Private Equity Takeover

Shares of Magnum Ice Cream Company NV surged Friday following reports that Blackstone and Clayton, Dubilier & Rice are exploring bids to take the company private [1, 2].

The potential acquisition signals a rapid transition for the ice-cream maker, which only recently became an independent entity. A successful take-private deal would remove the company from the public markets and shift its governance to private equity control.

Magnum Ice Cream, which trades on the NYSE under the ticker MICC, saw significant volatility in its share price on May 15, 2026 [3, 6]. Reports on the magnitude of the surge varied across financial outlets. Some sources said shares jumped 12% ^[4] or climbed about 11% ^[3], while other reports said shares surged as much as 18% ^[5].

In specific regional markets, the stock showed a more consistent trend. Shares jumped 10.9% in U.S. pre-market trading and rose 10.5% in European markets ^[6].

This interest from Blackstone and CD&R comes shortly after the company's separation from Unilever. The spin-off occurred six months earlier, leaving the brand as a standalone public company ^[1]. Private equity firms often target such newly independent companies to implement structural changes away from the scrutiny of quarterly public reporting, a strategy that may be driving the current interest in Magnum.

Neither Blackstone nor CD&R has officially confirmed the bids, but the market reaction suggests investor confidence that a premium offer is forthcoming. The company's status as the owner of Ben & Jerry's further increases its attractiveness as a global consumer brand ^[2].