Blackstone, CD&R explore bids for Ben & Jerry’s owner Magnum, sources say

Blackstone and CD&R are among private equity firms in the early stages of exploring bids for Magnum Ice Cream Company, two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters, less than six months after the owner of Cornetto and Ben & Jerry’s was spun out of Unilever. 

Why it matters

Magnum is trading in an environment where some shoppers are opting for healthier choices. However, the company could offer buyout firms a turnaround opportunity through cost cuts and margin expansion. Shares of the ice cream maker rose 16% and were on track for the biggest daily gain after the Reuters report.