You’re standing in the frozen aisle, staring at a pint of Half Baked, and you think: "Man, people love this stuff. I should probably own some of this company." Naturally, you pull out your phone, open your brokerage app, and type in "Ben and Jerry's."
Nothing. You try $BEN. That’s Franklin Resources. You try $JRY. Not even close.
Honestly, it’s one of the most frustrating things for retail investors who want to put their money where their mouth—or their stomach—is. Here is the reality: there is no Ben and Jerry's stock ticker symbol because the company isn't independent. It hasn't been for a long time. But as of late 2025 and moving into 2026, the answer to "how do I buy this?" has actually changed in a way that most people haven't realized yet.
The Big Shakeup: From Unilever to Magnum Ice Cream Co
For over two decades, if you wanted to own a piece of Cherry Garcia, you had to buy Unilever (NYSE: UL). Unilever is that massive British conglomerate that owns everything from Dove soap to Hellmann’s mayo. They bought Ben & Jerry’s back in 2000 for about $326 million.
But things just got weird.
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In late 2025, Unilever finally followed through on a massive plan to spin off its entire ice cream division. They realized that selling soap and selling ice cream are two very different businesses with very different supply chains. So, they bundled Ben & Jerry’s together with Magnum, Wall’s, and Cornetto to create a new, standalone company.
The New Ticker in Town: $MICC
If you are looking for the closest thing to a Ben and Jerry's stock ticker symbol today, you’re looking for Magnum Ice Cream Company, which trades under the ticker MICC.
- Where it trades: You can find it on the Amsterdam (AEX), London (LSE), and as an ADR on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE).
- The Vibe: It is the world’s largest pure-play ice cream company.
- The Catch: When you buy $MICC, you aren't just getting the Vermont hippies. You’re also getting the high-end Belgian chocolate-covered Magnum bars and the global Cornetto cones.
It’s a bit of a "be careful what you wish for" situation. For years, fans wanted Ben & Jerry’s to be free from the corporate clutches of Unilever. Now that they are part of a smaller, ice-cream-focused entity, the pressure to perform is even higher.
Why Ben and Jerry's is a "Governance Nightmare" for Investors
Let’s be real for a second. Ben & Jerry’s is probably the only subsidiary in history that regularly sues its own parent company.
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When Unilever bought them in 2000, the founders, Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, were terrified of losing the "soul" of the brand. They didn't just sign a bill of sale; they signed a unique merger agreement that gave Ben & Jerry’s an independent Board of Directors. This board has the legal right to protect the brand’s social mission, even if it contradicts the parent company's bottom line.
This has led to some legendary corporate friction:
- The Israel Dispute: A few years ago, the Ben & Jerry's board tried to stop sales in the West Bank. Unilever overruled them. The board sued Unilever. It was a mess.
- Board Term Limits: Just recently, in December 2025, the company had to implement new term limits for its board to try and "align" it better with the new $MICC corporate standards.
- Political Activism: The brand remains vocal on everything from climate change to criminal justice reform.
If you’re a "numbers only" investor, this might drive you crazy. You’re buying a stock where one of the main brands can essentially go rogue whenever they feel a social cause is at stake. But if you’re an ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) investor, this is exactly why you’re looking for that Ben and Jerry's stock ticker symbol in the first place.
Can You Still Buy Through Unilever?
Technically, the spinoff is complete. If you still hold $UL shares, you likely received shares of the new ice cream company as part of the divestment.
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Unilever decided that ice cream was too "low growth" and "high headache." Ice cream requires deep freezers, cold-chain logistics, and it’s seasonal. Soap doesn’t melt. Because of this, Unilever’s stock has actually seen a bit of a "relief rally" now that they’ve shed the freezer section.
Is $MICC a Good Buy in 2026?
So, you found the ticker. You found $MICC. Should you hit the buy button?
Analysts are currently split. On one hand, you have a "pure play" on the global ice cream market. People always want sugar and fat, especially when the world feels chaotic. On the other hand, the company is facing massive pressure from the GLP-1 (weight loss drugs like Ozempic) craze.
There’s a genuine fear in the market that as more people start using these drugs, the demand for a pint of "Chunky Monkey" will plummet. Ben & Jerry’s has tried to pivot with non-dairy options and "light" versions, but the core of their brand is indulgence.
Quick Stats for $MICC (Early 2026 Estimates)
- Current Price: Hovering around $16.50 - $17.00 for the US-listed shares.
- Dividend: They are expected to be a decent dividend payer, much like their former parent.
- Market Position: #1 globally in ice cream, but facing stiff competition from private labels.
Actionable Steps for the "Ben & Jerry's" Investor
If you really want to invest in this space, don't just blindly buy a ticker symbol. Here is how you should actually approach it:
- Check the ADR Fees: Since $MICC is primarily a European company, if you buy it on the NYSE, you might pay small "ADR pass-through fees." Check with your broker (like Robinhood, Fidelity, or Schwab) so you aren't surprised.
- Read the Social Mission Report: Don't just look at the 10-K. Ben & Jerry’s releases an annual "Social & Environmental Assessment Report." If you’re buying because you believe in their activism, read that first to see if they are still hitting their marks under the new ownership.
- Watch the GLP-1 Data: Keep an eye on reports regarding "snacking habits" and weight loss drug adoption. It sounds like sci-fi, but it’s the biggest threat to ice cream stocks right now.
- Understand the Board Structure: Remember that the Ben & Jerry's board is still independent within the new company. Expect more headlines and more controversy.
Basically, you can't buy "Ben & Jerry's." You buy a global ice cream giant that happens to have a very loud, very Vermont-based subsidiary. If you can handle the drama, $MICC is your ticket.