** Shares in Magnum Ice Cream Company MICCT.AS rise 16% after two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters that private equity firms Blackstone and CD&R were exploring bids for Magnum

** Deliberations are in early stage and both suitors wait for Magnum to report summer sales, while monitoring the share price, before making a decision, one source told Reuters

** Magnum, Blackstone, CD&R and top shareholder Unilever ULVR.L declined to comment

** Shares of Magnum are tracking their biggest single daily gain ever if gains hold; they were down 4.5% YTD as of Thursday's close

** Magnum trades at around 15.3 euros ($17.79), up 19% from IPO price of 12.8 euros

($1 = 0.8599 euros)