Co-Operative Group Ltd

Britain's Co-Operative Group, the mutually-owned supermarkets-to-funerals group, reported a lower first-half profit on Thursday, as weakness in its funeral unit offset a strong performance in its food business.

Britain's Co-Operative Group, the mutually-owned supermarkets-to-funerals group, reported lower first-half profit on Thursday, as weakness in its funeral unit offset a strong performance in its food business.

Britain's sixth largest supermarket operator Co-operative Group was the latest chain on Friday to say it had stopped selling single kitchen knives in response to a wave of fatal stabbings.

Britain's Co-operative Group predicted a challenging 2019 on Friday as it reported largely unchanged annual pretax profit, citing strong competition and continuing doubts over the shape of Britain's departure from the European Union.

Britain's Co-operative Group predicted a challenging 2019 on Friday as it reported largely unchanged annual pretax profit, citing strong competition and continuing doubts over the shape of Britain's departure from the European Union.

Co-Operative Group Ltd, Britain's sixth largest supermarket group, said on Friday it was selling its insurance underwriting business, CIS General Insurance, to motor insurance specialist Markerstudy for 185 million pounds ($238.5 million).

* Dignity shares down 18 percent (Adds Co-op Funeralcare comment)

* Group profit up 86 pct on strong food performance (Adds food CEO, group CEO comments)

Britain's Co-Operative Group , the mutually-owned supermarkets-to-funerals group, reported an 86 percent rise in first-half profit, driven by a strong food sales performance and the purchase of the Nisa convenience chain.

* UK'S CMA SAYS HAS DECIDED NOT TO REFER ANITCIPATED ACQUISTION BY CO-OPERATIVE GROUP OF NISA RETAIL LTD TO A PHASE 2 INVESTIGATION Further company coverage: (Reuters.Briefs@thomsonreuters.com)

Britain's Co-operative Energy will buy fellow energy supplier Flow Energy, the two companies said on Tuesday, with the smaller firm warning it would have struggled under the government’s looming price cap.

* CO-OP RESPONSE TO ANNOUNCEMENT FROM GROCERIES CODE ADJUDICATOR

Britain's Co-operative Bank has named former chairman of Paragon Banking Group Bob Dench as chairman, Co-op Bank said on Friday, as it seeks to further its recovery following a $900 million rescue by investors last year.

* CONFIRMS THAT TODAY REGULATORY CALL OPTION INCLUDED IN CREDIT DEFAULT SWAP AGREEMENT HAS BEEN COMPLETED

* Pre-Tax profits rise 47% due to strong performance from core businesses

* Welcomes announcement from Co-operative Bank on terms of capital raising plan

* Board has decided to discontinue formal sale process under takeover code

* Group revenues up 3% to £9.5bn, with food, funeralcare and insurance all delivering strong levels of growth

* Co-Op group announces appointment of Steve Murrells to succeed Richard Pennycook as group CEO