Car parts and bicycle retailer Halfords today named former Tesco director David Wild as chief executive after a four-month search to fill the top job.

Swings in US sentiment played on the Footsie today as London's blue-chips made modest gains on a rollercoaster day.

Potential private equity bid excitement surrounding Marks & Spencer was today filling the void left by Sainsbury's, as the consortium eyeing the supermarket chain finally abandoned its takeover attempt.