TMO Market Open: ASX200 to start flat after subdued US session

We’re not expecting to see anything too spectacular as trade gets underway today, the ASX200 is predicted to hold relatively flat.

That’s in line with major US indices – the Nasdaq gained just under a third of a per cent, while the S&P 500 & Dow Jones ended the session even.

AI component company Arm Holdings (NASDAQ:ARM) surged even above 60 per cent overnight, following an optimistic earnings forecast, while PayPal Holdings (NASDAQ: PYPL) dropped more than 10 per cent due to a flat earnings outlook despite cost-cutting measures.

A big US private company is looking to cash in by selling a majority stake.

Flynn Group is the world’s largest franchisee operator, managing food and fitness brands including Pizza Hut and Taco Bell.

It’s considering a majority stake sale which could value the company at over $5 billion. The San Francisco-based company is collaborating with Bank of America for the potential sale and with annual earnings surpassing $450 million, private equity firms and sovereign wealth funds are expressing interest.

Back home and RBA Governor, Michele Bullock, will appear before the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Economics this morning.

In stocks to watch: Construction materials company Boral (ASX:BLD), has reported revenue up 9.4 per cent and a first-half EBIT margin of 10.9 per cent. It’s upped its full-year guidance to the higher end of early predictions.

And Syrah Resources (ASX:SYR) has begun graphite production of active anode material from its facility in Louisiana, using feedstock from its mining operations in Mozambique.

The Aussie dollar is at US 64 cents.

Iron ore has slipped to US$128, crude oil is up nearly four per cent to US$76.58. Gold is sitting at US$2033 and natural gas has fallen nearly five per cent to $1.88.