Sector Snap: Hotel Companies Advance

NEW YORK (AP) — Shares of most publicly traded hotel companies gained on Thursday after a Goldman Sachs analyst upgraded the sector to "Attractive" from "Neutral."

Steven Kent cited the shrinking supply pipeline, cost containment programs throughout the industry and easier revenue comparisons in the second half of the year.

Additionally, Kent upgraded Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc. to "Buy" from "Sell." The stock gained $1.14, or 5.1 percent, to $23.52 in afternoon trading. It has traded between $8.99 and $50.89 during the past 52 weeks. ...