Analysts Run Gamut On ëBuyí Recommendations

NEW YORK— Investors looking for a lodging stock to buy would have learned a lot this morning at the NYU Hospitality Industry Investment Conference session titled, Wall Street’s Crystal Ball. Moderator Laurence Geller, CEO of Strategic Hotel Capital, asked panelists and lodging analysts to recommend their favorite “buy” stock. The answers proved interesting. Michael Happel, principal/gaming and lodging for Morgan Stanley, recommended Host Marriott, while Michael Rietbrock, managing director of Salomon Smith Barney, suggested Starwood Hotels & Resorts as a buy. Joyce Minor, equity research analyst/lodging and leisure industry for Lehman Brothers suggested investors “buy the group” but was particularly enthusiastic about Marriott International. Steven Kent, vp/global investment research for Goldman, Sachs & Co., was also bullish on Marriott International for U.S. investors while giving a buy to Four Seasons for Canadian investors. Jason Ader, senior managing director for Bear, Stearns & Co., brought some out-of-the-box thinking to the recommendations, suggesting investors take a strong look at Hotel Reservations Network. —Stefani C. O’Connor