Hotel stocks higher after Chinese firms express interest in Starwood

• Starwood Hotels and Resorts (HOT +9%) pops after The Wall Street Journal reports some Chinese firms are seeking approval to make a bid on the hotel operator.
• Shanghai Jin Jiang International Hotels (OTC:SJJIY) and HNA Group, and China Investment Corp. are believed to be the pursuers.
• A bulk of the hotel sector is moving off the news of Chinese interest and some strong earnings reports earlier.
• Gainers: Hyatt Hotels (H +1.2%), Wyndham Worldwide (WYN +5.7%), Hilton Worldwide (HLT +1.2%), Marriott International (MAR +1.7%).