21.   The combined company would own the Ballys and Caesars World casinos, as well as Hilton and Sheraton hotel brands.

22.   Those poised to post big increases are operators of upscale and luxury hotels, such Hilton Hotels Corp. and ITT Corp., which owns the Sheraton hotel brand.

23.   Wall Street expects earnings for HFS Inc., whose franchises include the Days Inn and Howard Johnson hotel brands, to rise on a whirlwind of recent acquisitions.

24.   While many have since failed, the forecast is for even more hotel brands.

25.   New York-based ITT owns the Sheraton and Caesars chains, while Phoenix-based Starwood is buying the Westin hotel brand.

26.   The deal means the first-class Mercure and the economy Ibis hotel brands will make their first appearance in India.