** Deutsche Bank initiates coverage on some U.S. railroad operators, including Norfolk Southern NSC.N and Union Pacific UNP.N, with "buy" rating
** Says NSC's margin improvement trend will continue into 2025; has PT of $293, implying a 23% upside to stock's last close
** Sets PT of $295 on UNP, representing a 20% upside to stock's last close
** Initiates coverage on CSX CSX.O with "hold" and PT of $34, a 9% upside to stock's last close
** "CSX faces several cost challenges and investment requirements in 2025, which, we believe, will restrict its ability to achieve attractive EPS growth" - brokerage
** S&P 500 Rail Transportation .SPLRCRAIL sub-index up 3.4% YTD
(Reporting by Anshuman Tripathy)
((Anshuman.Tripathy@thomsonreuters.com))