Deutsche Bank analyst Amit Mehrotra upgraded to Buy from Hold shares of J.B. Hunt (JBHT), Union Pacific (UNP) and Werner Enterprises (WERN). The analyst remains positive on the backdrop for U.S. Transportation stocks and believes the recent share pullbacks bring attractive entry points. Both U.S. industrial production and U.S. GDP growth are accelerating for the first time in unison since 2004, Mehrotra tells investors in a research note on the sector. He also points out that truckload demand and pricing are up significantly year-over-year.

Deutsche Bank placed a "Catalyst Call: Buy" on shares of Union Pacific (UNP) as a short-term investment idea. With all the attention Norfolk Southern (NSC) is getting in recent months, it is easy to overlook developments at other railroads, the analyst tells investors in a research note. The firm says Union Pacific is now the worst performing pail stock year-to-date. However, operating metrics "clearly show that UNP's renewed efforts on operations are gaining traction," contends Deutsche Bank. It keeps a Buy rating on the shares with a $266 price target.