** At least three brokerages lift PT on Howmet Aerospace HWM.N after the airplane parts maker forecast first-quarter profit above Wall Street expectations on Thursday

** Co expects current-quarter adjusted profit between $1.09 and $1.11 per share, above analysts' estimate of $1.02 - data compiled by LSEG

** Truist says it expects Howmet's wheels business to hit bottom in early 2026 and improve in the second half, while share buybacks accelerate and M&A stays active

** Deutsche Bank notes growth is speeding up and margins are improving as Howmet delivers stronger incremental profitability

** Shares of the company up nearly 2% at about $249 premarket

** 21 of 25 brokerages rate the stock "buy" or higher, 4 "hold" ; their median PT is $255- data compiled by LSEG

** As of last close, shares up 19.4% YTD

(Reporting by Apratim Sarkar in Bengaluru)

((Apratim.Sarkar@thomsonreuters.com))