** U.S. military shipbuilder Huntington Ingalls Industries' HII.N shares rise 1.2% to $252 in premarket trade after TD Cowen raises rating to "buy" from "hold"

** Brokerage says co's U.S. Navy ship demand is robust, execution is improving off a very low margin base, and emerging Navy contract terms may reduce HII's financial risk profile

** Brokerage raises co's PT to $300 from $250, a 20.5% upside on stocks' last close

** Five of 13 brokerages rate the stock "buy" or higher, seven "hold," and one "sell"; their median PT is $257 - LSEG data

** As of last close, stock had risen 31.7% YTD

(Reporting by Parth Chandna)

((Parth.Chandna@thomsonreuters.com))