Oct 30 (Reuters) - Auto parts distributor LKQ Corp LKQ.O raised its lower end of full-year profit forecast on Thursday, betting on strong aftermarket demand and gains from its self-service segment sale.

It also reported third-quarter profit above Wall Street estimates, sending its shares up nearly 5% in premarket trading.

Tariff pressures and inflation are prompting U.S. drivers to keep older vehicles on the road, boosting demand for replacement parts.

LKQ Corp sold its self-service segment to private equity firm Pacific Avenue Capital Partners last month for $410 million to sharpen focus on its core operations.

The company reduced its debt by over $600 million after the sale, strengthening its finances to face economic challenges and support growth, CFO Rick Galloway said.

LKQ has revised its 2025 adjusted earnings per share forecast to a range of $3.00 to $3.15, compared with the previous range of $2.85 to $3.15, citing the self-service divestiture and core business strength.

The company now expects full-year revenue growth for parts and services at 2.0% to 3.0%, compared with its previous forecast of 1.5% to 3.5% growth.

Third-quarter adjusted earnings came at 84 cents per share, beating analysts' estimates of 76 cents per share, according to data compiled by LSEG.

Revenue rose 1.3% to $3.50 billion, compared with expectations of $3.54 billion.

Reuters reported in October that activist hedge fund Ananym Capital has urged LKQ Corp to exit its European business and focus on North American business, after the company cut its 2025 outlook following weak second-quarter results.

(Reporting by Apratim Sarkar; Editing by Vijay Kishore)

((Apratim.Sarkar@thomsonreuters.com;))