Large Cap New Highs: Alcoa Inc (NYSE:AA), Taiwan Semiconductor (NYSE:TSM), Halliburton Company (NYSE:HAL), PepsiCo (NYSE:PEP)

Alcoa Inc (NYSE:AA) was upgraded to “Sector Perform” from “Underperform” at RBC Capital, as Alcoa is doing better in the alumina and GRP business. RBC has a price target of $15 on Alcoa, suggesting the stock will increase 12% from its current stock price. Alcoa Inc (NYSE:AA) shares after opening at $13.50 moved to $13.68 on last trade day and at the end of the day closed at $13.56. Company price to sales ratio in past twelve months was calculated as 0.65 and price to cash ratio as 21.98. Alcoa Inc (NYSE:AA) showed a positive weekly performance of 6.77%.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Ltd (NYSE:TSM) reported its 8th straight quarter of profit growth, as the world’s largest contract chip maker booked wider profit margins following a boost in demand from mobile device manufacturers. Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg. Co. Ltd. (ADR) (NYSE:TSM) shares advanced 2.83% in last trading session and ended the day on $20.72. TSM return on equity ratio is recorded as 15.80% and its return on assets is 10.70%. Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg. Co. Ltd. (ADR) (NYSE:TSM) yearly performance is 18.74%.

TheStreet Quant Ratings rates Halliburton Company (NYSE:HAL) as a buy. The company’s strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its revenue growth, largely solid financial position with reasonable debt levels by most measures, good cash flow from operations, solid stock price performance and growth in earnings per share. We feel these strengths outweigh the fact that the company has had somewhat disappointing return on equity. Halliburton Company (NYSE:HAL) shares moved up 0.66% in last trading session and was closed at $60.90, while trading in range of $60.08-$61.46. Halliburton Company (NYSE:HAL) year to date performance is 20.31%.

Before the opening bell on Thursday, PepsiCo, Inc. (NYSE:PEP) reported its first quarter earnings, posting higher EPS and organic revenue than last year’s Q1. PepsiCo, Inc. (NYSE:PEP) weekly performance is 2.31%. On last trading day company shares ended up $85.55. PepsiCo, Inc. (NYSE:PEP) distance from 50-day simple moving average is 5.41%. Analysts mean target price for the company is $90.44.