Here are Monday's biggest analyst calls of the day: Walmart, Beyond Meat, Virgin Galactic & more

Published Mon, Aug 31 20208:03 AM EDT

Key Points

KeyBanc downgraded Vail to sector weight from overweight.
Credit Suisse raised its price target on Abbott Labs to $136 from $109.
Citi upgraded Beyond Meat to neutral from sell.
R5 Capital downgraded Walmart to hold from buy.
Cowen initiated Virgin Galactic as outperform.

(This story is for CNBC PRO subscribers only.) Here are the biggest calls on Wall Street on Monday: KeyBanc downgraded Vail Resorts to sector weight from overweight KeyBanc downgraded the ski company on valuation and "less enthusiasm" around the risk/reward. "While the sport of skiing is poised to be a large beneficiary of the secular 'outdoor renaissance' this winter, we believe behavior shifts are likely to impair the traditional, destination ski resort business model in the MT, prompting less enthusiasm around the risk/reward at current levels. We lower estimates below consensus, making it difficult to justify ascribing MTN a higher multiple ahead of potentially protracted weakness in destination visitation." Credit Suisse raised its price target on Abbott Labs to $136 from $109 Credit Suisse raised its price target on the multinational medical device company to a Street high on the strength of Abbott's new coronavirus test. "While there is little debate among investors over the magnitude of near-term sales these new COVID-19 tests will generate, the question as to how long these sales will continue, or how much share ABT will ultimately capture remains actively contested. Our view remains that lateral flow tests, which can be performed without instruments or equipment, by wide range of individuals, will be an important and widely used tool for mitigating the risk of spreading the virus while reopening businesses and schools." Citi upgraded Beyond Meat to neutral from sell Citi said in its upgrade of the alternative meat company that it sees a more "balanced" risk/reward. "Given COVID-19, it seems as if many foodservice operators have chosen to streamline their menu offerings. However, as we move past the worst of the pandemic, we expect more foodservice operators will add plant-based meat offerings to their menus, and we expect BYND will get a share of that incremental foodservice business over time – both in the U.S. and overseas (particularly in China where the market is growing rapidly and BYND believes could be its next leg of growth)." R5 Capital downgraded Walmart to hold from buy R5 said in its downgrade of Walmart that it sees a more "muted" sales outlook over the next 12 months. " Walmart 's equity has seen significant appreciation driven by both solid earnings in part from the sales lift as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic as well as multiple expansion as interest rates have collapsed. While we believe the company has a bright future and all the ingredients to be a long-term winner in the emerging Omnichannel world for in-home consumables, we see a more muted outlook for sales over the next 12 months. Cowen initiated Virgin Galactic as outperform Cowen said in its initiation of the spaceflight company that it sees a "substanial growth opportunity" ahead. " SPCE is uniquely positioned to benefit from the growing consumer interest toward luxury experiences, especially among high-net-worth individuals. We believe a substantial growth opportunity lies ahead with the commercial spaceflight business, which already has ~600 reservations, and the development of high-speed point-to-point travel."

Packages of "Impossible Burger" and "Beyond Meat" sit on a shelf for sale on November 15, 2019 in New York City.

Angela Weiss | AFP | Getty Images

(This story is for CNBC PRO subscribers only.)

Here are the biggest calls on Wall Street on Monday:

KeyBanc downgraded Vail Resorts to sector weight from overweight

KeyBanc downgraded the ski company on valuation and "less enthusiasm" around the risk/reward.

"While the sport of skiing is poised to be a large beneficiary of the secular 'outdoor renaissance' this winter, we believe behavior shifts are likely to impair the traditional, destination ski resort business model in the MT, prompting less enthusiasm around the risk/reward at current levels. We lower estimates below consensus, making it difficult to justify ascribing MTN a higher multiple ahead of potentially protracted weakness in destination visitation."

Credit Suisse raised its price target on Abbott Labs to $136 from $109

Credit Suisse raised its price target on the multinational medical device company to a Street high on the strength of Abbott's new coronavirus test.

"While there is little debate among investors over the magnitude of near-term sales these new COVID-19 tests will generate, the question as to how long these sales will continue, or how much share ABT will ultimately capture remains actively contested. Our view remains that lateral flow tests, which can be performed without instruments or equipment, by wide range of individuals, will be an important and widely used tool for mitigating the risk of spreading the virus while reopening businesses and schools."