• Tesla Inc posted a surprise quarterly profit on Wednesday.
• Analysts were expecting a loss of 42 cents per share.
• The electric car maker's net income attributable to common shareholders was $143 million.

The electric car maker's net income attributable to common shareholders was $143 million, or 78 cents per share, for the third quarter, compared with $311 million, or $1.75 per share, a year earlier.

Excluding items, Tesla posted a profit of $1.86 per share. Analysts were expecting a loss of 42 cents per share.