Elon Musk is on Twitter scolding news organisations for quoting analysts with a bearish view of Tesla. There are a lot to choose from.

Of 31 analysts covering the stock, 10 say to sell, or 32 per cent with a rating compiled by Bloomberg. Compared with members of the S&P 500 Index, a proxy for US large caps, that's tied for the most in absolute numbers and near the top based on the proportion of bears.

Niceties have been abandoned: Tesla boss Elon Musk and analysts don't always get along. Credit:AP

Wall Street firms rarely tell clients to get rid of a stock -- less than 5 per cent of recommendations are sells. "Hold" is the polite way of expressing doubt.