Dan Niles, founder of Niles Investment Management, says Apple’s (AAPL) slow start on artificial intelligence (AI) turned into an accidental advantage, even as he flags valuation risk ahead of its earnings report this week.

Apple’s stock recently reached new all-time highs, hitting a record closing price of $336.91 on July 27. This surge pushed Apple’s market capitalization to roughly $4.93 trillion, allowing it to reclaim the title of the world’s most valuable public company from Nvidia. The company reports fiscal third-quarter results on July 30.

Apple’s AI Delay Was Actually a Lucky Break

Speaking on CNBC’s Squawk on the Street, Niles said Apple avoided the AI spending spree that has hit rivals’ cash flow.

“Sometimes you…