Apple CEO's handling of trade war has helped buoy shares, investors say

When Apple Inc (AAPL.O) reports results on Wednesday, Wall Street expects flat fiscal fourth-quarter sales and lower full-year revenue compared with the prior year, mostly because of declining iPhone sales. Yet Apple’s stock price has hit all-time highs in recent weeks, and its price-to-forward-earnings valuation is higher than it has been since 2010. Investors and analysts told Reuters that much of the explanation lies in Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook’s skillful management of relationships in Washington, Beijing and Wall Street.