Nucor Corporation (NUE)

In the past six months, Nucor Corp. stock has experienced several notable events. As of January 9, 2026, NUE's share price was $163.77, representing a significant increase over the past 12 months. Nucor reported strong third-quarter 2025 earnings on October 27, with diluted EPS of $2.63 and revenue of $8.52 billion. On December 17, 2025, Nucor announced a projected decline in fourth-quarter 2025 earnings, anticipating between $1.65 and $1.75 per diluted share. On January 9, 2026, Morgan Stanley downgraded Nucor to "Equalweight" from "Overweight," despite raising its price target to $180.00 from $165.00. Nucor increased its quarterly dividend to $0.56 per share. Stephen D. Laxton was named President and COO, effective January 1, 2026.

Nucor Corporation's products and services experience demand seasonality. The company anticipates that seasonal factors and fewer shipping days typically lead to a decline in earnings during the fourth quarter across all its business segments. Nucor often looks to the upcoming year with optimism, as evidenced by higher order backlogs, particularly in construction-linked markets, signaling a recovery and improved market conditions. The demand for steel is also sensitive to overall economic conditions and cyclical industries.

Nucor Corporation is a leading American manufacturer and seller of steel and steel products, headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina. It is the largest steel producer in the United States and the largest recycler of scrap in North America. The company operates within the Basic Materials sector, specifically in the Steel industry. Nucor's business is segmented into three main areas: Steel Mills, Steel Products, and Raw Materials. The Steel Mills produce a wide array of carbon and alloy steel products. The Steel Products segment offers value-added components. The Raw Materials segment involves the production of direct reduced iron (DRI) and processing ferrous and nonferrous scrap metal. Nucor's operations emphasize electric arc furnace (EAF) steelmaking, utilizing recycled scrap metal as its primary input.

Nucor Corporation's operations and customer base are primarily concentrated in North America, encompassing the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The company has a widespread network of manufacturing plants across these regions, including nearly 70 Nucor Rebar Fabrication facilities across the United States and Canada.

Nucor has cultivated a strong brand reputation, particularly in its commitment to sustainability, safety, and operational excellence. The company is recognized as a leader in US steel manufacturing, distinguished by its innovative business model centered on electric arc furnaces (EAFs) that utilize recycled scrap metal. Nucor's greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions intensity is significantly lower than the global steelmaking average. Nucor's Science-Based Emissions Targets (SBET) were certified by the Global Steel Climate Council (GSCC). The company also boasts an excellent safety record, achieving its safest year in history in 2024. Forbes has recognized Nucor in various lists, including "America's Best Companies" (2026), "Most Trusted Companies in America" (2026), and "Best Employers for Veterans" (2025).

Nucor Corporation's ownership is heavily dominated by institutional investors, who collectively hold approximately 79% to 80% of the company's shares. The largest institutional shareholders include The Vanguard Group, Inc., State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Co. / Asset Management Arm, and BlackRock, Inc. The general public, primarily individual investors, holds around 19% to 20% of the shares, while company insiders own less than 1%.