NUE

It has been about a month since the last earnings report for Nucor (NUE). Shares have lost about 6.8% in that time frame, underperforming the S&P 500. But investors have to be wondering, will the recent negative trend continue leading up to its next earnings release, or is Nucor due for a breakout? Before we dive into how investors and analysts have reacted as of late, let's take a quick look at the latest earnings report in order to get a better handle on the important catalysts. Nucor reported adjusted earnings of $4.84 per share for the second quarter of 2026. The figure beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $4.57. On a reported basis, earnings were $5.04 per share, up from $2.60 in the year-ago quarter. The company recorded net sales of roughly $10.4 billion, up 23% year over year. The figure beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of roughly $10.06 billion. Total sales tons to outside customers for steel mills in the second quarter were 5,659,000 tons, up 12% year over year and 1% sequentially. The figure surpassed our estimate of 5,621,000 tons.  Total sales tons to external customers increased 12% year over year to 7,605,000 tons. The external average sales price per ton rose 10% to $1,367. Overall operating rates at the company’s steel mills were 91%, up from 85% in the second quarter of 2025 and 86% in the first quarter of 2026. In the reported quarter, the Steel Mills segment posted earnings of $1.56 billion, up 84.6% from $843 million in the year-ago quarter. The improvement reflected higher average selling prices and volumes, along with a $130 million reduction in cost of products sold related to refunds for prior-period raw material procurement costs.  The Steel Products segment earned $353 million, down 9.9% from $392 million a year earlier. However, earnings improved sequentially on increased volumes and stable average realized pricing.  The Raw Materials segment delivered earnings of $146 million, up 156.1% from $57 million in the prior-year quarter, primarily due to higher average selling prices and shipments. Cash and cash equivalents were roughly $2.48 billion at the end of the quarter, up from $1.95 billion a year earlier. Including short-term investments, Nucor had around $2.69 billion in liquidity on hand. Long-term debt and finance lease obligations due after one year were roughly $6.39 billion at quarter-end, down from $6.91 billion at the end of 2025.  During the second quarter, Nucor repurchased approximately 1.53 million shares at an average price of $228.76 per share. The company expects higher consolidated reported earnings in the third quarter of 2026. Steel Mills segment earnings are projected to increase on higher realized pricing across all major product categories, with volumes expected to remain stable. Steel Products segment earnings are anticipated to improve on higher volumes and realized pricing. However, Raw Materials segment earnings are expected to decline due to lower margins. It turns out, fresh estimates have trended upward during the past month. The consensus estimate has shifted 7.79% due to these changes. At this time, Nucor has a great Growth Score of A, a grade with the same score on the momentum front. Charting a somewhat similar path, the stock was allocated a grade of B on the value side, putting it in the top 40% for value investors. Overall, the stock has an aggregate VGM Score of A. If you aren't focused on one strategy, this score is the one you should be interested in. Estimates have been trending upward for the stock, and the magnitude of these revisions looks promising. Interestingly, Nucor has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). We expect an in-line return from the stock in the next few months. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Nucor Corporation (NUE) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com). Zacks Investment Research

National Steel SID reported a loss of 12 cents per share in the second quarter of 2026, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of breakeven. The company posted a loss of 2 cents in the year-ago quarter. Higher financial expenses tied to exchange-rate variation outweighed stronger operating performance. National Steel delivered solid top-line growth in the second quarter of 2026, benefiting from stronger commercial activity across its businesses and improving market conditions in the steel segment.Net revenues increased 5.7% year over year to R$11.31 billion ($2.237 billion). Domestic-market net revenues rose 14.7% year over year to R$6.22 billion ($1.19 billion), while foreign-market revenues declined 1.9% to R$5.09 billion ($0.98 billion). National Steel Company price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | National Steel Company Quote Cost of goods sold increased 5.1% year over year to R$8.38 billion ($1.61 billion) as higher sales volumes and raw-material costs weighed on expenses. Gross profit increased 7.5% to R$2.93 billion ($0.56 billion), while the gross margin improved to 25.9% from 25.5%.Selling, general and administrative expenses increased 8% year over year to R$1.64 billion ($0.31 billion), reflecting higher freight expenses and the recovery in steel sales. National Steel posted a net loss of R$773.1 million ($148 million) in the second quarter of 2026. Adjusted EBITDA, however, increased 4.9% year over year to R$2.77 billion, while the adjusted EBITDA margin was 23.4% compared with 23.5%. Steel: The segment’s revenues totaled R$6.08 billion ($1.17 billion), up 12.7% year over year. Steel sales were 1,182 thousand tons, up 16.7% from 1,013 thousand tons in the second quarter of 2025. Adjusted EBITDA rose 9.5% year over year to R$636.3 million ($122.84 million).Mining: The segment’s adjusted net revenues totaled R$2.90 billion ($0.56 billion), down 14.9% year over year. Iron ore sales were 11,849 thousand tons, up 0.1% from 11,833 thousand tons in the prior-year quarter. Adjusted EBITDA fell 24% year over year to R$929.7 million ($179.48 million).Logistics: The segment’s net revenues were R$1.21 billion ($0.23 billion), up 3.1% year over year. Improved rail and multi-modal logistics performance supported the segment’s results. Adjusted EBITDA increased 5.6% to R$548.2 million ($105 million).Energy: The segment’s revenues surged 94.5% year over year to R$395.5 million ($76.35 million), aided by the retroactive recognition of revenues related to the Jacuí Hydroelectric Power Plant. Adjusted EBITDA increased 173% to R$246 million ($47.5 million).Cement: The segment’s revenues increased 14.3% year over year to R$1.39 billion ($0.27 billion), driven by price adjustments and resilient demand. Adjusted EBITDA jumped 45.5% year over year to a record R$426.9 million ($82.41 million). The free cash flow turned positive at R$808.1 million ($154 million), helped by working-capital release and funding transactions.Adjusted net debt as of June 30, 2026, was R$42.14 billion ($8.08 billion), with leverage at 3.49X compared with 3.36X in the prior quarter. Cash and cash equivalents totaled R$15.4 billion ($2.95 billion). National Steel’s shares have lost 32.4% in the past year against the industry’s 81.6% growth. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research SID currently carries a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell).You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. Nucor Corporation NUE reported adjusted earnings of $4.84 per share for the second quarter of 2026. The figure beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $4.57. On a reported basis, earnings were $5.04 per share, up from $2.60 in the year-ago quarter. Nucor recorded revenues of $10.4 billion, up 23% year over year. The figure beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $10.06 billion. ArcelorMittal S.A. MT recorded second-quarter 2026 earnings of 89 cents per share. This compares unfavorably with $2.34 per share in the year-ago quarter. Earnings missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.18. ArcelorMittal revenues increased around 5% year over year to $16.76 billion in the quarter. The figure missed the consensus estimate of $16.82 billion. Commercial Metals Company CMC reported adjusted earnings per share of $1.73 in third-quarter fiscal 2026 (ended May 31, 2026), beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.60 by 8.1%. The bottom line surged 147.1% from 70 cents in the year-ago quarter. Commercial Metals’ revenues in the reported quarter were $2.48 billion compared with $2.02 billion in the year-ago quarter. The reported figure beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.37 billion. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report National Steel Company (SID) : Free Stock Analysis Report ArcelorMittal (MT) : Free Stock Analysis Report Nucor Corporation (NUE) : Free Stock Analysis Report Commercial Metals Company (CMC) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com). Zacks Investment Research

L.B. Foster Company’s FSTR second-quarter 2026 adjusted earnings were 48 cents per share, topping the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 41 cents. On a reported basis, earnings were 29 cents per share compared with 27 cents a year ago. The company logged revenues of $138.6 million for the quarter, down 3.5% year over year. Revenues surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $134.5 million by 3%. The year-over-year decline reflected lower sales in both the Rail, Technologies and Services and Infrastructure Solutions segments. New orders were roughly $176.1 million in the reported quarter, up 0.2% year over year. Backlog was $246.1 million, down 8.8% from the prior-year quarter but up 17.4% sequentially. L.B. Foster Company price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | L.B. Foster Company Quote Sales from the Rail, Technologies, and Services segment fell 5.2% year over year in the reported quarter to $72 million. Rail Products sales declined 27.3% due to the timing of large orders, partly offset by growth in Global Friction Management and Technology Services and Solutions. Segment gross margin expanded 70 basis points (bps) to 20.6%. Infrastructure Solutions segment sales were $66.5 million, down 1.5% year over year. Lower Steel Products sales were partly offset by growth in Precast Concrete Products. Segment gross margin improved 80 bps to 24.1% on favorable sales mix and manufacturing efficiency. L.B. Foster ended the second quarter with cash and cash equivalents of around $5.8 million. Total debt was roughly $48 million, down 41.2% from the prior-year quarter, while the gross leverage ratio improved to 1 from 2.2 a year ago. Cash flow from operations was $17.9 million for the second quarter, up 71.7% year over year. Free cash flow increased 85% to $14.3 million. FSTR reaffirmed its 2026 financial guidance. It expects net sales in the range of $540-$580 million and adjusted EBITDA in the band of $41-$46 million. Free cash flow is projected in the range of $15-$25 million for the year. Capital spending is expected to account for roughly 2.7% of sales. The company said the $36.5 million sequential increase in backlog supports its growth expectations for the second half of 2026. At the midpoints, the sales and adjusted EBITDA guidance imply year-over-year growth of 3.7% and 11.3%, respectively. L.B. Foster’s shares are up 63.6% year to date compared with the Zacks Steel Producers industry’s 81.8% rise. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research FSTR currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. Nucor Corporation NUE reported second-quarter adjusted earnings of $4.84 per share, up from $1.73 reported in the prior quarter. The figure topped the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $4.57. NUE expects third-quarter 2026 earnings to rise, driven by higher pricing in Steel Mills and stronger volumes and pricing in Steel Products. Raw Materials earnings are projected to decline due to lower margins. Steel Dynamics, Inc. STLD reported adjusted earnings of $3.8 per share for the second quarter, up from $2.01 per share in the year-ago quarter. The bottom line beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.67 per share. Domestic steel and aluminum demand is expected to remain strong through 2026-27, supported by better orders, pricing and reshoring. Steel Dynamics expects aluminum profitability and volumes to rise sharply in second-half 2026 as utilization improves and startup costs ease. Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. CLF reported a second-quarter adjusted loss of 20 cents per share, narrower from 51 cents a year ago. The figure was narrower than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a loss of 21 cents per share. Cleveland-Cliffs expects a strong second half of 2026, with third quarter adjusted EBITDA projected at about $575 million and fourth quarter expected to be even stronger. CLF maintained its full-year shipment and capex guidance while targeting leverage below 2.5x by mid-2027. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report L.B. Foster Company (FSTR) : Free Stock Analysis Report Steel Dynamics, Inc. (STLD) : Free Stock Analysis Report Nucor Corporation (NUE) : Free Stock Analysis Report Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. (CLF) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com). Zacks Investment Research

Nucor Corporation’s Board of Directors declared a US$0.56 per share cash dividend on June 9, 2026, payable on August 11, 2026 to shareholders of record on June 30, marking the company’s 213th consecutive quarterly cash dividend. For the quarter ended July 4, 2026, Nucor reported higher sales of US$10,397 million and net income of US$1,156 million, with earnings per share from continuing operations roughly doubling year over year, reinforcing how improved pricing conditions and shipment volumes are feeding through to profitability. We’ll now consider how Nucor’s sharply higher quarterly earnings may influence the existing investment narrative built around tariffs and new mills. Uncover the next big thing with 20 elite penny stocks that balance risk and reward. To own Nucor, you have to believe that supportive trade policy and disciplined capacity investments can translate into resilient profitability through the cycle. The latest quarter’s strong earnings and continued dividend track record support the near term catalyst around improved pricing and shipment volumes, while also highlighting how sensitive results are to steel demand and input costs. Execution on new mills and projects, and how they perform through future demand swings, remains the key risk to watch. The second quarter 2026 earnings release is the most relevant event here, with sales rising to US$10,397 million and net income to US$1,156 million. Earnings per share from continuing operations roughly doubled year over year, reinforcing how better pricing and volumes are feeding into margins. This progress gives more context to earlier concerns about execution risk on new projects, including West Virginia, and how quickly new capacity can contribute to overall returns. But even with improving results, investors should be aware that heavy capital spending on projects like the West Virginia sheet mill could... Read the full narrative on Nucor (it's free!) Nucor's narrative projects $39.6 billion revenue and $4.6 billion earnings by 2029. This requires 5.1% yearly revenue growth and a $2.3 billion earnings increase from $2.3 billion today. Uncover how Nucor's forecasts yield a $258.41 fair value, a 6% downside to its current price. Before this earnings beat, the most optimistic analysts were already assuming Nucor could reach about US$40.6 billion of revenue and US$4.0 billion of earnings, which paints a far more upbeat picture than the baseline view and leans heavily on projects like the West Virginia mill, reminding you that reasonable people can reach very different conclusions about the same set of risks and catalysts. Explore 3 other fair value estimates on Nucor - why the stock might be worth as much as 53% more than the current price! Don't just follow the ticker - dig into the data and build a conviction that's truly your own. A great starting point for your Nucor research is our analysis highlighting 3 key rewards and 1 important warning sign that could impact your investment decision. Our free Nucor research report provides a comprehensive fundamental analysis summarized in a single visual - the Snowflake - making it easy to evaluate Nucor's overall financial health at a glance. Every day counts. These free picks are already gaining attention. See them before the crowd does: Outshine the giants: these 16 early-stage AI stocks could fund your retirement. AI is about to change healthcare. These 41 stocks are working on everything from early diagnostics to drug discovery. The best part - they are all under $10b in market cap - there's still time to get in early. The latest GPUs need a type of rare earth metal called Dysprosium and there are only 28 companies in the world exploring or producing it. Find the list for free. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Companies discussed in this article include NUE. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email [email protected]

Nucor Corporation NUE used its second-quarter earnings call to emphasize continued demand strength, expanding capacity and progress on major growth projects. Management highlighted record steel mill shipments, strong backlogs and investments aimed at increasing long-term earnings capacity. The company also raised confidence in the second half of 2026, pointing to higher realized pricing, stable volumes and contributions from recently completed projects. Chairman and CEO Leon Topalian said Nucor delivered another strong quarter with improved earnings across all three operating segments. The company reported adjusted earnings of $4.84 per diluted share on net sales of $10.40 billion, while the Zacks Consensus Estimate called for EPS of $4.57 and revenues of $10.06 billion. Nucor Corporation price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | Nucor Corporation Quote Topalian noted that steel mill shipments reached a record 7.1 million tons for the second consecutive quarter. He attributed the performance to strong end-market demand and prior investments that expanded Nucor’s steelmaking capabilities. The CEO also emphasized that backlogs continued to build across the business, reflecting customer momentum in multiple sectors of the economy. He highlighted demand from infrastructure, energy, manufacturing and other industrial markets as key drivers. President and COO Stephen Laxton said Nucor’s West Virginia sheet mill project remained on schedule and within budget. The company began commissioning key equipment and expects commercial shipments to begin ramping in early 2027. Laxton said other projects, including galvanizing lines, coating operations and towers and structures facilities, were progressing as planned. Several recently completed projects, including the Lexington micro mill and Kingman melt shop, reached EBITDA-positive run rates. Management expects these investments to support future earnings growth as capacity ramps. The company said capital expenditures remain targeted at approximately $2.5 billion for 2026, with about 60% allocated toward growth projects. Laxton said Nucor expects 2026 shipment growth to finish near the high end of its previously indicated 5% to 10% range. He pointed to continued strength in sheet, plate, bar and structural products. Sheet demand remains supported by energy, advanced manufacturing and data center activity, according to Noah Hanners, Executive Vice President of Sheet Products. He also noted that reshoring activity is creating additional opportunities in areas such as automotive supply. Management said industry demand growth remains around 2% for 2026, with several end markets positioned for continued strength over the next few years. Topalian said Nucor remains focused on its strategy of growing the core business while expanding beyond traditional steel operations. He said future opportunities will focus on areas connected to long-term trends such as energy infrastructure and downstream products. The CEO said the company would remain disciplined on acquisitions and pursue opportunities only when they can create value above the cost of capital. He added that excess cash would continue to be returned to shareholders if attractive investments were unavailable. Chief financial officer Jack Sullivan said Nucor returned $479 million to shareholders during the quarter through dividends and share repurchases, representing 41% of quarterly net earnings. A Wells Fargo analyst asked about the potential impact of new projects and whether strong demand could offset typical fourth-quarter seasonality. Topalian responded that several projects were already contributing and that additional facilities should add value as they ramp. A JPMorgan analyst questioned the sustainability of demand trends into the second half of 2026. Laxton said demand drivers remained broad, including infrastructure, energy investment and data center development, while acknowledging normal seasonal patterns. Analysts also asked about the West Virginia mill ramp. Hanners said the focus will be on safe, reliable production, with utilization expected to reach about 50% by the end of the first year. Nucor entered the second half of 2026 with management focused on execution, capacity expansion and maintaining financial flexibility. Topalian said the company’s operating platform and broad product portfolio provide a foundation for continued investment. The company’s outlook reflects confidence in demand across several markets while continuing to manage project ramp costs and raw material pressures. Management expects third-quarter consolidated earnings to increase, supported by pricing improvements and stronger steel products results. Nucor currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. The Zacks Rank focuses on earnings estimate revisions and is designed to help identify stocks with stronger potential performance over the next one to three months. The Rank can change as analysts update earnings expectations following new results. The company has a Value Score of B, Growth Score of B, Momentum Score of F and VGM Score of B. Zacks Style Scores range from A to F, with stronger scores indicating more favorable characteristics for the corresponding investing style. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Nucor Corporation (NUE) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com). Zacks Investment Research

This article first appeared on GuruFocus. EBITDA: Approximately $2 billion. Earnings Per Share (EPS): $5.04 per share; adjusted earnings $4.84 per share. Shareholder Returns: $479 million returned through dividends and share buybacks, representing 41% of net earnings. Capital Expenditures: $571 million for the quarter; expected $2.5 billion for the year. Steel Mill Shipments: Record high of 7.1 million tons. Steel Products Shipments: Increased by 11% compared to Q1. Net Earnings: $1.2 billion or $5.04 per share. Steel Mill Segment Pre-Tax Earnings: $1.6 billion, up over 35% from the prior quarter. Steel Products Segment Pre-Tax Earnings: $353 million, up more than $75 million from Q1. Raw Materials Segment Pre-Tax Earnings: $146 million, compared to $45 million in the prior quarter. Free Cash Flow: $829 million, the strongest quarter since 2023. Cash and Liquidity: $2.7 billion in cash and $3.4 billion in liquidity. Total Debt as a Percentage of Capital: 23%. Warning! GuruFocus has detected 11 Warning Signs with NUE. Is NUE fairly valued? Test your thesis with our free DCF calculator. Release Date: July 28, 2026 For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. Nucor Corp (NYSE:NUE) delivered a strong quarter with approximately $2 billion of EBITDA and earnings of $5.04 per share, excluding a non-cash benefit. The company returned $479 million to shareholders through dividends and share buybacks, representing 41% of net earnings. Quarterly shipments in the steel mills reached an all-time high of 7.1 million tons, marking the second consecutive quarter of record shipments. Nucor Corp (NYSE:NUE) is making significant progress on its new sheet mill project in West Virginia, remaining on time and on budget. The company expects shipment growth to finish closer to the higher end of its previously suggested 5% to 10% range for 2026, driven by strong demand across key end markets. Despite strong performance, Nucor Corp (NYSE:NUE) faces challenges from increased imports, particularly in beams, which saw a 50% increase quarter-over-quarter. The company anticipates elevated pre-operating and startup costs through the rest of 2026 and into 2027 as it completes construction and ramps up production at its new facilities. Nucor Corp (NYSE:NUE) expects lower earnings in its raw materials segment in the third quarter due to lower margins from expected realized scrap pricing and elevated iron ore costs. The company is navigating a complex trade environment, with ongoing investigations under Section 301 and the potential impacts of the USMCA trade agreement review. Nucor Corp (NYSE:NUE) acknowledges the potential for typical seasonality to affect the fourth quarter, despite strong demand drivers. Q: What is driving the continued willingness of customers to buy domestic steel despite the import price advantage? A: Leon Topalian, CEO, explained that the demand drivers across the spectrum are incredible, with robust demand in almost every product group area. The demand picture is strong, and it's not just a pricing delta driving it. Noah Hanners, EVP of Sheet Products, added that imports remain low, and there is a significant addressable market for domestic suppliers. The demand is driven by sectors like energy, data centers, and reshoring efforts, which are expected to continue into 2027. Q: Can you provide insights into the capacity utilization at the Brandenburg facility? A: Brad Ford, EVP of Plate and Structural Products, stated that Brandenburg had a record quarter and expects capacity utilization to continue to increase. The facility is producing grades and sizes previously unavailable, such as API linepipe and armor grades, which are expected to contribute significantly in the future. Q: How should we think about the impact of new projects like towers and structures on future earnings? A: Leon Topalian, CEO, highlighted that projects like the Lexington micro mill and Kingman facility are already contributing positively. The towers and structures facilities are expected to add positively to the balance sheet in the back half of the year. The West Virginia facility will start up later this year, with significant contributions expected in 2028. Q: What is the outlook for Nucor's capital allocation and growth strategy? A: Leon Topalian, CEO, emphasized that Nucor will continue to focus on expanding beyond its core steelmaking capabilities, particularly in areas like energy infrastructure and downstream products. The company remains disciplined with capital allocation, focusing on accretive opportunities and returning capital to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases. Q: Can you provide more details on the raw materials division's strong performance? A: Albert, a company representative, explained that the raw materials segment saw strong volumes and higher margins, particularly in recycling yards and DRI operations. The strategy of building flexibility into the raw materials supply chain has driven value, with rising pig iron prices benefiting the DRI operations. For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.

Interested in Nucor Corporation? Here are five stocks we like better. Nucor’s second-quarter results exceeded expectations: Net earnings reached $1.2 billion, or $5.04 per share, while adjusted earnings were $4.84 per share. Record steel mill shipments, higher selling prices and improved results across all three segments drove approximately $2 billion in EBITDA. The company expects stronger third-quarter earnings as expanding metal margins, stable volumes, higher pricing and improved Steel Products results offset weaker Raw Materials performance. Nucor also expects 2026 shipment growth near the high end of its 5%–10% target range. Nucor continues investing while returning capital to shareholders: The company reaffirmed approximately $2.5 billion in 2026 capital spending, with 60% allocated to growth projects, and returned $479 million through dividends and buybacks during the quarter. Its West Virginia sheet mill remains on schedule, with commercial shipments expected to ramp in early 2027. A Weaker Dollar Could Put These 3 Industrial Stocks Back in Focus Nucor (NYSE:NUE) reported stronger second-quarter earnings as record steel mill shipments, higher selling prices and improved performance across all three operating segments lifted results above the midpoint of the company’s guidance range. The steelmaker generated net earnings of $1.2 billion, or $5.04 per share, for the second quarter. Excluding a $0.20-per-share non-cash benefit tied to an increase in the value of its Helion investment, adjusted earnings were $4.84 per share. Nucor generated approximately $2 billion of EBITDA during the quarter. → Volatility Is Back and These 3 Market Tollbooths Are Best Positioned to Profit Dollar at a 3-Year Low: 3 Exporters Quietly Printing Money Chief Financial Officer Jack Sullivan said the company exceeded the midpoint of its guidance by $0.29 per share, primarily because Steel Mills results were better than anticipated, with several divisions outperforming their June forecasts. Steel Products and Raw Materials also exceeded internal expectations. Nucor’s Steel Mills segment posted quarterly shipments of 7.1 million tons, an all-time record and the second consecutive quarterly record, according to Chair and Chief Executive Officer Leon Topalian. The company cited strength across its product categories and continued benefits from investments in core steelmaking capacity. → This Tiny AI Supplier Could Be More Important Than the Chipmakers Berkshire, Broadcom & Nucor Are Revving Their Buyback Engines The Steel Mills segment generated $1.6 billion of pre-tax earnings, up more than 35% from the first quarter. Higher average selling prices, particularly for sheet and plate products, were the principal drivers. Segment results also included $130 million of cash refunds associated with prior-period raw-material procurement costs, primarily for pig iron. Steel Products generated $353 million in pre-tax earnings, an increase of more than $75 million sequentially. Shipments rose 11% from the first quarter, with growth across the company’s major product lines. Topalian said Nucor’s tube group set a second straight quarterly shipment record. → 2 Stocks Built to Thrive If Inflation Refuses to Fade Raw Materials pre-tax earnings rose to $146 million from $45 million in the first quarter. Executive Vice President of Raw Materials Allen Behr attributed the increase to strong recycling-yard volumes and margins, as well as record direct reduced iron production. The DRI business benefited from higher pig iron prices, which influence Nucor’s internal DRI transfer pricing. At the company’s Brandenburg plate facility, shipments exceeded 230,000 tons during the quarter. Brad Ford, executive vice president of Plate and Structural Products, said nearly one-third of Brandenburg’s second-quarter shipments consisted of grades and sizes previously unavailable from Nucor’s plate group, including API line pipe, armor grades, shipbuilding grades and wide plate for bridge applications. Nucor forecast higher consolidated earnings in the third quarter. In Steel Mills, the company expects expanding metal margins and stable volumes to offset the absence of additional material cash-refund benefits. Sullivan said realized pricing is expected to increase across all product groups. Steel Products earnings are projected to rise on higher volumes and average realized prices. Raw Materials earnings, however, are expected to decline as lower realized scrap prices and elevated iron ore costs pressure margins. Nucor said iron ore costs have risen following the idling of some pellet capacity in the Middle East. President and Chief Operating Officer Stephen Laxton said Nucor now expects 2026 shipment growth to finish near the high end of its previously communicated 5% to 10% range. While the company expects customary seasonal softness in the fourth quarter, Laxton said demand remains strong across its product portfolio, supported by energy infrastructure, advanced manufacturing, data centers, construction and reshoring activity. Nucor estimated overall U.S. steel demand could increase about 2% in 2026. Laxton said some consumer-oriented markets remain weaker, but noted that reshoring could increase domestic steel consumption in sectors such as automotive even when end-market consumption is not growing. Noah Hanners, executive vice president of Sheet Products, said Nucor’s sheet operations set another production record in the second quarter. He said the company sees continued demand strength into 2027, including in energy, data centers, automotive and consumer durables. Hanners also cited low inventories at service centers and said service-center shipments rose 10% year over year in June. Nucor said its new sheet mill in West Virginia remains on schedule and on budget. The company began commissioning the melt shop and automotive and construction galvanizing lines earlier this month, with cold mill and hot mill commissioning expected later in the year. Commercial shipments are expected to begin ramping in early 2027, with utilization and product offerings building through 2027 and into 2028. Hanners said Nucor expects the West Virginia mill to reach roughly 50% utilization by the end of its first year of operation. The company plans to focus initially on safe, reliable and consistent production before expanding into higher-value products and qualifications. Other projects expected to be completed later this year include Nucor’s Berkeley galvanizing line, the full range of its Crawfordsville coating operation and an Indiana Towers and Structures facility. A Utah Towers and Structures facility is expected to reach full production by mid-2027. Laxton said the Lexington micro mill and Kingman melt shop reached EBITDA-positive run rates in the first quarter. Nucor’s Alabama Towers and Structures facility is expected to reach an EBITDA-positive run rate later this year. Capital expenditures totaled $571 million in the second quarter, and Nucor reaffirmed its expectation to spend about $2.5 billion during 2026, with about 60% directed to growth projects. The company generated $829 million of free cash flow, its strongest quarter since 2023, and ended the period with approximately $2.7 billion in cash and $3.4 billion of liquidity. Nucor returned $479 million to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases during the quarter, representing 41% of net earnings. The company said it remains committed to returning at least 40% of annual net earnings to shareholders. Topalian said finished steel imports increased sequentially but remained down 25% year over year, which he attributed to strengthened Section 232 measures and antidumping and countervailing duties. He also called for changes to the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, including North American melted-and-poured requirements for steel used in steel-intensive products. “We remain incredibly optimistic about the opportunities and the future ahead of Nucor,” Topalian said in closing remarks. Nucor Corporation (NYSE: NUE) is an American steel producer headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina. The company is primarily engaged in the manufacture and sale of steel and steel products, operating a network of steel mills, recycling facilities and fabrication plants across the United States and North America. Nucor's operations emphasize electric arc furnace steelmaking using recycled scrap metal, which supports a decentralized, mill-based production model focused on efficiency and flexibility. Product offerings span a broad range of basic and value‑added steel items, including sheet, plate, merchant bar, structural beams, reinforcing bar, tubing, fasteners and fabricated components. This instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from MarketBeat in order to provide readers with the fastest reporting and unbiased coverage. Please send any questions or comments about this story to [email protected]. The article "Nucor Q2 Earnings Call Highlights" was originally published by MarketBeat. View MarketBeat's top stocks for July 2026.

Never miss an important update on your stock portfolio and cut through the noise. Over 7 million investors trust Simply Wall St to stay informed where it matters for FREE. Nucor (NUE) is back in focus after reporting second quarter 2026 results and affirming its regular cash dividend, giving investors fresh data on both recent profitability and ongoing shareholder returns. See our latest analysis for Nucor. The strong second quarter report and affirmed dividend have arrived alongside powerful momentum in Nucor’s stock, with a year to date share price return of 46.32% and a 1 year total shareholder return of 73.80%, suggesting investors are currently rewarding both earnings delivery and income. If Nucor’s move has you thinking about other industrial and infrastructure linked opportunities, it could be a good time to review 35 power grid technology and infrastructure stocks After this sharp move in Nucor and a share price near US$247.86 against a wide range of fair value estimates, the real question is where that fair value actually sits across those models. At a last close of $247.86 against a narrative fair value of $258.41, Nucor is framed as slightly undervalued, with that gap tied directly to its projected earnings path and capital plan. Read the complete narrative. Analysts are building this narrative around a thicker margin profile, a larger revenue base, and a lower earnings multiple than today. The combination is unusual. Want to see how those moving pieces line up year by year and still land at a higher fair value? Result: Fair Value of $258.41 (UNDERVALUED) Have a read of the narrative in full and understand what's behind the forecasts. However, this Nucor narrative can be knocked off course if steel demand softens, or if new mills and projects stumble as they ramp up and integrate. Find out about the key risks to this Nucor narrative. The first fair value narrative suggests Nucor is 4.1% undervalued. Yet on a simple P/E comparison, the stock looks expensive. Nucor trades on 24.3x earnings versus 18.7x for peers and 16.4x for the broader US Metals and Mining industry, while the fair ratio model sits at 25.4x. Is the current premium simply reflecting quality, or does it leave less room for error if sentiment cools? For a closer look at how this price compares with earnings, margins and peers, check the valuation breakdown in the See what the numbers say about this price — find out in our valuation breakdown. If this mix of optimism and caution around Nucor resonates, take a moment to review the data yourself and decide where you stand. To help frame both sides of the story, start with the 2 key rewards and 1 important warning sign. If Nucor’s story has sharpened your thinking, do not stop here. Cast the net wider and use fresh data to challenge your next investment decision. Scan for potential value opportunities that combine quality with pricing gaps by reviewing the 51 high quality undervalued stocks. Prioritize resilience and capital preservation by checking companies highlighted in the 84 resilient stocks with low risk scores. Spot under the radar opportunities before the crowd by using the screener containing 20 high quality undiscovered gems. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Companies discussed in this article include NUE. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email [email protected]

Our analysts just identified a stock with the potential to be the next Nvidia. Tell us how you invest and we'll show you why it's our #1 pick. Tap here. Achieved record quarterly steel mill shipments of 7.1 million tons, driven by strong execution and the realization of recent capacity investments. Performance attribution is heavily linked to 'mega-trends' in infrastructure, advanced manufacturing, data centers, and energy, which are offsetting softness in residential sectors. The Steel Products segment saw 11% volume growth, led by the Tube group's record shipments for border defense and energy applications. Management attributes the current pricing environment to a fundamental shift in market discipline via the Weekly Consumer Spot Price (CSP), which has reduced speculative buying and volatility. Strategic positioning is bolstered by a 'level playing field' resulting from vigorous trade law enforcement, with finished steel imports down 25% year-over-year. Raw materials performance improved significantly as the company utilized its DRI operations as a flexible, lower-cost alternative to rising pig iron prices. Full-year 2026 shipment growth is now expected to reach the high end of the previously guided 5% to 10% range. The West Virginia sheet mill remains on track for commissioning by year-end 2026, with a target of 50% utilization by the end of 2027. Third quarter earnings are projected to be higher, assuming expanding metal margins and stable volumes despite the absence of one-time cash refunds. Management anticipates that 'mega-trend' demand drivers are multi-year in nature, providing high order visibility extending well into 2027. Capital allocation will remain disciplined, focusing on 'expand beyond' downstream M&A in energy infrastructure and enclosures while maintaining a 40% net earnings return to shareholders. Q2 results included a $130 million cash refund related to prior period raw material procurement costs, which will not recur in future quarters. Adjusted earnings were $4.84 per share, which excluded a $0.20 per share non-cash benefit from an increase in the valuation of the Helion investment. Pre-operating and start-up costs reached $120 million in Q2 and are expected to remain elevated through 2027 due to the West Virginia greenfield project. Management expressed concern regarding the USMCA trade agreement, advocating for 'melted and poured' requirements to close loopholes for non-North American steel. One stock. Nvidia-level potential. 30M+ investors trust Moby to find it first. Get the pick. Tap here. Management explained that customers prioritize domestic supply due to robust demand and the transparency provided by the Weekly Consumer Spot Price (CSP). The CSP has shifted the market from speculative cycles to buying based on actual supply and demand needs. The Lexington micromill and Kingman melt shop have already reached EBITDA-positive run rates. The Towers and Structures group is expected to generate at least $150 million in EBITDA as new facilities in Alabama and Utah come online through 2027. Management clarified that the 50% Q-over-Q spike in beam imports is a response to domestic backlogs reaching record levels rather than a pricing disadvantage. Nucor's own beam facilities are operating at maximum utilization with backlogs measured in millions of tons. DRI transfer pricing is internally indexed to pig iron prices, allowing the segment to capture margin as pig iron costs rise. Management noted a lag in this mechanism due to the long sales cycle of iron ore pellets to finished DRI, though they declined to quantify the exact duration.

Nucor Corporation NUE reported adjusted earnings of $4.84 per share for the second quarter of 2026. The figure beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $4.57. On a reported basis, earnings were $5.04 per share, up from $2.60 in the year-ago quarter. The company recorded net sales of roughly $10.4 billion, up 23% year over year. The figure beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of roughly $10.06 billion. Nucor Corporation price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | Nucor Corporation Quote Total sales tons to outside customers for steel mills in the second quarter were 5,659,000 tons, up 12% year over year and 1% sequentially. The figure surpassed our estimate of 5,621,000 tons. Total sales tons to external customers increased 12% year over year to 7,605,000 tons. The external average sales price per ton rose 10% to $1,367. Overall operating rates at the company’s steel mills were 91%, up from 85% in the second quarter of 2025 and 86% in the first quarter of 2026. In the reported quarter, the Steel Mills segment posted earnings of $1.56 billion, up 84.6% from $843 million in the year-ago quarter. The improvement reflected higher average selling prices and volumes, along with a $130 million reduction in cost of products sold related to refunds for prior-period raw material procurement costs.  The Steel Products segment earned $353 million, down 9.9% from $392 million a year earlier. However, earnings improved sequentially on increased volumes and stable average realized pricing.  The Raw Materials segment delivered earnings of $146 million, up 156.1% from $57 million in the prior-year quarter, primarily due to higher average selling prices and shipments. Cash and cash equivalents were roughly $2.48 billion at the end of the quarter, up from $1.95 billion a year earlier. Including short-term investments, Nucor had around $2.69 billion in liquidity on hand. Long-term debt and finance lease obligations due after one year were roughly $6.39 billion at quarter-end, down from $6.91 billion at the end of 2025.  During the second quarter, Nucor repurchased approximately 1.53 million shares at an average price of $228.76 per share. The company expects higher consolidated reported earnings in the third quarter of 2026. Steel Mills segment earnings are projected to increase on higher realized pricing across all major product categories, with volumes expected to remain stable. Steel Products segment earnings are anticipated to improve on higher volumes and realized pricing. However, Raw Materials segment earnings are expected to decline due to lower margins. Shares of Nucor have gained 76.2% over the past year compared with a 71.1% rise in its industry. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research NUE currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Some better-ranked stocks in the Basic Materials space are The Chemours Company CC, Carpenter Technology Corporation CRS and Ternium S.A. TX. Chemours is expected to report second-quarter results on Aug. 4. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for CC’s second-quarter earnings is pegged at 43 cents per share. It carries a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here CRS is slated to report fiscal fourth-quarter results on July 30. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings is pegged at $3.03 per share. CRS has a Zacks Rank #1 at present. Ternium is scheduled to report second-quarter results on Aug. 4. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for TX’s second-quarter earnings is pegged at $1.29 per share. It currently carries a Zacks Rank #1. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Nucor Corporation (NUE) : Free Stock Analysis Report Carpenter Technology Corporation (CRS) : Free Stock Analysis Report Ternium S.A. (TX) : Free Stock Analysis Report The Chemours Company (CC) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com). Zacks Investment Research