Nucor Corp's stock fell 5.01% and hit a 5-day low amid broader market gains, with the Nasdaq-100 up 0.55% and the S&P 500 up 0.21%.
In its Q4 2025 earnings report, Nucor reported adjusted net earnings of $400 million, or $1.73 per diluted share, which fell short of the $1.81 consensus estimate. The steel mills segment faced challenges with an 8% drop in shipments and a 10% decline in total net sales, leading to a significant miss against analysts' expectations. Despite these results, Nucor remains optimistic about earnings growth in 2026, particularly in steel mills, driven by anticipated increases in volumes and prices.
The disappointing earnings report has raised concerns among investors, yet Nucor's positive outlook for the upcoming year suggests potential recovery. The company's commitment to shareholder returns through share repurchases and dividends may also provide some support for the stock moving forward.
Wall Street analysts forecast NUE stock price to rise over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for NUE is 179.00 USD with a low forecast of 168.00 USD and a high forecast of 200.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
10 Analyst Rating
Wall Street analysts forecast NUE stock price to rise over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for NUE is 179.00 USD with a low forecast of 168.00 USD and a high forecast of 200.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
8 Buy
2 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 173.180
Low
168.00
Averages
179.00
High
200.00
Current: 173.180
Low
168.00
Averages
179.00
High
200.00
UBS
Andrew Jones
Buy
to
Neutral
downgrade
$168 -> $183
2026-01-28
New
Reason
UBS
Andrew Jones
Price Target
$168 -> $183
AI Analysis
2026-01-28
New
downgrade
Buy
to
Neutral
Reason
UBS analyst Andrew Jones downgraded Nucor to Neutral from Buy with a price target of $183, up from $168.
UBS
Andrew Jones
Buy
to
Neutral
downgrade
$168 -> $183
2026-01-28
New
Reason
UBS
Andrew Jones
Price Target
$168 -> $183
2026-01-28
New
downgrade
Buy
to
Neutral
Reason
UBS analyst Andrew Jones downgraded Nucor to Neutral from Buy with a price target of $183, up from $168. The downgrade is based on "full" valuation and pricing, the analyst tells investors in a research note. The shares are up 32% since mid-October, despite a soft Q4, amid strong price moves in flat and longs and a $130/st in announced plate increases, the firm adds.
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Morgan Stanley
Carlos De Alba
Overweight -> Equal Weight
downgrade
$165 -> $180
2026-01-09
Reason
Morgan Stanley
Carlos De Alba
Price Target
$165 -> $180
2026-01-09
downgrade
Overweight -> Equal Weight
Reason
Morgan Stanley analyst Carlos De Alba downgraded Nucor to Equal Weight from Overweight with a price target of $180, up from $165. The firm adjusted ratings in North America steel as part of its 2026 outlook. It expects steel prices to remain elevated as 50% steel tariffs "remain firm." Morgan Stanley sees domestic mills continuing to take market share from imports on capacity increases despite a relatively muted demand outlook.
Wells Fargo
Timna Tanners
Overweight
downgrade
$178 -> $176
2025-12-18
Reason
Wells Fargo
Timna Tanners
Price Target
$178 -> $176
2025-12-18
downgrade
Overweight
Reason
Wells Fargo analyst Timna Tanners lowered the firm's price target on Nucor to $176 from $178 and keeps an Overweight rating on the shares. The firm notes management's Q4 guide was lighter than its cautious estimates, but it thinks investors will look through near-term weakness hurt by contract lags for 80% of its sheet shipments. Wells forecasts further price strength and market share gains from falling imports supporting 2026.
About NUE
Nucor Corporation is a manufacturer of steel and steel products, with operating facilities in the United States, Canada and Mexico. The Company also produces and procures ferrous and non-ferrous materials primarily for use in its steel manufacturing business. Its segments include steel mills, steel products and raw materials. Its products include carbon and alloy steel in bars, beams, sheet and plate; hollow structural section tubing; electrical conduit; steel racking; steel piling; steel joists and joist girders; steel deck; fabricated concrete reinforcing steel; cold finished steel; precision castings; steel fasteners; metal building systems; insulated metal panels; overhead doors; steel grating; wire and wire mesh; and utility structures. The Company, through The David J. Joseph Company and its affiliates, also brokers ferrous and nonferrous metals, pig iron and hot briquetted iron / direct reduced iron; supplies ferro-alloys; and processes ferrous and nonferrous scrap.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
