Nucor (NUE) Underperforms Compared to Market: Insights for Investors
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Sep 02 2025
0mins
Should l Buy NUE?
Source: NASDAQ.COM
Nucor's Stock Performance: Nucor (NUE) closed at $146.40, down 1.57%, while showing an 8.58% increase over the past month, underperforming the Basic Materials sector but outperforming the S&P 500. The upcoming earnings report is anticipated, with an expected EPS of $2.49, reflecting significant growth year-over-year.
Analyst Estimates and Valuation: Nucor holds a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold) with a Forward P/E ratio of 18.02, higher than the industry average. The Zacks Consensus Estimates predict a yearly EPS of $8.25 and revenue of $32.39 billion, indicating a mixed outlook compared to the previous year.
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Analyst Views on NUE
Wall Street analysts forecast NUE stock price to fall 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
8 Buy
2 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 189.950
Low
168.00
Averages
179.00
High
200.00
Current: 189.950
Low
168.00
Averages
179.00
High
200.00
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.
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- Increased Cash Allocation: Currently, cash and Treasury Bills make up about one-third of Berkshire's total value, demonstrating Buffett's cautious approach to the current market environment, which may pose greater challenges for the company in finding viable investment opportunities.
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- Community Note Response: Social media users flagged the White House's graph with a Community Note, highlighting its misleading nature and emphasizing that the actual increase was only 1.2%, showcasing public concern for government transparency and data accuracy.
- Stock Market Performance: Major U.S. steel companies have seen strong stock performance over the past year, indicating that the robust U.S. steel production could continue to drive stock gains for these firms, particularly as the government promotes domestic production.
- Historical Misleading Issues: The White House's official accounts have previously been flagged for misleading data, indicating ongoing challenges in information dissemination, particularly regarding economic data and policy communications.
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- Air Products Guidance: Air Products (APD) maintained its 2026 EPS guidance at $12.85 to $13.15, with expected capital expenditures of approximately $4 billion, demonstrating the company's ongoing efforts in optimizing its project portfolio and capital discipline.
- International Paper Spin-off: International Paper Company (IP) announced plans to separate into two independent publicly traded companies, guiding FY 2026 EBITDA to a range of $3.5B-$3.7B, in line with analyst expectations, showcasing strategic adjustments in response to market challenges.
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- Market Expansion Plans: Nu is set to open new offices in the U.S., including Miami, Palo Alto, and Washington, D.C., indicating its strategic focus on international markets and future growth, which is expected to further drive user acquisition.
- Investment Return Comparison: Although Berkshire Hathaway completely exited Nu Holdings by the end of 2024, the company's performance in 2025 has outpaced other top Berkshire stocks, highlighting potential missteps in investment decisions and Nu's robust market performance.
- Sustained Growth Expectations: Nu continues to rapidly add new customers in the Brazilian market, with expectations for higher growth in the coming years, reflecting its competitive advantages and market opportunities in the digital banking sector.
See More
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- Strong Market Performance: Following Berkshire's divestment, Nu's stock outperformed all other Buffett holdings in 2025, already up 11% at the start of the year, highlighting its robust growth potential in the competitive fintech landscape.
- User Base Expansion: Over the past decade, Nu Holdings has rapidly grown to become the largest financial institution in Brazil, with 61% of the adult population on its platform, and penetration rates of 14% in Mexico and 10% in Colombia, showcasing its significant influence in the Latin American market.
- New Market Plans: Nu is set to open offices in the U.S., including Miami, Palo Alto, and Washington, D.C., further expanding its market share and expected to drive future growth, although it carries a higher risk profile compared to traditional Buffett investments.
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