Nucor's Q4 Guidance Misses The Mark, Hit By Steel Slowdown; Stock Slides
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Dec 17 2024
0mins
Source: Benzinga
Earnings Guidance: Nucor Corporation's fourth-quarter earnings per share (EPS) guidance is projected at $0.55 – $0.65, significantly lower than the consensus estimate of $0.86, primarily due to decreased volumes and lower average selling prices in the steel mills segment.
Share Repurchases and Financial Performance: The company has repurchased approximately 2.1 million shares in the fourth quarter, totaling 13.1 million shares for the year, while returning over $2.73 billion to shareholders through repurchases and dividends.
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Analyst Views on NUE
Wall Street analysts forecast NUE stock price to fall
10 Analyst Rating
8 Buy
2 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 259.080
Low
168.00
Averages
179.00
High
200.00
Current: 259.080
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.
Nucor Corporation Issues Q2 2026 Earnings Guidance
- Earnings Guidance Increase: Nucor Corporation expects Q2 2026 earnings per share to range from $4.70 to $4.80, with adjusted earnings projected at $4.50 to $4.60 after excluding a non-cash benefit of approximately $0.20, indicating a significant enhancement in profitability.
- Steel Segment Growth: Compared to Q1 2026, earnings across all operating segments are expected to rise in Q2, particularly in the steel mills segment, driven by higher average selling prices and stable volumes, with an anticipated cash refund of approximately $130 million benefiting cost of goods sold.
- Capital Returns: As of June 17, 2026, Nucor has repurchased about 1.12 million shares at an average price of $223.47, returning approximately $630 million to shareholders year-to-date, demonstrating a strong commitment to shareholder returns.
- Earnings Release Schedule: Nucor plans to release its Q2 earnings after market close on July 27, 2026, and will host a conference call on July 28 at 10:00 AM ET to review results, enhancing transparency and investor confidence.
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Nucor Corporation Issues Q2 2026 Earnings Guidance
- Earnings Guidance Increase: Nucor expects Q2 2026 earnings per share to range from $4.70 to $4.80, with adjusted earnings projected at $4.50 to $4.60 after excluding a non-cash benefit of approximately $0.20, indicating a significant enhancement in profitability.
- Steel Segment Growth: Compared to Q1 2026, earnings across all operating segments are expected to rise in Q2, with the steel mills segment showing the largest increase due to higher average selling prices and stable volumes, alongside approximately $130 million in cash refunds that will lower cost of goods sold.
- Capital Returns: As of June 17, 2026, Nucor has repurchased about 1.12 million shares at an average price of $223.47, returning approximately $630 million to shareholders through buybacks and dividends year-to-date, demonstrating a strong commitment to shareholder returns.
- Earnings Release Schedule: Nucor plans to release its Q2 earnings after market close on July 27, 2026, and will host a conference call on July 28 at 10:00 AM to review results, enhancing transparency and investor confidence.
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- Technical Analysis Tool: Comparing the current share price to the 200-day moving average can provide valuable insights for investors, helping to assess market trends and potential buying opportunities.
- ETF Unit Trading Mechanism: ETFs trade like stocks, where investors buy and sell 'units' that can be created or destroyed based on investor demand, impacting the liquidity and market performance of the ETF.
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Nucor Corporation Issues Q2 2026 Earnings Guidance
- Earnings Guidance Increase: Nucor Corporation expects Q2 2026 earnings per share to range from $4.70 to $4.80, with adjusted earnings projected at $4.50 to $4.60 after excluding a non-cash benefit of approximately $0.20, indicating a significant enhancement in profitability.
- Steel Segment Growth: Compared to Q1 2026, earnings across all operating segments are expected to rise in Q2, particularly in the steel mills segment, driven by higher average selling prices and stable volumes, with an anticipated cash refund of approximately $130 million benefiting cost of goods sold.
- Capital Returns: As of June 17, 2026, Nucor has repurchased about 1.12 million shares at an average price of $223.47, returning approximately $630 million to shareholders year-to-date, demonstrating a strong commitment to shareholder returns.
- Earnings Release Schedule: Nucor plans to release its Q2 earnings after market close on July 27, 2026, and will host a conference call on July 28 at 10:00 AM ET to review results, enhancing transparency and investor confidence.
See More
Nucor Corporation Issues Q2 2026 Earnings Guidance
- Earnings Guidance Increase: Nucor expects Q2 2026 earnings per share to range from $4.70 to $4.80, with adjusted earnings projected at $4.50 to $4.60 after excluding a non-cash benefit of approximately $0.20, indicating a significant enhancement in profitability.
- Steel Segment Growth: Compared to Q1 2026, earnings across all operating segments are expected to rise in Q2, with the steel mills segment showing the largest increase due to higher average selling prices and stable volumes, alongside approximately $130 million in cash refunds that will lower cost of goods sold.
- Capital Returns: As of June 17, 2026, Nucor has repurchased about 1.12 million shares at an average price of $223.47, returning approximately $630 million to shareholders through buybacks and dividends year-to-date, demonstrating a strong commitment to shareholder returns.
- Earnings Release Schedule: Nucor plans to release its Q2 earnings after market close on July 27, 2026, and will host a conference call on July 28 at 10:00 AM to review results, enhancing transparency and investor confidence.
See More
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- Pelagos Insurance Capital: Pelagos focuses on strategic capital allocation and careful risk selection, with a 14.9% increase in the 2026 earnings estimate over the past 60 days, and its stock has gained 41.5% in the past year, indicating strong long-term value creation potential.
- Genesco Retail Growth: Genesco, a footwear retailer, has a projected 55.2% growth in fiscal 2027 earnings, with a 4.7% increase in estimates over the past 60 days, and its stock has surged 93.6% in the past year, reflecting enhanced brand loyalty and market share.
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- Nucor Steel Production: Nucor anticipates a 103.8% growth in 2026 earnings, with a 33.4% increase in estimates over the past 60 days, a market cap of $69.7 billion, and a 119% stock increase in the past year, showcasing its leadership and strong profitability in the structural steel market.
See More
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- Airline Stock Surge: The JETS ETF surged nearly 6% this week as crude oil prices fell from $115 to $95, with each $10 drop directly enhancing airline operating margins, indicating a strong recovery potential for the airline industry amid lower costs.
- Materials Sector Trend Reversal: The Materials Select Sector SPDR (XLB) rose 3% this week, breaking a downtrend, with companies like Linde and Nucor showing strong performance, the latter's stock up 64% year-to-date, signaling a recovery in the materials sector.
- Infrastructure Investment Growth: The Global X U.S. Infrastructure Development ETF (PAVE) is up 21% year-to-date, with Quanta Services exceeding Q1 EPS expectations and a record backlog of $48.5 billion, reflecting robust demand in the infrastructure sector.
- Improved Rate Environment: The 10-year Treasury yield has retreated from a high of 4.67% to 4.45%, providing a more favorable financing environment for capital-intensive companies, further supporting the upward trends in airline, materials, and infrastructure stocks.
See More
Nucor Declares $0.56 Quarterly Dividend, Marking 213th Consecutive Payment
- Quarterly Dividend Announcement: Nucor has declared a quarterly dividend of $0.56 per share, consistent with previous payments, reflecting the company's stable cash flow and profitability, which is likely to attract more investor interest.
- Dividend Payment Details: The dividend is payable on August 11, with a record date of June 30 and an ex-dividend date also on June 30, ensuring that existing shareholders receive their returns promptly, thereby enhancing shareholder confidence.
- Consecutive Payment Record: This marks Nucor's 213th consecutive cash dividend payment, highlighting its stability and sustained profitability in the steel industry, which may increase market recognition of its long-term investment value.
- Market Environment Impact: Amidst the rally in steel stocks following Trump's amendments to tariffs on imported steel and aluminum, Nucor's dividend policy appears particularly significant in this favorable environment, potentially driving further increases in the company's stock price.
See More
Analysis of XLB ETF's 52-Week Price Fluctuations
- Price Range Analysis: The XLB ETF's 52-week low is $42.035 per share, with a high of $54.14, and a current trading price of $50.34, indicating stability within its volatility range, which may attract investor interest.
- Technical Analysis Tool: Comparing the current share price to the 200-day moving average can provide valuable insights for investors, helping to assess market trends and potential buying opportunities.
- ETF Unit Trading Mechanism: ETFs trade like stocks, where investors buy and sell 'units' that can be created or destroyed based on investor demand, impacting the liquidity and market performance of the ETF.
- Inflows and Outflows Monitoring: Weekly monitoring of changes in ETF units focuses on notable inflows (new units created) or outflows (old units destroyed), which directly affects the underlying holdings of the ETF and its market performance.
See More
