Nucor Reports Results for the First Quarter of 2025

Core Insights - Nucor Corporation reported consolidated net earnings of $156 million, or $0.67 per diluted share, for Q1 2025, a significant decrease from $845 million, or $3.46 per diluted share, in Q1 2024 [1][8] - Adjusted net earnings for Q1 2025 were $179 million, or $0.77 per diluted share, after excluding one-time charges of $29 million related to facility closures [1][2][8] - The company experienced solid demand for steel products despite market volatility, supported by a healthy balance sheet and diverse product portfolio [3] Financial Performance - Consolidated net sales for Q1 2025 were $7.83 billion, an 11% increase from $7.08 billion in Q4 2024, but a 4% decrease from $8.14 billion in Q1 2024 [4][8] - Average sales price per ton decreased by 2% from Q4 2024 and 12% from Q1 2024 [4] - Total shipments to outside customers increased by 13% compared to Q4 2024 and 10% compared to Q1 2024, totaling 6,830,000 tons [4][21] Segment Performance - Earnings from the steel mills segment were $231 million in Q1 2025, down from $1,102 million in Q1 2024, while steel products segment earnings were $288 million, down from $512 million [12] - The raw materials segment saw earnings of $29 million, an increase from $9 million in Q1 2024 [12] - Overall operating rates at steel mills were 80% in Q1 2025, up from 74% in Q4 2024 but down from 82% in Q1 2024 [7] Cost and Expenses - The average scrap cost per gross ton used was $394, a 3% increase from $381 in Q4 2024 but a 6% decrease from $421 in Q1 2024 [5] - Pre-operating and start-up costs for growth projects were approximately $170 million in Q1 2025, compared to $164 million in Q4 2024 and $125 million in Q1 2024 [6] Financial Strength - Nucor had $4.06 billion in cash and cash equivalents at the end of Q1 2025, with an undrawn revolving credit facility increased to $2.25 billion [9] - The company maintains strong credit ratings in the North American steel sector, with stable outlooks from major rating agencies [9] Shareholder Returns - Nucor repurchased approximately 2.3 million shares at an average price of $133.17 per share during Q1 2025, with $806 million remaining for future repurchases [10] - A cash dividend of $0.55 per share was declared, marking the 208th consecutive quarterly cash dividend [11] Outlook - Earnings for Q2 2025 are expected to increase across all operating segments, with the largest growth anticipated in the steel mills segment due to higher average selling prices [13]