Steel Stock Pops on Upbeat Guidance

Core Viewpoint - Nucor Corp is experiencing a rise in stock price due to a strong second-quarter profit forecast, despite a slight decline in expected earnings compared to the previous year [1]. Group 1: Financial Performance - Nucor expects earnings between $2.55 and $2.65 per share for the second quarter, which is a small decline from $2.68 reported in the same quarter last year, but still above analyst estimates of $2.36 per share [1]. - The stock is currently trading at $128.15, reflecting a 4.9% increase [1]. Group 2: Stock Performance - Nucor's stock is at its highest levels since March and has seen an approximate 8% increase since the start of 2025 [2]. - The shares are facing resistance at their 160-day trendline, which has historically limited price increases [2]. Group 3: Options Activity - There is a notable surge in call options volume, with 5,095 calls exchanged, which is four times the typical volume for this time [3]. - The June 140 call is the most popular among traders, followed by the July 130 call, indicating strong interest in upward price movement [3]. - Nucor's Schaeffer's Volatility Index (SVI) is at 38%, suggesting that traders are currently pricing in low volatility expectations [3].