Nucor Gives Downbeat Q3 Guidance, Sees Lower Segment Earnings

Core Viewpoint - Nucor Corporation (NUE) has provided earnings guidance for Q3 2025, projecting earnings between $2.05 and $2.15 per share, indicating a sequential decline from $2.60 in Q2 2025 but year-over-year growth from $1.05 in the same quarter last year [1][8]. Financial Performance - Earnings are expected to decrease across all three operating segments compared to the previous quarter, with the steel mills segment facing lower volumes and margin compression, the steel products segment experiencing higher average costs per ton, and the raw materials segment seeing weaker profitability in scrap processing operations [2]. - Nucor repurchased approximately 0.7 million shares at an average price of $140.46 during the quarter, with total buybacks reaching 4.8 million shares year-to-date (YTD) at an average price of $126.26. The company has returned about $985 million to shareholders in 2025 through share repurchases and dividends [3][8]. Market Comparison - Nucor's shares have declined by 2.5% over the past year, contrasting with an 18.3% decline in the industry [3]. - The company currently holds a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold), while competitors such as Carpenter Technology Corporation, The Mosaic Company, and Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd. have better rankings [4].