Core Viewpoint - Nucor Corporation (NUE) is expected to report strong second-quarter 2025 results, driven by higher selling prices and volumes, with an earnings surprise of 13.2% in the last quarter and an average earnings beat of 31.6% over the past four quarters [1][4]. Financial Performance - Nucor's second-quarter earnings estimate is pegged at $2.62, with an Earnings ESP of +0.69% [4]. - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for consolidated revenues is $8,405.1 million, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 4.1% [9]. - The average sales price per ton for the steel mills unit is estimated at $962, indicating a 2.6% increase from the previous quarter, with shipments projected at 5,359,000 tons, a 2.5% sequential rise [13]. Market Dynamics - Higher steel tariffs and mill price hikes have contributed to increased hot-rolled coil prices, enhancing Nucor's outlook [8]. - The steel mills segment is expected to experience the largest growth due to improved average selling prices, while the steel products and raw materials segments are also forecasted to see earnings growth [10][11]. - U.S. steel prices have rebounded after a decline in 2024, influenced by tariffs imposed by the Trump administration, which raised steel import tariffs to 50% in June 2025, further driving up prices [12]. Stock Performance - Nucor's shares have decreased by 7.7% over the past year, contrasting with a 21.5% decline in the Zacks Steel Producers industry [2]. - Nucor currently holds a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold) [5].

Core Insights - Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. (CLF) is expected to report second-quarter 2025 results on July 21, with a projected revenue of $4.9 billion, indicating a year-over-year decline of 3.8% [4][7] - The company has experienced a trailing fourth-quarter negative earnings surprise of approximately 9.7% and a negative surprise of around 17.9% in the last reported quarter [1][2] - Higher steel prices and increased volumes are anticipated to have positively impacted CLF's performance, although rising unit costs may offset these gains [5][10] Revenue Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for CLF's second-quarter consolidated revenues is $4,899.2 million, reflecting a 3.8% decline compared to the previous year [4][7] - The average net selling price per net ton of steel products is estimated to be $1,020, representing a 4.1% increase from the prior quarter [8] Factors Influencing Performance - CLF is expected to benefit from higher steel prices, which have rebounded following a decline in 2024 due to reduced demand and oversupply [5][7] - The imposition of a 25% tariff on steel imports in March 2025 and its subsequent increase to 50% in June 2025 have contributed to a surge in hot-rolled coil (HRC) prices [5][10] - External sales volumes for steel products are projected at 4.2 million net tons, indicating a 1.4% sequential rise and a 5.3% year-over-year increase [9] Cost Considerations - Steelmaking unit costs are expected to have risen by $5 per ton in the second quarter compared to the first quarter, which may offset the benefits from higher prices and volumes [10] - Despite anticipated cost increases in the second quarter, a reduction in costs is expected in the latter half of 2025 due to the idling of underperforming assets [10] Earnings Prediction - The Earnings ESP for CLF is -4.60%, with the consensus estimate indicating a loss of 67 cents for the second quarter [12] - CLF currently holds a Zacks Rank of 3, suggesting a neutral outlook for earnings performance [12]

Core Insights - Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. has launched a new Vertical Stainless Bright Anneal Line at its Coshocton Works facility, representing a $150 million investment aimed at producing premium stainless steel for high-end automotive and critical appliance applications [1][8] - The new annealing line utilizes a 100% hydrogen atmosphere, replacing traditional acid-based processing, and includes a hydrogen recovery unit to enhance efficiency [1][2] - The stainless steel segment has been a consistent profit driver for Cleveland-Cliffs, and this new line is expected to improve quality and productivity, thereby enhancing profitability prospects [2] Financial Performance - Cleveland-Cliffs shares have decreased by 52.2% over the past year, while the Zacks Steel Producers industry has seen a decline of 30% [3] - The company anticipates a reduction of approximately $50 per net ton in steel unit costs for 2025, an increase from the previous expectation of a $40 reduction, primarily due to the idling of underperforming assets [4] - Projected capital expenditures for the company are around $625 million, down from an earlier estimate of $700 million [4] Market Position - Cleveland-Cliffs currently holds a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold) [5] - In the basic materials sector, better-ranked stocks include Carpenter Technology Corporation, Centrus Energy Corp., and Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd. [5]

Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. (CLF) logged a loss (as reported) of $495 million or $1.00 per share in the first quarter of 2025, wider than a loss of $67 million or 14 cents per share a year ago.Barring one-time items, the first-quarter adjusted loss was 92 cents per share. This compares to earnings of 18 cents in the prior-year quarter. It was wider than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a loss of 78 cents.Revenues fell around 11% from the year-ago quarter to $4,629 million. The top line, however, beat the Zacks Con ...

Core Viewpoint - Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. (CLF) is expected to report first-quarter 2025 results on May 7, with anticipated challenges due to lower year-over-year steel prices despite cost-cutting measures and increased volumes [1][5][9]. Revenue Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for CLF's first-quarter consolidated revenues is $4,596.6 million, indicating an 11.6% year-over-year decline [4]. Performance Factors - CLF is likely to face headwinds from weaker steel prices, with benchmark hot-rolled coil (HRC) prices dropping over 40% last year, closing near $700 per short ton from $1,200 per short ton at the beginning of 2024 [5][6]. - The average net selling price per net ton of steel products is estimated at $986, reflecting a 16.1% year-over-year decrease [8]. Cost Management - The company is expected to benefit from reduced steelmaking unit costs, with a sequential decline of approximately $15 per ton in the fourth quarter of 2024 and an anticipated reduction of about $40 per net ton in 2025 compared to 2024 [9]. Volume Growth - CLF is projected to have experienced higher sales volumes in the March quarter, estimated at 4.06 million net tons, suggesting a 3% year-over-year increase, driven by automotive demand and contributions from the Stelco acquisition [10]. Earnings Prediction - The Earnings ESP for CLF is -25.19%, with the consensus estimate indicating a loss of 67 cents for the first quarter, suggesting a low probability of an earnings beat [11][12].

Core Viewpoint - United States Steel Corporation (X) is expected to report first-quarter 2025 results on May 1, with a consensus estimate indicating a revenue decline and potential challenges in earnings performance [1][3][12]. Revenue Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for first-quarter consolidated revenues is $3,621.6 million, reflecting a year-over-year decline of 12.9% [3]. Factors Influencing Performance - Operational efficiencies, cost management, and increased volumes from Big River Steel and Big River 2 (BR2) are anticipated to positively impact performance [4]. - However, weaker year-over-year prices and soft demand in Europe are likely to negatively affect results [4]. Price Trends - U.S. steel prices fell sharply last year, with benchmark hot-rolled coil (HRC) prices dropping over 40% from $1,200 per short ton to around $700 per short ton [5]. - Recent price hikes and tariffs have increased HRC prices to above $900 per short ton, but the benefits may not be fully realized in the first quarter [6]. Segment Performance - The Flat-Rolled segment is expected to perform well due to a strong commercial strategy, while the Mini Mill segment is projected to grow from higher volumes [9]. - Demand remains weak in Europe, and the Tubular segment faces challenges from a weak pricing environment [9]. Average Realized Prices - Estimated average realized prices for the Flat-Rolled unit is $960, an 8.9% year-over-year decrease; for the Mini Mill segment, it is $797, an 18.4% decrease; for the European segment, it is $760, an 8.5% decline; and for the Tubular unit, it is $1,643, a 27.5% decline [10]. Earnings Prediction - The earnings ESP for U.S. Steel is -2.79%, with a consensus estimate indicating a loss of 48 cents for the first quarter [12].