Valued at $32.4 billion by market cap, Nucor Corporation (NUE) is the largest steel producer and recycler in the U.S., based in Charlotte, North Carolina. It operates across steel mills, steel products, and raw materials, producing everything from sheet and structural steel to finished products like joists, girders, and tubing. Nucor’s scrap-based, electric-arc furnace model makes it more flexible and environmentally conscious than traditional steelmakers. Companies worth $10 billion or more are generally ...

Core Insights - Nucor Corporation is a leading steel producer with a market cap of approximately $34 billion, specializing in a diverse range of steel products through integrated operations [1] Performance Overview - Over the past year, Nucor's stock has gained 1.1%, underperforming the S&P 500 Index, which rose by nearly 13.7%. However, year-to-date, Nucor's stock increased by 27.4%, outperforming the S&P 500's 13.4% rise [2] - Compared to the VanEck Steel ETF, which gained about 13.6% over the past year and 32.4% year-to-date, Nucor's underperformance is evident [3] Growth Drivers - Nucor's stock is rising in 2025 due to investor excitement about its growth trajectory, driven by increased production from major projects and benefits from U.S. steel import tariffs that enhance domestic demand [4] - The company's integrated, scrap-based model provides a competitive edge, and strong operational momentum supports confidence in its long-term capacity buildout [4] Earnings Expectations - For the current fiscal year ending in December 2025, analysts expect Nucor's EPS to decline by 11.5% year-over-year to $7.88 on a diluted basis. The company's earnings surprise history is mixed, with three beats and one miss in the last four quarters [5] Analyst Sentiment - Despite recent underperformance, analysts maintain a bullish outlook on Nucor, with a consensus rating of "Strong Buy" from 14 analysts, including 11 "Strong Buy" ratings, one "Moderate Buy," and two "Holds" [6] - This sentiment has improved slightly from the previous month, which had 10 "Strong Buy" ratings [7] Price Target and Upgrades - Wells Fargo recently upgraded Nucor from "Equal weight" to "Overweight," with a mean price target of $167.92, indicating a 12.9% premium to current price levels. The highest price target of $182 suggests an upside potential of 22.4% [8]