Company Overview - Nucor Corporation (NYSE:NUE) is the largest steel manufacturer in the U.S., producing various steel products including sheet, plate, bar, and structural steel, as well as raw materials and industrial gases for multiple applications [2] Financial Performance - Nucor reported a "mixed quarter," with shares experiencing a pullback despite being at a 52-week high prior to the quarter [1] - The financial results were not as strong as anticipated, indicating underlying challenges despite some positive factors [1] Market Environment - The company benefits from protective steel tariffs that prevent foreign products from being sold at lower prices, which supports the domestic steel industry [1] - CEO Leon Topalian noted that the current import situation is the best he has seen in his 30 years at Nucor, highlighting a supportive trade environment for U.S. manufacturing [1]

Nucor (NYSE:NUE) Q4 2025 Earnings call January 27, 2026 10:00 AM ET Company ParticipantsAndrew Jones - Executive DirectorChris Jacobi - Director of Investor RelationsLeon Topalian - Chair and CEOPhil Gibbs - Managing DirectorSteve Laxton - President, COO, and CFONone - Company Representative 2None - Company RepresentativeConference Call ParticipantsBill Peterson - AnalystKatja Jancic - AnalystLawson Winder - AnalystTimna Tanners - AnalystTristan Gresser - AnalystOperatorGood morning, and welcome to Nucor's ...

Group 1 - The S&P 500 has increased by 46% over the past two years, with a 17% rise in the last 12 months, leading investors to seek reliable income sources as many mega-cap stocks do not prioritize dividends [1] - Investors are shifting focus from growth stocks to companies that consistently increase dividends, particularly those known as Dividend Kings, which have a history of over 50 years of uninterrupted payout increases [2] Group 2 - Nucor (NUE) is a U.S. steel manufacturer recognized as a Dividend King, offering a forward annual dividend of $2.24 per share with a yield of 1.33% and a payout ratio of 30.32% [3][4] - Nucor's market capitalization is approximately $37.5 billion, with a trailing P/E ratio of 22.7 and a price-to-book ratio of 1.75, indicating a premium for earnings while being undervalued on a balance-sheet basis compared to peers [4] - The company reported Q3 2025 earnings with diluted EPS of $2.63, exceeding estimates by 22%, reflecting strong demand and effective cost management [5] - For Q4 2025, consensus estimates predict EPS of $1.89, representing a 55% year-over-year growth, despite a projected decline in full-year 2025 EPS to $7.98 from $8.90 in 2024 due to normalizing prices [6] - Nucor has a "Strong Buy" consensus rating from 14 analysts, with an average price target of $178.83, suggesting approximately 9% upside potential from the current stock price [7]

Nucor Corporation (NYSE:NUE) is one of the stocks Jim Cramer discussed along with macroeconomic conditions. Cramer said he should have “pushed hard” on the company stock, as he commented: “Regular metals, generally up with the help of tariffs, but a lot of crops and chemical stocks are very bad. That explains why we’ve seen a middle-of-the-pack performance overall for the materials group, which is up about 9% for the year… but within that, we’ve seen huge disparities. 40% plus declines for chemical compan ...

Core Insights - Nucor Corporation (NYSE:NUE) has been upgraded by Wells Fargo from Equal Weight to Overweight, with a new price target of $167, up from $147, due to higher US steel price forecasts for 2026, which are expected to increase 2026 EBITDA by 12% to $5.1 billion [2] Group 1: Financial Performance and Projections - In Q3 2025, Nucor raised its CapEx guidance to $3.3 billion from $3 billion due to accelerated project spending [3] - The company is projected to benefit from higher steel prices, which will positively impact its EBITDA in 2026 [2] Group 2: Product Focus and Market Position - Nucor has shifted focus towards specialized steel products, such as racks for data centers and doors for large structures, which are expected to have higher margins and more resilient demand amid the AI investment boom [4] - The company supplies over 95% of all steel products used in data centers, indicating a strong market position in this growing sector [3]

Group 1 - Nucor Corporation (NYSE:NUE) is recognized for its steel manufacturing, producing various steel products such as sheet, plate, bar, and structural steel, along with raw materials and industrial gases for multiple applications [2] - Jim Cramer highlighted Nucor's potential as a stock that investors might consider holding long-term, emphasizing its exposure to the data center market and the impact of interest rates on its business [1] - The company is seen as being affected by the Federal Reserve's decisions regarding interest rates, which could influence its performance as customers seek lower rates [1] Group 2 - There is a belief that while Nucor has investment potential, certain AI stocks may present greater upside potential with less downside risk, indicating a competitive landscape for investment opportunities [3]

Core Viewpoint - Ryerson Holding Corporation and Olympic Steel, Inc. have announced a definitive agreement to merge, creating the second-largest metals service center in North America, which is expected to generate approximately $120 million in annual synergies by the end of year two [1][2][4] Summary by Sections Merger Agreement - Olympic Steel shareholders will receive 1.7105 Ryerson shares for each Olympic Steel share, resulting in them owning approximately 37% of the combined company [2] - The merger is anticipated to be immediately accretive to shareholders and will reduce the pro-forma leverage ratio to less than three times, assuming partial credit for synergies [2] Leadership Structure - Michael D. Siegal, Executive Chairman of Olympic Steel, will become chairman of the Board of Directors of the combined company, while Eddie Lehner, CEO of Ryerson, will serve as CEO [3] - Olympic Steel will appoint three additional directors to the combined 11-member Board [3] Strategic Benefits - The merger is expected to enhance market presence and add significant value to stakeholders through improved customer experience, faster lead times, and a wider array of custom solutions [4] - The combined company will leverage Ryerson's digital investments to enhance Olympic Steel's capabilities within a larger network [4] Company Backgrounds - Ryerson, founded in 1842, is a leading value-added processor and distributor of industrial metals with around 4,300 employees across approximately 110 locations [8] - Olympic Steel, established in 1954, focuses on the direct sale and value-added processing of various steel products and operates from 54 facilities [9]

Financial Performance and Key Metrics - Nucor generated EBITDA of approximately $1.3 billion and earned $2.63 per share in Q3 2025, exceeding guidance due to stronger shipments and favorable corporate adjustments [5][17] - Year-to-date adjusted net earnings are approximately $1.4 billion or $5.98 per share, with Q3 earnings exceeding the midpoint of guidance by about $0.50 [17][18] - The steel mill segment generated $793 million of pre-tax earnings, a decrease of 6% from the prior quarter, while steel products segment pre-tax earnings were $319 million, down from $392 million [18][20] Business Line Performance - The bar mill group achieved record rebar shipments in Q3, driven by demand in non-residential construction and infrastructure markets [11][19] - Sheet shipments nearly matched record volumes from the previous quarter, with a 13% year-over-year increase in sheet backlog tons [19] - The steel products segment saw external shipments increase by 4% quarter-over-quarter, despite a decline in operating profit due to product mix and higher substrate pricing [20] Market Data and Key Metrics - Finished steel imports decreased nearly 11% year-to-date through August, supported by federal actions and tariffs [14][15] - Demand for long products remains strong, particularly in infrastructure spending, with bridge and tunnel contract awards up nearly 20% year-over-year [24] - The Dodge Construction Network forecasts a 30% increase in data center construction in 2025, indicating strong growth potential in this sector [12] Company Strategy and Industry Competition - Nucor is focused on prudent capital management, balancing long-term growth with shareholder returns, and has returned nearly $1 billion to shareholders year-to-date [7][23] - The company is in the final phase of a multi-year capital investment campaign, with several major projects nearing completion [8][10] - Nucor aims to optimize its portfolio to provide comprehensive solutions, enhancing its competitive position in the steel industry [10][14] Management Commentary on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's ability to create value amid evolving market conditions, with expectations for stable domestic steel demand in 2026 [26] - The company anticipates lower consolidated earnings in Q4 due to seasonal effects and scheduled outages, but remains optimistic about long-term growth drivers [25][26] - Management highlighted the importance of maintaining a strong investment-grade credit profile, with a total debt-to-capital ratio of approximately 24% [22] Other Important Information - Nucor's long-term credit ratings were upgraded to A3 by Moody's, making it the only major North American steel producer with such ratings [7] - The company is committed to maintaining a strong balance sheet while investing in growth opportunities [22][23] Q&A Session Summary Question: Nucor's shipment growth and market share - Management noted that Nucor's shipments are growing faster than the industry, with a focus on restructuring and positioning in the plate group and long products [29][31] Question: Data center products and growth - Management confirmed that Nucor supplies a wide range of products for data centers, including insulated metal panels and joists, benefiting from increased demand in this sector [33][34] Question: Warehouse market growth and share - Management indicated that while the warehousing market is flat, data centers are expected to see double-digit growth, with Nucor well-positioned to capitalize on this trend [40][45] Question: Pricing and market conditions - Management discussed the impact of recent pricing movements and the expectation of lower realized pricing in Q4, while anticipating a recovery in Q1 [50][51] Question: Acquisition opportunities - Management outlined a strategy focused on growing core capabilities and expanding into adjacent markets, with an emphasis on high-margin, low-capital intensity opportunities [54][57] Question: Seattle mill decision - Management clarified that the Seattle mill will continue operating, but the decision was made not to replace it with a micromill, as other facilities can adequately supply the region [60][64] Question: Shareholder returns and capital allocation - Management acknowledged that the third quarter buybacks were the smallest since 2020, emphasizing a balanced approach to capital allocation while maintaining strong liquidity [66][67]

Group 1 - Nucor Corporation is highlighted as a key stock in Jim Cramer's game plan, with expectations for positive earnings due to President Trump's tariffs protecting the U.S. steel industry [1] - The company is recognized as the largest steel producer in the U.S. and is noted for its resilience against foreign competition, particularly from China [1] - Despite being a leading steel manufacturer, Nucor is facing challenges in a sluggish economic environment, particularly outside of the data center sector, which may limit earnings potential [1] Group 2 - Nucor manufactures and sells a variety of steel products, including sheet, plate, bar, and structural steel, as well as raw materials like direct reduced iron and scrap metal [2]