| Factor | Score | Distribution | Value | Avg | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Valuation | 61 | 20.7x | 17.8x | Around median | |
Growth | 52 | 17.2% | 7.1% | Around median | |
Quality | 45 | 11.6% | 4.5% | Around median | |
Safety | 81 | 0.9x | 2.6x | Top tier | |
Capital Return | 38 | 0.85% | 2.12% | Bottom tier | |
Momentum | 97 | 90.7% | 2.9% | Top tier | |
Sentiment | 62 | 9 | 3 | Around median |
Estimates — analyst targets and a simplified DCF, not investment advice.
Ten ratios that matter, each compared against its sector median and average — so you can see whether a number is rich or cheap relative to peers in the same sector.
Nucor Corporation (NUE) operates in the steel and steel products industry through three operating segments: steel mills, steel products, and raw materials. Its portfolio serves applications including energy, infrastructure, advanced manufacturing, data centers, automotive, defense, shipbuilding, and bridges, and it also has businesses in tubes, towers, structures, scrap processing, and direct reduced iron. The company benefits from the breadth of its geographic network, product diversity, and ability to supply steel internally to downstream operations, shipping between 2 million and 2.5 million tons annually within its system.
In Q2 fiscal 2026, Nucor generated net income of $1.2 billion and earnings per share of $5.04, or $4.84 after excluding a $0.20 non-cash benefit related to an increase in the value of its Helion investment, while earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization were approximately $2 billion. The steel mills segment recorded pre-tax earnings of $1.6 billion, up more than 35% from the previous quarter, compared with $353 million for steel products and $146 million for raw materials. Steel mill shipments reached a record 7.1 million tons, while steel products volumes increased 11% compared with Q1 fiscal 2026.
The latest available EDGAR filings show that Q1 fiscal 2026 revenue was $9.5 billion, with gross profit of $1.5 billion, net income of $743 million, and earnings per share of $3.23; representing a gross margin of approximately 15.8% and a net margin of approximately 7.8%. By comparison, fiscal 2025 recorded revenue of $32.5 billion, gross profit of $3.9 billion, net income of $1.7 billion, and earnings per share of $7.52. On a trailing twelve-month basis ending in 2026, revenue was $34.2 billion, net income was $2.3 billion, and earnings per share were approximately $10.17.
NUE carries a consensus “Buy” rating with an average price target of $267.5, within a wide range of $224 to $297; the average is approximately 4.5% below the 52-week range high of $280.11, while the highest target exceeds that high by approximately 6%. The wide target range reflects differing estimates regarding the sustainability of strong demand and trade protection on the one hand, and the risks of West Virginia startup costs, declining raw materials earnings, and the nonrecurrence of some Q2 fiscal 2026 benefits on the other.
Figures in the text are as of 2026-08-27; the live price is shown at the top of the page.
Nucor generated net income of $1.2 billion and earnings per share of $5.04 in Q2 fiscal 2026, or $4.84 after excluding the non-cash Helion benefit. Pre-tax earnings for the steel mills segment increased by more than 35% to $1.6 billion due to higher selling prices, particularly for sheet and plate, with record shipments of 7.1 million tons. Steel products volumes also increased 11%, and raw materials earnings improved to $146 million due to higher volumes and margins and the performance of direct reduced iron and scrap processing.
Management identified energy, infrastructure, advanced manufacturing, data centers, and defense as key demand drivers during 2026 and beyond. Domestic structural steel consumption increased approximately 15% during 2026, and Nucor's automotive shipments increased 6% in Q2 fiscal 2026 compared with the previous quarter. Order visibility also extends into 2027 for several products, and shipments of thousands of tons per week for the border wall project continue through 2028.
The mill ran its first coil through the pickling line in June 2026 and began commissioning the melt shop and the two galvanizing lines for automotive and construction applications in July 2026. The company targets completing equipment commissioning, inspection, and testing by the end of 2026, followed by a gradual start to commercial shipments in early 2027. Management expects mill utilization to reach approximately 50% by the end of 2027, with volumes and qualifications for higher-quality products expanding during 2028.
Automated analysis for informational purposes only — not investment advice.
Finished steel imports declined 25% year over year, and management estimated sheet steel imports at approximately 4.5 million tons in 2026 compared with 9 million tons in 2024. Nucor believes that the Section 232 program and anti-dumping and countervailing duties have limited the flow of competing steel into the U.S. market. Nevertheless, beam imports increased by more than 50 percentage points compared with the previous quarter, showing that strong domestic demand can attract imported volumes even in a trade protection environment.
Nucor ended Q2 fiscal 2026 with approximately $2.7 billion in cash and liquidity of $3.4 billion, while debt represented 23% of total capital. It generated free cash flow of $829 million, its strongest quarter since 2023, despite capital spending of $571 million. It returned $479 million to shareholders during the quarter and expects total capital spending of approximately $2.5 billion in 2026, with approximately 60% allocated to growth projects.
