Nucor guides Q3 2026 earnings at $5.55–$5.65

Nucor Corporation (NYSE: NUE ) today announced guidance for its third quarter ending October 3, 2026. Nucor expects third quarter earnings to be in the range of $5.55 to $5.65 per diluted share. Nucor reported second quarter 2026 net earnings of $5.04 and adjusted net earnings of $4.84, both per diluted share. Nucor reported $2.63 per diluted share in the third quarter of 2025. Second quarter of 2026 results included a non-cash, pre-tax benefit of $61 million ($0.20 per diluted share) related to the increase in the valuation of our investment in Helion, a fusion energy company. Third Quarter of 2026 Outlook Compared to the Second Quarter of 2026 Third quarter earnings are expected to increase in the steel mills and steel products segments, while decreasing in the raw materials segment. The expected increase in the steel mills segment is due to higher average selling prices and stable volumes, partially offset by higher costs of products sold. Second quarter steel mills segment earnings benefited from $130 million in cash refunds associated with prior periods' raw material procurement costs, and we do not expect a similar benefit in the third quarter. In the steel products segment, we expect increased earnings due to higher volumes and higher average realized pricing. Raw materials segment earnings are expected to decline on lower pricing and shipments. We expect higher corporate/eliminations expense in the third quarter, reflecting both the absence of the Helion valuation adjustment, and intersegment profit eliminations in line with the prior quarter. Capital Returns During the third quarter, Nucor has repurchased approximately 2.03 million shares at an average price of $247.04 per share. Nucor has returned approximately $1.36 billion to stockholders in the form of share repurchases and dividend payments year-to-date.