Sequential Surge Secures Stalwart Second Quarter

Nucor Corporation, listed on the New York Stock Exchange under ticker NUE, posted consolidated net earnings of $603 million, or $2.60 per diluted share, for Q2 2025, an impressive rise from $156 million in Q1 2025. Net sales also climbed 8% quarter-over-quarter to $8.46 billion. Leon Topalian, Chair, President & CEO, stated, “Our team delivered solid results, supported by resilient demand & a healthy order backlog.” This sequential surge stemmed from strategic pricing, higher steel mill operating rates & disciplined cost controls.

Market Momentum Mitigates Margin Moderation

Total steel mill shipments reached roughly 6.82 million metric tons, a 10% increase from Q2 2024, reflecting solid demand across construction, automotive & energy sectors. Average sales price per ton rose 8% versus Q1 2025, partially offsetting a 3% decline year-over-year. Topalian observed, “Despite price pressures, stable demand & our flexible operations supported robust earnings.” This momentum, bolstered by internal shipments rising to 22% of total steel mill volume, showcases Nucor’s adaptability in dynamic markets.

Robust Raw Resources Reap Rising Returns

The raw materials segment recorded $57 million in pre-tax earnings, up from $39 million in Q2 2024, fueled by efficient scrap processing & cost discipline. The average scrap & scrap substitute cost per gross ton used was $403, a 2% quarterly increase but aligned year-over-year. By optimizing procurement & processing, Nucor mitigated input volatility, supporting steady production & cost-effective operations. “Our raw materials teams delivered operational excellence,” said Topalian.

Segment Synergy Sustains Solidified Stability

Steel products posted $392 million in pre-tax earnings, supported by higher volumes & lower average costs per ton. While average selling prices remained stable, downstream product shipments rose 9% over Q1 2025 & 6% over Q2 2024. This synergy, driven by steady end-market demand, highlights Nucor’s balanced portfolio across sheet, plate & specialty products. “We saw consistent performance across segments, reflecting market strength,” Topalian remarked.

Prudent Projects Propel Progressive Prospects

Pre-operating & start-up costs tied to growth projects totaled $136 million, or $0.45 per diluted share in Q2 2025, reflecting ongoing investment in strategic expansions. Though these costs weigh on near-term margins, they underpin long-term capacity & efficiency. In H1 2025, total start-up costs reached $306 million, signaling commitment to modernization amid cyclical headwinds. “Investments now secure competitiveness tomorrow,” Topalian affirmed.

Operating Optimization Offsets Obdurate Obstacles

Nucor’s overall steel mill operating rates improved to 85% in Q2 2025, up from 80% in Q1 2025 & 75% in Q2 2024. Higher utilization amplified fixed-cost leverage, balancing pressures from lower average sales prices. The steel mills segment achieved $843 million in pre-tax earnings, up from $645 million year-over-year, aided by strategic pricing & production alignment. “Operating excellence remains central to our strategy,” Topalian noted.

Fiscal Foresight Faces Forecasted Fluctuations

Looking ahead, Nucor expects nominally lower Q3 2025 earnings, mainly due to potential margin compression in the steel mills segment despite resilient demand. The company anticipates stable earnings in steel products & raw materials, supported by healthy backlogs & consistent customer demand. “We remain vigilant amid evolving market dynamics,” Topalian stated, citing margin pressures & raw material costs as watchpoints.

Strategic Stewardship Safeguards Sustainable Strength

In the first six months of 2025, Nucor reported consolidated net sales of $16.29 billion, nearly matching H1 2024’s $16.21 billion, despite an 8% decline in average sales price per ton. Total tons shipped rose 9% year-over-year to 13.65 million metric tons. This blend of volume gains & cost discipline underscores Nucor’s strategic stewardship, balancing investment, demand, & shareholder returns. “We head into H2 2025 with confidence,” concluded Topalian.

NYSE:NUE

• Current Price: $140.64 (−$3.88, −2.68%) as of July 29, 2025, reflecting a second consecutive day of declines.

• Performance Context: NUE remains approximately 17.5% below its 52-week high of $170.52, hit on November 6, 2024.

RSI & MACD

• RSI (14‑day): Approx. 46, indicating neutral momentum, no overbought or oversold territory (Investing.com).

• MACD: Negative (around –1.37 or –0.13 depending on data source), suggesting bearish momentum (Investing.com, TipRanks).

Moving Averages

• Summary shows a mixed bias: 7 buy signals vs. 5 sell signals across MA5 to MA200, netting a Buy tilt overall (Investing.com, TipRanks).

Support & Resistance Levels

• Support Zones: $140.25 – $143.34 (short term), and deeper supports around $138.3 / $136.4 (SwingTradeBot, chartmill.com, Barchart.com).

• Resistance Zones: $146.4 – $149.7, with stronger resistance near $153.5 to $147.8 range (SwingTradeBot, chartmill.com, Barchart.com).

Trend & Setup Signals

• According to ChartMill: Technical rating is decent (8/10) but setup rating poor, suggesting no clean entry point yet—price remains volatile, wait for consolidation

Key Takeaways

• Nucor’s Q2 2025 earnings rose to $603 million on $8.46 billion sales.

• Operating rates increased to 85%, boosting efficiency & profitability.

• Strategic projects & disciplined cost management sustain resilience despite margin pressures.