Rolling Mill Tagger

Nucor net income growth streak continues. The recycled-content steelmaker earned more than $1.3 billion for its shareholders in the third quarter of this year. Published October 26, 2026 Nucor Corp., which operates a network of recycled-content electric arc furnace (EAF) steel mills and the David J. Joseph (DJJ) metals recycling company, has reported third quarter 2026 net income that grew year on year and quarter on quarter. The Charlotte, North Carolina-based company has reported third quarter 2026 net earnings attributable to shareholders of $1.32 billion, or $5.80 per diluted share. That figure compares with net income of nearly $1.16 billion in the prior quarter (up 14 percent) and $607 million one year earlier (up 117 percent). Nucor has reported net sales of $11.25 billion in its most recent quarter, representing increases of 32 percent, or $2.7 billion, compared with one year earlier and 8.2 percent, or $850 million, in the prior quarter. "Supported by robust demand across key end markets, Nucor has generated approximately $2.7 billion of free cash flow and returned nearly $1.4 billion to shareholders through the first nine months of the year," says Leon Topalian, Nucor's board chair and CEO. "We also achieved important milestones in advancing our growth strategy, including the first heat at our West Virginia sheet mill in September and the recent start-up of our second galvanizing line at Nucor Steel Berkeley [in South Carolina]," adds the CEO. Nucor labels its three operational business units as "Steel Mills" (facilities with EAF melt shops), "Steel Products" (downstream facilities that make construction and infrastructure products) and "Raw Materials" (which includes the DJJ network and direct-reduced iron [DRI] operations). In the third quarter, more than 95 percent of Nucor's earnings were generated by its Steel Mills segment. Since the placement of widespread inbound steel tariffs in 2025, including on fellow United-States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) trade partners, steel producers have been able to raise prices and have reported increased profits. Nucor's Raw Materials segment demonstrates the less lucrative conditions for secondary raw material suppliers. The business unit's $105 million in third quarter 2026 net income represents a 28 percent decline compared with the prior quarter. "Third quarter earnings increased in the Steel Mills and Steel products segments while decreasing in the Raw Materials segment," acknowledges Nucor, adding, "The increase in the steel mills segment was due to higher average selling prices and increased volumes, partially offset by higher costs of products sold." Conversely, "Raw Materials segment earnings decreased due to lower pricing and shipments," says Nucor. The firm says an increase in earnings in its Steel Products segment can be attributed to higher volumes and higher average realized pricing. The company's financial statement shows Nucor fetched an average of $1,233 per ton for steel it sold externally in this year's third quarter. During the same period it paid an average of $422 per ton for scrap and scrap substitutes, creating an $811 spread during the quarter. That compares with a $723 per ton spread in the prior quarter and a $647 per ton spread one year earlier, according to Nucor. In the third quarter of 2026, Nucor was able to charge an average of $88 per ton more for steel sold externally compared with the prior quarter while paying an average of $1 less per ton for ferrous scrap and scrap substitutes. Sponsored Content Recover valuable resources and support sustainable construction with McLanahan's field-proven C&D recycling solutions. Learn how to select the right crushers, prepare feed material, and integrate dry and wet processing to produce high-quality recycled aggregates. "We expect earnings in the fourth quarter of 2026 to be generally in line with or modestly higher than the third quarter," says the firm regarding the quarter now underway. "In the Steel Mills segment, we expect stable earnings due to higher realized pricing offset by seasonally lower volumes and higher costs," adds Nucor. For recyclers the outlook may not be as positive, although Nucor does not specifically mention ferrous scrap prices. "The Raw Materials segment is expected to have slightly lower earnings due to lower realized DRI pricing," says the firm. Get curated news on YOUR industry. Enter your email to receive its newsletters.

Nucor plans $60 million expansion of Alabama steel utility structures plant. 22 Oct 2026 14:27 reported by Layla Nguyen Nucor plans to invest US$60 million to expand its Towers & Structures facility in Trinity, Alabama, increasing production of steel poles and other structures used in utility infrastructure. The project remains subject to regulatory and other approvals and is expected to create 60 jobs. The expansion will add manufacturing capacity, additional space for storing and staging materials, and a dedicated galvanizing inspection area. The facility, which began operating in September 2025, is located beside Nucor's Decatur sheet steel mill. The investment aims to meet demand from utilities upgrading and strengthening the US power grid. Nucor is also building a fourth Towers & Structures facility in Utah, which is expected to begin operations next year.