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Dec 31, 2020

Nucor Q4 2020 Earnings Report

Nucor's Q4 2020 earnings increased compared to Q3 2020, driven by higher pricing at sheet and plate mills and strong performance in the steel products segment, which benefited from the resiliency of nonresidential construction markets.

Key Takeaways

Nucor Corporation reported consolidated net earnings of $398.8 million, or $1.30 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2020, compared to $107.8 million, or $0.35 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2019. Consolidated net sales increased 3% to $5.26 billion compared with $5.13 billion in the fourth quarter of 2019.

Nucor reported Q4 2020 net earnings of $398.8 million, or $1.30 per diluted share.

Net sales for Q4 2020 increased 3% year-over-year to $5.26 billion.

The average sales price per ton in Q4 2020 increased 3% compared to Q4 2019.

Nucor anticipates earnings in the first quarter of 2021 to significantly increase from the fourth quarter of 2020.

Total Revenue
$5.26B
Previous year: $5.13B
+2.5%
EPS
$1.3
Previous year: $0.52
+150.0%
Total external shipments
6.49M
Previous year: 6.49M
+0.0%
Gross Profit
$719M
Previous year: $435M
+65.1%
Cash and Equivalents
$2.64B
Previous year: $1.53B
+72.0%
Free Cash Flow
$127M
Previous year: $197M
-35.3%
Total Assets
$20.1B
Previous year: $18.3B
+9.7%

Nucor

Nucor

Forward Guidance

Nucor expects earnings in the first quarter of 2021 to significantly increase from the fourth quarter of 2020.

Positive Outlook

  • Nonresidential construction and automotive markets are strong.
  • Conditions are generally improving in heavy equipment, agriculture, renewable energy and on-highway truck and trailer markets.
  • The steel mills segment is forecasting increased profitability in the first quarter of 2021.
  • Sheet, plate, bar and structural mills are expected to contribute to the increased profitability.
  • Raw materials segment’s performance in the first quarter of 2021 is expected to be significantly improved due to higher raw materials selling prices.

Challenges Ahead

  • The profitability of the downstream steel products segment is expected to decrease in the first quarter of 2021.
  • Decrease is due to typical seasonal patterns and some margin compression.
  • Margin compression is related to the delay between rising steel input costs and increases in selling prices.
  • Unspecified risks and uncertainties.
  • Competitive pressure on sales and pricing.