CHARLOTTE, N.C., June 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Nucor Corporation (NYSE:NUE) today announced guidance for its second quarter ending July 4, 2026. Nucor expects second quarter earnings to be in the range of $4.70 to $4.80 per diluted share. Excluding a non-cash benefit of approximately $0.20 per diluted share, described below, we expect second quarter adjusted earnings to be in the range of $4.50 to $4.60. Nucor reported net earnings of $3.23 per diluted share in the first quarter of 2026 and $2.60 per diluted share in the second quarter of 2025.

Non-Cash Benefit Recorded in the Second Quarter of 2026Included in the second quarter of 2026 non-adjusted guidance range is an estimated benefit of approximately $61 million, or $0.20 per diluted share. This non-cash benefit is related to the increase in the value of our investment in Helion, a fusion energy company, after it completed a capital financing round in the second quarter of 2026.

Second Quarter of 2026 Outlook Compared to the First Quarter of 2026Earnings in the second quarter of 2026 are expected to increase across all three of our operating segments as compared to the first quarter of 2026, with the largest increase in the steel mills segment. The expected increase in the steel mills segment is due to higher average selling prices and stable volumes. It also reflects approximately $130 million of cash refunds associated with prior periods' raw materials procurement costs, which will benefit the cost of goods sold for this segment during the quarter. In the steel products segment, we expect higher earnings due to increased volumes and slightly higher average realized pricing. The raw materials segment is expected to have higher earnings due to higher average realized prices. 

Capital ReturnsAs of June 17, 2026, Nucor has repurchased approximately 1.12 million shares at an average price of $223.47 per share thus far in the second quarter of 2026. Nucor has returned approximately $630 million to stockholders in the form of share repurchases and dividend payments year-to-date through June 17, 2026.

Second Quarter of 2026 Earnings Release and Conference CallNucor plans to release its earnings after the markets close on Monday, July 27, 2026, and will host a conference call the morning of Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time to review the Company's second quarter results. The event will be broadcast on the internet, and instructions on how to access will be sent closer to the call.

About NucorNucor and its affiliates are manufacturers of steel and steel products, with operating facilities in the United ...