Steel Mills

Nucor Earnings Rise in 3Q

October 17, 2013

Nucor announced consolidated net earnings of $147.6 million for the third quarter of 2013 as compared to net earnings of $85.1 million reported in the previous quarter and $110.3 million in third quarter of 2012.

Net sales increased 6 percent to 4.94 billion, up slightly from $4.67 billion in the second quarter and a gain of 3 percent from third quarter 2012.

Nucor shipped 6,166,000 tons to outside customers—an increase of 6 percent over 2Q 2013 and 7 percent over 3Q 2012.

A collapse of a storage dome at Nucor Steel Louisiana caused a $14.0 million partial write down of inventory and fixed asset balances. The incident delayed the start-up of the company’s new direct reduced iron (DRI) plant until the end of 2013.

Year to date consolidated net earnings were 317.5 million on sales of $14.6 billion.

Average cost of scrap and scrap substitute per ton decreased to $372 per ton in the third quarter, down from $377 in 2Q and $380 in 3Q 2012.

Profitability in the third quarter was attributed to better pricing, competitor supply disruptions, inventory restocking and improved market demand.

Nucor expects lower earnings in the fourth quarter due to seasonal slowdown for shipping and planned maintenance outages. Extended outages are planned for Nucor’s SBQ mill in Norfolk, Nebr., the sheet mill in Berkley County, S.C. and the structural mill at Blytheville, Ark.