Nucor Corpstrong demand in non-residential construction, infrastructure, military, and energy markets

Nucor Corporation has seen its shares surge 46.9% year to date, outpacing the Zacks Steel Producers industry's 34.4% gain and the S&P 500's 8.9% increase, driven by healthy demand in non-residential construction, infrastructure, military and defense, and energy markets, along with higher U.S. steel prices. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Nucor's 2026 earnings has been revised 30.1% upward over the past 60 days to $15.68 per share, implying a 103.4% year-over-year jump, while second-quarter 2026 estimates rose 31.6%. The company is advancing several growth projects, including a 3-million-ton-per-annum sheet mill in West Virginia expected to begin production in 2027, a 500,000-ton-per-annum galvanizing line in South Carolina, and a greenfield project in Utah on track for mid-2027, alongside recent acquisitions of Southwest Data Products and Rytec Corporation to expand its downstream portfolio. Nucor ended the first quarter of 2026 with roughly $3.2 billion in liquidity and generated $886 million in cash from operations, returning $254 million to shareholders in the quarter and approximately $630 million year to date through June 17, 2026, via buybacks and dividends. Benchmark hot-rolled coil prices have rebounded above $1,100 per short ton, supported by mill price increases, extended lead times, and reduced imports, which is expected to further boost margins for U.S. steelmakers including Nucor.
Nucor Corpstrong demand in non-residential construction, infrastructure, military, and energy markets
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