News Release

NUCOR REPORTS RESULTS FOR FIRST QUARTER OF 2010

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA, April 22, 2010 – Nucor Corporation (NYSE: NUE) announced today consolidated net earnings of $31.0 million, or $0.10 per diluted share, for the first quarter of 2010.  By comparison, Nucor reported a net loss of $189.6 million, or $0.60 per diluted share, in the first quarter of 2009 and earned $58.9 million, or $0.18 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2009.

Nucor’s consolidated net sales increased 38% to $3.65 billion compared with $2.65 billion in the first quarter of 2009 due to a 48% increase in total tons shipped to outside customers, partially offset by a 7% decrease in average sales price per ton.  Consolidated net sales increased 24% compared with $2.94 billion in the fourth quarter of 2009 due to a 19% increase in total tons shipped to outside customers and a 5% increase in average sales price per ton.

The average scrap and scrap substitute cost per ton used during the first quarter of 2010 was $318, a decrease of 5% compared to $333 in the first quarter of 2009 and an increase of 15% from $276 in the fourth quarter of 2009.

Nucor incurred a charge to value inventories using the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method of accounting of $24.0 million in the first quarter of 2010, compared with a credit of $105.0 million in the first quarter of 2009 and a credit of $116.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2009.

The steel mill utilization rate increased to approximately 73% in the first quarter from 45% in last year’s first quarter and 58% in the fourth quarter.  As a result of this increased utilization, total energy costs decreased approximately $10 per ton from the first quarter of 2009 to the first quarter of 2010 and decreased approximately $1 per ton from the fourth quarter of 2009.

Pre-operating and start-up costs of new facilities were $50.5 million in the first quarter, primarily related to the SBQ mill in Memphis, Tennessee, and the galvanizing line in Decatur, Alabama.  By comparison, pre-operating and start-up costs were $33.2 million in the first quarter of 2009 and $48.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2009.

Our liquidity position remains strong with $2.0 billion in cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments and an untapped $1.3 billion revolving credit facility that matures in November 2012.

In February, Nucor’s board declared a cash dividend of $0.36 per share payable on May 12, 2010 to stockholders of record on March 31, 2010.  This dividend is Nucor’s 148th consecutive quarterly cash dividend, a record we expect to continue.

In March, the David J. Joseph Company (“DJJ”) acquired the assets and business of Ocala Recycling LLC, which operates four facilities in Florida, including one automobile shredder.  Production at the four yards combined totals over 100,000 tons annually.  DJJ operates the Ocala Recycling facilities as part of Trademark Metals Recycling LLC.

Subsequent to the first quarter, Nucor acquired a 50% interest in NuMit LLC, which will invest in various steel and steel related activities, both in North America and globally.  As part of the agreement, Mitsui and Co. (U.S.A.), Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Mitsui and Co., Ltd., contributed 100% of Steel Technologies Inc.  Steel Technologies operates 23 sheet steel processing facilities throughout the U.S., Canada and Mexico.  The transaction is not expected to result in material goodwill.

Page 1 of 6

Nucor Executive Offices:    1915 Rexford Road,  Charlotte, North Carolina   28211

Phone 704-366-7000    Fax 704-362-4208    www.nucor.com

News Release

NUCOR REPORTS RESULTS FOR FIRST QUARTER OF 2010 (Continued)

First quarter results showed significant improvement in the operating rates at our sheet and plate mills, as well as our scrap business.  Overall, operating performance improved from the beginning of the quarter to the end of the quarter, and we expect the second quarter to be an improvement over our first quarter results.  The most challenging markets for our products continue to be those associated with residential and non-residential construction, which continue to show little, if any, strength.  This is particularly true for our downstream businesses.  We will provide additional and more quantitative earnings guidance after the midpoint between our quarterly earnings releases.

Nucor and affiliates are manufacturers of steel products, with operating facilities primarily in the U.S. and Canada. Products produced include: carbon and alloy steel — in bars, beams, sheet and plate; steel joists and joist girders; steel deck; fabricated concrete reinforcing steel; cold finished steel; steel fasteners; metal building systems; light gauge steel framing; steel grating and expanded metal; and wire and wire mesh. Nucor, through DJJ, also brokers ferrous and nonferrous metals, pig iron and HBI/DRI; supplies ferro-alloys; and processes ferrous and nonferrous scrap. Nucor is North America's largest recycler.

Certain statements contained in this news release are “forward-looking statements” that involve risks and uncertainties.  The words “believe,” “expect,” “project,” “will,” “should” and similar expressions are intended to identify those forward-looking statements.  Factors that might cause the Company’s actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: (1) the sensitivity of the results of our operations to prevailing steel prices and the changes in the supply and cost of raw materials, including scrap steel; (2) market demand for steel products; (3) energy costs and availability; (4) competitive pressure on sales and pricing, including competition from imports and substitute materials; and (5) capital investments and their impact on our performance.  These and other factors are outlined in Nucor’s regulatory filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including those in Nucor’s December 31, 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K.  The forward-looking statements contained in this news release speak only as of this date, and Nucor does not assume any obligation to update them.

You are invited to listen to the live broadcast of Nucor’s conference call in which management will discuss Nucor’s first quarter results on April 22, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. eastern time.  The conference call will be available over the Internet at www.nucor.com, under Investor Relations.

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Nucor Executive Offices:    1915 Rexford Road,  Charlotte, North Carolina   28211

Phone 704-366-7000    Fax 704-362-4208    www.nucor.com

News Release

NUCOR REPORTS RESULTS FOR FIRST QUARTER OF 2010 (Continued)

TONNAGE DATA

 (in thousands)

	Three Months (13 Weeks) Ended
	April 3, 2010		April 4, 2009		Percentage Change
Steel mills production		4,712		2,879		64	%
Steel mills total shipments		4,706		2,808		68	%
Sales tons to outside customers:
Steel mills		4,066		2,433		67	%
Joist		59		60		-2	%
Deck		68		75		-9	%
Cold finished		111		80		39	%
Fabricated concrete
reinforcing steel		194		208		-7	%
Other		999		852		17	%
		5,497		3,708		48	%

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Nucor Executive Offices:    1915 Rexford Road,  Charlotte, North Carolina   28211

Phone 704-366-7000    Fax 704-362-4208    www.nucor.com

News Release

NUCOR REPORTS RESULTS FOR FIRST QUARTER OF 2010 (Continued)

Unaudited figures are as follows:

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS (Unaudited)

(In thousands, except per share data)

	Three Months (13 Weeks) Ended
	April 3, 2010		April 4, 2009
Net sales	$	3,654,842	$	2,654,319
Costs, expenses and other:
Cost of products sold		3,442,047		2,778,324
Marketing, administrative and other expenses		92,594		87,379
Equity in losses of unconsolidated affiliates		18,377		37,997
Interest expense, net		37,788		32,365
		3,590,806		2,936,065
Earnings (loss) before income taxes and noncontrolling interests		64,036		(281,746	)
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes		22,842		(91,221	)
Net earnings (loss)		41,194		(190,525	)
Earnings (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests		10,230		(880	)
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Nucor stockholders	$	30,964	$	(189,645	)
Net earnings (loss) per share:
Basic	$	0.10	$	(0.60	)
Diluted	$	0.10	$	(0.60	)
Average shares outstanding:
Basic		315,461		314,319
Diluted		316,228		314,319

Page 4 of 6

Nucor Executive Offices:    1915 Rexford Road,  Charlotte, North Carolina   28211

Phone 704-366-7000    Fax 704-362-4208    www.nucor.com

News Release

NUCOR REPORTS RESULTS FOR FIRST QUARTER OF 2010 (Continued)

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited)

(In thousands)

	April 3, 2010			Dec. 31, 2009
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	1,659,589		$	2,016,981
Short-term investments		340,495			225,000
Accounts receivable, net		1,302,316			1,116,035
Inventories, net		1,624,971			1,312,903
Other current assets		534,415			511,329
Total current assets		5,461,786			5,182,248
Property, plant and equipment, net		3,963,467			4,013,836
Goodwill		1,831,294			1,803,021
Other intangible assets, net		905,143			902,922
Other assets		641,012			669,877
Total assets	$	12,802,702		$	12,571,904
LIABILITIES
Current liabilities:
Short-term debt	$	9,075		$	1,748
Long-term debt due within one year		6,000			6,000
Accounts payable		941,458			707,038
Salaries, wages and related accruals		186,885			154,997
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities		397,738			357,274
Total current liabilities		1,541,156			1,227,057
Long-term debt due after one year		3,080,200			3,080,200
Deferred credits and other liabilities		672,004			680,358
Total liabilities		5,293,360			4,987,615
EQUITY
Nucor stockholders' equity:
Common stock		149,930			149,877
Additional paid-in capital		1,688,263			1,675,777
Retained earnings		7,036,907			7,120,218
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of income taxes		(58,608	)		(41,056	)
Treasury stock		(1,510,856	)		(1,514,290	)
Total Nucor stockholders' equity		7,305,636			7,390,526
Noncontrolling interests		203,706			193,763
Total equity		7,509,342			7,584,289
Total liabilities and equity	$	12,802,702		$	12,571,904

Page 5 of 6

Nucor Executive Offices:    1915 Rexford Road,  Charlotte, North Carolina   28211

Phone 704-366-7000    Fax 704-362-4208    www.nucor.com

News Release

NUCOR REPORTS RESULTS FOR FIRST QUARTER OF 2010 (Continued)

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)

 (In thousands)

	Three Months (13 Weeks) Ended
	April 3, 2010			April 4, 2009
Operating activities:
Net earnings (loss)	$	41,194		$	(190,525	)
Adjustments:
Depreciation		127,883			119,699
Amortization		18,221			18,142
Stock-based compensation		10,396			10,225
Deferred income taxes		2,443			(51,693	)
Equity in losses of unconsolidated affiliates		18,377			37,997
Changes in assets and liabilities (exclusive of acquisitions):
Accounts receivable		(179,297	)		292,398
Inventories		(303,001	)		522,744
Accounts payable		232,877			(127,657	)
Federal income taxes		17,566			(204,553	)
Salaries, wages and related accruals		35,747			(404,173	)
Other		(25,443	)		(8,462	)
Cash provided by (used in) operating activities		(3,037	)		14,142
Investing activities:
Capital expenditures		(54,216	)		(125,966	)
Investment in and advances to affiliates		(80,461	)		(8,468	)
Repayment of advances to affiliates		48,884			-
Disposition of plant and equipment		3,046			2,234
Acquisitions (net of cash acquired)		(55,694	)		-
Purchases of investments		(240,495	)		-
Proceeds from the sale of investments		125,000			-
Cash used in investing activities		(253,936	)		(132,200	)
Financing activities:
Net change in short-term debt (exclusive of acquisitions)		7,312			(2,320	)
Repayment of long-term debt		-			(175,000	)
Issuance of common stock		1,462			1,028
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation		500			(700	)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests		(294	)		(49,339	)
Cash dividends		(114,193	)		(110,514	)
Cash used in financing activities		(105,213	)		(336,845	)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash		4,794			(148	)
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents		(357,392	)		(455,051	)
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of year		2,016,981			2,355,130
Cash and cash equivalents - end of three months	$	1,659,589		$	1,900,079

Page 6 of 6

Nucor Executive Offices:    1915 Rexford Road,  Charlotte, North Carolina   28211

Phone 704-366-7000    Fax 704-362-4208    www.nucor.com