DERIVATIVES (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2012

Fair Values of Derivative Instruments

The following tables summarize information regarding Nucor’s derivative instruments (in thousands):

Fair Value of Derivative Instruments

		Fair Value at
	Balance Sheet Location	June 30, 2012			Dec. 31, 2011
Asset derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
Commodity contracts	Other current assets	$	488		$	5,071
Liability derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
Commodity contracts	Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	$	—		$	(21,100	)
Liability derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
Foreign exchange contracts	Accrued expenses and other current liabilities		(52	)		(334	)
Total liability derivatives		$	(52	)	$	(21,434	)

Designated as Hedging Instrument Member

Effect of Derivative Instruments on Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings

The Effect of Derivative Instruments on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings

Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments

Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships	Statement of Earnings Location	Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in OCI on Derivatives (Effective Portion)						Amount of Gain or (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Earnings (Effective Portion)						Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Earnings on Derivatives (Ineffective Portion)
		Three Months (13 weeks) Ended						Three Months (13 weeks) Ended						Three Months (13 weeks) Ended
		June 30, 2012			July 2, 2011			June 30, 2012			July 2, 2011			June 30, 2012		July 2, 2011
Commodity contracts	Cost of products sold	$	—		$	(1,613	)	$	(10,553	)	$	(9,199	)	$	—	$	—
Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships	Statement of Earnings Location	Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in OCI on Derivatives (Effective Portion)						Amount of Gain or (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Earnings (Effective Portion)						Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Earnings on Derivatives (Ineffective Portion)
		Six Months (26 weeks) Ended						Six Months (26 weeks) Ended						Six Months (26 weeks) Ended
		June 30, 2012			July 2, 2011			June 30, 2012			July 2, 2011			June 30, 2012		July 2, 2011
Commodity contracts	Cost of products sold	$	(2,264	)	$	(2,699	)	$	(21,407	)	$	(18,259	)	$	500	$	—

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument Member

Effect of Derivative Instruments on Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings

Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments

Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments	Statement of Earnings Location	Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Earnings on  Derivatives
		Three Months (13 weeks) Ended					Six Months (26 weeks) Ended
		June 30, 2012		July 2, 2011			June 30, 2012		July 2, 2011
Commodity contracts	Cost of products sold	$	2,573	$	3,277		$	1,223	$	1,977
Foreign exchange contracts	Cost of products sold		114		(152	)		171		(592	)
Total		$	2,687	$	3,125		$	1,394	$	1,385