10-Q

Third Quarter 2012

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF

THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 29, 2012

Commission file number 1-4119

NUCOR CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware	13-1860817
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
1915 Rexford Road, Charlotte, North Carolina	28211
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)

(704) 366-7000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer	x	Accelerated filer	¨
Non-accelerated filer	¨	Smaller reporting company	¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ¨    No  x

317,638,420 shares of common stock were outstanding at September 29, 2012.

Nucor Corporation

Form 10-Q

September 29, 2012

INDEX

			Page
Part I	Financial Information
	Item 1	Financial Statements (Unaudited)
		Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings - Three Months (13 Weeks) and Nine Months (39 Weeks) Ended September 29, 2012 and October 1, 2011		3
		Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - Three Months (13 Weeks) and Nine Months (39 Weeks) Ended September 29, 2012 and October 1, 2011		4
		Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets - September 29, 2012 and December 31, 2011		5
		Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - Nine Months (39 Weeks) Ended September  29, 2012 and October 1, 2011		6
		Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements		7
	Item 2	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations		20
	Item 3	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk		28
	Item 4	Controls and Procedures		29
Part II	Other Information
	Item 1	Legal Proceedings		30
	Item 1A	Risk Factors		30
	Item 4	Mine Safety Disclosures		30
	Item 6	Exhibits		30
Signatures				31
List of Exhibits to Form 10-Q				32

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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

Nucor Corporation Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings (Unaudited)

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

	Three Months (13 Weeks) Ended				Nine Months (39 Weeks) Ended
	Sept. 29, 2012		Oct. 1, 2011		Sept. 29, 2012		Oct. 1, 2011
Net sales	$	4,801,206	$	5,252,144	$	14,977,999	$	15,193,887
Costs, expenses and other:
Cost of products sold		4,452,473		4,794,014		13,848,809		13,662,572
Marketing, administrative and other expenses		114,392		108,532		334,039		349,482
Equity in losses of unconsolidated affiliates		2,261		11,247		9,093		14,190
Impairment of non-current assets		—		13,943		30,000		13,943
Interest expense, net		40,305		40,193		123,028		125,943
		4,609,431		4,967,929		14,344,969		14,166,130
Earnings before income taxes and noncontrolling interests		191,775		284,215		633,030		1,027,757
Provision for income taxes		61,883		84,104		200,159		324,946
Net earnings		129,892		200,111		432,871		702,811
Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests		19,584		18,593		65,160		61,679
Net earnings attributable to Nucor stockholders	$	110,308	$	181,518	$	367,711	$	641,132
Net earnings per share:
Basic	$	0.35	$	0.57	$	1.15	$	2.02
Diluted	$	0.35	$	0.57	$	1.15	$	2.02
Average shares outstanding:
Basic		318,463		317,194		318,042		316,866
Diluted		318,520		317,287		318,113		317,061
Dividends declared per share	$	0.3650	$	0.3625	$	1.0950	$	1.0875

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

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Nucor Corporation Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)

(In thousands)

	Three Months (13 Weeks) Ended						Nine Months (39 Weeks) Ended
	Sept. 29, 2012			Oct. 1, 2011			Sept. 29, 2012			Oct. 1, 2011
Net earnings	$	129,892		$	200,111		$	432,871		$	702,811
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Net unrealized loss on hedging derivatives, net of income taxes		—			(4,531	)		(2,264	)		(7,230	)
Reclassification adjustment for loss on settlement of hedging derivatives included in net income, net of income taxes		10,554			9,023			31,961			27,282
Foreign currency translation gain (loss), net of income taxes		61,111			(86,521	)		59,730			(13,878	)
		71,665			(82,029	)		89,427			6,174
Comprehensive income		201,557			118,082			522,298			708,985
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests		(19,585	)		(18,585	)		(65,097	)		(61,676	)
Comprehensive income attributable to Nucor stockholders	$	181,972		$	99,497		$	457,201		$	647,309

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

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Nucor Corporation Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)

(In thousands)

	Sept. 29, 2012			Dec. 31, 2011
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	1,693,197		$	1,200,645
Short-term investments		430,266			1,362,641
Accounts receivable, net		1,799,305			1,710,773
Inventories, net		2,217,374			1,987,257
Other current assets		481,931			446,765
Total current assets		6,622,073			6,708,081
Property, plant and equipment, net		4,106,238			3,755,604
Restricted cash and investments		414,203			585,833
Goodwill		2,008,461			1,830,661
Other intangible assets, net		980,348			784,640
Other assets		865,924			905,531
Total assets	$	14,997,247		$	14,570,350
LIABILITIES
Current liabilities:
Short-term debt	$	30,865		$	1,826
Long-term debt due within one year		900,000			650,000
Accounts payable		1,186,665			958,645
Salaries, wages and related accruals		286,780			333,341
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities		482,717			452,247
Total current liabilities		2,887,027			2,396,059
Long-term debt due after one year		3,380,200			3,630,200
Deferred credits and other liabilities		866,446			837,511
Total liabilities		7,133,673			6,863,770
EQUITY
Nucor stockholders’ equity:
Common stock		150,798			150,496
Additional paid-in capital		1,804,156			1,756,534
Retained earnings		7,129,236			7,111,566
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes		51,313			(38,177	)
Treasury stock		(1,502,159	)		(1,505,534	)
Total Nucor stockholders’ equity		7,633,344			7,474,885
Noncontrolling interests		230,230			231,695
Total equity		7,863,574			7,706,580
Total liabilities and equity	$	14,997,247		$	14,570,350

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

5

Nucor Corporation Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)

(In thousands)

	Nine Months (39 Weeks) Ended
	Sept. 29, 2012			Oct. 1, 2011
Operating activities:
Net earnings	$	432,871		$	702,811
Adjustments:
Depreciation		394,690			391,847
Amortization		53,518			51,675
Stock-based compensation		42,858			40,323
Deferred income taxes		(42,548	)		40,855
Equity in losses of unconsolidated affiliates		9,093			14,190
Impairment of non-current assets		30,000			13,943
Loss on sale of assets		17,563			—
Changes in assets and liabilities (exclusive of acquisitions):
Accounts receivable		62,787			(401,237	)
Inventories		41,662			(634,048	)
Accounts payable		21,668			290,885
Federal income taxes		11,248			2,217
Salaries, wages and related accruals		(52,561	)		141,407
Other		101,835			28,616
Cash provided by operating activities		1,124,684			683,484
Investing activities:
Capital expenditures		(613,777	)		(328,592	)
Investment in and advances to affiliates		(66,423	)		(76,678	)
Repayment of advances to affiliates		32,500			15,000
Disposition of plant and equipment		42,574			22,155
Acquisitions (net of cash acquired)		(763,657	)		—
Purchases of investments		(409,403	)		(614,982	)
Proceeds from the sale of investments		1,341,913			456,055
Purchase of restricted investments		—			(564,994	)
Proceeds from the sale of restricted investments		209,930			18,299
Changes in restricted cash		(38,301	)		538,644
Cash used in investing activities		(264,644	)		(535,093	)
Financing activities:
Net change in short-term debt		28,983			(5,646	)
Issuance of common stock		10,515			6,957
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation		4,377			700
Distributions to noncontrolling interests		(66,562	)		(55,855	)
Cash dividends		(349,538	)		(346,005	)
Other financing activities		962			30,000
Cash used in financing activities		(371,263	)		(369,849	)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash		3,775			(2,511	)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		492,552			(223,969	)
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of year		1,200,645			1,325,406
Cash and cash equivalents - end of nine months	$	1,693,197		$	1,101,437
Non-cash investing activity:
Accrued plant and equipment purchases	$	77,764		$	(10,340	)

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

6

Nucor Corporation – Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

1. BASIS OF INTERIM PRESENTATION: The information furnished in Item I reflects all adjustments which are, in the opinion of management, necessary to a fair statement of the results for the interim periods and are of a normal and recurring nature unless otherwise noted. The information furnished has not been audited; however, the December 31, 2011 condensed consolidated balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements but does not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in Nucor’s annual report for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011.

During the first quarter of 2012, we began classifying internal fleet and some common carrier costs in cost of products sold in the condensed consolidated statements of earnings. We made this change so that all freight costs will be recorded within the same financial statement line item to allow users of our financial statements to better understand our expense structure. This change resulted in the reclassification of $17.7 million of these costs from marketing, administrative, and other expenses to cost of products sold in the quarter ended October 1, 2011 ($49.2 million in the first nine months of 2011) in order to conform to the current year presentation. Additionally, certain other prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to current period presentation. These reclassifications did not have an impact on net earnings for the current or any prior periods.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements – In January 2012, Nucor adopted accounting guidance regarding changes to the presentation of comprehensive income in the financial statements. The new accounting guidance requires entities to report components of comprehensive income in either (1) a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or (2) two separate but consecutive statements of net income and other comprehensive income. We have elected to report the components of comprehensive income in two separate but consecutive statements. The adoption of this guidance impacts the presentation of comprehensive income, but does not impact Nucor’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Also in January 2012, Nucor adopted accounting guidance that amends the existing requirements for fair value measurement and disclosure. The guidance expands the disclosure requirements around transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy and around the sensitivity to changes in inputs of fair value measurements categorized in Level 3 of the hierarchy. It also requires disclosure of the level in the fair value hierarchy of items that are not measured at fair value in the statement of financial position but whose fair value must be disclosed. The guidance also clarifies and expands upon existing requirements for measurement of the fair value of financial assets and liabilities as well as instruments classified in stockholders’ equity. The adoption of this guidance did not have an impact on the condensed consolidated financial statements.

2. INVENTORIES: Inventories consist of approximately 36% raw materials and supplies and 64% finished and semi-finished products at September 29, 2012 (40% and 60%, respectively, at December 31, 2011). Nucor’s manufacturing process consists of a continuous, vertically integrated process from which products are sold to customers at various stages throughout the process. Since most steel products can be classified as either finished or semi-finished products, these two categories of inventory are combined.

Inventories valued using the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method of accounting represent approximately 46% of total inventories as of September 29, 2012 (47% as of December 31, 2011). If the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method of accounting had been used, inventories would have been $679.2 million higher at September 29, 2012 ($763.2 million higher at December 31, 2011). Use of the lower of cost or market methodology reduced inventories by $3.1 million at September 29, 2012 ($6.8 million at December 31, 2011).

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3. ACQUISITIONS AND DISPOSITIONS: On June 20, 2012, Nucor completed the acquisition of the entire equity interest in Skyline Steel LLC (“Skyline”) and its subsidiaries for the cash purchase price of approximately $675.4 million. No cash was received nor was any debt incurred as a result of the acquisition. Skyline’s financial results are included as part of the steel mills segment (see Note 17).

Skyline is a steel foundation manufacturer and distributor serving the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Caribbean. Skyline’s steel products are used in marine construction, bridge and highway construction, heavy civil construction, storm protection, underground commercial parking, and environmental containment projects in the infrastructure and construction industries. Skyline is a significant consumer of H-piling and sheet piling from Nucor-Yamato Steel, and will become a larger downstream consumer of Nucor’s coiled plate and sheet products.

We have allocated the purchase price for Skyline to its individual assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The following table summarizes the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed of Skyline as of the date of acquisition (in thousands):

Accounts receivable	$	128,004
Inventory		260,473
Other current assets		4,410
Property, plant and equipment		70,100
Goodwill		138,579
Other intangible assets		215,600
Total assets acquired		817,166
Current liabilities		137,654
Deferred credits and other liabilities		4,078
Total liabilities assumed		141,732
Net assets acquired	$	675,434

The purchase price allocation to the identifiable intangible assets is as follows (in thousands, except years):

			Weighted - Average Life
Customer relationships	$	184,500	17 years
Trademarks and trade names		28,500	20 years
Other		2,600	3 years
	$	215,600

The goodwill of $138.6 million is primarily attributed to the synergies expected to arise after the acquisition and has been allocated to the steel mills segment (see Note 6). Approximately $128.2 million of the goodwill recognized is expected to be deductible for tax purposes.

In the third quarter of 2012, Nucor sold the assets of Nucor Wire Products Pennsylvania, Inc., resulting in a loss of $17.6 million. This charge is included in marketing, administrative and other expenses in the condensed consolidated statement of earnings.

4. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT: Property, plant and equipment is recorded net of accumulated depreciation of $6.07 billion at September 29, 2012 ($5.73 billion at December 31, 2011).

5. RESTRICTED CASH AND INVESTMENTS: As of September 29, 2012, restricted cash and investments primarily consisted of net proceeds from the issuance of $600.0 million 30-year variable rate Gulf Opportunity Zone bonds in November 2010. The restricted cash and investments

8

are held in a trust account and are to be used to partially fund the capital costs associated with the construction of Nucor’s direct reduced ironmaking facility in St. James Parish, Louisiana. Funds are disbursed as qualified expenditures for the construction of the facility are made ($172.6 million and $21.9 million in the first nine months of 2012 and 2011, respectively). Restricted investments totaled $299.8 million at September 29, 2012 ($514.3 million at December 31, 2011), and are held in similar short-term investment instruments as described in Note 4 to Nucor’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011. Interest earned on these investments is subject to the same usage requirements as the bond proceeds. Since the restricted cash, investments and interest on investments must be used for the construction of the facility, the entire balance has been classified as a non-current asset.

6. GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS: The change in the net carrying amount of goodwill for the nine months ended September 29, 2012 by segment is as follows (in thousands):

	Steel Mills		Steel Products			Raw Materials		All Other		Total
Balance at December 31, 2011	$	268,466	$	790,441		$	682,902	$	88,852	$	1,830,661
Acquisitions (dispositions)		138,579		(3,489	)		20,323		—		155,413
Translation		—		22,387			—		—		22,387
Balance at September 29, 2012	$	407,045	$	809,339		$	703,225	$	88,852	$	2,008,461

Nucor completed its most recent annual goodwill impairment testing during the fourth quarter of 2011 and concluded that there was no impairment of goodwill for any of its reporting units.

Intangible assets with estimated useful lives of three to 22 years are amortized on a straight-line or accelerated basis and are comprised of the following (in thousands):

	Sept. 29, 2012				Dec. 31, 2011
	Gross Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Gross Amount		Accumulated Amortization
Customer relationships	$	1,158,492	$	309,001	$	941,787	$	262,841
Trademarks and trade names		153,113		30,755		123,192		25,628
Other		28,468		19,969		25,868		17,738
	$	1,340,073	$	359,725	$	1,090,847	$	306,207

Intangible asset amortization expense for the third quarter of 2012 and 2011 was $20.4 million and $17.0 million, respectively, and was $53.5 million and $51.7 million in the first nine months of 2012 and 2011, respectively. Annual amortization expense is estimated to be $72.1 million in 2012; $71.9 million in 2013; $69.9 million in 2014; $68.0 million in 2015; and $66.4 million in 2016.

7. EQUITY INVESTMENTS: The carrying value of our equity investments in domestic and foreign companies was $746.9 million at September 29, 2012 ($775.7 million at December 31, 2011) and is recorded in other assets in the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

Nucor owns a 50% economic and voting interest in Duferdofin Nucor S.r.l., an Italian steel manufacturer, and accounts for the investment (on a one-month lag basis) under the equity method, as control and risk of loss are shared equally between the members.

Nucor’s investment in Duferdofin Nucor at September 29, 2012 was $441.3 million ($493.9 million at December 31, 2011). Nucor’s 50% share of the total net assets of Duferdofin Nucor was $47.5 million at September 29, 2012, resulting in a basis difference of $393.8 million due to the step-up to fair value of certain assets and liabilities attributable to Duferdofin Nucor as well as the identification of goodwill ($311.7 million) and finite-lived intangible assets. This basis difference, excluding the portion attributable to goodwill, is being amortized based on the remaining estimated useful lives of the various underlying net assets, as appropriate. Amortization expense and other purchase accounting adjustments associated with the fair value step-up were $2.7 million and $3.0 million in the third quarter of 2012 and 2011, respectively, and were $8.3 million and $9.1 million in the first nine months of 2012 and 2011, respectively.

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As of September 29, 2012, Nucor had outstanding notes receivable of €35 million ($45.2 million) from Duferdofin Nucor (€30 million at December 31, 2011). The notes receivable bear interest at 2.34% to 3.12% and reset annually on September 30 to the twelve-month Euro Interbank Offered Rate (Euribor) plus 1% per year. The principal amounts are due on January 31, 2016. Accordingly, the notes receivable were classified in other assets in the condensed consolidated balance sheets as of September 29, 2012.

Nucor has issued a guarantee for its ownership percentage (50%) of Duferdofin Nucor’s borrowings under Facility A of a Structured Trade Finance Facilities Agreement that matures on October 26, 2013. The maximum amount that Duferdofin Nucor can borrow under Facility A is €112.5 million, and as of September 29, 2012, it had borrowings of €104.0 million outstanding under that facility. If Duferdofin Nucor fails to pay when due any amounts for which it is obligated under Facility A, Nucor could be required to pay 50% of such amounts pursuant to and in accordance with the terms of its guarantee. Any indebtedness of Duferdofin Nucor to Nucor is effectively subordinated to the indebtedness of Duferdofin Nucor under the Structured Trade Finance Facilities Agreement. Nucor has not recorded any liability associated with the guarantee.

Nucor has a 50% economic and voting interest in NuMit LLC. NuMit owns 100% of the equity interest in Steel Technologies LLC, an operator of 24 sheet processing facilities located throughout the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Nucor accounts for its investment in NuMit (on a one-month lag basis) under the equity method as control and risk of loss are shared equally between the members. The acquisition did not result in a significant amount of goodwill or intangible assets.

The value of Nucor’s investment in NuMit at September 29, 2012 was $280.7 million ($259.3 million as of December 31, 2011), which is comprised of the purchase price of approximately $221.3 million plus subsequent additional capital contributions and equity method earnings less distributions since acquisition. Nucor also has recorded a $40.0 million note receivable from Steel Technologies LLC that bears interest at 1.36% as of September 29, 2012 and resets quarterly to the three-month London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) plus 90 basis points. The principal amount is due on October 21, 2014. In addition, Nucor has extended a $130.0 million line of credit (of which $70.0 million was outstanding at September 29, 2012) to Steel Technologies. As of September 29, 2012, the amounts outstanding on the line of credit bear interest at 1.84% and mature on April 1, 2013. The note receivable was classified in other assets and the amount outstanding on the line of credit was classified in other current assets in the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

Nucor reviews its equity investments for impairment if and when circumstances indicate that a decline in value below their carrying amounts may have occurred. In the second quarter of 2012, Nucor concluded that a triggering event had occurred requiring assessment for impairment of its equity investment in Duferdofin Nucor due to the continued declines in the global demand for steel, the escalated economic and political turmoil in Europe and continued operating performance well below budgeted levels through the first half of 2012. Duferdofin Nucor’s updated unfavorable forecast of future operating performance was also a contributing factor. The diminished demand combined with the continued lower than budgeted levels of operating performance significantly impacted the financial results of Duferdofin Nucor in the first half of 2012. After completing its assessment, Nucor determined that the carrying amount exceeded its estimated fair value and recorded a $30.0 million impairment charge against the Company’s investment in Duferdofin Nucor in the second quarter of 2012. This charge is included in impairment of non-current assets in the condensed consolidated statements of earnings. The assumptions that most significantly affect the fair value determination include projected revenues and the discount rate. Steel market conditions in Europe have continued to be challenging through the third quarter of 2012, and, therefore, it is reasonably possible that based on actual performance in the near term the estimates used in our second quarter valuation could change and result in further impairment of our investment.

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In the third quarter of 2011, the Company concluded that an equity investment in a dust recycling project had been impaired, resulting in an impairment charge of $13.9 million. This charge is included in impairment of non-current assets in the condensed consolidated statements of earnings.

Also in the third quarter of 2011, a valuation allowance was recorded against the deferred tax asset related to the Italian net operating loss carryforwards for the Duferdofin Nucor joint venture. The impact of the valuation allowance is reflected in equity in losses of unconsolidated affiliates in the condensed consolidated statements of earnings.

8. CURRENT LIABILITIES: Book overdrafts, included in accounts payable in the condensed consolidated balance sheets, were $106.8 million at September 29, 2012 ($53.6 million at December 31, 2011). Dividends payable, included in accrued expenses and other current liabilities in the condensed consolidated balance sheets, were $116.8 million at September 29, 2012 ($116.3 million at December 31, 2011).

9. DERIVATIVES: Nucor uses derivative financial instruments from time-to-time primarily to partially manage its exposure to price risk related to natural gas purchases used in the production process as well as to scrap, copper and aluminum purchased for resale to its customers. In addition, Nucor uses derivatives from time-to-time to partially manage its exposure to changes in interest rates on outstanding debt instruments and uses forward foreign exchange contracts to hedge cash flows associated with certain assets and liabilities, firm commitments and anticipated transactions.

Nucor recognizes all derivative instruments in the condensed consolidated balance sheets at fair value. Any resulting changes in fair value are recorded as adjustments to other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, or recognized in net earnings, as appropriate.

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

Fair Value of Derivative Instruments

		Fair Value at
	Balance Sheet Location	Sept. 29, 2012			Dec. 31, 2011
Asset derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
Commodity contracts	Other current assets	$	—		$	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:
Commodity contracts	Accrued expenses and other current liabilities		(1,277	)		—
Foreign exchange contracts	Accrued expenses and other current liabilities		(63	)		(334	)
Total liability derivatives not designated as hedging instruments			(1,340	)		(334	)
Total liability derivatives		$	(1,340	)	$	(21,434	)

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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
		Sept. 29, 2012		Oct. 1, 2011			Sept. 29, 2012			Oct. 1, 2011			Sept. 29, 2012		Oct. 1, 2011
Commodity contracts	Cost of products sold	$	—	$	(4,531	)	$	(10,554	)	$	(9,023	)	$	—	$	600

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)
		Nine Months (39 weeks) Ended						Nine Months (39 weeks) Ended						Nine Months (39 weeks) Ended
		Sept. 29, 2012			Oct. 1, 2011			Sept. 29, 2012			Oct. 1, 2011			Sept. 29, 2012		Oct. 1, 2011
Commodity contracts	Cost of products sold	$	(2,264	)	$	(7,230	)	$	(31,961	)	$	(27,282	)	$	500	$	600

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					Nine Months (39 weeks) Ended
		Sept. 29, 2012			Oct. 1, 2011		Sept. 29, 2012			Oct. 1, 2011
Commodity contracts	Cost of products sold	$	(1,454	)	$	7,485	$	(231	)	$	9,462
Foreign exchange contracts	Cost of products sold		(25	)		721		146			129
Total		$	(1,479	)	$	8,206	$	(85	)	$	9,591

During the first quarter of 2012, Nucor settled all of its open natural gas forward purchase contracts that were previously in place. These settlements will affect earnings over the periods specified in the original agreements, none of which expire beyond December 31, 2012. At September 29, 2012, $10.6 million of net deferred losses on cash flow hedges on these contracts included in accumulated other comprehensive income will be reclassified into earnings during the next three months.

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10. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS: The following table summarizes information regarding Nucor’s financial assets and financial liabilities that are measured at fair value as of September 29, 2012 and December 31, 2011 (in thousands). Nucor does not currently have any non-financial assets or liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis.

				Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
Description	Carrying Amount in Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets			Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)			Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
As of September 29, 2012
Assets:
Cash equivalents	$	1,519,075		$	1,519,075	$	—		$	—
Short-term investments		430,266			430,266		—			—
Restricted cash and investments		414,203			414,203		—			—
Total assets	$	2,363,544		$	2,363,544	$	—		$	—
Liabilities:
Foreign exchange and commodity contracts	$	(1,340	)	$	—	$	(1,340	)	$	—
As of December 31, 2011
Assets:
Cash equivalents	$	1,012,122		$	1,012,122	$	—		$	—
Short-term investments		1,362,641			1,362,641		—			—
Commodity contracts		5,071			—		5,071			—
Restricted cash and investments		585,833			585,833		—			—
Total assets	$	2,965,667		$	2,960,596	$	5,071		$	—
Liabilities:
Foreign exchange and commodity contracts	$	(21,434	)	$	—	$	(21,434	)	$	—

Fair value measurements for Nucor’s cash equivalents, short-term investments and restricted cash and investments are classified under Level 1 because such measurements are based on quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets. Our short-term investments are held in similar short-term investment instruments as described in Note 4 to Nucor’s annual report for the year ended December 31, 2011. Fair value measurements for Nucor’s derivatives are classified under Level 2 because such measurements are based on published market prices for similar assets or are estimated based on observable inputs such as interest rates, yield curves, credit risks, spot and future commodity prices, and spot and future exchange rates.

The fair value of short-term and long-term debt, including current maturities, was approximately $4.89 billion at September 29, 2012 ($4.76 billion at December 31, 2011). The debt fair value estimates are classified under Level 2 because such estimates are based on readily available market prices of our debt at September 29, 2012 and December 31, 2011, or similar debt with the same maturities, rating and interest rates.

11. CONTINGENCIES: Nucor is subject to environmental laws and regulations established by federal, state and local authorities and, accordingly, makes provision for the estimated costs of compliance with such laws and regulations. Of the undiscounted total of $29.3 million of accrued

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environmental costs at September 29, 2012 ($31.4 million at December 31, 2011), $10.3 million was classified in accrued expenses and other current liabilities ($14.4 million at December 31, 2011) and $19.0 million was classified in deferred credits and other liabilities ($17.0 million at December 31, 2011). Inherent uncertainties exist in these estimates primarily due to unknown conditions, evolving remediation technology, and changing governmental regulations and legal standards.

Nucor has been named, along with other major steel producers, as a co-defendant in several related antitrust class-action complaints filed by Standard Iron Works and other steel purchasers in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. The majority of these complaints were filed in September and October of 2008, with two additional complaints being filed in July and December of 2010. Two of these complaints have been voluntarily dismissed and are no longer pending. The plaintiffs allege that from April 1, 2005 through December 31, 2007, eight steel manufacturers, including Nucor, engaged in anticompetitive activities with respect to the production and sale of steel. The plaintiffs seek monetary and other relief. Although we believe the plaintiffs’ claims are without merit and will vigorously defend against them, we cannot at this time predict the outcome of this litigation or estimate the range of Nucor’s potential exposure.

Other contingent liabilities with respect to product warranties, legal proceedings and other matters arise in the normal course of business. Nucor maintains liability insurance for certain risks that arise that are also subject to certain self-insurance limits. Although the outcome of the claims and proceedings against us cannot be predicted with certainty, we believe that there are no existing claims or proceedings that are likely to have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial statements.

12. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION: Stock Options – Stock options may be granted to Nucor’s key employees, officers and non-employee directors with exercise prices at 100% of the market value on the date of the grant. The stock options granted in 2010, 2011 and 2012 are exercisable at the end of three years and have a term of 10 years. There are no options exercisable as of September 29, 2012. All stock options granted prior to 2010 were fully exercised at September 29, 2012. New shares are issued upon exercise of stock options.

A summary of activity under Nucor’s stock option plans for the first nine months of 2012 is as follows (in thousands, except year and per share amounts):

	Shares			Weighted - Average Exercise Price		Weighted - Average Remaining Contractual Life	Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Number of shares under option:
Outstanding at beginning of year		1,156		$	38.26
Granted		754		$	35.76
Exercised		(354	)	$	29.67		$	4,272
Canceled		—			—
Outstanding at September 29, 2012		1,556		$	39.01	9.0 years	$	1,886
Options exercisable at September 29, 2012		—

Compensation expense for stock options was $0.3 million and $1.9 million in the third quarter of 2012 and 2011, respectively, and $9.5 million and $9.3 million in the first nine months of 2012 and 2011, respectively. As of September 29, 2012, unrecognized compensation expense related to options was $0.8 million, which is expected to be recognized over 0.7 years. The amount of cash received from the exercise of stock options totaled $4.3 million and $10.5 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2012, respectively.

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Restricted Stock Units – Nucor annually grants restricted stock units (“RSUs”) to key employees, officers and non-employee directors. The RSUs typically vest and are converted to common stock in three equal installments on each of the first three anniversaries of the grant date. A portion of the RSUs awarded to senior officers vest upon the officer’s retirement. Retirement, for purposes of vesting in these RSUs only, means termination of employment with approval of the Compensation and Executive Development Committee of the Board of Directors after satisfying age and years of service requirements. RSUs granted to non-employee directors are fully vested on the grant date and are payable to the non-employee director in the form of common stock after the termination of the director’s service on the board of directors.

RSUs granted to employees who are eligible for retirement on the date of grant are expensed immediately, and RSUs granted to employees who will become retirement-eligible prior to the end of the vesting term are expensed over the period through which the employee will become retirement-eligible since these awards vest upon retirement from the Company. Compensation expense for RSUs granted to employees who are not retirement-eligible is recognized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period.

Cash dividend equivalents are paid to participants each quarter. Dividend equivalents paid on units expected to vest are recognized as a reduction in retained earnings.

The fair value of the RSUs is determined based on the closing stock price of Nucor’s common stock on the day before the grant. A summary of Nucor’s RSU activity for the first nine months of 2012 is as follows (shares in thousands):

	Shares			Grant Date Fair Value
Restricted stock units:
Unvested at beginning of year		962		$	46.09
Granted		1,101		$	35.76
Vested		(898	)	$	40.23
Canceled		(29	)	$	39.85
Unvested at September 29, 2012		1,136		$	40.86
Shares reserved for future grants (stock options and RSUs)		11,833

Compensation expense for RSUs was $4.7 million and $6.5 million in the third quarter of 2012 and 2011, respectively, and $29.6 million and $26.2 million in the first nine months of 2012 and 2011, respectively. As of September 29, 2012, unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested RSUs was $32.3 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.1 years.

Restricted Stock Awards – Nucor’s Senior Officers Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “LTIP”) and Annual Incentive Plan (the “AIP”) authorize the award of shares of common stock to officers subject to certain conditions and restrictions.

The LTIP provides for the award of shares of restricted common stock at the end of each LTIP performance measurement period at no cost to officers if certain financial performance goals are met during the period. One-third of the LTIP restricted stock award vests upon each of the first three anniversaries of the award date or, if earlier, upon the officer’s attainment of age fifty-five while employed by Nucor. Although participants are entitled to cash dividends and may vote such awarded shares, the sale or transfer of such shares is limited during the restricted period.

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The AIP provides for the payment of annual cash incentive awards. An AIP participant may elect, however, to defer payment of up to one-half of an annual incentive award. In such event, the deferred AIP award is converted into common stock units and credited with a deferral incentive, in the form of additional common stock units, equal to 25% of the number of common stock units attributable to the deferred AIP award. Common stock units attributable to deferred AIP awards are fully vested. Common stock units credited as a deferral incentive vest upon the AIP participant’s attainment of age fifty-five while employed by Nucor. Vested common stock units are paid to AIP participants in the form of shares of common stock following their termination of employment with Nucor.

A summary of Nucor’s restricted stock activity under the AIP and LTIP for the first nine months of 2012 is as follows (shares in thousands):

	Shares			Grant Date Fair Value
Restricted stock awards and units:
Unvested at beginning of year		94		$	42.46
Granted		122		$	42.20
Vested		(144	)	$	41.62
Canceled		—			—
Unvested at September 29, 2012		72		$	43.72
Shares reserved for future grants		1,360

Compensation expense for common stock and common stock units awarded under the AIP and LTIP is recorded over the performance measurement and vesting periods based on the anticipated number and market value of shares of common stock and common stock units to be awarded. Compensation expense for anticipated awards based upon Nucor’s financial performance, exclusive of amounts payable in cash, was $0.5 million and $0.4 million in the third quarter of 2012 and 2011, respectively, and $3.6 million and $4.7 million in the first nine months of 2012 and 2011, respectively. At September 29, 2012, unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested restricted stock awards was $0.8 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.6 years.

13. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN: Nucor makes contributions to a Profit Sharing and Retirement Savings Plan for qualified employees based on the profitability of the Company. Nucor’s expense for these benefits was $17.5 million and $26.4 million in the third quarter of 2012 and 2011, respectively, and was $58.1 million and $97.5 million in the first nine months of 2012 and 2011, respectively. The related liability for these benefits is included in salaries, wages and related accruals.

14. INTEREST EXPENSE (INCOME): The components of net interest expense are as follows (in thousands):

	Three Months (13 Weeks) Ended						Nine Months (39 Weeks) Ended
	Sept. 29, 2012			Oct. 1, 2011			Sept. 29, 2012			Oct. 1, 2011
Interest expense	$	42,954		$	44,484		$	132,254		$	136,276
Interest income		(2,649	)		(4,291	)		(9,226	)		(10,333	)
Interest expense, net	$	40,305		$	40,193		$	123,028		$	125,943

15. INCOME TAXES: The increase in the effective tax rate for the third quarter of 2012 as compared to the third quarter of 2011 is due to the tax impact of a state credit valuation allowance reversal that took place in the third quarter of 2011. Nucor has concluded U.S. federal income tax matters for years through 2006. The years 2004 and 2007 are open to the extent net operating losses were carried back. The 2008 to 2011 tax years are open to examination by the Internal Revenue Service.

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In 2011, the Canada Revenue Agency completed an audit examination for the periods 2006 to 2008 for Harris Steel Group Inc. and subsidiaries with immaterial adjustments to the income tax returns. The tax years 2008 through 2011 remain open to examination by other major taxing jurisdictions to which Nucor is subject (primarily Canada and other state and local jurisdictions).

16. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY: The following tables reflect the changes in stockholders’ equity attributable to both Nucor and the noncontrolling interests of Nucor’s joint ventures, primarily Nucor-Yamato Steel Company and Barker Steel Company, Inc., of which Nucor owns 51% and 90%, respectively (in thousands):

	Attributable to Nucor Corporation			Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests			Total
Stockholders’ equity at December 31, 2011	$	7,474,885		$	231,695		$	7,706,580
Total comprehensive income		457,201			65,097			522,298
Stock options		20,052			—			20,052
Issuance of stock under award plans, net of forfeitures		31,292			—			31,292
Amortization of unearned compensation		600			—			600
Dividends declared		(350,041	)		—			(350,041	)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests		—			(66,562	)		(66,562	)
Other		(645	)		—			(645	)
Stockholders’ equity at September 29, 2012	$	7,633,344		$	230,230		$	7,863,574

	Attributable to Nucor Corporation			Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests			Total
Stockholders’ equity at December 31, 2010	$	7,120,070		$	210,624		$	7,330,694
Total comprehensive income		647,309			61,676			708,985
Stock options		16,224			—			16,224
Issuance of stock under award plans, net of forfeitures		24,117			—			24,117
Amortization of unearned compensation		1,300			—			1,300
Dividends declared		(346,284	)		—			(346,284	)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests		—			(55,855	)		(55,855	)
Stockholders’ equity at October 1, 2011	$	7,462,736		$	216,445		$	7,679,181

17. SEGMENTS: Nucor reports its results in the following segments: steel mills, steel products and raw materials. The steel mills segment includes carbon and alloy steel in sheet, bars, structural and plate, and Nucor’s equity investments in Duferdofin Nucor and NuMit. The steel products segment includes steel joists and joist girders, steel deck, fabricated concrete reinforcing steel, cold finished steel, steel fasteners, metal building systems, steel grating and expanded metal, and wire and wire mesh. The raw materials segment includes The David J. Joseph Company, a scrap broker and processor; Nu-Iron Unlimited, a facility that produces direct reduced iron (“DRI”) used by the steel mills; a DRI facility under construction in Louisiana; and certain equity method investments. The “all other” category primarily includes Nucor’s steel trading businesses. The segments are consistent with the way Nucor manages its business, which is primarily based upon the similarity of the types of products produced and sold by each segment.

Net interest expense, other income, profit sharing expense, stock-based compensation and changes in the LIFO reserve are shown under Corporate/eliminations. Corporate assets primarily include cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, restricted cash and investments, allowances to eliminate intercompany profit in inventory, deferred income tax assets, federal income taxes receivable, the LIFO reserve and investments in and advances to affiliates. Certain amounts for prior years have been reclassified to conform to the 2012 presentation.

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Nucor’s results by segment were as follows (in thousands):

	Three Months (13 Weeks) Ended						Nine Months (39 Weeks) Ended
	Sept. 29, 2012			Oct. 1, 2011			Sept. 29, 2012			Oct. 1, 2011
Net sales to external customers:
Steel mills	$	3,204,898		$	3,617,867		$	10,307,698		$	10,635,850
Steel products		1,006,366			958,224			2,840,055			2,565,728
Raw materials		475,322			535,948			1,455,134			1,618,956
All other		114,620			140,105			375,112			373,353
	$	4,801,206		$	5,252,144		$	14,977,999		$	15,193,887
Intercompany sales:
Steel mills	$	669,326		$	599,005		$	1,985,535		$	1,815,673
Steel products		17,179			14,444			52,958			38,691
Raw materials		2,080,150			2,572,705			7,441,529			8,047,832
All other		1,550			4,742			12,344			21,093
Corporate/eliminations		(2,768,205	)		(3,190,896	)		(9,492,366	)		(9,923,289	)
	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—
Earnings (loss) before income taxes and noncontrolling interests:
Steel mills	$	217,430		$	427,723		$	943,818		$	1,476,323
Steel products		(10,252	)		(10,527	)		(34,094	)		(56,432	)
Raw materials		14,535			26,263			44,223			140,352
All other		937			737			780			5,014
Corporate/eliminations		(30,875	)		(159,981	)		(321,697	)		(537,500	)
	$	191,775		$	284,215		$	633,030		$	1,027,757
	Sept. 29, 2012			Dec. 31, 2011
Segment assets:
Steel mills	$	7,688,875		$	6,440,868
Steel products		3,020,164			2,903,281
Raw materials		3,191,854			2,925,651
All other		203,429			152,107
Corporate/eliminations		892,925			2,148,443
	$	14,997,247		$	14,570,350

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18. EARNINGS PER SHARE: The computations of basic and diluted net earnings per share are as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):

	Three Months (13 Weeks) Ended						Nine Months (39 Weeks) Ended
	Sept. 29, 2012			Oct. 1, 2011			Sept. 29, 2012			Oct. 1, 2011
Basic net earnings per share:
Basic net earnings	$	110,308		$	181,518		$	367,711		$	641,132
Earnings allocated to participating securities		(412	)		(592	)		(1,242	)		(2,239	)
Net earnings available to common stockholders	$	109,896		$	180,926		$	366,469		$	638,893
Average shares outstanding		318,463			317,194			318,042			316,866
Basic net earnings per share	$	0.35		$	0.57		$	1.15		$	2.02
Diluted net earnings per share:
Diluted net earnings	$	110,308		$	181,518		$	367,711		$	641,132
Earnings allocated to participating securities		(412	)		(593	)		(1,242	)		(2,240	)
Net earnings available to common stockholders	$	109,896		$	180,925		$	366,469		$	638,892
Diluted average shares outstanding:
Basic shares outstanding		318,463			317,194			318,042			316,866
Dilutive effect of stock options and other		57			93			71			195
		318,520			317,287			318,113			317,061
Diluted net earnings per share	$	0.35		$	0.57		$	1.15		$	2.02

The following stock options were excluded from the computation of diluted net earnings per share because their effect would have been anti-dilutive:

	Three Months (13 Weeks) Ended				Nine Months (39 Weeks) Ended
	Sept. 29, 2012		Oct. 1, 2011		Sept. 29, 2012		Oct. 1, 2011
Anti-dilutive stock options:
Weighted average shares		801		801		534		266
Weighted average exercise price	$	42.07	$	42.07	$	42.07	$	42.07

19. SUBSEQUENT EVENT: On October 31, 2012, a subsidiary of Nucor entered into a carry and earning agreement with Encana Oil & Gas (USA) Inc. under which Nucor will acquire an undivided 50% working interest in certain onshore natural gas wells in the continental United States to be drilled and operated by Encana. Nucor expects to invest approximately $542 million over the next three fiscal years and approximately $3.64 billion over the estimated 13 to 22 year term of the agreement.

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Certain statements made in this quarterly report are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. The words “believe,” “expect,” “project,” “will,” “should,” “could” and similar expressions are intended to identify those forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements reflect the Company’s best judgment based on current information, and although we base these statements on circumstances that we believe to be reasonable when made, there can be no assurance that future events will not affect the accuracy of such forward-looking information. As such, the forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, and actual results may vary materially from the projected results and expectations discussed in this report. 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 changes in the supply and cost of raw materials, including pig iron, iron ore and scrap steel; (2) availability and cost of electricity and natural gas; (3) market demand for steel products, which, in the case of many of our products, is driven by the level of nonresidential construction activity in the U.S.; (4) competitive pressure on sales and pricing, including pressure from imports and substitute materials; (5) impairment in the recorded value of inventory, equity investments, fixed assets, goodwill or other long-lived assets; (6) uncertainties surrounding the global economy, including the severe economic downturn in construction markets and excess world capacity for steel production; (7) fluctuations in currency conversion rates; (8) U.S. and foreign trade policy affecting steel imports or exports; (9) significant changes in laws or government regulations affecting environmental compliance, including legislation or regulations that result in greater regulation of greenhouse gas emissions that could increase our energy costs and our capital expenditures and operating costs; (10) the cyclical nature of the steel industry; (11) capital investments and acquisitions and their impact on our performance; and (12) our safety performance.

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report, as well as the audited consolidated financial statements, “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” contained in Nucor’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.

Overview

Nucor and its affiliates manufacture steel and steel products. Nucor also produces direct reduced iron (“DRI”) for use in its steel mills. Through The David J. Joseph Company and its affiliates (“DJJ”), the Company also processes ferrous and nonferrous metals and brokers ferrous and nonferrous metals, pig iron, hot briquetted iron (“HBI”) and DRI. Most of Nucor’s operating facilities and customers are located in North America, but increasingly Nucor is doing business outside of North America as well. Nucor’s operations include several international trading and sales companies that buy and sell steel and steel products manufactured by the Company and others. Nucor is North America’s largest recycler, using scrap steel as the primary raw material in producing steel and steel products.

Nucor reports its results in three segments: steel mills, steel products and raw materials. In the steel mills segment, Nucor produces sheet steel (hot and cold-rolled), plate steel, structural steel (wide-flange beams, beam blanks, H-piling and sheet piling) and bar steel (blooms, billets, concrete reinforcing bar, merchant bar and special bar quality). Nucor manufactures steel principally from scrap steel and scrap steel substitutes using electric arc furnaces, continuous casting and automated rolling mills. The steel mills segment also includes Nucor’s equity method investments in Duferdofin Nucor and NuMit LLC. In the steel products segment, Nucor produces steel joists and joist girders, steel deck, fabricated concrete reinforcing steel, cold-finished steel, steel fasteners, metal building systems, steel grating and expanded metal, and wire and wire mesh. In the raw materials segment, Nucor produces DRI; brokers ferrous and nonferrous metals, pig iron, HBI and DRI; supplies ferro-alloys; and processes ferrous and nonferrous scrap metal. The raw materials segment also includes certain equity method investments.

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In late June 2012, Nucor completed the acquisition of the entire equity interest in Skyline Steel LLC (“Skyline”) and its subsidiaries for the cash purchase price of approximately $675.4 million. It is a steel foundation manufacturer and distributor serving the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Caribbean. Skyline’s steel products are used in marine construction, bridge and highway construction, heavy civil construction, storm protection, underground commercial parking, and environmental containment projects in the infrastructure and construction industries. Skyline is a significant consumer of H-piling and sheet piling from Nucor-Yamato Steel, and will become a large downstream consumer of Nucor’s coiled plate and sheet products. Skyline’s results since the acquisition date are included in the steel mills segment’s results.

In August 2012, Nucor sold the assets of Nucor Wire Products Pennsylvania, Inc. Nucor is continuing to produce wire and mesh products at facilities in Utah, Connecticut and Laurel LEC Operations in Canada.

Construction is progressing on our 2,500,000-ton DRI facility in Louisiana. The majority of the equipment will arrive in 2012, and we believe that we are on schedule to complete construction and begin start-up operations in mid-2013. However, weather and other risks, such as low water levels on the Mississippi river due to drought conditions, could cause future construction delays.

Nucor-Yamato Steel Company, a joint venture between Nucor and Yamato Kogyo Co. Ltd., has approved an estimated $115 million plan to expand the production of hot rolled sheet piling. This project is expected to be completed at Nucor’s steel mill in Blytheville, Arkansas, in early 2014. The project will give us the ability to produce several new sheet piling sections, increasing the single sheet widths by 22% and providing a lighter stronger sheet covering more area at a lower installed cost.

The average utilization rates of all operating facilities in the steel mills, steel products and raw materials segments were approximately 75%, 61% and 65%, respectively, in the first nine months of 2012 compared with 75%, 57% and 72%, respectively, in the first nine months of 2011. The decrease in the average utilization rate for the raw materials segment in the first nine months of 2012 as compared to the first nine months of 2011 is due to decreased flow of scrap into processing facilities that resulted from significant drops in scrap prices and increased competition for raw materials.

Results of Operations

Net Sales Net sales to external customers by segment for the third quarter and first nine months of 2012 and 2011 were as follows (in thousands):

	Three Months (13 Weeks) Ended							Nine Months (26 Weeks) Ended
	September 29, 2012		October 1, 2011		% Change			September 29, 2012		October 1, 2011		% Change
Steel mills	$	3,204,898	$	3,617,867		-11	%	$	10,307,698	$	10,635,850		-3	%
Steel products		1,006,366		958,224		5	%		2,840,055		2,565,728		11	%
Raw materials		475,322		535,948		-11	%		1,455,134		1,618,956		-10	%
All other		114,620		140,105		-18	%		375,112		373,353		—
Net sales	$	4,801,206	$	5,252,144		-9	%	$	14,977,999	$	15,193,887		-1	%

Net sales for the third quarter of 2012 decreased 9% from the third quarter of 2011. Average sales price per ton decreased 8% from $908 in the third quarter of 2011 to $832 in the third quarter of 2012, while total tons sold to outside customers decreased slightly from the same period last year.

Net sales for the first nine months of 2012 decreased 1% from the first nine months of 2011. Average sales price per ton decreased 3% from $875 in the first nine months of 2011 to $850 in the first nine months of 2012, while total tons sold to outside customers increased 1% over the same period last year.

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In the steel mills segment, production and sales tons were as follows (in thousands):

	Three Months (13 Weeks) Ended							Nine Months (39 Weeks) Ended
	Sept. 29, 2012		Oct. 1, 2011		% Change			Sept. 29, 2012		Oct. 1, 2011		% Change
Steel production		4,819		4,910		-2	%		15,139		14,796		2	%
Outside steel shipments		4,144		4,194		-1	%		12,832		12,664		1	%
Inside steel shipments		899		934		-4	%		2,648		2,528		5	%
Total steel shipments		5,043		5,128		-2	%		15,480		15,192		2	%

Net sales for the steel mills segment decreased 11% from the third quarter of 2011 due to a 9% decrease in the average sales price per ton from $847 to $773, and a 1% decrease in tons sold to outside customers. The third quarter of 2012 was the first full quarter that included Skyline’s sales. Since steel piling sold by Skyline has a higher average sales price per ton than the other steel mill products, the decrease in the third quarter average sales price per ton was somewhat mitigated. Only 10 days of Skyline’s sales were included in the second quarter of 2012, which had a minimal impact on that quarter’s average sales price per ton. The decline in the steel mills segment’s net sales is due to severe downward pressure on pricing caused by high import levels and new domestic supply that began ramping up production in 2011.

The 3% decrease in sales from the first nine months of 2011 to the first nine months of 2012 in the steel mills segment was attributable to 5% decrease in the average sales price per ton from $841 to $803, partially offset by an 1% increase in tons sold to outside customers.

Tonnage data for the steel products segment is as follows (in thousands):

	Three Months (13 weeks) Ended							Nine Months (39 weeks) Ended
	Sept. 29, 2012		Oct. 1, 2011		% Change			Sept. 29, 2012		Oct. 1, 2011		% Change
Joist production		78		82		-5	%		217		219		-1	%
Deck sales		80		83		-4	%		221		234		-6	%
Cold finish sales		118		118		—			388		381		2	%
Fabricated concrete reinforcing steel sales		343		312		10	%		915		808		13	%

The 5% increase in the steel products segment’s sales from the third quarter of 2011 was due to 4% increase in volume and a 1% increase in average sales price per ton from $1,381 to $1,391. The 11% increase in the steel products segment’s sales for the first nine months of the year were due to the 5% increase in average sales price per ton from $1,342 to $1,407 and the 6% increase in volume. While both volume and pricing improved over the prior year quarter and first nine months, sales in the steel products segment remain depressed due to the continued weakness in the nonresidential construction market. Sales of fabricated concrete reinforcing steel increased due to increases in pricing and volume over the third quarter of 2011.

The sales for the raw materials segment decreased 11% from the third quarter of 2011 primarily due to pricing, while the 10% decrease in sales from the first nine months of 2011 was impacted by both lower pricing and volume. These decreases are due to intensified competition caused by excess shredding capacity in the industry and to the significantly lower scrap pricing experienced in the third quarter of 2012. In the third quarter of 2012, approximately 85% of outside sales in the raw materials segment were from the brokerage operations of DJJ and approximately 13% of the outside sales were from the scrap processing facilities (86% and 12%, respectively, in the third quarter of 2011). In the first nine months of 2012, approximately 85% of outside sales for the raw materials segment were from the brokerage operations of DJJ and approximately 13% of outside sales were from the scrap processing facilities (86% and 13%, respectively, in the first nine months of 2011).

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The “all other” category includes the steel trading businesses. The decrease in sales in the third quarter is due to decreased pricing and volumes. The slight increase in sales for the first nine months of 2012 compared to the first nine months of 2011 was due to higher volume offset by decreased pricing.

Gross Margins For the third quarter of 2012, Nucor recorded gross margins of $348.7 million (7%), compared to $458.1 million (9%) in the third quarter of 2011. The gross margin was impacted by an 8% decrease in average sales price per ton, a slight decrease in tons shipped to outside customers along with the following factors:

• In the steel mills segment, the average scrap and scrap substitute cost per ton used decreased 15% from $449 in the third quarter of 2011 to $380 in the third quarter of 2012. Metal margin is the difference between the selling price of steel and the cost of scrap and scrap substitutes. Despite the decrease in the average scrap substitute cost per ton, metal margin dollars decreased from the third quarter of 2011 because of a lower average sales price per ton and slightly lower volume. Increased imports, excess domestic capacity and economic uncertainty affecting steel buyer confidence placed downward pressure on metal margins as the third quarter of 2012 progressed.

Scrap prices are driven by the global supply and demand for scrap and other iron based raw materials used to make steel. Scrap prices were lower in the third quarter of 2012 than the second quarter of 2012, but experienced an upward trend throughout the third quarter. We have seen prices decrease in October, but expect volatility in the scrap market to continue in the fourth quarter.

• Nucor’s gross margins are significantly impacted by the application of the LIFO method of accounting. LIFO charges or credits for interim periods are based on management’s current estimates of both inventory costs and quantities at year-end. The actual amounts will likely differ from these estimated amounts, and such differences may be significant. Annual charges or credits are largely based on the relative changes in cost and quantities year over year, primarily within raw material inventory in the steel mills segment. Gross margins were impacted by a LIFO credit of $84.0 million in the third quarter of 2012, compared with a charge of $28.0 million in the third quarter of 2011.

• Gross margins related to DJJ’s scrap processing operations decreased during the third quarter of 2012 compared to the third quarter of 2011. The decrease was due to continued conditions in the scrap processing industry, in which excess shredding capacity is increasing competition for raw materials. Because scrap selling prices have declined since the first quarter of 2012, DJJ has experienced severe downward pressure on margins.

• Nucor’s gross margins were negatively impacted by $28.2 million in inventory related purchase accounting adjustments associated with our acquisition of Skyline.

• Energy costs decreased approximately $2 per ton from the third quarter of 2011 due mainly to lower natural gas unit costs. Energy costs increased approximately $5 per ton over the second quarter of 2012 due to increased electricity and natural gas unit costs, combined with lower utilization rates at our steel mills.

For the first nine months of 2012, Nucor recorded gross margins of $1.13 billion (8%), compared to $1.53 billion (10%) in the first nine months of 2011. The gross margin was impacted by the following factors:

• In the steel mills segment, the average scrap and scrap substitute cost per ton used decreased 5% from $439 in the first nine month of 2011 to $418 in the first nine months of 2012. The decrease in the average scrap and scrap substitute cost per ton used was offset by the 5% decrease in the steel mills segment’s average sales price per ton, resulting in lower metal margin dollars.

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• Nucor’s gross margins were negatively impacted by $36.8 million of inventory related purchase accounting adjustments associated with our acquisition of Skyline.

• Gross margin was affected by a LIFO credit of $84.0 million in the first nine months of 2012, compared to a LIFO charge of $91.0 million in the first nine months of 2011. The LIFO credit in the first nine months of 2012 reflects management’s current expectations of lower costs in inventory at December 31, 2012, relative to prior year-end.

• Gross margins related to DJJ’s scrap processing operations decreased significantly during the first nine months of 2012 compared to the first nine of 2011 due to the reasons described above.

• Energy costs decreased $3 per ton from the prior year due mainly to lower natural gas unit costs.

Marketing, Administrative and Other Expenses Marketing, administrative and other expenses increased from $108.5 million in the third quarter of 2011 to $114.4 million in the third quarter of 2012 due to the $17.6 million loss on the sale of assets of Nucor Wire Products Pennsylvania, Inc. partially offset by lower profit sharing and other incentive compensation costs. Marketing, administrative and other expenses decreased from $349.5 million in the first nine months of 2011 to $334.0 million in the first nine months of 2012 primarily due to lower profit sharing and other incentive compensation costs. A major component of marketing, administrative and other expenses, profit sharing and other incentive compensation costs are based upon and fluctuate with Nucor’s financial performance. These costs decreased $17.5 million in the third quarter of 2012 compared to the third quarter of 2011, and decreased $47.6 million in the first nine months of 2012 compared to the first nine months of 2011 due to the decreased profitability of the Company.

Profit sharing and other incentive compensation costs decreased $19.4 million in the third quarter of 2012 compared to the second quarter of 2012 due to the annual restricted stock unit grant and the stock option grant that occurred in the second quarter of 2012.

Equity in Losses of Unconsolidated Affiliates Equity method investment losses, including amortization expense and other purchase accounting adjustments, were $2.3 million and $11.2 million in the third quarter of 2012 and 2011, respectively, and were $9.1 million and $14.2 million in the first nine month of 2012 and 2011, respectively. The decrease in the equity method investment losses is primarily due to the recording of a valuation allowance against a deferred tax asset related to the Italian net operating loss carryforward for the Duferdofin Nucor joint venture in the third quarter of 2011, partially offset by a slight increase in earnings generated by NuMit LLC in the third quarter and first nine months of 2012 compared to 2011. The markets served by Duferdofin Nucor have been negatively affected by the escalated economic and political turmoil in Europe, which resulted in an impairment of Nucor’s investment in Duferdofin Nucor in the second quarter of 2012, as discussed below.

Impairment of Non-current Assets In the third quarter of 2011, the Company concluded that an equity investment in a dust recycling project had been impaired, resulting in an impairment charge of $13.9 million. No impairment charge was incurred in the current year third quarter.

Nucor incurred an impairment charge of $30.0 million in the first nine months of 2012 ($13.9 million in the first nine months of 2011). The entire 2012 charge related to the impairment of Nucor’s investment in Duferdofin Nucor. Nucor reviews its equity investments for impairment if and when circumstances indicate that a decline in value below its carrying amount may have occurred. In the second quarter of 2012, Nucor concluded that a triggering event had occurred requiring assessment for impairment of the equity investment in Duferdofin Nucor due to the continued declines in the global demand for steel, the escalated economic and political turmoil in Europe, and the continued operating performance well below budgeted levels through the first half of 2012. Duferdofin Nucor’s updated unfavorable forecast of future operating performance was also a contributing factor. The diminished demand combined with the continued lower than budgeted levels of operating performance significantly impacted the financial results of Duferdofin Nucor in the first half of 2012. After completing its assessment, Nucor determined that the carrying amount exceeded its estimated fair value and recorded a $30.0 million impairment

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charge against the Company’s investment in Duferdofin Nucor. Steel market conditions in Europe have continued to be challenging through the third quarter of 2012, and, therefore, it is reasonably possible that based on actual performance in the near term the estimates used in our second quarter valuation could change and result in further impairment of our investment.

Interest Expense (Income) Net interest expense for the third quarter and first nine months of 2012 and 2011 was as follows (in thousands):

	Three Months (13 Weeks) Ended						Nine Months (39 Weeks) Ended
	Sept. 29, 2012			Oct. 1, 2011			Sept. 29, 2012			Oct. 1, 2011
Interest expense	$	42,954		$	44,484		$	132,254		$	136,276
Interest income		(2,649	)		(4,291	)		(9,226	)		(10,333	)
Interest expense, net	$	40,305		$	40,193		$	123,028		$	125,943

In the third quarter of 2012 gross interest expense decreased 3% from the third quarter of 2011 due to increased capitalized interest. Gross interest income decreased due to decreases in average investments and in the average interest rate earned on investments.

In the first nine months of 2012 gross interest expense decreased 3% from the first nine months of 2011 due to a slight decrease in average debt outstanding and increased capitalized interest. Gross interest income decreased due to a decrease in the average interest rate earned on investments combined with decreased average investments.

Earnings Before Income Taxes and Noncontrolling Interests Earnings before income taxes and noncontrolling interests by segment for the third quarter and first nine months of 2012 and 2011 were as follows (in thousands):

	Three Months (13 Weeks) Ended						Nine Months (39 Weeks) Ended
	Sept. 29, 2012			Oct. 1, 2011			Sept. 29, 2012			Oct. 1, 2011
Steel mills	$	217,430		$	427,723		$	943,818		$	1,476,323
Steel products		(10,252	)		(10,527	)		(34,094	)		(56,432	)
Raw materials		14,535			26,263			44,223			140,352
All other		937			737			780			5,014
Corporate/eliminations		(30,875	)		(159,981	)		(321,697	)		(537,500	)
	$	191,775		$	284,215		$	633,030		$	1,027,757

Earnings before income taxes and noncontrolling interests in the steel mills segment decreased 49% from the third quarter of 2011 and 36% from the first nine months of 2011. Metal margin dollars decreased from both the third quarter and first nine months of 2011 resulting from the factors described above. Other factors impacting the profitability of the steel mills segment were the impairment charge related to Duferdofin Nucor in the second quarter of 2012 and the purchase accounting adjustments related to Skyline. The market conditions that have impacted the steel mills segment include an import surge across most products that began late in 2011 and continued through the first nine months of 2012. According to U.S. Census Bureau reports, 2012 steel products imports are on pace to reach 27.7 million short tons in 2012. This represents an increase of 21% from 2011 imports of 22.8 million tons and is 43% higher than 2010 import levels of 19.3 million tons. In addition, U.S. sheet steel markets have been negatively impacted by new domestic supply that began ramping up production in 2011, while a combination of political and economic uncertainty is affecting steel buyer confidence for all products. The strongest end markets continue to be manufactured goods including automotive, energy and heavy equipment.

The steel products segment’s loss for the third quarter of 2012 was impacted by the loss on the sale of assets of Nucor Wire Products Pennsylvania. Exclusive of this charge, the steel products segment was

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profitable for the second consecutive quarter. Although the segment has experienced market share gains, improved pricing, and effective management of costs, demand in this segment remains depressed due to the continued very challenging conditions in the nonresidential construction market. At our rebar fabrication businesses, shipments to outside customers increased 10% in the third quarter of 2012 over the third quarter of 2011, and increased 13% in the first nine months of 2012 over the first nine months of 2011. Volumes of backlog at our rebar fabrication businesses have decreased during the third quarter because of increased shipments during the period.

The profitability of our raw materials segment, particularly The David J. Joseph Company, decreased significantly from the third quarter and first nine months of 2011 primarily due to continued margin compression at the scrap processing operations due to the factors described above.

The improvements in results in Corporate/eliminations in the third quarter and first nine months of 2012 were primarily due to the change in LIFO from a charge to a credit in both periods and to lower profit sharing and incentive compensation costs.

Noncontrolling Interests Noncontrolling interests represent the income attributable to the noncontrolling partners of Nucor’s joint ventures, primarily Nucor-Yamato Steel Company (“NYS”) and Barker Steel Company, Inc., of which Nucor owns 51% and 90%, respectively. The increase in noncontrolling interests was primarily attributable to the increased earnings of NYS, which were primarily due to changes in product mix as compared to the third quarter and first nine months of 2011. Under the NYS limited partnership agreement, the minimum amount of cash to be distributed each year to the partners is the amount needed by each partner to pay applicable U.S. federal and state income taxes. In the first nine months of 2012, the amount of cash distributed to noncontrolling interest holders exceeded the earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests based on mutual agreement of the general partners; however, the cumulative amount of cash distributed to partners was less than the cumulative net earnings of the partnership.

Provision for Income Taxes Nucor had an effective tax rate of 32.3% in the third quarter of 2012 compared with 29.6% in the third quarter of 2011. The effective tax rate was 31.6% in the first nine months of both 2012 and 2011. The expected rate for the full year of 2012 will be approximately 31.5% compared with 31.2% for the full year of 2011. The increase in the effective tax rate for the third quarter of 2012 is due to the tax impact of a state credit valuation allowance reversal that took place in the third quarter of 2011.

We estimate that in the next twelve months our gross uncertain tax positions, exclusive of interest, could decrease by as much as $13.0 million as a result of the expiration of the statute of limitations.

Nucor has concluded U.S. federal income tax matters for years through 2006. The years 2004 and 2007 are open to the extent net operating losses were carried back. The 2008 to 2011 tax years are open to examination by the Internal Revenue Service. In 2011 the Canada Revenue Agency completed an audit examination for the periods 2006 to 2008 for Harris Steel Group Inc. and subsidiaries with immaterial adjustments to the income tax returns. The tax years 2008 through 2011 remain open to examination by other major taxing jurisdictions to which Nucor is subject (primarily Canada and other state and local jurisdictions).

Net Earnings Attributable to Nucor Stockholders and Return on Equity Nucor reported consolidated net earnings of $110.3 million, or $0.35 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2012 compared to consolidated net earnings of $181.5 million, or $0.57 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2011. Net earnings attributable to Nucor stockholders as a percentage of net sales were 2% and 3% in the third quarters of 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Nucor reported consolidated net earnings of $367.7 million, or $1.15 per diluted share, in the first nine months of 2012, compared to consolidated net earnings of $641.1 million, or $2.02 per diluted share, in the first nine months of 2011. Net earnings attributable to Nucor stockholders as a percentage of net

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sales were 2% and 4% in the first nine months of 2012 and 2011, respectively. Return on average stockholders’ equity was approximately 6% and 12% in the first nine months of 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Outlook We currently expect to see some further reduction in earnings exclusive of non-recurring charges for the fourth quarter of 2012. In addition to high import levels and excess domestic sheet supply, slowing economic growth both domestically and globally is expected to be a negative factor through the end of the year. Volatility in scrap prices, together with a combination of political and economic uncertainty in global markets, is impacting steel buyer confidence and therefore supply-chain stocking levels. The strongest end markets continue to be manufactured goods including automotive, energy and heavy equipment. The construction market continues to be very challenging.

Nucor’s largest exposure to market risk is via our steel mills and steel products segments. Our largest single customer in the first nine months of 2012 represented approximately 5% of sales and consistently pays within terms. In the raw materials segment, we are exposed to price fluctuations related to the purchase of scrap steel and iron ore. Our exposure to market risk is mitigated by the fact that our steel mills use a significant portion of the products of this segment.

Liquidity and capital resources

Cash provided by operating activities was $1.12 billion in the first nine months of 2012, an increase of 65% compared with cash provided by operating activities of $683.5 million in the first nine months of 2011. Changes in operating assets and liabilities (exclusive of acquisitions) provided cash of $186.6 million in the first nine months of 2012 compared with $572.2 million of cash used in the prior year period. This increase in cash provided by operating activities was partially offset by the $269.9 million decrease in net earnings period over period. The funding of working capital (primarily inventories and accounts receivable) decreased from the prior year due to the rapid increase in scrap prices and sales price per ton from the year-end of 2010 through the first nine months of 2011. Scrap prices and average sales price per ton decreased during the first nine months of 2012.

The current ratio was 2.3 at the end of the third quarter of 2012 and 2.8 at year-end 2011. Accounts receivable and inventories increased 5% and 12%, respectively, since year-end. The increases in accounts receivable and inventories are due to the acquisition of Skyline. In the third quarter of 2012, total accounts receivable turned approximately monthly and inventories turned approximately every six weeks. These turnover rates are consistent with Nucor’s historical performance. The current ratio was also impacted by a 68% decrease in short-term investments which were sold primarily to provide funding for the Skyline acquisition. In addition, there was a 24% increase in accounts payable, which is primarily attributable to the acquisition of Skyline combined with an increase of $77.8 million in accrued plant and equipment purchases. The ratio was also impacted by a 14% decrease in salaries, wages and related accruals, and a 43% increase in long-term debt due within one year and short-term debt, from year-end 2011. The decrease in salaries, wages and related accruals was largely attributable to the payout of profit sharing and other incentive compensation during the first quarter of 2012, while the increases in long-term debt due within one year and short term debt are mainly the result of the second quarter reclassification to current liabilities of a $250.0 million note payable that is due in June 2013.

Cash used in investing activities decreased $270.4 million from the prior year period. The change is due primarily to a net increase of $1.85 billion in proceeds received from the sale of investments and restricted investments (net of purchases) which were mainly sold in order to fund acquisitions and capital expenditures. Partially offsetting the change in net proceeds from investments was a decrease of $576.9 million in changes in restricted cash. Also offsetting these proceeds, capital expenditures increased $285.2 million in large part due to the construction of our DRI facility in Louisiana. We expect capital spending for this project to increase from about $50 million in 2011 to approximately $450 million in 2012. The increase in capital expenditures was accompanied by an increase in acquisitions of $763.7 million primarily attributable to the acquisition of Skyline in the second quarter of 2012.

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Cash used in financing activities in the first nine months of 2012 remained flat compared to the first nine months of 2011 as financing activities were fairly consistent with the prior year period.

Nucor’s conservative financial practices have served us well in the past and are serving us well today. Our cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments position remains robust at $2.12 billion as of September 29, 2012, and an additional $414.2 million of restricted cash and investments is available for use in the construction of the DRI facility in Louisiana. Our $1.5 billion revolving credit facility is undrawn and does not expire until December 2016, and 79% of our long-term debt matures in 2017 and beyond. We believe our financial strength is a key strategic advantage among domestic steel producers, particularly during recessionary business cycles. We carry the highest credit ratings of any metals and mining company in North America, with an A rating from Standard and Poor’s and an A3 rating from Moody’s.

Based upon these factors, we expect to continue to have adequate access to the capital markets at a reasonable cost of funds for liquidity purposes when needed. Our credit ratings are dependent, however, upon a number of factors, both qualitative and quantitative, and are subject to change at any time. The disclosure of our credit ratings is made in order to enhance investors’ understanding of our sources of liquidity and the impact of our credit ratings on our cost of funds.

Our credit facility includes only one financial covenant, which is a limit of 60% on the ratio of funded debt to total capitalization. In addition, the credit facility contains customary non-financial covenants, including a limit on Nucor’s ability to pledge the Company’s assets and a limit on consolidations, mergers and sales of assets. As of September 29, 2012, our funded debt to total capital ratio was 35%, and we were in compliance with all other covenants under our credit facility. No borrowings were outstanding under the credit facility as of September 29, 2012.

In challenging market conditions such as we are experiencing today, our financial strength allows a number of capital preservation options. Nucor’s robust capital investment and maintenance practices give us the flexibility to reduce spending by prioritizing our capital projects, potentially rescheduling certain projects, and selectively allocating capital to investments with the greatest impact on our long-term earnings power. Capital expenditures more than doubled from $318.3 million during the first nine months of 2011 to $691.5 million in the first nine months of 2012. Capital expenditures for 2012 are projected to be approximately $1.00 billion compared to $440.5 million in 2011.

In September 2012, Nucor’s board of directors declared a quarterly cash dividend on Nucor’s common stock of $0.365 per share payable on November 9, 2012 to stockholders of record on September 28, 2012. This dividend is Nucor’s 158^th consecutive quarterly cash dividend.

Funds provided from operations, cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, restricted cash and investments and new borrowings under existing credit facilities are expected to be adequate to meet future capital expenditure and working capital requirements for existing operations for at least the next 24 months.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

In the ordinary course of business, Nucor is exposed to a variety of market risks. We continually monitor these risks and develop appropriate strategies to manage them.

Interest Rate Risk – Nucor manages interest rate risk by using a combination of variable-rate and fixed-rate debt. Nucor also makes use of interest rate swaps from time to time in order to manage net exposure to interest rate changes. Management does not believe that Nucor’s exposure to interest rate market risk has significantly changed since December 31, 2011.

Commodity Price Risk – In the ordinary course of business, Nucor is exposed to market risk for price fluctuations of raw materials and energy, principally scrap steel, other ferrous and nonferrous metals, alloys and natural gas. We attempt to negotiate the best prices for our raw materials and energy

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requirements and to obtain prices for our steel products that match market price movements in response to supply and demand. Nucor utilizes a raw material surcharge as a component of pricing steel to pass through the cost increases of scrap steel and other raw materials. In periods of stable demand for our products, our surcharge mechanism has worked effectively to reduce the normal time lag in passing through higher raw material costs so that we can maintain our gross margins. When demand for and cost of raw materials is lower, however, the surcharge benefits our sales prices to a lesser extent.

Nucor also uses derivative financial instruments to hedge a portion of our exposure to price risk related to natural gas purchases used in the production process and to hedge a portion of our scrap, aluminum and copper purchases and sales. Gains and losses from derivatives designated as hedges are deferred in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) on the condensed consolidated balance sheets and recognized into earnings in the same period as the underlying physical transaction. At September 29, 2012, accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) includes $10.6 million in unrealized net-of-tax losses for the fair value of these derivative instruments. Changes in the fair values of derivatives not designated as hedges are recognized in earnings each period. The following table presents the negative effect on pre-tax earnings of a hypothetical change in the fair value of derivative instruments outstanding at September 29, 2012, due to an assumed 10% and 25% change in the market price of each of the indicated commodities (in thousands):

Commodity Derivative	10% Change		25% Change
Aluminum	$	1,655	$	4,138
Copper	$	1,955	$	4,887

Any resulting changes in fair value would be recorded as adjustments to other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, or recognized in net earnings, as appropriate. These hypothetical losses would be partially offset by the benefit of lower prices paid or higher prices received for the physical commodities.

Foreign Currency Risk – Nucor is exposed to foreign currency risk through its operations in Canada, Europe and Trinidad. We periodically use derivative contracts to mitigate the risk of currency fluctuations.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures – As of the end of the period covered by this report, the Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the evaluation date.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting – There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended September 29, 2012 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

We are from time to time a party to various lawsuits, claims, and other legal proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of business. With respect to all such lawsuits, claims and proceedings, we record reserves when it is probable a liability has been incurred and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. We do not believe that any of these proceedings, individually or in the aggregate, would be expected to have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial position or cash flows.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

There have been no material changes in Nucor’s risk factors from those included in Nucor’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.

Item 6. Exhibits

Exhibit No.	Description of Exhibit
12	Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
31	Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a), as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
31.1	Certification of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a), as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32	Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.1	Certification of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
101	Financial statements from the quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Nucor Corporation for the quarter ended September 29, 2012, filed on November 7, 2012, formatted in XBRL: (i) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings, (ii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, (iii) the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, (iv) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and (v) the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Nucor Corporation has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

NUCOR CORPORATION
By:	/s/ James D. Frias
	James D. Frias
	Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Executive Vice President

Dated: November 7, 2012

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NUCOR CORPORATION

List of Exhibits to Form 10-Q – September 29, 2012

Exhibit No.	Description of Exhibit
12	Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
31	Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a), as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
31.1	Certification of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a), as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32	Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.1	Certification of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
101	Financial statements from the quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Nucor Corporation for the quarter ended September 29, 2012, filed on November 7, 2012, formatted in XBRL: (i) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings, (ii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, (iii) the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, (iv) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and (v) the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

32

EX-12

Exhibit 12

Nucor Corporation

2012 Form 10-Q

Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

	Year-ended December 31,															Nine Months Ended September 29, 2012			Nine Months Ended October 1, 2011
	2007			2008			2009			2010			2011
	(In thousands, except ratios)
Earnings
Earnings/(loss) before income taxes and noncontrolling interests	$	2,546,816		$	3,104,391		$	(413,978	)	$	267,115		$	1,251,812		$	633,030		$	1,027,757
Plus: losses from equity investments		24,618			36,920			82,341			32,082			10,043			9,093			14,190
Plus: fixed charges (includes interest expense and amortization of bond issuance costs and settled swaps and estimated interest on rent expense)		55,381			146,360			168,317			163,626			183,541			140,442			139,541
Plus: amortization of capitalized interest		216			300			962			2,332			2,724			2,483			1,917
Plus: distributed income of equity investees		8,072			20,117			7,373			4,923			3,883			3,884			3,883
Less: interest capitalized		(3,700	)		(10,020	)		(16,390	)		(940	)		(3,509	)		(7,393	)		(2,349	)
Less: pre-tax earnings in noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries that have not incurred fixed charges		(293,604	)		(314,277	)		(57,865	)		(73,110	)		(83,591	)		(65,160	)		(62,093	)
Total earnings/(loss) before fixed charges	$	2,337,799		$	2,983,791		$	(229,240	)	$	396,028		$	1,364,903		$	716,379		$	1,122,846
Fixed charges
Interest cost and amortization of bond issuance and settled swaps	$	55,052		$	144,845		$	166,313		$	162,213		$	182,321		$	139,647		$	138,625
Estimated interest on rent expense		329			1,515			2,004			1,413			1,220			795			916
Total fixed charges	$	55,381		$	146,360		$	168,317		$	163,626		$	183,541		$	140,442		$	139,541
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges		42.21			20.39			*			2.42			7.44			5.10			8.05

* Earnings for the year ended December 31, 2009 were inadequate to cover fixed charges. The coverage deficiency was $397,557.

EX-31

Exhibit 31

Certification of Principal Executive Officer

Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a)

(Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002)

I, Daniel R. DiMicco, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Nucor Corporation;

2. Based on my knowledge, this quarterly report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this quarterly report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this quarterly report is being prepared;

(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting, and

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function):

(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: November 7, 2012	/s/ Daniel R. DiMicco
	Daniel R. DiMicco
	Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

EX-31.1

Exhibit 31.1

Certification of Principal Financial Officer

Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a)

(Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002)

I, James D. Frias, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Nucor Corporation;

2. Based on my knowledge, this quarterly report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this quarterly report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this quarterly report is being prepared;

(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting, and

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function):

(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: November 7, 2012	/s/ James D. Frias
	James D. Frias
	Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer
	and Executive Vice President

EX-32

Exhibit 32

Certification of Principal Executive Officer

Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350

(Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002)

I, Daniel R. DiMicco, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer) of Nucor Corporation (the “Registrant”), certify, to my knowledge, based upon a review of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 29, 2012 of the Registrant (the “Report”), that:

(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Registrant.

/s/ Daniel R. DiMicco
Name:	Daniel R. DiMicco
Date:	November 7, 2012

EX-32.1

Exhibit 32.1

Certification of Principal Financial Officer

Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350

(Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002)

I, James D. Frias, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Executive Vice President (principal financial officer) of Nucor Corporation (the “Registrant”), certify, to my knowledge, based upon a review of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 29, 2012 of the Registrant (the “Report”), that:

(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Registrant.

/s/ James D. Frias
Name:	James D. Frias
Date:	November 7, 2012

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Property, Plant And Equipment (Detail) (USD $) In Billions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 29, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Accumulated depreciation	$ 6.07	$ 5.73

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Employee Benefit Plan (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2012	Oct. 01, 2011	Sep. 29, 2012	Oct. 01, 2011
Employee Benefit Plans [Line Items]
Profit Sharing and Retirement Savings Plan, expense	$ 17.5	$ 26.4	$ 58.1	$ 97.5

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Derivative Financial Instruments (Narrative) (Detail) (Natural Gas Forward Purchase Contracts [Member], USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2012 M
Natural Gas Forward Purchase Contracts [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Net deferred losses on cash flow hedges on these contracts that are included in accumulated other comprehensive income that are expected to be reclassified into earnings during the next three months	$ 10.6
Reclassification of earnings, time period, in months	3

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Interest Expense (Income) (Schedule Of Components Of Net Interest Expense) (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2012	Oct. 01, 2011	Sep. 29, 2012	Oct. 01, 2011
Interest Expense [Line Items]
Interest expense	$ 42,954	$ 44,484	$ 132,254	$ 136,276
Interest income	(2,649)	(4,291)	(9,226)	(10,333)
Interest expense, net	$ 40,305	$ 40,193	$ 123,028	$ 125,943

XML

Derivative Financial Instruments (Fair Values Of Derivative Instruments) (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 29, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Assets, Fair Value		$ 5,071
Derivative Liabilities, Fair Value	(1,340)	(21,434)
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Liabilities, Fair Value	(1,340)	(334)
Commodity Contract [Member] | Other Current Assets [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Assets, Fair Value		5,071
Commodity Contract [Member] | Accrued Expenses And Other Current Liabilities [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Liabilities, Fair Value	(1,277)
Commodity Contract [Member] | Accrued Expenses And Other Current Liabilities [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Liabilities, Fair Value		(21,100)
Foreign Exchange Contract [Member] | Accrued Expenses And Other Current Liabilities [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Liabilities, Fair Value	$ (63)	$ (334)

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EARNINGS PER SHARE (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 29, 2012

Computations Of Basic And Diluted Net Earnings Per Share

18. EARNINGS PER SHARE: The computations of basic and diluted net earnings per share are as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):

	Three Months (13 Weeks) Ended						Nine Months (39 Weeks) Ended
	Sept. 29, 2012			Oct. 1, 2011			Sept. 29, 2012			Oct. 1, 2011
Basic net earnings per share:
Basic net earnings	$	110,308		$	181,518		$	367,711		$	641,132
Earnings allocated to participating securities		(412	)		(592	)		(1,242	)		(2,239	)
Net earnings available to common stockholders	$	109,896		$	180,926		$	366,469		$	638,893
Average shares outstanding		318,463			317,194			318,042			316,866
Basic net earnings per share	$	0.35		$	0.57		$	1.15		$	2.02
Diluted net earnings per share:
Diluted net earnings	$	110,308		$	181,518		$	367,711		$	641,132
Earnings allocated to participating securities		(412	)		(593	)		(1,242	)		(2,240	)
Net earnings available to common stockholders	$	109,896		$	180,925		$	366,469		$	638,892
Diluted average shares outstanding:
Basic shares outstanding		318,463			317,194			318,042			316,866
Dilutive effect of stock options and other		57			93			71			195
		318,520			317,287			318,113			317,061
Diluted net earnings per share	$	0.35		$	0.57		$	1.15		$	2.02

Anti-dilutive stock options

The following stock options were excluded from the computation of diluted net earnings per share because their effect would have been anti-dilutive:

	Three Months (13 Weeks) Ended				Nine Months (39 Weeks) Ended
	Sept. 29, 2012		Oct. 1, 2011		Sept. 29, 2012		Oct. 1, 2011
Anti-dilutive stock options:
Weighted average shares		801		801		534		266
Weighted average exercise price	$	42.07	$	42.07	$	42.07	$	42.07

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Stockholders' Equity (Schedule Of Changes In Stockholders' Equity) (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2012	Oct. 01, 2011	Sep. 29, 2012	Oct. 01, 2011
Stockholders' Equity [Line Items]
Stockholders' equity, beginning of period			$ 7,706,580	$ 7,330,694
Total comprehensive income	201,557	118,082	522,298	708,985
Stock options			20,052	16,224
Issuance of stock under award plans, net of forfeitures			31,292	24,117
Amortization of unearned compensation			600	1,300
Dividends declared			(350,041)	(346,284)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests			(66,562)	(55,855)
Other			(645)
Stockholders' equity, end of period	7,863,574	7,679,181	7,863,574	7,679,181
Attributable to Nucor Corporation [Member]
Stockholders' Equity [Line Items]
Stockholders' equity, beginning of period			7,474,885	7,120,070
Total comprehensive income			457,201	647,309
Stock options			20,052	16,224
Issuance of stock under award plans, net of forfeitures			31,292	24,117
Amortization of unearned compensation			600	1,300
Dividends declared			(350,041)	(346,284)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests
Other			(645)
Stockholders' equity, end of period	7,633,344	7,462,736	7,633,344	7,462,736
Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests [Member]
Stockholders' Equity [Line Items]
Stockholders' equity, beginning of period			231,695	210,624
Total comprehensive income			65,097	61,676
Stock options
Issuance of stock under award plans, net of forfeitures
Amortization of unearned compensation
Dividends declared
Distributions to noncontrolling interests			(66,562)	(55,855)
Other
Stockholders' equity, end of period	$ 230,230	$ 216,445	$ 230,230	$ 216,445

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ACQUISITIONS (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 29, 2012

Estimated Fair Values of Assets Acquired and Liabilities

The following table summarizes the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed of Skyline as of the date of acquisition (in thousands):

Accounts receivable	$	128,004
Inventory		260,473
Other current assets		4,410
Property, plant and equipment		70,100
Goodwill		138,579
Other intangible assets		215,600
Total assets acquired		817,166
Current liabilities		137,654
Deferred credits and other liabilities		4,078
Total liabilities assumed		141,732
Net assets acquired	$	675,434

Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation to Identifiable Intangible Assets

The purchase price allocation to the identifiable intangible assets is as follows (in thousands, except years):

			Weighted - Average Life
Customer relationships	$	184,500	17 years
Trademarks and trade names		28,500	20 years
Other		2,600	3 years
	$	215,600

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Contingencies (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Accrual for environmental loss contingencies, gross	$ 29.3	$ 31.4
Accrued environmental loss contingencies, current	10.3	14.4
Accrued environmental loss contingencies, noncurrent	$ 19.0	$ 17.0
Steel manufacturers, number of manufacturers	8
Additional complaints being filed in July and December of 2010	2
Complaints that are dismissed	2

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Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets (Narrative) (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2012	Oct. 01, 2011	Sep. 29, 2012	Oct. 01, 2011
Finite And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible asset amortization expense	$ 20.4	$ 17.0	$ 53.5	$ 51.7
Future amortization expense, in 2012	72.1		72.1
Future amortization expense, in 2013	71.9		71.9
Future amortization expense, in 2014	69.9		69.9
Future amortization expense, in 2015	68.0		68.0
Future amortization expense, in 2016	$ 66.4		$ 66.4
Minimum [Member]
Finite And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible assets, useful life, maximum (years)			3 years
Maximum [Member]
Finite And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible assets, useful life, maximum (years)			22 years

XML

Acquisitions (Estimated Fair Values of Assets Acquired and Liabilities) (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 29, 2012
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Accounts receivable	$ 128,004
Inventory	260,473
Other current assets	4,410
Property, plant and equipment	70,100
Goodwill	138,579
Other intangible assets	215,600
Total assets acquired	817,166
Current liabilities	137,654
Deferred credits and other liabilities	4,078
Total liabilities assumed	141,732
Net assets acquired	$ 675,434

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Stock-Based Compensation (Schedule Of Stock Option Plans Activity) (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2012
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Outstanding at beginning of year, Shares	1,156
Granted, Shares	754
Exercised, Shares	(354)
Canceled, Shares
Outstanding at end of period, 2012, Shares	1,556
Options exercisable at end of period, Shares
Outstanding at beginning of year, Weighted - Average Exercise Price	$ 38.26
Granted, Weighted - Average Exercise Price	$ 35.76
Exercised, Weighted - Average Exercise Price	$ 29.67
Canceled, Weighted - Average Exercise Price
Outstanding at end of period, Weighted - Average Exercise Price	$ 39.01
Outstanding at end of period, Weighted - Average Remaining Contractual Life, years	9 years
Exercised, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$ 4,272
Outstanding at end of period, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$ 1,886

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Derivative Financial Instruments (Derivatives In Cash Flow Hedging Relationships) (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2012	Oct. 01, 2011	Sep. 29, 2012	Oct. 01, 2011
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Earnings on Derivatives	$ (1,479)	$ 8,206	$ (85)	$ 9,591
Cost of Sales [Member] | Commodity Contract [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in OCI on Derivatives (Effective Portion)		(4,531)	(2,264)	(7,230)
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Earnings (Effective Portion)	(10,554)	(9,023)	(31,961)	(27,282)
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Earnings on Derivatives (Ineffective Portion)		600	500	600
Cost of Sales [Member] | Commodity Contract [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Earnings on Derivatives	(1,454)	7,485	(231)	9,462
Cost of Sales [Member] | Foreign Exchange Contract [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Earnings on Derivatives	$ (25)	$ 721	$ 146	$ 129

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PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

9 Months Ended

Sep. 29, 2012

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

4. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT: Property, plant and equipment is recorded net of accumulated depreciation of $6.07 billion at September 29, 2012 ($5.73 billion at December 31, 2011).

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Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets (Schedule Of Intangible Assets) (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 29, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible assets, Gross Amount	$ 1,340,073	$ 1,090,847
Intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	359,725	306,207
Customer relationships [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible assets, Gross Amount	1,158,492	941,787
Intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	309,001	262,841
Trademarks And Trade Names [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible assets, Gross Amount	153,113	123,192
Intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	30,755	25,628
Other Intangible Assets [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible assets, Gross Amount	28,468	25,868
Intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	$ 19,969	$ 17,738

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STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 29, 2012

Summary Of Stock Option Plans Activity

A summary of activity under Nucor’s stock option plans for the first nine months of 2012 is as follows (in thousands, except year and per share amounts):

	Shares			Weighted - Average Exercise Price		Weighted - Average Remaining Contractual Life	Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Number of shares under option:
Outstanding at beginning of year		1,156		$	38.26
Granted		754		$	35.76
Exercised		(354	)	$	29.67		$	4,272
Canceled		—			—
Outstanding at September 29, 2012		1,556		$	39.01	9.0 years	$	1,886
Options exercisable at September 29, 2012		—

Summary Of Nucor's Restricted Stock Unit Activity

The fair value of the RSUs is determined based on the closing stock price of Nucor’s common stock on the day before the grant. A summary of Nucor’s RSU activity for the first nine months of 2012 is as follows (shares in thousands):

	Shares			Grant Date Fair Value
Restricted stock units:
Unvested at beginning of year		962		$	46.09
Granted		1,101		$	35.76
Vested		(898	)	$	40.23
Canceled		(29	)	$	39.85
Unvested at September 29, 2012		1,136		$	40.86
Shares reserved for future grants (stock options and RSUs)		11,833

Summary of Nucor's Restricted Stock Awards and Units Under AIP And LTIP

A summary of Nucor’s restricted stock activity under the AIP and LTIP for the first nine months of 2012 is as follows (shares in thousands):

	Shares			Grant Date Fair Value
Restricted stock awards and units:
Unvested at beginning of year		94		$	42.46
Granted		122		$	42.20
Vested		(144	)	$	41.62
Canceled		—			—
Unvested at September 29, 2012		72		$	43.72
Shares reserved for future grants		1,360

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FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 29, 2012

Schedule Of Financial Assets And Financial Liabilities Measured At Fair Value

10. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS: The following table summarizes information regarding Nucor’s financial assets and financial liabilities that are measured at fair value as of September 29, 2012 and December 31, 2011 (in thousands). Nucor does not currently have any non-financial assets or liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis.

				Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
Description	Carrying Amount in Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets			Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)			Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
As of September 29, 2012
Assets:
Cash equivalents	$	1,519,075		$	1,519,075	$	—		$	—
Short-term investments		430,266			430,266		—			—
Restricted cash and investments		414,203			414,203		—			—
Total assets	$	2,363,544		$	2,363,544	$	—		$	—
Liabilities:
Foreign exchange and commodity contracts	$	(1,340	)	$	—	$	(1,340	)	$	—
As of December 31, 2011
Assets:
Cash equivalents	$	1,012,122		$	1,012,122	$	—		$	—
Short-term investments		1,362,641			1,362,641		—			—
Commodity contracts		5,071			—		5,071			—
Restricted cash and investments		585,833			585,833		—			—
Total assets	$	2,965,667		$	2,960,596	$	5,071		$	—
Liabilities:
Foreign exchange and commodity contracts	$	(21,434	)	$	—	$	(21,434	)	$	—

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Stockholders' Equity - Additional Information (Detail)	Sep. 29, 2012	Oct. 01, 2011
Nucor-Yamato Steel Company [Member]
Stockholders' Equity [Line Items]
Noncontrolling interest, ownership percentage by parent	51.00%	51.00%
Barker Steel Company, Inc. [Member]
Stockholders' Equity [Line Items]
Noncontrolling interest, ownership percentage by parent	90.00%	90.00%

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Equity Investments (Detail)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended			3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended						9 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2011 USD ($)	Sep. 29, 2012 USD ($)	Oct. 01, 2011 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2011 USD ($)	Sep. 29, 2012 Duferdofin Nucor S.R.L. [Member] USD ($)	Oct. 01, 2011 Duferdofin Nucor S.R.L. [Member] USD ($)	Sep. 29, 2012 Duferdofin Nucor S.R.L. [Member] USD ($)	Oct. 01, 2011 Duferdofin Nucor S.R.L. [Member] USD ($)	Sep. 29, 2012 Duferdofin Nucor S.R.L. [Member] EUR (€)	Dec. 31, 2011 Duferdofin Nucor S.R.L. [Member] USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2011 Duferdofin Nucor S.R.L. [Member] EUR (€)	Sep. 29, 2012 Duferdofin Nucor S.R.L. [Member] EURO [Member] EUR (€)	Sep. 29, 2012 Duferdofin Nucor S.R.L. [Member] Minimum [Member]	Sep. 29, 2012 Duferdofin Nucor S.R.L. [Member] Maximum [Member]	Sep. 29, 2012 NuMit [Member] USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2011 NuMit [Member] USD ($)	Sep. 29, 2012 Steel Technologies LLC [Member] USD ($)
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity method investment		$ 746,900,000		$ 775,700,000	$ 441,300,000		$ 441,300,000			$ 493,900,000					$ 280,700,000	$ 259,300,000
Period used for lag basis, in months							1								1
Equity method investment, ownership percentage					50.00%		50.00%								50.00%		100.00%
Equity method investments, share of net assets					47,500,000		47,500,000
Step-up to fair value of certain assets and liabilities					393,800,000		393,800,000
Step-up to fair value of equity method investment, portion related to identification of goodwill							311,700,000
Amortization expense and other purchase accounting adjustments due to fair value step-up		53,518,000	51,675,000		2,700,000	3,000,000	8,300,000	9,100,000
Due from related parties, noncurrent					45,200,000		45,200,000		35,000,000		30,000,000
Notes receivable, related parties, interest rate													2.34%	3.12%			1.36%
Interest rate per year in excess of Euribor as of date of the notes		1.00%
Equity method investment's credit facilities with parent company, maturity date							Jan. 31, 2016								Oct. 21, 2014
Equity method investment's credit facilities, amount												112,500,000
Total amount outstanding under equity method investment's credit facilities												104,000,000
Number of sheet processing facilities operated by Steel Technologies															24
Investment in joint venture															221,300,000
Notes receivable, related parties																	40,000,000
Basis points in excess of LIBOR on note receivable from related party															90.00%
Line of credit extended to joint venture, amount outstanding																	70,000,000
Line of credit extended to joint venture																	130,000,000
Line of credit facility extended to joint venture, interest rate																	1.84%
Amended line of credit extended to joint venture																	130,000,000
Line of credit facility, maturity period																	Apr. 01, 2013
Impairment charge against investment in Duferdofin Nucor	$ 13,900,000	$ 30,000,000

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INTEREST EXPENSE (INCOME) (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 29, 2012

Schedule Of Components Of Net Interest Expense

14. INTEREST EXPENSE (INCOME): The components of net interest expense are as follows (in thousands):

	Three Months (13 Weeks) Ended						Nine Months (39 Weeks) Ended
	Sept. 29, 2012			Oct. 1, 2011			Sept. 29, 2012			Oct. 1, 2011
Interest expense	$	42,954		$	44,484		$	132,254		$	136,276
Interest income		(2,649	)		(4,291	)		(9,226	)		(10,333	)
Interest expense, net	$	40,305		$	40,193		$	123,028		$	125,943

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STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 29, 2012

Schedule Of Changes In Stockholders' Equity

16. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY: The following tables reflect the changes in stockholders’ equity attributable to both Nucor and the noncontrolling interests of Nucor’s joint ventures, primarily Nucor-Yamato Steel Company and Barker Steel Company, Inc., of which Nucor owns 51% and 90%, respectively (in thousands):

	Attributable to Nucor Corporation			Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests			Total
Stockholders’ equity at December 31, 2011	$	7,474,885		$	231,695		$	7,706,580
Total comprehensive income		457,201			65,097			522,298
Stock options		20,052			—			20,052
Issuance of stock under award plans, net of forfeitures		31,292			—			31,292
Amortization of unearned compensation		600			—			600
Dividends declared		(350,041	)		—			(350,041	)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests		—			(66,562	)		(66,562	)
Other		(645	)		—			(645	)
Stockholders’ equity at September 29, 2012	$	7,633,344		$	230,230		$	7,863,574

	Attributable to Nucor Corporation			Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests			Total
Stockholders’ equity at December 31, 2010	$	7,120,070		$	210,624		$	7,330,694
Total comprehensive income		647,309			61,676			708,985
Stock options		16,224			—			16,224
Issuance of stock under award plans, net of forfeitures		24,117			—			24,117
Amortization of unearned compensation		1,300			—			1,300
Dividends declared		(346,284	)		—			(346,284	)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests		—			(55,855	)		(55,855	)
Stockholders’ equity at October 1, 2011	$	7,462,736		$	216,445		$	7,679,181

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ACQUISITIONS

9 Months Ended

Sep. 29, 2012

ACQUISITIONS

3. ACQUISITIONS AND DISPOSITIONS: On June 20, 2012, Nucor completed the acquisition of the entire equity interest in Skyline Steel LLC (“Skyline”) and its subsidiaries for the cash purchase price of approximately $675.4 million. No cash was received nor was any debt incurred as a result of the acquisition. Skyline’s financial results are included as part of the steel mills segment (see Note 17).

Skyline is a steel foundation manufacturer and distributor serving the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Caribbean. Skyline’s steel products are used in marine construction, bridge and highway construction, heavy civil construction, storm protection, underground commercial parking, and environmental containment projects in the infrastructure and construction industries. Skyline is a significant consumer of H-piling and sheet piling from Nucor-Yamato Steel, and will become a larger downstream consumer of Nucor’s coiled plate and sheet products.

We have allocated the purchase price for Skyline to its individual assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The following table summarizes the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed of Skyline as of the date of acquisition (in thousands):

Accounts receivable	$	128,004
Inventory		260,473
Other current assets		4,410
Property, plant and equipment		70,100
Goodwill		138,579
Other intangible assets		215,600
Total assets acquired		817,166
Current liabilities		137,654
Deferred credits and other liabilities		4,078
Total liabilities assumed		141,732
Net assets acquired	$	675,434

The purchase price allocation to the identifiable intangible assets is as follows (in thousands, except years):

			Weighted - Average Life
Customer relationships	$	184,500	17 years
Trademarks and trade names		28,500	20 years
Other		2,600	3 years
	$	215,600

The goodwill of $138.6 million is primarily attributed to the synergies expected to arise after the acquisition and has been allocated to the steel mills segment (see Note 6). Approximately $128.2 million of the goodwill recognized is expected to be deductible for tax purposes.

In the third quarter of 2012, Nucor sold the assets of Nucor Wire Products Pennsylvania, Inc., resulting in a loss of $17.6 million. This charge is included in marketing, administrative and other expenses in the condensed consolidated statement of earnings.

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SEGMENTS (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 29, 2012

Segments

Nucor’s results by segment were as follows (in thousands):

	Three Months (13 Weeks) Ended						Nine Months (39 Weeks) Ended
	Sept. 29, 2012			Oct. 1, 2011			Sept. 29, 2012			Oct. 1, 2011
Net sales to external customers:
Steel mills	$	3,204,898		$	3,617,867		$	10,307,698		$	10,635,850
Steel products		1,006,366			958,224			2,840,055			2,565,728
Raw materials		475,322			535,948			1,455,134			1,618,956
All other		114,620			140,105			375,112			373,353
	$	4,801,206		$	5,252,144		$	14,977,999		$	15,193,887
Intercompany sales:
Steel mills	$	669,326		$	599,005		$	1,985,535		$	1,815,673
Steel products		17,179			14,444			52,958			38,691
Raw materials		2,080,150			2,572,705			7,441,529			8,047,832
All other		1,550			4,742			12,344			21,093
Corporate/eliminations		(2,768,205	)		(3,190,896	)		(9,492,366	)		(9,923,289	)
	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—
Earnings (loss) before income taxes and noncontrolling interests:
Steel mills	$	217,430		$	427,723		$	943,818		$	1,476,323
Steel products		(10,252	)		(10,527	)		(34,094	)		(56,432	)
Raw materials		14,535			26,263			44,223			140,352
All other		937			737			780			5,014
Corporate/eliminations		(30,875	)		(159,981	)		(321,697	)		(537,500	)
	$	191,775		$	284,215		$	633,030		$	1,027,757
	Sept. 29, 2012			Dec. 31, 2011
Segment assets:
Steel mills	$	7,688,875		$	6,440,868
Steel products		3,020,164			2,903,281
Raw materials		3,191,854			2,925,651
All other		203,429			152,107
Corporate/eliminations		892,925			2,148,443
	$	14,997,247		$	14,570,350

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Restricted Cash And Investments (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2012	Oct. 01, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011
Restricted Cash and Investments [Line Items]
Qualified expenditures for construction of facility	$ 172.6	$ 21.9
Restricted investments	299.8		514.3
Nov. 30, 2010 30-Year Variable Rate Gulf Opportunity Zone Bonds [Member]
Restricted Cash and Investments [Line Items]
Debt instrument face amount	$ 600.0
Term of variable rate bonds, years	30

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Stock-Based Compensation (Summary Of Nucor's Restricted Stock Unit Activity Under Annual Incentive Plan And Long Term Incentive Plan) (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2012
RSU [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unvested at beginning of year, Shares	962
Granted, Shares	1,101
Vested, Shares	(898)
Canceled, Shares	(29)
Unvested at end of period, Shares	1,136
Shares reserved for future grants	11,833
Unvested at beginning of year, Grant Date Fair Value	$ 46.09
Granted, Grant Date Fair Value	$ 35.76
Vested, Grant Date Fair Value	$ 40.23
Canceled, Grant Date Fair Value	$ 39.85
Unvested at end of period, Grant Date Fair Value	$ 40.86
AIP And LTIP [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unvested at beginning of year, Shares	94
Granted, Shares	122
Vested, Shares	(144)
Unvested at end of period, Shares	72
Shares reserved for future grants	1,360
Unvested at beginning of year, Grant Date Fair Value	$ 42.46
Granted, Grant Date Fair Value	$ 42.20
Vested, Grant Date Fair Value	$ 41.62
Unvested at end of period, Grant Date Fair Value	$ 43.72

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Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2012	Oct. 01, 2011	Sep. 29, 2012	Oct. 01, 2011
Net sales	$ 4,801,206	$ 5,252,144	$ 14,977,999	$ 15,193,887
Costs, expenses and other:
Cost of products sold	4,452,473	4,794,014	13,848,809	13,662,572
Marketing, administrative and other expenses	114,392	108,532	334,039	349,482
Equity in losses of unconsolidated affiliates	2,261	11,247	9,093	14,190
Impairment of non-current assets		13,943	30,000	13,943
Interest expense, net	40,305	40,193	123,028	125,943
Costs, expenses and other, total	4,609,431	4,967,929	14,344,969	14,166,130
Earnings before income taxes and noncontrolling interests	191,775	284,215	633,030	1,027,757
Provision for income taxes	61,883	84,104	200,159	324,946
Net earnings	129,892	200,111	432,871	702,811
Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	19,584	18,593	65,160	61,679
Net earnings attributable to Nucor stockholders	$ 110,308	$ 181,518	$ 367,711	$ 641,132
Net earnings per share:
Basic	$ 0.35	$ 0.57	$ 1.15	$ 2.02
Diluted	$ 0.35	$ 0.57	$ 1.15	$ 2.02
Average shares outstanding:
Basic	318,463	317,194	318,042	316,866
Diluted	318,520	317,287	318,113	317,061
Dividends declared per share	$ 0.3650	$ 0.3625	$ 1.0950	$ 1.0875

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Current Liabilities (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 29, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Accounts Payable And Accrued Liabilities Current [Line Items]
Book overdrafts	$ 106.8	$ 53.6
Dividends payable, current	$ 116.8	$ 116.3

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BASIS OF INTERIM PRESENTATION

9 Months Ended

Sep. 29, 2012

BASIS OF INTERIM PRESENTATION

1. BASIS OF INTERIM PRESENTATION: The information furnished in Item I reflects all adjustments which are, in the opinion of management, necessary to a fair statement of the results for the interim periods and are of a normal and recurring nature unless otherwise noted. The information furnished has not been audited; however, the December 31, 2011 condensed consolidated balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements but does not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in Nucor’s annual report for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011.

During the first quarter of 2012, we began classifying internal fleet and some common carrier costs in cost of products sold in the condensed consolidated statements of earnings. We made this change so that all freight costs will be recorded within the same financial statement line item to allow users of our financial statements to better understand our expense structure. This change resulted in the reclassification of $17.7 million of these costs from marketing, administrative, and other expenses to cost of products sold in the quarter ended October 1, 2011 ($49.2 million in the first nine months of 2011) in order to conform to the current year presentation. Additionally, certain other prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to current period presentation. These reclassifications did not have an impact on net earnings for the current or any prior periods.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements – In January 2012, Nucor adopted accounting guidance regarding changes to the presentation of comprehensive income in the financial statements. The new accounting guidance requires entities to report components of comprehensive income in either (1) a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or (2) two separate but consecutive statements of net income and other comprehensive income. We have elected to report the components of comprehensive income in two separate but consecutive statements. The adoption of this guidance impacts the presentation of comprehensive income, but does not impact Nucor’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Also in January 2012, Nucor adopted accounting guidance that amends the existing requirements for fair value measurement and disclosure. The guidance expands the disclosure requirements around transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy and around the sensitivity to changes in inputs of fair value measurements categorized in Level 3 of the hierarchy. It also requires disclosure of the level in the fair value hierarchy of items that are not measured at fair value in the statement of financial position but whose fair value must be disclosed. The guidance also clarifies and expands upon existing requirements for measurement of the fair value of financial assets and liabilities as well as instruments classified in stockholders’ equity. The adoption of this guidance did not have an impact on the condensed consolidated financial statements.

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Earnings Per Share (Computations Of Basic And Diluted Net Earnings Per Share) (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2012	Oct. 01, 2011	Sep. 29, 2012	Oct. 01, 2011
Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Basic net earnings	$ 110,308	$ 181,518	$ 367,711	$ 641,132
Earnings allocated to participating securities	(412)	(592)	(1,242)	(2,239)
Net earnings available to common stockholders	109,896	180,926	366,469	638,893
Average shares outstanding	318,463	317,194	318,042	316,866
Basic net earnings per share	$ 0.35	$ 0.57	$ 1.15	$ 2.02
Diluted net earnings	110,308	181,518	367,711	641,132
Earnings allocated to participating securities, diluted	(412)	(593)	(1,242)	(2,240)
Net earnings available to common stockholders	$ 109,896	$ 180,925	$ 366,469	$ 638,892
Basic shares outstanding	318,463	317,194	318,042	316,866
Dilutive effect of stock options and other	57	93	71	195
Diluted average shares outstanding	318,520	317,287	318,113	317,061
Diluted net earnings per share	$ 0.35	$ 0.57	$ 1.15	$ 2.02
Anti-dilutive stock options, weighted average shares	801	801	534	266
Anti-dilutive stock options, weighted average exercise price	$ 42,070	$ 42,070	$ 42,070	$ 42,070

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Inventories (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 29, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Inventories [Line Items]
Raw materials and supplies in inventory, percentage	36.00%	40.00%
Finished and semi-finished products in inventory, percentage	64.00%	60.00%
Inventories valued using the last-in, first-out	46.00%	47.00%
Increased value of inventory if FIFO method had been used	$ 679.2	$ 763.2
Lower of cost or market adjustments	$ 3.1	$ 6.8

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SEGMENTS

9 Months Ended

Sep. 29, 2012

SEGMENTS

17. SEGMENTS: Nucor reports its results in the following segments: steel mills, steel products and raw materials. The steel mills segment includes carbon and alloy steel in sheet, bars, structural and plate, and Nucor’s equity investments in Duferdofin Nucor and NuMit. The steel products segment includes steel joists and joist girders, steel deck, fabricated concrete reinforcing steel, cold finished steel, steel fasteners, metal building systems, steel grating and expanded metal, and wire and wire mesh. The raw materials segment includes The David J. Joseph Company, a scrap broker and processor; Nu-Iron Unlimited, a facility that produces direct reduced iron (“DRI”) used by the steel mills; a DRI facility under construction in Louisiana; and certain equity method investments. The “all other” category primarily includes Nucor’s steel trading businesses. The segments are consistent with the way Nucor manages its business, which is primarily based upon the similarity of the types of products produced and sold by each segment.

Net interest expense, other income, profit sharing expense, stock-based compensation and changes in the LIFO reserve are shown under Corporate/eliminations. Corporate assets primarily include cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, restricted cash and investments, allowances to eliminate intercompany profit in inventory, deferred income tax assets, federal income taxes receivable, the LIFO reserve and investments in and advances to affiliates. Certain amounts for prior years have been reclassified to conform to the 2012 presentation.

Nucor’s results by segment were as follows (in thousands):

	Three Months (13 Weeks) Ended						Nine Months (39 Weeks) Ended
	Sept. 29, 2012			Oct. 1, 2011			Sept. 29, 2012			Oct. 1, 2011
Net sales to external customers:
Steel mills	$	3,204,898		$	3,617,867		$	10,307,698		$	10,635,850
Steel products		1,006,366			958,224			2,840,055			2,565,728
Raw materials		475,322			535,948			1,455,134			1,618,956
All other		114,620			140,105			375,112			373,353
	$	4,801,206		$	5,252,144		$	14,977,999		$	15,193,887
Intercompany sales:
Steel mills	$	669,326		$	599,005		$	1,985,535		$	1,815,673
Steel products		17,179			14,444			52,958			38,691
Raw materials		2,080,150			2,572,705			7,441,529			8,047,832
All other		1,550			4,742			12,344			21,093
Corporate/eliminations		(2,768,205	)		(3,190,896	)		(9,492,366	)		(9,923,289	)
	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—
Earnings (loss) before income taxes and noncontrolling interests:
Steel mills	$	217,430		$	427,723		$	943,818		$	1,476,323
Steel products		(10,252	)		(10,527	)		(34,094	)		(56,432	)
Raw materials		14,535			26,263			44,223			140,352
All other		937			737			780			5,014
Corporate/eliminations		(30,875	)		(159,981	)		(321,697	)		(537,500	)
	$	191,775		$	284,215		$	633,030		$	1,027,757
	Sept. 29, 2012			Dec. 31, 2011
Segment assets:
Steel mills	$	7,688,875		$	6,440,868
Steel products		3,020,164			2,903,281
Raw materials		3,191,854			2,925,651
All other		203,429			152,107
Corporate/eliminations		892,925			2,148,443
	$	14,997,247		$	14,570,350

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Acquisition (Narrative) (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2012	Sep. 29, 2012
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business acquisition purchase price for Skyline Steel LLC	$ 675,400,000	$ 675,400,000
Goodwill attributed to the expected synergies	138,579,000	138,579,000
Loss on sale of asset	17,600,000	(17,563,000)
Steel Mills [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill attributed to the expected synergies	138,600,000	138,600,000
Goodwill expected to be deductible for tax purposes	$ 128,200,000	$ 128,200,000

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SUBSEQUENT EVENT

9 Months Ended

Sep. 29, 2012

SUBSEQUENT EVENT

19. SUBSEQUENT EVENT: On October 31, 2012, a subsidiary of Nucor entered into a carry and earning agreement with Encana Oil & Gas (USA) Inc. under which Nucor will acquire an undivided 50% working interest in certain onshore natural gas wells in the continental United States to be drilled and operated by Encana. Nucor expects to invest approximately $542 million over the next three fiscal years and approximately $3.64 billion over the estimated 13 to 22 year term of the agreement.

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INVENTORIES

9 Months Ended

Sep. 29, 2012

INVENTORIES

2. INVENTORIES: Inventories consist of approximately 36% raw materials and supplies and 64% finished and semi-finished products at September 29, 2012 (40% and 60%, respectively, at December 31, 2011). Nucor’s manufacturing process consists of a continuous, vertically integrated process from which products are sold to customers at various stages throughout the process. Since most steel products can be classified as either finished or semi-finished products, these two categories of inventory are combined.

Inventories valued using the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method of accounting represent approximately 46% of total inventories as of September 29, 2012 (47% as of December 31, 2011). If the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method of accounting had been used, inventories would have been $679.2 million higher at September 29, 2012 ($763.2 million higher at December 31, 2011). Use of the lower of cost or market methodology reduced inventories by $3.1 million at September 29, 2012 ($6.8 million at December 31, 2011).

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Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2012	Oct. 01, 2011	Sep. 29, 2012	Oct. 01, 2011
Net earnings	$ 129,892	$ 200,111	$ 432,871	$ 702,811
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Net unrealized loss on hedging derivatives, net of income taxes		(4,531)	(2,264)	(7,230)
Reclassification adjustment for loss on settlement of hedging derivatives included in net income, net of income taxes	10,554	9,023	31,961	27,282
Foreign currency translation gain (loss), net of income taxes	61,111	(86,521)	59,730	(13,878)
Other comprehensive income, net of tax, total	71,665	(82,029)	89,427	6,174
Comprehensive income	201,557	118,082	522,298	708,985
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(19,585)	(18,585)	(65,097)	(61,676)
Comprehensive income attributable to Nucor stockholders	$ 181,972	$ 99,497	$ 457,201	$ 647,309

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STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

9 Months Ended

Sep. 29, 2012

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

12. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION: Stock Options – Stock options may be granted to Nucor’s key employees, officers and non-employee directors with exercise prices at 100% of the market value on the date of the grant. The stock options granted in 2010, 2011 and 2012 are exercisable at the end of three years and have a term of 10 years. There are no options exercisable as of September 29, 2012. All stock options granted prior to 2010 were fully exercised at September 29, 2012. New shares are issued upon exercise of stock options.

A summary of activity under Nucor’s stock option plans for the first nine months of 2012 is as follows (in thousands, except year and per share amounts):

	Shares			Weighted - Average Exercise Price		Weighted - Average Remaining Contractual Life	Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Number of shares under option:
Outstanding at beginning of year		1,156		$	38.26
Granted		754		$	35.76
Exercised		(354	)	$	29.67		$	4,272
Canceled		—			—
Outstanding at September 29, 2012		1,556		$	39.01	9.0 years	$	1,886
Options exercisable at September 29, 2012		—

Compensation expense for stock options was $0.3 million and $1.9 million in the third quarter of 2012 and 2011, respectively, and $9.5 million and $9.3 million in the first nine months of 2012 and 2011, respectively. As of September 29, 2012, unrecognized compensation expense related to options was $0.8 million, which is expected to be recognized over 0.7 years. The amount of cash received from the exercise of stock options totaled $4.3 million and $10.5 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2012, respectively.

Restricted Stock Units – Nucor annually grants restricted stock units (“RSUs”) to key employees, officers and non-employee directors. The RSUs typically vest and are converted to common stock in three equal installments on each of the first three anniversaries of the grant date. A portion of the RSUs awarded to senior officers vest upon the officer’s retirement. Retirement, for purposes of vesting in these RSUs only, means termination of employment with approval of the Compensation and Executive Development Committee of the Board of Directors after satisfying age and years of service requirements. RSUs granted to non-employee directors are fully vested on the grant date and are payable to the non-employee director in the form of common stock after the termination of the director’s service on the board of directors.

RSUs granted to employees who are eligible for retirement on the date of grant are expensed immediately, and RSUs granted to employees who will become retirement-eligible prior to the end of the vesting term are expensed over the period through which the employee will become retirement-eligible since these awards vest upon retirement from the Company. Compensation expense for RSUs granted to employees who are not retirement-eligible is recognized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period.

Cash dividend equivalents are paid to participants each quarter. Dividend equivalents paid on units expected to vest are recognized as a reduction in retained earnings.

The fair value of the RSUs is determined based on the closing stock price of Nucor’s common stock on the day before the grant. A summary of Nucor’s RSU activity for the first nine months of 2012 is as follows (shares in thousands):

	Shares			Grant Date Fair Value
Restricted stock units:
Unvested at beginning of year		962		$	46.09
Granted		1,101		$	35.76
Vested		(898	)	$	40.23
Canceled		(29	)	$	39.85
Unvested at September 29, 2012		1,136		$	40.86
Shares reserved for future grants (stock options and RSUs)		11,833

Compensation expense for RSUs was $4.7 million and $6.5 million in the third quarter of 2012 and 2011, respectively, and $29.6 million and $26.2 million in the first nine months of 2012 and 2011, respectively. As of September 29, 2012, unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested RSUs was $32.3 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.1 years.

Restricted Stock Awards – Nucor’s Senior Officers Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “LTIP”) and Annual Incentive Plan (the “AIP”) authorize the award of shares of common stock to officers subject to certain conditions and restrictions.

The LTIP provides for the award of shares of restricted common stock at the end of each LTIP performance measurement period at no cost to officers if certain financial performance goals are met during the period. One-third of the LTIP restricted stock award vests upon each of the first three anniversaries of the award date or, if earlier, upon the officer’s attainment of age fifty-five while employed by Nucor. Although participants are entitled to cash dividends and may vote such awarded shares, the sale or transfer of such shares is limited during the restricted period.

The AIP provides for the payment of annual cash incentive awards. An AIP participant may elect, however, to defer payment of up to one-half of an annual incentive award. In such event, the deferred AIP award is converted into common stock units and credited with a deferral incentive, in the form of additional common stock units, equal to 25% of the number of common stock units attributable to the deferred AIP award. Common stock units attributable to deferred AIP awards are fully vested. Common stock units credited as a deferral incentive vest upon the AIP participant’s attainment of age fifty-five while employed by Nucor. Vested common stock units are paid to AIP participants in the form of shares of common stock following their termination of employment with Nucor.

A summary of Nucor’s restricted stock activity under the AIP and LTIP for the first nine months of 2012 is as follows (shares in thousands):

	Shares			Grant Date Fair Value
Restricted stock awards and units:
Unvested at beginning of year		94		$	42.46
Granted		122		$	42.20
Vested		(144	)	$	41.62
Canceled		—			—
Unvested at September 29, 2012		72		$	43.72
Shares reserved for future grants		1,360

Compensation expense for common stock and common stock units awarded under the AIP and LTIP is recorded over the performance measurement and vesting periods based on the anticipated number and market value of shares of common stock and common stock units to be awarded. Compensation expense for anticipated awards based upon Nucor’s financial performance, exclusive of amounts payable in cash, was $0.5 million and $0.4 million in the third quarter of 2012 and 2011, respectively, and $3.6 million and $4.7 million in the first nine months of 2012 and 2011, respectively. At September 29, 2012, unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested restricted stock awards was $0.8 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.6 years.

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Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2012
Entity Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Sep. 29, 2012
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Trading Symbol	NUE
Entity Registrant Name	NUCOR CORP
Entity Central Index Key	0000073309
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	317,638,420

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EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN

9 Months Ended

Sep. 29, 2012

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN

13.

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN: Nucor makes contributions to a Profit Sharing and Retirement Savings Plan for qualified employees based on the profitability of the Company. Nucor’s expense for these benefits was $17.5 million and $26.4 million in the third quarter of 2012 and 2011, respectively, and was $58.1 million and $97.5 million in the first nine months of 2012 and 2011, respectively. The related liability for these benefits is included in salaries, wages and related accruals.

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Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 29, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 1,693,197	$ 1,200,645
Short-term investments	430,266	1,362,641
Accounts receivable, net	1,799,305	1,710,773
Inventories, net	2,217,374	1,987,257
Other current assets	481,931	446,765
Total current assets	6,622,073	6,708,081
Property, plant and equipment, net	4,106,238	3,755,604
Restricted cash and investments	414,203	585,833
Goodwill	2,008,461	1,830,661
Other intangible assets, net	980,348	784,640
Other assets	865,924	905,531
Total assets	14,997,247	14,570,350
Current liabilities:
Short-term debt	30,865	1,826
Long-term debt due within one year	900,000	650,000
Accounts payable	1,186,665	958,645
Salaries, wages and related accruals	286,780	333,341
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	482,717	452,247
Total current liabilities	2,887,027	2,396,059
Long-term debt due after one year	3,380,200	3,630,200
Deferred credits and other liabilities	866,446	837,511
Total liabilities	7,133,673	6,863,770
Nucor stockholders' equity:
Common stock	150,798	150,496
Additional paid-in capital	1,804,156	1,756,534
Retained earnings	7,129,236	7,111,566
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes	51,313	(38,177)
Treasury stock	(1,502,159)	(1,505,534)
Total Nucor stockholders' equity	7,633,344	7,474,885
Noncontrolling interests	230,230	231,695
Total equity	7,863,574	7,706,580
Total liabilities and equity	$ 14,997,247	$ 14,570,350

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EQUITY INVESTMENTS

9 Months Ended

Sep. 29, 2012

EQUITY INVESTMENTS

7. EQUITY INVESTMENTS: The carrying value of our equity investments in domestic and foreign companies was $746.9 million at September 29, 2012 ($775.7 million at December 31, 2011) and is recorded in other assets in the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

Nucor owns a 50% economic and voting interest in Duferdofin Nucor S.r.l., an Italian steel manufacturer, and accounts for the investment (on a one-month lag basis) under the equity method, as control and risk of loss are shared equally between the members.

Nucor’s investment in Duferdofin Nucor at September 29, 2012 was $441.3 million ($493.9 million at December 31, 2011). Nucor’s 50% share of the total net assets of Duferdofin Nucor was $47.5 million at September 29, 2012, resulting in a basis difference of $393.8 million due to the step-up to fair value of certain assets and liabilities attributable to Duferdofin Nucor as well as the identification of goodwill ($311.7 million) and finite-lived intangible assets. This basis difference, excluding the portion attributable to goodwill, is being amortized based on the remaining estimated useful lives of the various underlying net assets, as appropriate. Amortization expense and other purchase accounting adjustments associated with the fair value step-up were $2.7 million and $3.0 million in the third quarter of 2012 and 2011, respectively, and were $8.3 million and $9.1 million in the first nine months of 2012 and 2011, respectively.

As of September 29, 2012, Nucor had outstanding notes receivable of €35 million ($45.2 million) from Duferdofin Nucor (€30 million at December 31, 2011). The notes receivable bear interest at 2.34% to 3.12% and reset annually on September 30 to the twelve-month Euro Interbank Offered Rate (Euribor) plus 1% per year. The principal amounts are due on January 31, 2016. Accordingly, the notes receivable were classified in other assets in the condensed consolidated balance sheets as of September 29, 2012.

Nucor has issued a guarantee for its ownership percentage (50%) of Duferdofin Nucor’s borrowings under Facility A of a Structured Trade Finance Facilities Agreement that matures on October 26, 2013. The maximum amount that Duferdofin Nucor can borrow under Facility A is €112.5 million, and as of September 29, 2012, it had borrowings of €104.0 million outstanding under that facility. If Duferdofin Nucor fails to pay when due any amounts for which it is obligated under Facility A, Nucor could be required to pay 50% of such amounts pursuant to and in accordance with the terms of its guarantee. Any indebtedness of Duferdofin Nucor to Nucor is effectively subordinated to the indebtedness of Duferdofin Nucor under the Structured Trade Finance Facilities Agreement. Nucor has not recorded any liability associated with the guarantee.

Nucor has a 50% economic and voting interest in NuMit LLC. NuMit owns 100% of the equity interest in Steel Technologies LLC, an operator of 24 sheet processing facilities located throughout the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Nucor accounts for its investment in NuMit (on a one-month lag basis) under the equity method as control and risk of loss are shared equally between the members. The acquisition did not result in a significant amount of goodwill or intangible assets.

The value of Nucor’s investment in NuMit at September 29, 2012 was $280.7 million ($259.3 million as of December 31, 2011), which is comprised of the purchase price of approximately $221.3 million plus subsequent additional capital contributions and equity method earnings less distributions since acquisition. Nucor also has recorded a $40.0 million note receivable from Steel Technologies LLC that bears interest at 1.36% as of September 29, 2012 and resets quarterly to the three-month London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) plus 90 basis points. The principal amount is due on October 21, 2014. In addition, Nucor has extended a $130.0 million line of credit (of which $70.0 million was outstanding at September 29, 2012) to Steel Technologies. As of September 29, 2012, the amounts outstanding on the line of credit bear interest at 1.84% and mature on April 1, 2013. The note receivable was classified in other assets and the amount outstanding on the line of credit was classified in other current assets in the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

Nucor reviews its equity investments for impairment if and when circumstances indicate that a decline in value below their carrying amounts may have occurred. In the second quarter of 2012, Nucor concluded that a triggering event had occurred requiring assessment for impairment of its equity investment in Duferdofin Nucor due to the continued declines in the global demand for steel, the escalated economic and political turmoil in Europe and continued operating performance well below budgeted levels through the first half of 2012. Duferdofin Nucor’s updated unfavorable forecast of future operating performance was also a contributing factor. The diminished demand combined with the continued lower than budgeted levels of operating performance significantly impacted the financial results of Duferdofin Nucor in the first half of 2012. After completing its assessment, Nucor determined that the carrying amount exceeded its estimated fair value and recorded a $30.0 million impairment charge against the Company’s investment in Duferdofin Nucor in the second quarter of 2012. This charge is included in impairment of non-current assets in the condensed consolidated statements of earnings. The assumptions that most significantly affect the fair value determination include projected revenues and the discount rate. Steel market conditions in Europe have continued to be challenging through the third quarter of 2012, and, therefore, it is reasonably possible that based on actual performance in the near term the estimates used in our second quarter valuation could change and result in further impairment of our investment.

In the third quarter of 2011, the Company concluded that an equity investment in a dust recycling project had been impaired, resulting in an impairment charge of $13.9 million. This charge is included in impairment of non-current assets in the condensed consolidated statements of earnings.

Also in the third quarter of 2011, a valuation allowance was recorded against the deferred tax asset related to the Italian net operating loss carryforwards for the Duferdofin Nucor joint venture. The impact of the valuation allowance is reflected in equity in losses of unconsolidated affiliates in the condensed consolidated statements of earnings.

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GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

9 Months Ended

Sep. 29, 2012

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

6. GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS: The change in the net carrying amount of goodwill for the nine months ended September 29, 2012 by segment is as follows (in thousands):

	Steel Mills		Steel Products			Raw Materials		All Other		Total
Balance at December 31, 2011	$	268,466	$	790,441		$	682,902	$	88,852	$	1,830,661
Acquisitions (dispositions)		138,579		(3,489	)		20,323		—		155,413
Translation		—		22,387			—		—		22,387
Balance at September 29, 2012	$	407,045	$	809,339		$	703,225	$	88,852	$	2,008,461

Nucor completed its most recent annual goodwill impairment testing during the fourth quarter of 2011 and concluded that there was no impairment of goodwill for any of its reporting units.

Intangible assets with estimated useful lives of three to 22 years are amortized on a straight-line or accelerated basis and are comprised of the following (in thousands):

	Sept. 29, 2012				Dec. 31, 2011
	Gross Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Gross Amount		Accumulated Amortization
Customer relationships	$	1,158,492	$	309,001	$	941,787	$	262,841
Trademarks and trade names		153,113		30,755		123,192		25,628
Other		28,468		19,969		25,868		17,738
	$	1,340,073	$	359,725	$	1,090,847	$	306,207

Intangible asset amortization expense for the third quarter of 2012 and 2011 was $20.4 million and $17.0 million, respectively, and was $53.5 million and $51.7 million in the first nine months of 2012 and 2011, respectively. Annual amortization expense is estimated to be $72.1 million in 2012; $71.9 million in 2013; $69.9 million in 2014; $68.0 million in 2015; and $66.4 million in 2016.

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EARNINGS PER SHARE

9 Months Ended

Sep. 29, 2012

EARNINGS PER SHARE

18. EARNINGS PER SHARE: The computations of basic and diluted net earnings per share are as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):

	Three Months (13 Weeks) Ended						Nine Months (39 Weeks) Ended
	Sept. 29, 2012			Oct. 1, 2011			Sept. 29, 2012			Oct. 1, 2011
Basic net earnings per share:
Basic net earnings	$	110,308		$	181,518		$	367,711		$	641,132
Earnings allocated to participating securities		(412	)		(592	)		(1,242	)		(2,239	)
Net earnings available to common stockholders	$	109,896		$	180,926		$	366,469		$	638,893
Average shares outstanding		318,463			317,194			318,042			316,866
Basic net earnings per share	$	0.35		$	0.57		$	1.15		$	2.02
Diluted net earnings per share:
Diluted net earnings	$	110,308		$	181,518		$	367,711		$	641,132
Earnings allocated to participating securities		(412	)		(593	)		(1,242	)		(2,240	)
Net earnings available to common stockholders	$	109,896		$	180,925		$	366,469		$	638,892
Diluted average shares outstanding:
Basic shares outstanding		318,463			317,194			318,042			316,866
Dilutive effect of stock options and other		57			93			71			195
		318,520			317,287			318,113			317,061
Diluted net earnings per share	$	0.35		$	0.57		$	1.15		$	2.02

The following stock options were excluded from the computation of diluted net earnings per share because their effect would have been anti-dilutive:

	Three Months (13 Weeks) Ended				Nine Months (39 Weeks) Ended
	Sept. 29, 2012		Oct. 1, 2011		Sept. 29, 2012		Oct. 1, 2011
Anti-dilutive stock options:
Weighted average shares		801		801		534		266
Weighted average exercise price	$	42.07	$	42.07	$	42.07	$	42.07

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INTEREST EXPENSE (INCOME)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 29, 2012

INTEREST EXPENSE (INCOME)

14. INTEREST EXPENSE (INCOME): The components of net interest expense are as follows (in thousands):

	Three Months (13 Weeks) Ended						Nine Months (39 Weeks) Ended
	Sept. 29, 2012			Oct. 1, 2011			Sept. 29, 2012			Oct. 1, 2011
Interest expense	$	42,954		$	44,484		$	132,254		$	136,276
Interest income		(2,649	)		(4,291	)		(9,226	)		(10,333	)
Interest expense, net	$	40,305		$	40,193		$	123,028		$	125,943

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FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

9 Months Ended

Sep. 29, 2012

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

10. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS: The following table summarizes information regarding Nucor’s financial assets and financial liabilities that are measured at fair value as of September 29, 2012 and December 31, 2011 (in thousands). Nucor does not currently have any non-financial assets or liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis.

				Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
Description	Carrying Amount in Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets			Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)			Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
As of September 29, 2012
Assets:
Cash equivalents	$	1,519,075		$	1,519,075	$	—		$	—
Short-term investments		430,266			430,266		—			—
Restricted cash and investments		414,203			414,203		—			—
Total assets	$	2,363,544		$	2,363,544	$	—		$	—
Liabilities:
Foreign exchange and commodity contracts	$	(1,340	)	$	—	$	(1,340	)	$	—
As of December 31, 2011
Assets:
Cash equivalents	$	1,012,122		$	1,012,122	$	—		$	—
Short-term investments		1,362,641			1,362,641		—			—
Commodity contracts		5,071			—		5,071			—
Restricted cash and investments		585,833			585,833		—			—
Total assets	$	2,965,667		$	2,960,596	$	5,071		$	—
Liabilities:
Foreign exchange and commodity contracts	$	(21,434	)	$	—	$	(21,434	)	$	—

Fair value measurements for Nucor’s cash equivalents, short-term investments and restricted cash and investments are classified under Level 1 because such measurements are based on quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets. Our short-term investments are held in similar short-term investment instruments as described in Note 4 to Nucor’s annual report for the year ended December 31, 2011. Fair value measurements for Nucor’s derivatives are classified under Level 2 because such measurements are based on published market prices for similar assets or are estimated based on observable inputs such as interest rates, yield curves, credit risks, spot and future commodity prices, and spot and future exchange rates.

The fair value of short-term and long-term debt, including current maturities, was approximately $4.89 billion at September 29, 2012 ($4.76 billion at December 31, 2011). The debt fair value estimates are classified under Level 2 because such estimates are based on readily available market prices of our debt at September 29, 2012 and December 31, 2011, or similar debt with the same maturities, rating and interest rates.

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Subsequent Event (Detail) (Subsequent Event [Member], USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2012
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Percentage of Working Interest to be acquired under agreement	50.00%
Expected investment over the next three fiscal years	$ 542,000,000
Expected investment over the term of agreement	$ 3,640,000,000
Minimum [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Estimated year of agreement	13 years
Maximum [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Estimated year of agreement	22 years

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CURRENT LIABILITIES

9 Months Ended

Sep. 29, 2012

CURRENT LIABILITIES

8.

CURRENT LIABILITIES: Book overdrafts, included in accounts payable in the condensed consolidated balance sheets, were $106.8 million at September 29, 2012 ($53.6 million at December 31, 2011). Dividends payable, included in accrued expenses and other current liabilities in the condensed consolidated balance sheets, were $116.8 million at September 29, 2012 ($116.3 million at December 31, 2011).

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DERIVATIVES

9 Months Ended

Sep. 29, 2012

DERIVATIVES

9. DERIVATIVES: Nucor uses derivative financial instruments from time-to-time primarily to partially manage its exposure to price risk related to natural gas purchases used in the production process as well as to scrap, copper and aluminum purchased for resale to its customers. In addition, Nucor uses derivatives from time-to-time to partially manage its exposure to changes in interest rates on outstanding debt instruments and uses forward foreign exchange contracts to hedge cash flows associated with certain assets and liabilities, firm commitments and anticipated transactions.

Nucor recognizes all derivative instruments in the condensed consolidated balance sheets at fair value. Any resulting changes in fair value are recorded as adjustments to other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, or recognized in net earnings, as appropriate.

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

Fair Value of Derivative Instruments

		Fair Value at
	Balance Sheet Location	Sept. 29, 2012			Dec. 31, 2011
Asset derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
Commodity contracts	Other current assets	$	—		$	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:
Commodity contracts	Accrued expenses and other current liabilities		(1,277	)		—
Foreign exchange contracts	Accrued expenses and other current liabilities		(63	)		(334	)
Total liability derivatives not designated as hedging instruments			(1,340	)		(334	)
Total liability derivatives		$	(1,340	)	$	(21,434	)

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
		Sept. 29, 2012		Oct. 1, 2011			Sept. 29, 2012			Oct. 1, 2011			Sept. 29, 2012		Oct. 1, 2011
Commodity contracts	Cost of products sold	$	—	$	(4,531	)	$	(10,554	)	$	(9,023	)	$	—	$	600

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)
		Nine Months (39 weeks) Ended						Nine Months (39 weeks) Ended						Nine Months (39 weeks) Ended
		Sept. 29, 2012			Oct. 1, 2011			Sept. 29, 2012			Oct. 1, 2011			Sept. 29, 2012		Oct. 1, 2011
Commodity contracts	Cost of products sold	$	(2,264	)	$	(7,230	)	$	(31,961	)	$	(27,282	)	$	500	$	600

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					Nine Months (39 weeks) Ended
		Sept. 29, 2012			Oct. 1, 2011		Sept. 29, 2012			Oct. 1, 2011
Commodity contracts	Cost of products sold	$	(1,454	)	$	7,485	$	(231	)	$	9,462
Foreign exchange contracts	Cost of products sold		(25	)		721		146			129
Total		$	(1,479	)	$	8,206	$	(85	)	$	9,591

During the first quarter of 2012, Nucor settled all of its open natural gas forward purchase contracts that were previously in place. These settlements will affect earnings over the periods specified in the original agreements, none of which expire beyond December 31, 2012. At September 29, 2012, $10.6 million of net deferred losses on cash flow hedges on these contracts included in accumulated other comprehensive income will be reclassified into earnings during the next three months.

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CONTINGENCIES

9 Months Ended

Sep. 29, 2012

CONTINGENCIES

11. CONTINGENCIES: Nucor is subject to environmental laws and regulations established by federal, state and local authorities and, accordingly, makes provision for the estimated costs of compliance with such laws and regulations. Of the undiscounted total of $29.3 million of accrued environmental costs at September 29, 2012 ($31.4 million at December 31, 2011), $10.3 million was classified in accrued expenses and other current liabilities ($14.4 million at December 31, 2011) and $19.0 million was classified in deferred credits and other liabilities ($17.0 million at December 31, 2011). Inherent uncertainties exist in these estimates primarily due to unknown conditions, evolving remediation technology, and changing governmental regulations and legal standards.

Nucor has been named, along with other major steel producers, as a co-defendant in several related antitrust class-action complaints filed by Standard Iron Works and other steel purchasers in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. The majority of these complaints were filed in September and October of 2008, with two additional complaints being filed in July and December of 2010. Two of these complaints have been voluntarily dismissed and are no longer pending. The plaintiffs allege that from April 1, 2005 through December 31, 2007, eight steel manufacturers, including Nucor, engaged in anticompetitive activities with respect to the production and sale of steel. The plaintiffs seek monetary and other relief. Although we believe the plaintiffs’ claims are without merit and will vigorously defend against them, we cannot at this time predict the outcome of this litigation or estimate the range of Nucor’s potential exposure.

Other contingent liabilities with respect to product warranties, legal proceedings and other matters arise in the normal course of business. Nucor maintains liability insurance for certain risks that arise that are also subject to certain self-insurance limits. Although the outcome of the claims and proceedings against us cannot be predicted with certainty, we believe that there are no existing claims or proceedings that are likely to have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial statements.

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Basis Of Interim Presentation (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2011	Oct. 01, 2011
Organization Basis Of Presentation And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Reclassification of marketing, administrative and other expenses to cost of products sold	$ 17.7	$ 49.2

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Stock-Based Compensation (Narrative) (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2012	Oct. 01, 2011	Sep. 29, 2012	Oct. 01, 2011
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock options exercise prices as percentage of the market value on the date of the grant			100.00%
Compensation expense for stock options	$ 0.3	$ 1.9	$ 9.5	$ 9.3
Exercise of stock options total	4.3		10.5
Number of anniversaries of grant date upon which restricted stock units vest			3
RSU [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested restricted stock	32.3		32.3
Weighted-average recognition period for unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested restricted stock (years)			2 years 1 month 6 days
Installments in which restricted stock units vest and are converted to common stock			3
Compensation expense	4.7	6.5	29.6	26.2
LTIP [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Portion of restricted stock award vesting on anniversary			0.333
AIP [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Amount of annual incentive award payment participant can elect to defer.			50.00%
Additional common stock units for election of deferred annual incentive award, percentage			25.00%
Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested restricted stock	0.8		0.8
Weighted-average recognition period for unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested restricted stock (years)			8 months 12 days
AIP And LTIP [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested restricted stock	0.8		0.8
Weighted-average recognition period for unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested restricted stock (years)			1 year 7 months 6 days
Compensation expense	$ 0.5	$ 0.4	$ 3.6	$ 4.7
Stock Options Granted in 2010, 2011 and 2012 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock options vesting period			3 years
Stock options term, years			10

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STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

9 Months Ended

Sep. 29, 2012

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

16. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY: The following tables reflect the changes in stockholders’ equity attributable to both Nucor and the noncontrolling interests of Nucor’s joint ventures, primarily Nucor-Yamato Steel Company and Barker Steel Company, Inc., of which Nucor owns 51% and 90%, respectively (in thousands):

	Attributable to Nucor Corporation			Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests			Total
Stockholders’ equity at December 31, 2011	$	7,474,885		$	231,695		$	7,706,580
Total comprehensive income		457,201			65,097			522,298
Stock options		20,052			—			20,052
Issuance of stock under award plans, net of forfeitures		31,292			—			31,292
Amortization of unearned compensation		600			—			600
Dividends declared		(350,041	)		—			(350,041	)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests		—			(66,562	)		(66,562	)
Other		(645	)		—			(645	)
Stockholders’ equity at September 29, 2012	$	7,633,344		$	230,230		$	7,863,574

	Attributable to Nucor Corporation			Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests			Total
Stockholders’ equity at December 31, 2010	$	7,120,070		$	210,624		$	7,330,694
Total comprehensive income		647,309			61,676			708,985
Stock options		16,224			—			16,224
Issuance of stock under award plans, net of forfeitures		24,117			—			24,117
Amortization of unearned compensation		1,300			—			1,300
Dividends declared		(346,284	)		—			(346,284	)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests		—			(55,855	)		(55,855	)
Stockholders’ equity at October 1, 2011	$	7,462,736		$	216,445		$	7,679,181

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GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 29, 2012

Schedule Of Change In Net Carrying Amount Of Goodwill By Segment

6. GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS: The change in the net carrying amount of goodwill for the nine months ended September 29, 2012 by segment is as follows (in thousands):

	Steel Mills		Steel Products			Raw Materials		All Other		Total
Balance at December 31, 2011	$	268,466	$	790,441		$	682,902	$	88,852	$	1,830,661
Acquisitions (dispositions)		138,579		(3,489	)		20,323		—		155,413
Translation		—		22,387			—		—		22,387
Balance at September 29, 2012	$	407,045	$	809,339		$	703,225	$	88,852	$	2,008,461

Schedule Of Intangible Assets

Intangible assets with estimated useful lives of three to 22 years are amortized on a straight-line or accelerated basis and are comprised of the following (in thousands):

	Sept. 29, 2012				Dec. 31, 2011
	Gross Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Gross Amount		Accumulated Amortization
Customer relationships	$	1,158,492	$	309,001	$	941,787	$	262,841
Trademarks and trade names		153,113		30,755		123,192		25,628
Other		28,468		19,969		25,868		17,738
	$	1,340,073	$	359,725	$	1,090,847	$	306,207

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Fair Value Measurements (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 29, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash equivalents	$ 1,519,075,000	$ 1,012,122,000
Short-term investments	430,266,000	1,362,641,000
Restricted cash and investments	414,203,000	585,833,000
Total assets	2,363,544,000	2,965,667,000
Foreign exchange and commodity contracts	(1,340,000)	(21,434,000)
Commodity contracts		5,071,000
Fair value of short-term and long-term debt, including current maturities	4,890,000,000	4,760,000,000
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash equivalents	1,519,075,000	1,012,122,000
Short-term investments	430,266,000	1,362,641,000
Restricted cash and investments	414,203,000	585,833,000
Total assets	2,363,544,000	2,960,596,000
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash equivalents
Short-term investments
Restricted cash and investments
Total assets		5,071,000
Foreign exchange and commodity contracts	(1,340,000)	(21,434,000)
Commodity contracts		5,071,000
Fair value of short-term and long-term debt, including current maturities	0	0
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash equivalents
Short-term investments
Restricted cash and investments
Total assets
Foreign exchange and commodity contracts
Commodity contracts

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Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets (Schedule Of Change In Net Carrying Amount Of Goodwill By Segment) (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2012	Sep. 29, 2012 Steel Mills [Member]	Sep. 29, 2012 Steel Products [Member]	Sep. 29, 2012 Raw Materials [Member]	Sep. 29, 2012 All Other [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 All Other [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Balance, beginning of period	$ 1,830,661	$ 268,466	$ 790,441	$ 682,902	$ 88,852	$ 88,852
Acquisitions (dispositions)	155,413	138,579	(3,489)	20,323
Translation	22,387		22,387
Balance, end of period	$ 2,008,461	$ 407,045	$ 809,339	$ 703,225	$ 88,852	$ 88,852

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Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2012	Oct. 01, 2011
Operating activities:
Net earnings	$ 432,871	$ 702,811
Adjustments:
Depreciation	394,690	391,847
Amortization	53,518	51,675
Stock-based compensation	42,858	40,323
Deferred income taxes	(42,548)	40,855
Equity in losses of unconsolidated affiliates	9,093	14,190
Impairment of non-current assets	30,000	13,943
Loss on sale of assets	17,563
Changes in assets and liabilities (exclusive of acquisitions):
Accounts receivable	62,787	(401,237)
Inventories	41,662	(634,048)
Accounts payable	21,668	290,885
Federal income taxes	11,248	2,217
Salaries, wages and related accruals	(52,561)	141,407
Other	101,835	28,616
Cash provided by operating activities	1,124,684	683,484
Investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(613,777)	(328,592)
Investment in and advances to affiliates	(66,423)	(76,678)
Repayment of advances to affiliates	32,500	15,000
Disposition of plant and equipment	42,574	22,155
Acquisitions (net of cash acquired)	(763,657)
Purchases of investments	(409,403)	(614,982)
Proceeds from the sale of investments	1,341,913	456,055
Purchase of restricted investments		(564,994)
Proceeds from the sale of restricted investments	209,930	18,299
Changes in restricted cash	(38,301)	538,644
Cash used in investing activities	(264,644)	(535,093)
Financing activities:
Net change in short-term debt	28,983	(5,646)
Issuance of common stock	10,515	6,957
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	4,377	700
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(66,562)	(55,855)
Cash dividends	(349,538)	(346,005)
Other financing activities	962	30,000
Cash used in financing activities	(371,263)	(369,849)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	3,775	(2,511)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	492,552	(223,969)
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of year	1,200,645	1,325,406
Cash and cash equivalents - end of nine months	1,693,197	1,101,437
Non-cash investing activity:
Accrued plant and equipment purchases	$ 77,764	$ (10,340)

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RESTRICTED CASH AND INVESTMENTS

9 Months Ended

Sep. 29, 2012

RESTRICTED CASH AND INVESTMENTS

5.

RESTRICTED CASH AND INVESTMENTS: As of September 29, 2012, restricted cash and investments primarily consisted of net proceeds from the issuance of $600.0 million 30-year variable rate Gulf Opportunity Zone bonds in November 2010. The restricted cash and investments are held in a trust account and are to be used to partially fund the capital costs associated with the construction of Nucor’s direct reduced ironmaking facility in St. James Parish, Louisiana. Funds are disbursed as qualified expenditures for the construction of the facility are made ($172.6 million and $21.9 million in the first nine months of 2012 and 2011, respectively). Restricted investments totaled $299.8 million at September 29, 2012 ($514.3 million at December 31, 2011), and are held in similar short-term investment instruments as described in Note 4 to Nucor’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011. Interest earned on these investments is subject to the same usage requirements as the bond proceeds. Since the restricted cash, investments and interest on investments must be used for the construction of the facility, the entire balance has been classified as a non-current asset.

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Segments (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2012	Oct. 01, 2011	Sep. 29, 2012	Oct. 01, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales to external customers	$ 4,801,206	$ 5,252,144	$ 14,977,999	$ 15,193,887
Earnings (loss) before income taxes and noncontrolling interests	191,775	284,215	633,030	1,027,757
Segment assets	14,997,247		14,997,247		14,570,350
Steel Mills [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales to external customers	3,204,898	3,617,867	10,307,698	10,635,850
Intercompany sales	669,326	599,005	1,985,535	1,815,673
Earnings (loss) before income taxes and noncontrolling interests	217,430	427,723	943,818	1,476,323
Segment assets	7,688,875		7,688,875		6,440,868
Steel Products [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales to external customers	1,006,366	958,224	2,840,055	2,565,728
Intercompany sales	17,179	14,444	52,958	38,691
Earnings (loss) before income taxes and noncontrolling interests	(10,252)	(10,527)	(34,094)	(56,432)
Segment assets	3,020,164		3,020,164		2,903,281
Raw Materials [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales to external customers	475,322	535,948	1,455,134	1,618,956
Intercompany sales	2,080,150	2,572,705	7,441,529	8,047,832
Earnings (loss) before income taxes and noncontrolling interests	14,535	26,263	44,223	140,352
Segment assets	3,191,854		3,191,854		2,925,651
All Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales to external customers	114,620	140,105	375,112	373,353
Intercompany sales	1,550	4,742	12,344	21,093
Earnings (loss) before income taxes and noncontrolling interests	937	737	780	5,014
Segment assets	203,429		203,429		152,107
Corporate/Eliminations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Intercompany sales	(2,768,205)	(3,190,896)	(9,492,366)	(9,923,289)
Earnings (loss) before income taxes and noncontrolling interests	(30,875)	(159,981)	(321,697)	(537,500)
Segment assets	$ 892,925		$ 892,925		$ 2,148,443

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DERIVATIVES (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 29, 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	Sept. 29, 2012			Dec. 31, 2011
Asset derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
Commodity contracts	Other current assets	$	—		$	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:
Commodity contracts	Accrued expenses and other current liabilities		(1,277	)		—
Foreign exchange contracts	Accrued expenses and other current liabilities		(63	)		(334	)
Total liability derivatives not designated as hedging instruments			(1,340	)		(334	)
Total liability derivatives		$	(1,340	)	$	(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
		Sept. 29, 2012		Oct. 1, 2011			Sept. 29, 2012			Oct. 1, 2011			Sept. 29, 2012		Oct. 1, 2011
Commodity contracts	Cost of products sold	$	—	$	(4,531	)	$	(10,554	)	$	(9,023	)	$	—	$	600

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)
		Nine Months (39 weeks) Ended						Nine Months (39 weeks) Ended						Nine Months (39 weeks) Ended
		Sept. 29, 2012			Oct. 1, 2011			Sept. 29, 2012			Oct. 1, 2011			Sept. 29, 2012		Oct. 1, 2011
Commodity contracts	Cost of products sold	$	(2,264	)	$	(7,230	)	$	(31,961	)	$	(27,282	)	$	500	$	600

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					Nine Months (39 weeks) Ended
		Sept. 29, 2012			Oct. 1, 2011		Sept. 29, 2012			Oct. 1, 2011
Commodity contracts	Cost of products sold	$	(1,454	)	$	7,485	$	(231	)	$	9,462
Foreign exchange contracts	Cost of products sold		(25	)		721		146			129
Total		$	(1,479	)	$	8,206	$	(85	)	$	9,591

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Acquisitions (Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation to Identifiable Intangible Assets) (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2012
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Intangible assets	$ 215,600
Customer relationships [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Intangible assets	184,500
Weighted average life	17 years
Trademarks and Trade Names [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Intangible assets	28,500
Weighted average life	20 years
Other [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Intangible assets	$ 2,600
Weighted average life	3 years

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INCOME TAXES

9 Months Ended

Sep. 29, 2012

INCOME TAXES

15. INCOME TAXES: The increase in the effective tax rate for the third quarter of 2012 as compared to the third quarter of 2011 is due to the tax impact of a state credit valuation allowance reversal that took place in the third quarter of 2011. Nucor has concluded U.S. federal income tax matters for years through 2006. The years 2004 and 2007 are open to the extent net operating losses were carried back. The 2008 to 2011 tax years are open to examination by the Internal Revenue Service.

In 2011, the Canada Revenue Agency completed an audit examination for the periods 2006 to 2008 for Harris Steel Group Inc. and subsidiaries with immaterial adjustments to the income tax returns. The tax years 2008 through 2011 remain open to examination by other major taxing jurisdictions to which Nucor is subject (primarily Canada and other state and local jurisdictions).