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