Fair Value Measurements (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Schedule of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities Measured at Fair Value

The following table summarizes information regarding Nucor’s financial assets and financial liabilities that are measured at fair value as of December 31, 2012. Nucor does not currently have any non-financial assets or liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis.

			(in thousands)
			Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
	Carrying Amount in Consolidated Balance Sheets		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
December 31, 2012
Assets:
Cash equivalents	$	830,011	$	830,011
Short-term investments		104,167		104,167
Restricted cash and investments		275,163		275,163
Total assets	$	1,209,341	$	1,209,341		-		-
Liabilities:
Foreign exchange and commodity contracts	$	(318)		-	$	(318)		-
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)		-