Derivatives (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 29, 2013

Fair Values of Derivative Instruments

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

Fair Value of Derivative Instruments

		Fair Value at
	Balance Sheet Location	June 29, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
Asset derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
Commodity contracts	Other current assets	$	1,431	$	—
Foreign exchange contracts	Other current assets		10		—
Total asset derivatives		$	1,441	$	—
Liability derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
Commodity contracts	Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	$	—	$	(303	)
Foreign exchange contracts	Accrued expenses and other current liabilities		—		(15	)
Total liability derivatives		$	—	$	(318	)

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

			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)
Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships	Statement of Earnings Location		Three Months (13 weeks) Ended				Three Months (13 weeks) Ended					Three Months (13 weeks)  Ended
			June 29, 2013		June 30, 2012		June 29, 2013		June 30, 2012			June 29, 2013		June 30, 2012
Commodity contracts		Cost of products sold	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	(10,553	)	$	—	$	—

			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)
Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships	Statement of Earnings Location		Six Months (26 weeks) Ended					Six Months (26 weeks) Ended					Six Months (26 weeks) Ended
			June 29, 2013		June 30, 2012			June 29, 2013		June 30, 2012			June 29, 2013		June 30, 2012
Commodity contracts		Cost of products sold	$	—	$	(2,264	)	$	—	$	(21,407	)	$	—	$	500

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Effect of Derivative Instruments on Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings

Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments

			Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Earnings on  Derivatives
			Three Months (13 weeks) Ended				Six Months (26 weeks) Ended
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments	Statement of Earnings  Location		June 29, 2013		June 30, 2012		June 29, 2013		June 30, 2012
Commodity contracts		Cost of products sold	$	2,473	$	2,573	$	4,982	$	1,223
Foreign exchange contracts		Cost of products sold		2		114		118		171
Total			$	2,475	$	2,687	$	5,100	$	1,394