Derivatives (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 28, 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	Sept. 28, 2013			Dec. 31, 2012
Liability derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
Commodity contracts	Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	$	(453	)	$	(303	)
Foreign exchange contracts	Accrued expenses and other current liabilities		(34	)		(15	)
Total liability derivatives		$	(487	)	$	(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
			Sept. 28, 2013		Sept. 29, 2012		Sept. 28, 2013		Sept. 29, 2012			Sept. 28, 2013		Sept. 29, 2012
Commodity contracts		Cost of products sold	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	(10,554	)	$	—	$	—

			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		Nine Months (39 weeks) Ended					Nine Months (39 weeks) Ended					Nine Months (39 weeks) Ended
			Sept. 28, 2013		Sept. 29, 2012			Sept. 28, 2013		Sept. 29, 2012			Sept. 28, 2013		Sept. 29, 2012
Commodity contracts		Cost of products sold	$	—	$	(2,264	)	$	—	$	(31,961	)	$	—	$	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						Nine Months (39 weeks) Ended
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments	Statement of Earnings Location		Sept. 28, 2013			Sept. 29, 2012			Sept. 28, 2013		Sept. 29, 2012
Commodity contracts		Cost of products sold	$	(789	)	$	(1,454	)	$	4,193	$	(231	)
Foreign exchange contracts		Cost of products sold		134			(25	)		253		146
Total			$	(655	)	$	(1,479	)	$	4,446	$	(85	)