DERIVATIVES: Nucor periodically uses derivative financial instruments 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 periodically uses derivatives 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.

At April 4, 2015, natural gas swaps covering approximately 15.3 million MMBTUs (extending through February 2017) were outstanding.

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

Fair Value of Derivative Instruments


		Fair Value at
	Balance Sheet Location	April 4, 2015			Dec. 31, 2014
Asset derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
Commodity contracts	Other current assets	$	—		$	1,856
Foreign exchange contracts	Other current assets		12			372

Total asset derivatives		$	12		$	2,228

Liability derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
Commodity contracts	Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	$	(8,700	)	$	(6,400	)
Commodity contracts	Deferred credits and other liabilities		(7,300	)		(6,300	)

Total liability derivatives designated as hedging instruments			(16,000	)		(12,700	)
Liability derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
Commodity contracts	Accrued expenses and other current liabilities		(47	)		—

Total liability derivatives not designated as hedging instruments			(47	)		—
Total liability derivatives		$	(16,047	)	$	(12,700	)

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),
net of tax,
Recognized in OCI
on Derivatives
(Effective Portion)

Amount of Gain
or (Loss),
net of tax,
Reclassified from
Accumulated OCI into
Earnings
on Derivatives
(Effective Portion)

Amount of Gain
or (Loss),
net of tax,
Recognized in
Earnings on
Derivatives
(Ineffective Portion)

Three Months
(13 weeks) Ended

April 4,
2015

April 5,
2014

April 4,
2015

April 5,
2014

April 4,
2015

April 5,
2014

Commodity contracts

Cost of products sold

(2,268

)

(1,871

)

(168

)

(471

)

—

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
		April 4, 2015		April 5, 2014
Commodity contracts	Cost of products sold	$	304	$	1,233
Foreign exchange contracts	Cost of products sold		758		153

Total		$	1,062	$	1,386