10-Q

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF

THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended October 3, 2015

Commission file number 1-4119

NUCOR CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware	13-1860817
(State or other jurisdiction of	(I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)	Identification No.)
1915 Rexford Road, Charlotte, North Carolina	28211
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)

(704) 366-7000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer	x	Accelerated filer	¨
Non-accelerated filer	¨	Smaller reporting company	¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ¨    No  x

319,614,898 shares of common stock were outstanding at October 3, 2015.

Nucor Corporation

Form 10-Q

October  3, 2015

INDEX

			Page
Part I	Financial Information
	Item 1	Financial Statements (Unaudited)
		Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings – Three Months (13 Weeks) and Nine Months (39 Weeks) Ended October 3, 2015 and October 4, 2014		3
		Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income – Three Months (13 Weeks) and Nine Months (39 Weeks) Ended October 3, 2015 and October 4, 2014		4
		Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets – October 3, 2015 and December 31, 2014		5
		Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows – Nine Months (39 Weeks) Ended October  3, 2015 and October 4, 2014		6
		Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements		7
	Item 2	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations		23
	Item 3	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk		32
	Item 4	Controls and Procedures		33
Part II	Other Information
	Item 1	Legal Proceedings		34
	Item 1A	Risk Factors		34
	Item 6	Exhibits		35
Signatures				35
List of Exhibits to Form 10-Q				36

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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

Nucor Corporation Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings (Unaudited)

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

	Three Months (13 Weeks) Ended						Nine Months (39 Weeks) Ended
	October 3, 2015			October 4, 2014			October 3, 2015			October 4, 2014
Net sales	$	4,225,514		$	5,701,869		$	12,982,563		$	16,101,388
Costs, expenses and other:
Cost of products sold		3,701,678			5,102,283			11,784,139			14,708,733
Marketing, administrative and other expenses		124,339			152,604			377,492			418,851
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates		(115	)		(2,352	)		(550	)		(10,028	)
Interest expense, net		45,341			45,349			131,944			130,481
		3,871,243			5,297,884			12,293,025			15,248,037
Earnings before income taxes and noncontrolling interests		354,271			403,985			689,538			853,351
Provision for income taxes		86,535			129,784			178,166			282,519
Net earnings		267,736			274,201			511,372			570,832
Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests		40,610			28,754			91,691			67,313
Net earnings attributable to Nucor stockholders	$	227,126		$	245,447		$	419,681		$	503,519
Net earnings per share:
Basic	$	0.71		$	0.76		$	1.30		$	1.57
Diluted	$	0.71		$	0.76		$	1.30		$	1.57
Average shares outstanding:
Basic		320,819			320,023			320,544			319,737
Diluted		320,900			320,337			320,695			320,025
Dividends declared per share	$	0.3725		$	0.37		$	1.1175		$	1.11

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

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Nucor Corporation Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)

(In thousands)

	Three Months (13 Weeks) Ended						Nine Months (39 Weeks) Ended
	October 3, 2015			October 4, 2014			October 3, 2015			October 4, 2014
Net earnings	$	267,736		$	274,201		$	511,372		$	570,832
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Net unrealized (loss) income on hedging derivatives, net of income taxes of ($2,300) and $100 for the third quarter of 2015 and 2014, respectively, and ($3,900) and ($900) for the first nine months of 2015 and 2014, respectively		(3,985	)		103			(6,717	)		(1,530	)
Reclassification adjustment for loss on settlement of hedging derivatives included in net income, net of income taxes of $1,000 and $100 for the third quarter of 2015 and 2014, respectively, and $1,800 and $200 for the first nine months of 2015 and 2014, respectively		1,685			197			3,017			430
Foreign currency translation (loss), net of income taxes of $0 for the third quarter of 2015 and 2014, and $0 and ($400) for the first nine months of 2015 and 2014, respectively		(62,903	)		(81,689	)		(155,203	)		(93,321	)
Other, net of income taxes of $0 for the third quarter of 2015 and 2014, and $1,500 and $0 for the first nine months of 2015 and 2014, respectively		—			—			2,700			—
		(65,203	)		(81,389	)		(156,203	)		(94,421	)
Comprehensive income		202,533			192,812			355,169			476,411
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests		(40,610	)		(28,754	)		(91,691	)		(67,313	)
Comprehensive income attributable to Nucor stockholders	$	161,923		$	164,058		$	263,478		$	409,098

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

4

Nucor Corporation Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)

(In thousands)

	Oct. 3, 2015			Dec. 31, 2014
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	1,895,425		$	1,024,144
Short-term investments		100,000			100,000
Accounts receivable, net		1,716,356			2,068,298
Inventories, net		2,361,071			2,745,032
Other current assets		392,879			504,414
Total current assets		6,465,731			6,441,888
Property, plant and equipment, net		5,040,902			5,287,639
Goodwill		2,023,788			2,068,664
Other intangible assets, net		793,046			862,093
Other assets		946,001			955,643
Total assets	$	15,269,468		$	15,615,927
LIABILITIES
Current liabilities:
Short-term debt	$	54,601		$	207,476
Long-term debt due within one year		—			16,335
Accounts payable		907,332			993,872
Salaries, wages and related accruals		329,499			352,488
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities		555,979			527,605
Total current liabilities		1,847,411			2,097,776
Long-term debt due after one year		4,360,600			4,360,600
Deferred credits and other liabilities		1,014,116			1,082,433
Total liabilities		7,222,127			7,540,809
EQUITY
Nucor stockholders’ equity:
Common stock		151,425			151,237
Additional paid-in capital		1,913,240			1,883,356
Retained earnings		7,438,155			7,378,214
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of income taxes		(301,911	)		(145,708	)
Treasury stock		(1,491,822	)		(1,494,629	)
Total Nucor stockholders’ equity		7,709,087			7,772,470
Noncontrolling interests		338,254			302,648
Total equity		8,047,341			8,075,118
Total liabilities and equity	$	15,269,468		$	15,615,927

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

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Nucor Corporation Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)

(In thousands)

	Nine Months (39 Weeks) Ended
	October 3, 2015			October 4, 2014
Operating activities:
Net earnings	$	511,372		$	570,832
Adjustments:
Depreciation		469,239			486,684
Amortization		55,673			54,127
Stock-based compensation		39,542			40,325
Deferred income taxes		(52,661	)		(43,712	)
Distributions from affiliates		14,149			11,504
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates		(550	)		(10,028	)
Loss on assets		7,700			21,546
Changes in assets and liabilities (exclusive of acquisitions and dispositions):
Accounts receivable		328,671			(418,353	)
Inventories		370,445			(80,975	)
Accounts payable		(83,396	)		84,161
Federal income taxes		113,458			94,999
Salaries, wages and related accruals		(15,993	)		65,027
Other operating activities		(350	)		49,426
Cash provided by operating activities		1,757,299			925,563
Investing activities:
Capital expenditures		(283,087	)		(557,249	)
Investment in and advances to affiliates		(41,271	)		(94,128	)
Repayment of advances to affiliates		—			26,500
Disposition of plant and equipment		24,996			18,748
Acquisitions (net of cash acquired)		(253	)		(38,466	)
Purchases of investments		(111,927	)		(100,000	)
Proceeds from the sale of investments		111,452			27,529
Other investing activities		2,947			—
Cash used in investing activities		(297,143	)		(717,066	)
Financing activities:
Net change in short-term debt		(152,529	)		11,900
Repayment of long-term debt		(16,300	)		(3,300	)
Issuance of common stock		423			4,465
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation		1,700			3,200
Distributions to noncontrolling interests		(56,085	)		(51,401	)
Cash dividends		(359,461	)		(356,230	)
Other financing activities		(1,630	)		(1,651	)
Cash used in financing activities		(583,882	)		(393,017	)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash		(4,993	)		(2,787	)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		871,281			(187,307	)
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of year		1,024,144			1,483,252
Cash and cash equivalents - end of nine months	$	1,895,425		$	1,295,945
Non-cash investing activity:
Change in accrued plant and equipment purchases	$	(14,577	)	$	(98,050	)

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

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Nucor Corporation – Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

1. BASIS OF INTERIM PRESENTATION: The information furnished in Item 1 reflects all adjustments which are, in the opinion of management, necessary to a fair statement of the results for the interim periods presented and are of a normal and recurring nature unless otherwise noted. The information furnished has not been audited; however, the December 31, 2014 condensed consolidated balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements but does not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in this Item 1 should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in Nucor’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014.

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements – In the first quarter of 2015, Nucor adopted new accounting guidance which changes the criteria for determining which disposals can be presented as discontinued operations and modifies related disclosure requirements. This standard is applied prospectively for the Company beginning January 1, 2015. The adoption of this standard did not have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements – In May 2014, new accounting guidance was issued that will supersede nearly all existing accounting guidance related to revenue recognition. The new guidance provides that an entity recognizes revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. This update also requires additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts, including significant judgments and changes in judgments, and assets recognized from costs incurred to obtain or fulfill a contract. In August 2015, new accounting guidance was issued that deferred the effective date of this new accounting guidance by one year. As a result, the amendments are effective for the Company for all annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company is evaluating adoption methods and the impact it will have on the consolidated financial statements.

In August 2014, new accounting guidance was issued that specifies the responsibility that an entity’s management has to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern. The standard is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and is not expected to have an effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In April 2015, new accounting guidance was issued that requires debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. This new guidance is effective for the Company for all annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2015, and is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In September 2015, new accounting guidance was issued that requires an acquirer in a business combination to recognize adjustments to provisional amounts that are identified during the measurement period in the reporting period in which the adjustment amounts are determined. The standard is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2015, and is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

2. ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE: An allowance for doubtful accounts is maintained for estimated losses resulting from the inability of our customers to make required payments. Accounts receivable are stated net of an allowance for doubtful accounts of $37.6 million at October 3, 2015 ($65.4 million at December 31, 2014).

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3. INVENTORIES: Inventories consisted of approximately 42% raw materials and supplies and 58% finished and semi-finished products at October 3, 2015 (40% and 60%, respectively, at December 31, 2014). Nucor’s manufacturing process consists of a continuous, vertically integrated process from which products are sold to customers at various stages throughout the process. Since most steel products can be classified as either finished or semi-finished products, these two categories of inventory are combined.

Inventories valued using the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method of accounting represented approximately 47% of total inventories as of October 3, 2015 (43% as of December 31, 2014). If the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method of accounting had been used, inventories would have been $318.4 million higher at October 3, 2015 ($567.4 million higher at December 31, 2014). Use of the lower of cost or market methodology reduced inventories by $12.5 million at October 3, 2015 ($2.7 million at December 31, 2014).

4. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT: Property, plant and equipment is recorded net of accumulated depreciation of $7.60 billion at October 3, 2015 ($7.17 billion at December 31, 2014).

Included within property, plant and equipment, net at October 3, 2015, is $20.9 million of assets, net of accumulated depreciation, under a capital lease agreement ($22.8 million at December 31, 2014). The gross amount of property, plant and equipment acquired under the capital lease was $25.4 million, which was not included in capital expenditures on the condensed consolidated statement of cash flows in 2014. Total obligations associated with this capital lease agreement were $21.6 million at October 3, 2015 ($23.2 million at December 31, 2014), of which $2.3 million was classified in accrued expenses and other current liabilities ($2.2 million at December 31, 2014) and $19.3 million was classified in deferred credits and other liabilities ($21.0 million at December 31, 2014).

In 2013, one of three iron ore storage domes collapsed at Nucor Steel Louisiana in St. James Parish. As a result, Nucor recorded a partial write-down of assets at the facility, including $21.0 million of property, plant and equipment and $7.0 million of inventory, offset by a $14.0 million insurance receivable that was based on management’s best estimate of probable insurance recoveries. As of October 3, 2015, Nucor has received initial payments of $10.3 million related to the insurance receivable. Nucor finalized its assessment process related to the two remaining storage domes during the third quarter of 2015 and determined that those domes would no longer be utilized. The Company recorded an associated write-down of property, plant and equipment of $19.4 million, offset by an $11.7 million insurance receivable that was based on management’s best estimate of probable insurance recoveries. As of October 3, 2015, the insurance receivable related to the three iron ore storage domes totaled $15.4 million. The net charge associated with the write-down of the two remaining domes of $7.7 million is included in marketing, administrative and other expenses in the condensed consolidated statement of earnings in the third quarter and first nine months of 2015.

Included in property plant and equipment within the steel mills segment at October 3, 2015, and December 31, 2014, is approximately $84.1 million related to the anticipated further development activities at the St. James Parish site, the majority of which are engineering designs. Changes to the anticipated development activities at this site could result in full or partial impairment of these capitalized assets.

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5. GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS: The change in the net carrying amount of goodwill for the nine months ended October 3, 2015, by segment is as follows (in thousands):

	Steel Mills			Steel Products			Raw Materials		Total
Balance at December 31, 2014	$	594,402		$	744,685		$	729,577	$	2,068,664
Translation		—			(41,108	)		—		(41,108	)
Other		(3,768	)		—			—		(3,768	)
Balance at October 3, 2015	$	590,634		$	703,577		$	729,577	$	2,023,788

Nucor completed its most recent annual goodwill impairment testing during the fourth quarter of 2014 and concluded that there was no impairment of goodwill for any of its reporting units. There have been no triggering events requiring an interim assessment for impairment since the most recent annual impairment testing date.

Intangible assets with estimated useful lives of 5 to 22 years are amortized on a straight-line or accelerated basis and are comprised of the following (in thousands):

	October 3, 2015				December 31, 2014
	Gross Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Gross Amount		Accumulated Amortization
Customer relationships	$	1,188,474	$	501,902	$	1,199,942	$	454,353
Trademarks and trade names		156,470		55,442		158,584		48,356
Other		23,031		17,585		22,823		16,547
	$	1,367,975	$	574,929	$	1,381,349	$	519,256

Intangible asset amortization expense for the third quarter of 2015 and 2014 was $18.8 million and $17.9 million, respectively, and was $55.7 million and $54.1 million in the first nine months of 2015 and 2014, respectively. Annual amortization expense is estimated to be $74.2 million in 2015; $70.9 million in 2016; $68.7 million in 2017; $65.9 million in 2018; and $63.4 million in 2019.

6. EQUITY INVESTMENTS: The carrying value of our equity investments in domestic and foreign companies was $868.0 million at October 3, 2015, ($872.5 million at December 31, 2014) and is recorded in other assets in the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

DUFERDOFIN NUCOR

Nucor owns a 50% economic and voting interest in Duferdofin Nucor S.r.l. (Duferdofin Nucor), an Italian steel manufacturer, and accounts for the investment (on a one-month lag basis) under the equity method, as control and risk of loss are shared equally between the members.

Nucor’s investment in Duferdofin Nucor at October 3, 2015, was $386.3 million ($412.9 million at December 31, 2014). Nucor’s 50% share of the total net assets of Duferdofin Nucor was $51.7 million at October 3, 2015, resulting in a basis difference of $334.6 million due to the step-up to fair value of certain assets and liabilities attributable to Duferdofin Nucor as well as the identification of goodwill ($270.6 million) and finite-lived intangible assets. This basis difference, excluding the portion attributable to goodwill, is being amortized based on the remaining estimated useful lives of the various underlying net assets, as appropriate. Amortization expense associated with the fair value step-up was $2.2 million and $2.6 million in the third quarter of 2015 and 2014, respectively, and was $6.6 million and $8.0 million in the first nine months of 2015 and 2014, respectively.

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As of October 3, 2015, Nucor had outstanding notes receivable of €35.0 million ($39.2 million) from Duferdofin Nucor (€35.0 million, or $42.5 million, as of December 31, 2014). The notes receivable bear interest at 1.14% and reset annually on September 30 to the twelve-month Euro Interbank Offered Rate (Euribor) plus 1% per year. The principal amounts are due on January 31, 2019. As of October 3, 2015, and December 31, 2014, the note receivable was classified in other assets in the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

Nucor has issued guarantees, the fair values of which are immaterial, for its ownership percentage (50%) of Duferdofin Nucor’s borrowings under Facility A of a Structured Trade Finance Facilities Agreement as well as the Standby Medium Long Term Loan Credit Facility, which mature on April 26, 2016, and April 22, 2016, respectively. The maximum amount Duferdofin Nucor can borrow under Facility A is €122.5 million ($137.2 million at October 3, 2015). As of October 3, 2015, there was €115.0 million ($128.8 million) outstanding under that facility (€107.0 million, or $129.9 million, at December 31, 2014). Subsequent to October 3, 2015, Facility A was amended to extend the maturity date to October 12, 2018. The guarantee under the Standby Medium Long Term Loan Credit Facility was issued in the second quarter of 2014, and, as of October 3, 2015, Duferdofin Nucor had the maximum borrowing amount of €60.0 million ($67.2 million) outstanding under the facility (€60.0 million, or $72.8 million, at December 31, 2014). Subsequent to October 3, 2015, Nucor and its joint-venture partner provided capital contributions to Duferdofin Nucor that were used to pay the outstanding balance of the Standby Medium Long Term Loan Credit Facility, which was also terminated. If Duferdofin Nucor fails to pay when due any amounts for which it is obligated under Facility A or the Standby Medium Long Term Loan Credit Facility, Nucor could be required to pay 50% of such amounts pursuant to and in accordance with the terms of its guarantees. Any indebtedness of Duferdofin Nucor to Nucor is effectively subordinated to the indebtedness of Duferdofin Nucor under both financing agreements. Nucor has not recorded any liability associated with these guarantees.

NUMIT

Nucor has a 50% economic and voting interest in NuMit LLC (NuMit). NuMit owns 100% of the equity interest in Steel Technologies LLC, an operator of 25 sheet processing facilities located throughout the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Nucor accounts for the investment in NuMit (on a one-month lag basis) under the equity method as control and risk of loss are shared equally between the members. Nucor’s investment in NuMit at October 3, 2015, was $307.4 million ($301.5 million as of December 31, 2014).

HUNTER RIDGE

Nucor has a 50% economic and voting interest in Hunter Ridge Energy Services LLC (Hunter Ridge). Hunter Ridge provides services for the gathering, separation and compression of energy products including natural gas produced by Nucor’s working interest drilling programs. Nucor accounts for the investment (on a one-month lag basis) under the equity method, as control and risk of loss are shared equally between the members. Nucor’s investment in Hunter Ridge was $136.6 million at October 3, 2015 ($138.6 million at December 31, 2014).

Recent declines in natural gas pricing have led to reduced natural gas drilling activity. Sustained or further reductions in natural gas production activity could lead to reduced utilization of the Hunter Ridge assets. We will continue to monitor for potential triggering events that could affect the carrying value of our investment in Hunter Ridge as a result of future market conditions and any changes in business strategy.

ALL EQUITY INVESTMENTS

Nucor reviews its equity investments for impairment if and when circumstances indicate that a decline in value below their carrying amounts may have occurred. In the fourth quarter of 2014, Nucor assessed its equity investment in Duferdofin Nucor for impairment due to the protracted challenging steel market conditions in Europe. After completing its assessment, the Company determined that the

10

estimated fair value exceeded its carrying amount and that there was no need for impairment. The assumptions that most significantly affect the fair value determination include projected revenues and the discount rate. Steel market conditions in Europe have continued to be challenging through the third quarter of 2015, and, therefore, it is reasonably possible that material deviation of future performance from the estimates used in our most recent valuation could result in impairment of our investment in Duferdofin Nucor. We will continue to monitor for potential triggering events that could affect the carrying value of our investment in Duferdofin Nucor as a result of future market conditions and any changes in business strategy.

It is possible that the future performance of Duferdofin Nucor could affect the recorded value of the note receivable the Company has with Duferdofin Nucor and any potential liability associated with the Company’s guarantees of the indebtedness of Duferdofin Nucor as discussed above.

7. CURRENT LIABILITIES: Book overdrafts, included in accounts payable in the condensed consolidated balance sheets, were $61.2 million at October 3, 2015 ($107.9 million at December 31, 2014). Dividends payable, included in accrued expenses and other current liabilities in the condensed consolidated balance sheets, were $120.0 million at October 3, 2015 ($119.7 million at December 31, 2014).

8. 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 October 3, 2015, natural gas swaps covering approximately 16.1 million MMBTUs (extending through June 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	Oct. 3, 2015			Dec. 31, 2014
Asset derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
Commodity contracts	Other current assets	$	102		$	1,856
Foreign exchange contracts	Other current assets		175			372
Total asset derivatives not designated as hedging instruments		$	277		$	2,228
Liability derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
Commodity contracts	Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	$	(13,800	)	$	(6,400	)
Commodity contracts	Deferred credits and other liabilities		(4,700	)		(6,300	)
Total liability derivatives designated as hedging instruments		$	(18,500	)	$	(12,700	)

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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				Three Months (13 Weeks) Ended						Three Months (13 Weeks) Ended
		Oct. 3, 2015		Oct. 4, 2014		Oct. 3, 2015			Oct. 4, 2014			Oct. 3, 2015		Oct. 4, 2014
Commodity contracts	Cost of products sold	$	(3,985)	$	103	$	(1,685	)	$	(197	)	$	—	$	—

. 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)
		Nine Months (39 Weeks) Ended					Nine Months (39 Weeks) Ended						Nine Months (39 Weeks) Ended
		Oct. 3, 2015		Oct. 4, 2014			Oct. 3, 2015			Oct. 4, 2014			Oct. 3, 2015		Oct. 4, 2014
Commodity contracts	Cost of products sold	$	(6,717)	$	(1,530	)	$	(3,017	)	$	(430	)	$	—	$	—

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	Oct. 3, 2015		Oct. 4, 2014		Oct. 3, 2015		Oct. 4, 2014
Commodity contracts	Cost of products sold	$	658	$	844	$	2,314	$	1,282
Foreign exchange contracts	Cost of products sold		602		314		1,364		266
Total		$	1,260	$	1,158	$	3,678	$	1,548

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9. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS: The following table summarizes information regarding Nucor’s financial assets and financial liabilities that are measured at fair value as of October 3, 2015, and December 31, 2014 (in thousands). Nucor does not currently have any non-financial assets or liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis.

				Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
Description	Carrying Amount in Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets			Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)			Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
As of October 3, 2015
Assets:
Cash equivalents	$	1,616,755		$	1,616,755	$	—
Short-term investments		100,000			100,000		—
Foreign exchange and commodity contracts		277			—		277
Total assets	$	1,717,032		$	1,716,755	$	277		$	—
Liabilities:
Commodity contracts	$	(18,500	)	$	—	$	(18,500	)	$	—
As of December 31, 2014
Assets:
Cash equivalents	$	861,656		$	861,656	$	—
Short-term investments		100,000			100,000		—
Foreign exchange and commodity contracts		2,228			—		2,228
Total assets	$	963,884		$	961,656	$	2,228		$	—
Liabilities:
Commodity contracts	$	(12,700	)	$	—	$	(12,700	)	$	—

Fair value measurements for Nucor’s cash equivalents and short-term investments are classified under Level 1 because such measurements are based on quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets. Our short-term investments are held in similar short-term investment instruments as described in Note 4 to Nucor’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014. Fair value measurements for Nucor’s derivatives are classified under Level 2 because such measurements are based on published market prices for similar assets or are estimated based on observable inputs such as interest rates, yield curves, credit risks, spot and future commodity prices, and spot and future exchange rates.

The fair value of short-term and long-term debt, including current maturities, was approximately $4.67 billion at October 3, 2015 ($4.97 billion at December 31, 2014). The debt fair value estimates are classified under Level 2 because such estimates are based on readily available market prices of our debt at October 3, 2015, and December 31, 2014, or similar debt with the same maturities, ratings and interest rates.

10. CONTINGENCIES: Nucor is subject to environmental laws and regulations established by federal, state and local authorities and, accordingly, makes provision for the estimated costs of compliance. Of the undiscounted total of $21.4 million of accrued environmental costs at October 3, 2015 ($27.2 million at December 31, 2014), $10.0 million was classified in accrued expenses and other current liabilities ($11.3 million at December 31, 2014) and $11.4 million was classified in deferred credits and other liabilities ($15.9 million at December 31, 2014). Inherent uncertainties exist in these estimates primarily due to unknown conditions, evolving remediation technology and changing governmental regulations and legal standards.

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Nucor has been named, along with other major steel producers, as a co-defendant in several related antitrust class-action complaints filed by Standard Iron Works and other steel purchasers in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. The majority of these complaints were filed in September and October of 2008, with two additional complaints being filed in July and December of 2010. Two of these complaints have been voluntarily dismissed and are no longer pending. The plaintiffs allege that from April 1, 2005, through December 31, 2007, eight steel manufacturers, including Nucor, engaged in anticompetitive activities with respect to the production and sale of steel. The plaintiffs seek monetary and other relief on behalf of themselves and a putative class of all purchasers of steel products from the defendants in the U.S. between April 1, 2005, and December 31, 2007. Five of the eight defendants have reached court approved settlements with the plaintiffs. On September 9, 2015, the District Court entered an order ruling on issues of class certification. The Court granted in part, and denied in part, the plaintiffs’ motion, certifying a class solely on the issue of whether defendants engaged in a conspiracy in violation of the antitrust laws, and declining to certify a class on the issues of antitrust impact and damages. We continue to believe the plaintiffs’ claims are without merit and will continue to vigorously defend against them, but we cannot at this time predict the outcome of this litigation or estimate the range of Nucor’s potential exposure and, consequently, have not recorded any reserves or contingencies related to this lawsuit.

On March 25, 2014, a jury in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas returned a verdict against Nucor and its co-defendants in an antitrust lawsuit brought by plaintiff MM Steel, LP, a steel plate service center located in Houston. The jury returned a verdict of $52.0 million in damages against all defendants jointly and severally. On June 1, 2014, pursuant to antitrust laws providing for treble damages, the court awarded a judgment to MM Steel jointly and severally against the defendants in an amount totaling $160.8 million after including costs and attorneys’ fees. As a result of developments since the verdict, including settlements reached by various other parties, the Company believes that its practical estimable exposure has been reduced to approximately $40.0 million. The Company has appealed the judgment to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, and believes that it has valid grounds to have the judgment vacated or reversed. The Company believes that the evidence against Nucor was insufficient to support any finding that Nucor was involved in a horizontal conspiracy. The Company believes that the trial court wrongly excluded relevant testimony of Nucor’s expert witness. The Company believes that the trial court erred in admitting hearsay evidence. Finally, the Company believes that the trial court did not sufficiently instruct the jury on applicable legal principles. As a result, the Company believes that the likelihood that the judgment will be affirmed is not probable, and, accordingly, it has not recorded any reserves or contingencies related to this legal matter. Although we are defending this lawsuit vigorously, its ultimate resolution is uncertain.

We are from time to time a party to various other lawsuits, claims and legal proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of business. With respect to all such lawsuits, claims and proceedings, we record reserves when it is probable a liability has been incurred and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. We do not believe that any of these proceedings, individually or in the aggregate, would be expected to have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial position or cash flows. Nucor maintains liability insurance for certain risks that is subject to certain self-insurance limits.

11. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION: Stock Options – Stock options may be granted to Nucor’s key employees, officers and non-employee directors with exercise prices at 100% of the market value on the date of the grant. The stock options granted are generally exercisable at the end of three years and have a term of 10 years. New shares are issued upon exercise of stock options.

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A summary of activity under Nucor’s stock option plans for the first nine months of 2015 is as follows (in thousands, except year and per share amounts):

	Shares			Weighted - Average Exercise Price		Weighted - Average Remaining Contractual Life		Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Number of shares under option:
Outstanding at beginning of year		2,422		$	42.39
Granted		700		$	47.59
Exercised		(10	)	$	42.34			$	66
Canceled		(20	)	$	50.63
Outstanding at October 3, 2015		3,092		$	43.51		7.5 years	$	1,543
Options exercisable at October 3, 2015		1,531		$	39.35		6.1 years	$	1,543

Stock options granted to employees who are eligible for retirement on the date of grant are expensed immediately since these awards vest upon retirement from the Company. Retirement, for purposes of vesting in these stock options, means termination of employment after satisfying age and years of service requirements. Similarly, stock options granted to employees who will become retirement-eligible prior to the end of the vesting term are expensed over the period through which the employee will become retirement-eligible. Compensation expense for stock options granted to employees who are not retirement-eligible is recognized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. Compensation expense for stock options was $0.1 million in the third quarter of both 2015 and 2014, and $7.3 million and $7.7 million in the first nine months of 2015 and 2014, respectively. As of October 3, 2015, unrecognized compensation expense related to options was $1.4 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.4 years.

Restricted Stock Units – Nucor annually grants restricted stock units (RSUs) to key employees, officers and non-employee directors. The RSUs typically vest and are converted to common stock in three equal installments on each of the first three anniversaries of the grant date. A portion of the RSUs awarded to senior officers vest upon the officer’s retirement. Retirement, for purposes of vesting in these units only, means termination of employment with approval of the Compensation and Executive Development Committee of the Board of Directors after satisfying age and years of service requirements. RSUs granted to non-employee directors are fully vested on the grant date and are payable to the non-employee director in the form of common stock after the termination of the director’s service on the Board of Directors.

RSUs granted to employees who are eligible for retirement on the date of grant are expensed immediately, and RSUs granted to employees who will become retirement-eligible prior to the end of the vesting term are expensed over the period through which the employee will become retirement-eligible since these awards vest upon retirement from the Company. Compensation expense for RSUs granted to employees who are not retirement-eligible is recognized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period.

Cash dividend equivalents are paid to participants each quarter. Dividend equivalents paid on RSUs expected to vest are recognized as a reduction in retained earnings.

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The fair value of an RSU is determined based on the closing stock price of Nucor’s common stock on the date of the grant. A summary of Nucor’s RSU activity for the first nine months of 2015 is as follows (shares in thousands):

	Shares			Grant Date Fair Value
Restricted stock units:
Unvested at beginning of year		1,012		$	45.98
Granted		790		$	47.59
Vested		(750	)	$	44.97
Canceled		(13	)	$	46.32
Unvested at October 3, 2015		1,039		$	47.93
Shares reserved for future grants (stock options and RSUs)		10,355

Compensation expense for RSUs was $5.4 million and $5.3 million in the third quarter of 2015 and 2014, respectively, and $29.8 million and $27.8 million in the first nine months of 2015 and 2014, respectively. As of October 3, 2015, unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested RSUs was $36.2 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.4 years.

Restricted Stock Awards – Nucor’s Senior Officers Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) and Annual Incentive Plan (AIP) authorize the award of shares of common stock to officers subject to certain conditions and restrictions.

The LTIP provides for the award of shares of restricted common stock at the end of each LTIP performance measurement period at no cost to officers if certain financial performance goals are met during the period. One-third of the LTIP restricted stock award vests upon each of the first three anniversaries of the award date or, if earlier, upon the officer’s attainment of age 55 while employed by Nucor. Although participants are entitled to cash dividends and may vote such awarded shares, the sale or transfer of such shares is limited during the restricted period.

The AIP provides for the payment of annual cash incentive awards. An AIP participant may elect, however, to defer payment of up to one-half of an annual incentive award. In such event, the deferred AIP award is converted into common stock units and credited with a deferral incentive, in the form of additional common stock units, equal to 25% of the number of common stock units attributable to the deferred AIP award. Common stock units attributable to deferred AIP awards are fully vested. Common stock units credited as a deferral incentive vest upon the AIP participant’s attainment of age 55 while employed by Nucor. Vested common stock units are paid to AIP participants in the form of shares of common stock following their termination of employment with Nucor.

A summary of Nucor’s restricted stock activity under the AIP and the LTIP for the first nine months of 2015 is as follows (shares in thousands):

	Shares			Grant Date Fair Value
Restricted stock awards and units:
Unvested at beginning of year		65		$	48.20
Granted		136		$	47.07
Vested		(134	)	$	47.11
Canceled		—			—
Unvested at October 3, 2015		67		$	48.08
Shares reserved for future grants		975

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Compensation expense for common stock and common stock units awarded under the AIP and LTIP is recorded over the performance measurement and vesting periods based on the anticipated number and market value of shares of common stock and common stock units to be awarded. Compensation expense for anticipated awards based upon Nucor’s financial performance, exclusive of amounts payable in cash, was $1.8 million in the third quarter of 2014 (none in the third quarter of 2015), and $2.3 million and $4.9 million in the first nine months of 2015 and 2014, respectively. As of October 3, 2015, unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested restricted stock awards was $1.0 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.7 years.

12. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN: Nucor makes contributions to a Profit Sharing and Retirement Savings Plan for qualified employees based on the profitability of the Company. Nucor’s expense for these benefits totaled $31.4 million and $37.3 million in the third quarter of 2015 and 2014, respectively, and was $63.7 million and $77.5 million in the first nine months of 2015 and 2014, respectively. The related liability for these benefits is included in salaries, wages and related accruals.

13. INTEREST EXPENSE (INCOME): The components of net interest expense are as follows (in thousands):

	Three Months (13 Weeks) Ended						Nine Months (39 Weeks) Ended
	Oct. 3, 2015			Oct. 4, 2014			Oct. 3, 2015			Oct. 4, 2014
Interest expense	$	46,406		$	46,624		$	134,624		$	134,395
Interest income		(1,065	)		(1,275	)		(2,680	)		(3,914	)
Interest expense, net	$	45,341		$	45,349		$	131,944		$	130,481

14. INCOME TAXES: The effective tax rate for the third quarter of 2015 was 24.4% compared to 32.1% for the third quarter of 2014. The decrease in the effective tax rate for the third quarter of 2015 as compared to the third quarter of 2014 is primarily due to a $10.2 million favorable non-cash out-of-period adjustment to deferred tax balances during the third quarter of 2015, which is not material to the current or any prior periods. The decrease in effective tax rate is also due to the change in relative proportions of net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests to total pre-tax earnings between the periods and the adjustment of tax expense to previously filed returns.

Nucor has substantially concluded U.S. federal income tax matters for years through 2012. The 2013 and 2014 tax years remain open to examination by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”). The Canada Revenue Agency is examining the 2012 Canadian returns for Harris Steel Group Inc. and certain related affiliates. The tax years 2009 through 2014 remain open to examination by other major taxing jurisdictions to which Nucor is subject (primarily Canada and other state and local jurisdictions).

Current deferred tax assets included in other current assets were $256.6 million at October 3, 2015 ($253.4 million at December 31, 2014). Current deferred tax liabilities included in accrued expenses and other current liabilities were $8.3 million at October 3, 2015 ($13.1 million at December 31, 2014). Non-current deferred tax liabilities included in deferred credits and other liabilities were $729.8 million at October 3, 2015 ($779.3 million at December 31, 2014).

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15. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY: The following tables reflect the changes in stockholders’ equity attributable to both Nucor and the noncontrolling interests of Nucor’s joint ventures, primarily Nucor-Yamato Steel Company, of which Nucor owns 51% (in thousands):

	Attributable to Nucor Corporation			Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests			Total
Stockholders’ equity at December 31, 2014	$	7,772,470		$	302,648		$	8,075,118
Total comprehensive income		263,478			91,691			355,169
Stock options		7,707			—			7,707
Issuance of stock under award plans, net of forfeitures		24,572			—			24,572
Amortization of unearned compensation		600			—			600
Dividends declared		(359,740	)		—			(359,740	)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests		—			(56,085	)		(56,085	)
Stockholders’ equity at October 3, 2015	$	7,709,087		$	338,254		$	8,047,341

	Attributable to Nucor Corporation			Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests			Total
Stockholders’ equity at December 31, 2013	$	7,645,769		$	264,509		$	7,910,278
Total comprehensive income		409,098			67,313			476,411
Stock options		12,132			—			12,132
Issuance of stock under award plans, net of forfeitures		24,242			—			24,242
Amortization of unearned compensation		500			—			500
Dividends declared		(356,459	)		—			(356,459	)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests		—			(51,401	)		(51,401	)
Stockholders’ equity at October 4, 2014	$	7,735,282		$	280,421		$	8,015,703

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16. ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME: The following tables reflect the changes in accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income by component (in thousands):

	Three Month (13 Week) Period Ended October 3, 2015
	Gains and Losses on Hedging Derivatives			Foreign Currency Gain (Loss)			Adjustment to Early Retiree Medical Plan		Total
July 4, 2015	$	(9,400	)	$	(238,568	)	$	11,260	$	(236,708	)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications		(3,985	)		(62,903	)		—		(66,888	)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into earnings (1)		1,685			—			—		1,685
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)		(2,300	)		(62,903	)		—		(65,203	)
October 3, 2015	$	(11,700	)	$	(301,471	)	$	11,260	$	(301,911	)

	Nine Month (39 Week) Period Ended October 3, 2015
	Gains and Losses on Hedging Derivatives			Foreign Currency Gain (Loss)			Adjustment to Early Retiree Medical Plan		Total
December 31, 2014	$	(8,000	)	$	(148,968	)	$	11,260	$	(145,708	)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications		(6,717	)		(155,203	)		—		(161,920	)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into earnings (1)		3,017			2,700			—		5,717
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)		(3,700	)		(152,503	)		—		(156,203	)
October 3, 2015	$	(11,700	)	$	(301,471	)	$	11,260	$	(301,911	)

⁽¹⁾  Includes $1,685 and $3,017 of accumulated other comprehensive income reclassifications into cost of products sold for net losses on commodity contracts in the third quarter and first nine months of 2015, respectively. The tax impacts of those reclassifications were $1,000 and $1,800, respectively. Also includes $2,700 of accumulated other comprehensive income reclassifications into marketing, administrative, and other expenses for net losses on translation in the first nine months of 2015 (none in the third quarter of 2015). The tax impact of the reclassification was $1,500 in the first nine months of 2015.

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	Three Month (13 Week) Period Ended October 4, 2014
	Gains and Losses on Hedging Derivatives			Foreign Currency Gain (Loss)			Adjustment to Early Retiree Medical Plan		Total
July 5, 2014	$	(1,400	)	$	(19,070	)	$	16,518	$	(3,952	)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications		103			(81,689	)		—		(81,586	)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income into earnings (2)		197			—			—		197
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)		300			(81,689	)		—		(81,389	)
October 4, 2014	$	(1,100	)	$	(100,759	)	$	16,518	$	(85,341	)

	Nine Month (39 Week) Period Ended October 4, 2014
	Gains and Losses on Hedging Derivatives			Foreign Currency Gain (Loss)			Adjustment to Early Retiree Medical Plan		Total
December 31, 2013	$	—		$	(7,438	)	$	16,518	$	9,080
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications		(1,530	)		(93,321	)		—		(94,851	)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into earnings (2)		430			—			—		430
Net current-period other comprehensive (loss) income		(1,100	)		(93,321	)		—		(94,421	)
October 4, 2014	$	(1,100	)	$	(100,759	)	$	16,518	$	(85,341	)

⁽²⁾  Includes $197 and $430 of accumulated other comprehensive income reclassifications into cost of products sold for net losses on commodity contracts in the third quarter and first nine months of 2014, respectively. The tax impacts of those reclassifications were $100 and $200, respectively.

17. SEGMENTS: Nucor reports its results in the following segments: steel mills, steel products and raw materials. The steel mills segment includes carbon and alloy steel in sheet, bars, structural and plate; steel foundation distributors; steel trading businesses; rebar distribution businesses; and Nucor’s equity method investments in Duferdofin Nucor and NuMit. The steel products segment includes steel joists and joist girders, steel deck, fabricated concrete reinforcing steel, cold finished steel, steel fasteners, metal building systems, steel grating and expanded metal, and wire and wire mesh. The

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raw materials segment includes DJJ, primarily a scrap broker and processor; Nu-Iron Unlimited and Nucor Steel Louisiana, two facilities that produce DRI used by the steel mills; our natural gas working interests; and Nucor’s equity method investment in Hunter Ridge. The steel mills, steel products and raw materials segments are consistent with the way Nucor manages its business, which is primarily based upon the similarity of the types of products produced and sold by each segment. During the first six months of 2015, the Company performed certain internal reorganization activities. In connection with this process, the financial information utilized by the Chief Operating Decision Maker when assessing segment performance and making resource allocations was adjusted in a way that affected how certain assets are grouped. This resulted in certain assets being reclassified between the steel mills segment, steel products segment, raw materials segment and corporate/eliminations in order to align with the approach management uses to assess the performance of those segments. The segment data for the comparable periods has also been reclassified in order to conform to the current period presentation. These reclassifications did not have any impact on the consolidated asset balances nor did they impact any segment income statement amounts.

Net interest expense, other income, profit sharing expense, stock-based compensation and changes in the LIFO reserve are shown under Corporate/eliminations. Corporate assets primarily include cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, allowances to eliminate intercompany profit in inventory, deferred income tax assets, federal and state income taxes receivable, the LIFO reserve and investments in and advances to affiliates.

Nucor’s results by segment were as follows (in thousands):

	Three Months (13 Weeks) Ended						Nine Months (39 Weeks) Ended
	October 3, 2015			October 4, 2014			October 3, 2015			October 4, 2014
Net sales to external customers:
Steel mills	$	2,816,441		$	3,898,031		$	8,838,424		$	11,179,935
Steel products		1,081,047			1,142,043			3,018,077			3,052,135
Raw materials		328,026			661,795			1,126,062			1,869,318
	$	4,225,514		$	5,701,869		$	12,982,563		$	16,101,388
Intercompany sales:
Steel mills	$	551,300		$	797,396		$	1,703,554		$	2,248,462
Steel products		26,271			34,215			66,788			82,257
Raw materials		1,689,458			2,492,453			5,210,317			7,463,951
Corporate/eliminations		(2,267,029	)		(3,324,064	)		(6,980,659	)		(9,794,670	)
	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—
Earnings (loss) before income taxes and noncontrolling interests:
Steel mills	$	260,776		$	502,703		$	676,404		$	1,188,638
Steel products		96,167			63,890			199,261			108,222
Raw materials		(43,177	)		(19,321	)		(122,778	)		(20,597	)
Corporate/eliminations		40,505			(143,287	)		(63,349	)		(422,912	)
	$	354,271		$	403,985		$	689,538		$	853,351
	October 3, 2015			Dec. 31, 2014
Segment assets:
Steel mills	$	7,851,349		$	8,528,623
Steel products		2,638,770			2,731,320
Raw materials		3,492,948			3,858,254
Corporate/eliminations		1,286,401			497,730
	$	15,269,468		$	15,615,927

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18. EARNINGS PER SHARE: The computations of basic and diluted net earnings per share are as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):

	Three Months (13 Weeks) Ended						Nine Months (39 Weeks) Ended
	October 3, 2015			October 4, 2014			October 3, 2015			October 4, 2014
Basic net earnings per share:
Basic net earnings	$	227,126		$	245,447		$	419,681		$	503,519
Earnings allocated to participating securities		(737	)		(781	)		(1,498	)		(1,659	)
Net earnings available to common stockholders	$	226,389		$	244,666		$	418,183		$	501,860
Average shares outstanding		320,819			320,023			320,544			319,737
Basic net earnings per share	$	0.71		$	0.76		$	1.30		$	1.57
Diluted net earnings per share:
Diluted net earnings	$	227,126		$	245,447		$	419,681		$	503,519
Earnings allocated to participating securities		(737	)		(781	)		(1,499	)		(1,659	)
Net earnings available to common stockholders	$	226,389		$	244,666		$	418,182		$	501,860
Diluted average shares outstanding:
Basic shares outstanding		320,819			320,023			320,544			319,737
Dilutive effect of stock options and other		81			314			151			288
		320,900			320,337			320,695			320,025
Diluted net earnings per share	$	0.71		$	0.76		$	1.30		$	1.57

The following stock options were excluded from the computation of diluted net earnings per share because their effect would have been anti-dilutive (in thousands, except per share amounts):

	Three Months (13 Weeks) Ended				Nine Months (39 Weeks) Ended
	October 3, 2015		October 4, 2014		October 3, 2015		October 4, 2014
Anti-dilutive stock options:
Weighted average shares		1,641		—		846		—
Weighted average exercise price	$	47.45	$	—	$	48.58	$	—

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Certain statements made in this quarterly report are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. The words “believe,” “expect,” “project,” “will,” “should,” “could” and similar expressions are intended to identify those forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements reflect the Company’s best judgment based on current information, and although we base these statements on circumstances that we believe to be reasonable when made, there can be no assurance that future events will not affect the accuracy of such forward-looking information. As such, the forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, and actual results may vary materially from the projected results and expectations discussed in this report. Factors that might cause the Company’s actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: (1) competitive pressure on sales and pricing, including pressure from imports and substitute materials; (2) U.S. and foreign trade policies affecting steel imports or exports; (3) the sensitivity of the results of our operations to prevailing steel prices and changes in the supply and cost of raw materials, including pig iron, iron ore and scrap steel; (4) availability and cost of electricity and natural gas which could negatively affect our cost of steel production or could result in a delay or cancellation of existing or future drilling within our natural gas working interest drilling programs; (5) critical equipment failures and business interruptions; (6) market demand for steel products, which, in the case of many of our products, is driven by the level of nonresidential construction activity in the U.S.; (7) impairment in the recorded value of inventory, equity investments, fixed assets, goodwill or other long-lived assets; (8) uncertainties surrounding the global economy, including the severe economic downturn in construction markets and excess world capacity for steel production; (9) fluctuations in currency conversion rates; (10) significant changes in laws or government regulations affecting environmental compliance, including legislation and regulations that result in greater regulation of greenhouse gas emissions that could increase our energy costs and our capital expenditures and operating costs or cause one or more of our permits to be revoked or make it more difficult to obtain permit modifications; (11) the cyclical nature of the steel industry; (12) capital investments and their impact on our performance; and (13) our safety performance.

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report, as well as the audited consolidated financial statements, “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” contained in Nucor’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Overview

Nucor and its affiliates manufacture steel and steel products. Nucor also produces direct reduced iron (DRI) for use in its steel mills. Through The David J. Joseph Company and its affiliates (DJJ), the Company also processes ferrous and nonferrous metals and brokers ferrous and nonferrous metals, pig iron, hot briquetted iron (HBI) and DRI. Most of Nucor’s operating facilities and customers are located in North America, but, increasingly, Nucor is doing business outside of North America as well. Nucor’s operations include several international trading and sales companies that buy and sell steel and steel products manufactured by the Company and others. Nucor is North America’s largest recycler, using scrap steel as the primary raw material in producing steel and steel products.

Nucor reports its results in three segments: steel mills, steel products and raw materials. In the steel mills segment, Nucor produces sheet steel (hot-rolled, cold-rolled and galvanized), plate steel, structural steel (wide-flange beams, beam blanks, H-piling and sheet piling) and bar steel (blooms, billets, concrete reinforcing bar, merchant bar and special bar quality). Nucor manufactures steel principally from scrap steel and scrap steel substitutes using electric arc furnaces, continuous casting and automated rolling mills. The steel mills segment also includes Nucor’s equity method investments in Duferdofin Nucor and NuMit, as well as Nucor’s steel trading businesses and rebar distribution businesses. In the steel products segment, Nucor produces steel joists and joist girders, steel deck, fabricated concrete reinforcing steel, cold-finished steel, steel fasteners, metal building systems, steel grating and expanded metal, and wire and wire mesh. In the raw materials segment, Nucor produces DRI; brokers ferrous and nonferrous metals, pig iron, HBI and DRI; supplies ferro-alloys; and processes ferrous and nonferrous scrap metal. The raw materials segment also includes certain equity method investments including our natural gas working interest drilling programs.

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Nucor Steel Louisiana resumed operations late in the first quarter of 2015 following completion of repairs related to the failure of the process gas heater that occurred on November 2, 2014. The ramp-up in production at the Louisiana DRI facility has gone extremely well, with the facility producing DRI at world class quality levels. Nucor Steel Louisiana has produced over 1,000,000 tons of DRI since it resumed operations.

The average utilization rates of all operating facilities in the steel mills, steel products and raw materials segments were approximately 69%, 64% and 59%, respectively, in the first nine months of 2015 compared with 78%, 65% and 66%, respectively, in the first nine months of 2014. The decrease in the average utilization rate for the steel mills segment in the first nine months of 2015 as compared to the first nine months of 2014 is due to the high levels of imports that are flooding the domestic market. These high import levels are having a major impact on the domestic industry and are depressing the capacity utilization rates of U.S. steel producers.

Results of Operations

Net Sales Net sales to external customers by segment for the third quarter and first nine months of 2015 and 2014 were as follows (in thousands):

	Three Months (13 Weeks) Ended							Nine Months (39 Weeks) Ended
	October 3, 2015		October 4, 2014		% Change			October 3, 2015		October 4, 2014		% Change
Steel mills	$	2,816,441	$	3,898,031		-28	%	$	8,838,424	$	11,179,935		-21	%
Steel products		1,081,047		1,142,043		-5	%		3,018,077		3,052,135		-1	%
Raw materials		328,026		661,795		-50	%		1,126,062		1,869,318		-40	%
Net sales	$	4,225,514	$	5,701,869		-26	%	$	12,982,563	$	16,101,388		-19	%

Net sales for the third quarter of 2015 decreased 26% from the third quarter of 2014. Average sales price per ton decreased 15% from $840 in the third quarter of 2014 to $718 in the third quarter of 2015. Total tons shipped to outside customers in the third quarter of 2015 were 5,883,000, a 13% decrease from the third quarter of 2014.

Net sales for the first nine months of 2015 decreased 19% from the first nine months of 2014. Average sales price per ton decreased 11% from $832 in the first nine months of 2014 to $739 in the first nine months of 2015, while total tons shipped to outside customers decreased 9% from the first nine months of 2014.

In the steel mills segment, production and sales tons were as follows (in thousands):

	Three Months (13 Weeks) Ended							Nine Months (39 Weeks) Ended
	October 3, 2015		October 4, 2014		% Change			October 3, 2015		October 4, 2014		% Change
Steel production		4,942		5,412		-9	%		14,896		15,930		-6	%
Outside steel shipments		4,440		4,851		-8	%		13,183		14,097		-6	%
Inside steel shipments		726		890		-18	%		2,218		2,553		-13	%
Total steel shipments		5,166		5,741		-10	%		15,401		16,650		-8	%

Net sales for the steel mills segment decreased 28% from the third quarter of 2014 due to a 21% decrease in the average sales price per ton from $805 to $635, and an 8% decrease in tons shipped to

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outside customers. Our sheet, bar, structural and plate products experienced lower average selling prices in the third quarter of 2015 as compared to the third quarter of 2014, with the most significant decreases at our sheet and plate mills. The 21% decrease in sales for the first nine months of 2015 compared to the first nine months of 2014 in the steel mills segment was attributable to the 6% decrease in tons sold to outside customers and the 16% decrease in average sales price per ton from $792 in the first nine months of 2014 to $669 in the first nine months of 2015.

The lower sales performance at our steel mills segment is primarily due to the exceptionally high level of steel imports that have flooded the domestic market in the third quarter and first nine months of 2015. Imports accounted for an estimated 30% of the finished steel market in the first nine months of 2015, compared with an estimated 27% in the first nine months of 2014. These levels of imports are depressing the capacity utilization rates of U.S. steel producers. The biggest factors driving these exceptionally high levels of imports are the trade-distorting practices of some foreign governments. We are pleased with recently passed legislation that strengthens our trade laws and provides the steel industry with more effective tools to fight back against unfair trade. While these trade law changes alone will not address the serious challenges facing the U.S. steel industry due to systemic steel overcapacity overseas, they do strengthen our position in pursuing trade cases.

Tonnage data for the steel products segment is as follows (in thousands):

	Three Months (13 weeks) Ended							Nine Months (39 weeks) Ended
	October 3, 2015		October 4, 2014		% Change			October 3, 2015		October 4, 2014		% Change
Joist sales		124		128		-3	%		310		317		-2	%
Deck sales		117		113		4	%		291		301		-3	%
Cold finish sales		107		129		-17	%		354		400		-12	%
Fabricated concrete reinforcing steel sales		339		342		-1	%		925		902		3	%

The 5% decrease in the steel products segment’s sales for the third quarter of 2015 from the third quarter of 2014 was due to a 3% decrease in volume and a 3% decrease in average sales price per ton from $1,386 to $1,351. The 1% decrease in the steel products segment’s sales for the first nine months of this year from last year’s first nine months was due to a 2% decrease in volume, partially offset by a 1% increase in average sales price per ton, from $1,369 to $1,376. Conditions in nonresidential construction markets are continuing to gradually improve, but we believe that the growth rate of nonresidential construction in 2015 will be lower than the growth rate experienced in 2014. Volumes in our cold finish businesses decreased due to reduced demand in agricultural and heavy equipment markets.

The sales for the raw materials segment decreased 50% from the third quarter of 2014 and 40% from the first nine months of 2014 primarily due to lower volumes and average selling prices in DJJ’s brokerage and scrap processing operations. The significant decline in sales in 2015 compared to 2014 in DJJ’s brokerage and scrap processing operations was due to worsening market conditions, in which falling prices, oversupply and decreased demand due to lower steel mill operating rates presented significant challenges. In the third quarter of 2015, approximately 87% of outside sales in the raw materials segment were from the brokerage operations of DJJ and approximately 9% of outside sales were from the scrap processing facilities (81% and 13%, respectively, in the third quarter of 2014). In the first nine months of 2015, approximately 88% of outside sales for the raw materials segment were from the brokerage operations of DJJ and approximately 9% of outside sales were from the scrap processing facilities (79% and 13%, respectively, in the first nine months of 2014).

Gross Margins For the third quarter of 2015, Nucor recorded gross margins of $523.8 million (12%), compared with $599.6 million (11%) in the third quarter of 2014. The gross margin was impacted by a 15% decrease in average sales price per ton and a 13% decrease in tons shipped to outside customers, which was partially offset by a 31% decrease in scrap costs in the steel mills segment. The gross margins of $523.8 million (12%) increased from gross margins in the second quarter of 2015 of $386.3 million (9%)

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due in part to the steel mills benefiting from a lower average cost of inventory in the third quarter as compared to the second quarter and improved performance in the steel products segment. The following factors impacted gross margins:

• In the steel mills segment, the average scrap and scrap substitute cost per ton used decreased 31% from $379 in the third quarter of 2014 to $262 in the third quarter of 2015. Metal margin per ton and total metal margins decreased from the third quarter of 2014 due to the decrease in average selling prices and volumes. Metal margin is the difference between the selling price of steel and the cost of scrap and scrap substitutes.

Scrap prices are driven by the global supply and demand for scrap and other iron based raw materials used to make steel. Scrap prices declined during the third quarter of 2015. As we begin the fourth quarter, we expect to see continued downward pressure on scrap prices.

• Nucor’s gross margins can be significantly impacted by the application of the LIFO method of accounting. LIFO charges or credits for interim periods are based on management’s current estimates of both inventory costs and quantities at year-end. The actual amounts will likely differ from these estimated amounts, and such differences may be significant. Annual charges or credits are largely based on the relative changes in cost and quantities year-over-year, primarily within raw material inventory in the steel mills segment. Gross margin was impacted by a LIFO credit of $137.0 million in the third quarter of 2015, compared with a credit of $14.5 million in the third quarter of 2014 and a credit of $95.5 million in the second quarter of 2015. The increase in the LIFO credit in the third quarter of 2015 as compared to the second quarter of 2015 is due primarily to a decrease in the estimated costs of raw material inventory of the steel mills segment on hand at the end of 2015. The decrease in the estimated costs of raw material inventory is based upon decreases in scrap costs in the third quarter and first nine months of 2015 and our expectations of lower costs at the end of the year as compared to the prior year.

• Total steel mill energy costs in the third quarter of 2015 decreased approximately $2 per ton compared with the third quarter of 2014 due primarily to lower natural gas unit costs and slightly lower electricity unit costs. Total steel mill energy costs in the third quarter of 2015 increased approximately $2 per ton compared with the second quarter of 2015 due to decreased steel production volumes and the resulting reduced efficiencies.

• Despite lower volumes, gross margins in the steel products segment in the third quarter of 2015 improved over the third quarter of 2014 due primarily to lower input costs.

• Within the raw materials segment, gross margins have decreased due to significantly reduced gross margins in DJJ’s scrap processing businesses caused by decreased sales volumes and margin compression caused by falling scrap selling prices. Gross margins of our natural gas drilling programs decreased significantly in the third quarter of 2015 as compared to the third quarter of 2014 due to a significant decrease in natural gas prices.

For the first nine months of 2015, Nucor recorded gross margins of $1.20 billion (9%), compared to $1.39 billion (9%) in the first nine months of 2014. The gross margin was impacted by an 11% decrease in average sales price per ton and a 9% decrease in shipments to external customers, partially offset by a 26% decrease in scrap prices in the steel mills segment in the first nine months of 2015 as compared to the first nine months of 2014. Gross margins were impacted by the following factors:

• In the steel mills segment, the average scrap and scrap substitute cost per ton used decreased 26% from $387 in the first nine months of 2014 to $285 in the first nine months of 2015. Metal margin per ton and total metal margins decreased from the first nine months of 2014 due to the decrease in average selling prices and volumes.

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• Gross margins benefited from a $249.0 million LIFO credit in the first nine months of 2015 as compared to no LIFO credit or charge in the first nine months of 2014.

• Energy costs for the first nine months of 2015 decreased $3 per ton from the first nine months of 2014 due to lower natural gas unit costs.

• Gross margins in the steel products segment increased in the first nine months of 2015 over the first nine months of 2014 for the reasons described above.

• Within the raw materials segment, gross margins related to DJJ’s scrap processing operations and gross margins related to our natural gas drilling programs decreased significantly in the first nine months of 2015 compared to the first nine months of 2014 due to the reasons described above.

Marketing, Administrative and Other Expenses A major component of marketing, administrative and other expenses is profit sharing and other incentive compensation costs. These costs, which are based upon and fluctuate with Nucor’s financial performance, decreased $10.0 million in the third quarter of 2015 compared to the third quarter of 2014, and decreased $22.4 million in the first nine months of 2015 compared to the first nine months of 2014, due to the decreased profitability of the Company. Profit sharing and other incentive compensation costs decreased $3.9 million in the third quarter of 2015 compared to the second quarter of 2015 due to the annual restricted stock unit grant and the stock option grant that occurred in the second quarter of 2015, which was partially offset by increased profitability of the Company in the third quarter of 2015 compared to the second quarter of 2015.

Included in marketing, administrative and other expenses in the third quarter and first nine months of 2014 are charges of $12.5 million and $21.5 million, respectively, related to the partial write-down of assets within the steel mills segment (none in the third quarter or first nine months of 2015).

In the third quarter of 2015, Nucor completed its assessment of the two remaining iron ore storage domes at Nucor Steel Louisiana. The assessment began after the collapse of one of the original three storage domes that occurred in the third quarter of 2013. As a result of the assessment, Nucor wrote-off the carrying value of the two remaining storage domes and the assets associated with them of $19.4 million, partially offset by a $11.7 million insurance receivable that was based on management’s best estimate of probable insurance recoveries. The net $7.7 million charge is included in marketing, administrative and other expenses in the condensed consolidated statement of earnings in the third quarter and first nine months of 2015.

Equity in Earnings of Unconsolidated Affiliates Equity method investment earnings, including amortization expense and other purchase accounting adjustments, were $0.1 million and $2.4 million in the third quarter of 2015 and 2014, respectively, and $0.6 million and $10.0 million in the first nine months of 2015 and 2014, respectively. The decrease in the equity method investment earnings is primarily due to decreased earnings at NuMit and Hunter Ridge during both the third quarter and the first nine months of 2015 compared with the respective prior year periods.

In the fourth quarter of 2014, Nucor assessed its equity investment in Duferdofin Nucor for impairment due to the protracted challenging steel market conditions in Europe. After completing its assessment, the Company determined that the estimated fair value exceeded its carrying amount and that there was no need for impairment. Steel market conditions in Europe have continued to be challenging through the third quarter of 2015, and, therefore, it is reasonably possible that material deviation of future performance from the estimates used in our most recent valuation could result in impairment of our investment in Duferdofin Nucor. We will continue to monitor for potential triggering events that could affect the carrying value of our investment in Duferdofin Nucor as a result of future market conditions and any changes in business strategy.

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Interest Expense (Income) Net interest expense for the third quarter and first nine months of 2015 and 2014 was as follows (in thousands):

	Three Months (13 Weeks) Ended						Nine Months (39 Weeks) Ended
	Oct. 3, 2015			Oct. 4, 2014			Oct. 3, 2015			Oct. 4, 2014
Interest expense	$	46,406		$	46,624		$	134,624		$	134,395
Interest income		(1,065	)		(1,275	)		(2,680	)		(3,914	)
Interest expense, net	$	45,341		$	45,349		$	131,944		$	130,481

Net interest expense for the third quarter and first nine months of 2015 was comparable to the respective prior year periods due to similar levels of average debt outstanding and the average interest rate on debt in the third quarter and first nine months of 2015 and 2014.

Earnings Before Income Taxes and Noncontrolling Interests Earnings before income taxes and noncontrolling interests by segment for the third quarter and first nine months of 2015 and 2014 were as follows (in thousands):

	Three Months (13 Weeks) Ended						Nine Months (39 Weeks) Ended
	October 3, 2015			October 4, 2014			October 3, 2015			October 4, 2014
Steel mills	$	260,776		$	502,703		$	676,404		$	1,188,638
Steel products		96,167			63,890			199,261			108,222
Raw materials		(43,177	)		(19,321	)		(122,778	)		(20,597	)
Corporate/eliminations		40,505			(143,287	)		(63,349	)		(422,912	)
	$	354,271		$	403,985		$	689,538		$	853,351

Earnings before income taxes and noncontrolling interests in the steel mills segment for the third quarter and first nine months of 2015 decreased from the third quarter and first nine months of 2014 due to lower sales volume, lower average sales prices and lower metal margins resulting from factors discussed above. The biggest challenge the steel mills segment faced in the third quarter and first nine months of 2015 was the exceptionally high levels of imports that have flooded the domestic market. Energy, heavy equipment and agricultural markets remain weak. The automotive market remains strong, while nonresidential construction markets are continuing to gradually improve.

In the steel products segment, earnings before income taxes and noncontrolling interests increased significantly from the third quarter and first nine months of 2014. The steel products segment continued to capitalize on the gradual improvement in nonresidential construction markets, while profitability improved due to lower input costs. Our joist, deck, rebar and building systems operations experienced increased profitability in the third quarter and first nine months of 2015 compared with the respective periods in the prior year. Our combined joist and deck operations and our building systems operations achieved record profitability in the third quarter of 2015. While conditions in nonresidential construction markets continue to gradually improve, we believe the growth rate will be lower for 2015 than the growth rate experienced in 2014.

The raw materials segment experienced significantly larger losses in the third quarter and first nine months of 2015 compared to the respective prior year periods due to overall decreased performance at DJJ, our DRI facility in Trinidad and our natural gas drilling interest programs. Our DRI facility in Trinidad experienced lower profitability in the first nine months of 2015 compared to the prior year period due in part to a planned 20-day outage that occurred in the second quarter of 2015. The performance of our natural gas drilling programs decreased significantly in the third quarter and first nine months of 2015 as compared to the respective prior year periods due to a significant decrease in natural gas prices. The performance of DJJ’s scrap processing and brokerage operations decreased in the third quarter and first nine months of 2015 compared to the prior year periods due to lower volumes and average selling prices caused by challenging market conditions.

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Nucor Steel Louisiana had an operating loss of approximately $92 million in the first nine months of 2015 compared with an operating loss of approximately $100 million in the first nine months of 2014. The Louisiana DRI facility was not operational for almost the entire first quarter of 2015 as repairs continued related to the process gas heater, which experienced a failure in November 2014. Due to this suspension of operations, the operating loss was approximately $44 million in the first quarter of 2015. Nucor Steel Louisiana resumed operations late in the first quarter of 2015 following the completion of repairs related to the process gas heater. The facility had an operating loss of approximately $20 million in the second quarter of 2015, which included a $10.0 million payment received related to warranty claims associated with the repair of the process gas heater. The second quarter of 2015 was negatively impacted by working through higher cost iron ore that was purchased at the end of 2014 but was unable to be used until the facility resumed operations after completion of repairs to the process gas heater. The facility had an operating loss of approximately $28 million in the third quarter of 2015, which included the $7.7 million net charge related to the write-off of the two remaining storage domes at the facility. The third quarter of 2015 performance of the facility was negatively impacted by working through the remaining higher cost iron ore that was purchased at the end of 2014. This compares with an operating loss of approximately $45 million at the facility in the third quarter of 2014, which had production outages in July and September of 2014. Outside of the factors described above, the improvement in performance at Nucor Steel Louisiana in the third quarter and first nine months of 2015 as compared to the respective prior year periods is due to significant improvements in yield, facility uptime and conversion costs.

Noncontrolling Interests Noncontrolling interests represent the income attributable to the noncontrolling partners of Nucor’s joint ventures, primarily Nucor-Yamato Steel Company (NYS), of which Nucor owns 51%. The increase in earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests in the third quarter of 2015 as compared to the third quarter of 2014 was primarily attributable to lower raw material costs and a favorable product mix. The increase in earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests in the first nine months of 2015 from the first nine months of 2014 is mainly the result of lower raw material costs and a planned three week outage associated with a capital project that occurred in the second quarter of 2014.

Provision for Income Taxes The effective tax rate was 24.4% in the third quarter of 2015 compared with 32.1% in the third quarter of 2014. The expected rate for the full year of 2015 will be approximately 26.9% compared with 32.3% for the full year of 2014. The decrease in the effective tax rate for the third quarter of 2015 as compared to the third quarter of 2014 is primarily due to a $10.2 million favorable non-cash out-of-period adjustment to deferred tax balances during the third quarter of 2015, which is not material to the current or any prior periods. The decrease in effective tax rate is also due to the change in relative proportions of net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests to total pre-tax earnings between the periods and the adjustment of tax expense to previously filed returns.

We estimate that in the next twelve months our gross uncertain tax positions which totaled $54.0 million at October 3, 2015, exclusive of interest, could decrease by as much as $14.8 million as a result of the expiration of the statute of limitations and closures of examinations, substantially all of which would impact the effective tax rate.

Nucor has substantially concluded U.S. federal income tax matters for years through 2012. The 2013 and 2014 tax years remain open to examination by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The Canada Revenue Agency is examining the 2012 Canadian returns for Harris Steel Group Inc. and certain related affiliates. The tax years 2009 through 2014 remain open to examination by other major taxing jurisdictions to which Nucor is subject (primarily Canada and other state and local jurisdictions).

Net Earnings Attributable to Nucor Stockholders and Return on Equity Nucor reported consolidated net earnings of $227.1 million, or $0.71 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2015 compared with consolidated net earnings of $245.4 million, or $0.76 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2014. Net earnings attributable to Nucor stockholders as a percentage of net sales were 5% in the third quarter of 2015 and 4% in the third quarter of 2014.

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Nucor reported consolidated net earnings of $419.7 million, or $1.30 per diluted share, in the first nine months of 2015, compared to consolidated net earnings of $503.5 million, or $1.57 per diluted share, in the first nine months of 2014. Net earnings attributable to Nucor stockholders as a percentage of net sales were 3% in the first nine months of 2015 and 2014. Annualized return on average stockholders’ equity was approximately 7% and 9% in the first nine months of 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Outlook Earnings in the fourth quarter of 2015 are expected to decrease compared to the third quarter of 2015 due to continued deterioration in global steel markets. A slowing economy in China is causing further global overcapacity and resulting in significant levels of steel imports into the U.S. market. The performance of our downstream products segment is expected to decrease due to end of year seasonality that is typical in the fourth quarter. We expect slightly lower performance in the raw materials segment due to the general impact of lower scrap and metallic commodity prices. We are encouraged by the ongoing strength in the automotive market and the continued gradual improvement in the nonresidential construction market, the largest end market for Nucor products.

Nucor’s largest exposure to market risk is via our steel mills and steel products segments. Our largest single customer in the first nine months of 2015 represented approximately 5% of sales and consistently pays within terms. In the raw materials segment, we are exposed to price fluctuations related to the purchase of scrap steel, iron ore and natural gas. Our exposure to market risk is mitigated by the fact that our steel mills use a significant portion of the products of this segment.

Liquidity and capital resources

Cash provided by operating activities was $1.76 billion in the first nine months of 2015, an increase of 90% compared with cash provided by operating activities of $925.6 million in the first nine months of 2014. The primary reason for the change is increased cash generated from changes in operating assets and liabilities of $712.8 million in the first nine months of 2015 compared with cash used by changes in operating assets and liabilities of ($205.7) million in the first nine months of 2014. The funding of working capital decreased from the prior year period due mainly to decreases in accounts receivable and inventories, partially offset by an increase in cash used to fund accounts payable; salaries, wages and related accruals; and other operating activities. Accounts receivable decreased due to a 13% decrease in average sales price per ton and a 3% decrease in outside shipments in the third quarter of 2015 from the fourth quarter of 2014. Inventories decreased due to the 28% decrease in scrap cost per ton in inventory from year-end 2014 to the end of the third quarter of 2015. There was an increase in cash used to fund accounts payable during the first nine months of 2015 compared with the same period in the prior year due to the timing of payments. The increase in cash used by changes in salaries, wages and related accruals is primarily attributable to the payout of accrued profit sharing and other incentive compensation costs in the first quarter of 2015. This payout was based upon Nucor’s financial performance in 2014, which had improved significantly over the prior year period.

The current ratio was 3.5 at the end of the third quarter of 2015 and 3.1 at year-end 2014. Accounts receivable and inventories decreased 17% and 14%, respectively, since year-end, while quarterly net sales decreased 16% from the fourth quarter of 2014. Accounts receivable and inventories decreased due to the reasons cited in the preceding paragraph. In the third quarter of 2015, total accounts receivable turned approximately every six weeks and inventories turned approximately every eight weeks. These ratios compare with accounts receivable turnover every five weeks and inventory turnover every seven weeks in the third quarter of 2014. The turnover calculation was negatively impacted by year-end 2014 accounts receivable and inventory balances which were significantly higher than those balances at the end of the third quarter 2015 due to the rapid decrease in steel selling prices and raw material costs and due to decreased utilization in the first nine months of 2015. The current ratio was also negatively impacted by a 22% decrease in other current assets since year-end, which was primarily attributable to a decrease in federal income taxes receivable. The current ratio was positively impacted by an 85% increase in cash and cash equivalents from reduced working capital needs, a 74% decrease in short-term debt from year-end 2014 to the end of the third quarter of the current year, and a 9% decrease in accounts payable. The decrease in short-term debt is primarily due to the repayment of approximately

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$151 million of commercial paper outstanding at year-end 2014 which was used to partially fund the acquisition of Gallatin Steel Company in the fourth quarter of last year. The majority of the change in accounts payable was at the steel mills and was due to the decrease in scrap prices from year-end.

Cash used in investing activities during the first nine months of 2015 decreased $419.9 million from the prior year period. The largest factor contributing to the decrease in cash used in investing activities was the net decrease of $274.2 million in capital expenditures, which was due to the reduced spending with our natural gas working interest drilling programs, reduced spending at our Louisiana DRI facility and reduced spending at our steel mills following significant capital expansion projects that were completed in 2014. The change in cash used in investing activities was also positively benefited by an increase in proceeds from the sale of investments over the prior year period, lower current year net investments and advances to affiliates, and the prior year funding of several small acquisitions.

Cash used in financing activities increased by $190.9 million in the first nine months of 2015 compared with the prior year period. The majority of this change related to the net change in short-term debt. The primary driver of the change was the first quarter 2015 repayment of approximately $151 million of commercial paper that was outstanding at year-end 2014.

Nucor’s conservative financial practices have served us well in the past and are serving us well today. Our cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments position remained strong at $2.00 billion as of October 3, 2015. Our $1.5 billion revolving credit facility is undrawn and does not expire until August 2018. Our next significant debt maturity is not until December 2017. We believe our financial strength is a key strategic advantage among domestic steel producers, particularly during recessionary business cycles. We carry the highest credit ratings of any steel producer in North America, with an A- rating from Standard and Poor’s and a Baa1 rating from Moody’s. Based upon these factors, we expect to continue to have adequate access to the capital markets at a reasonable cost of funds for liquidity purposes when needed. This was evidenced when, during the fourth quarter of 2014, we issued approximately $300 million of commercial paper to partially fund the acquisition of Gallatin Steel Company. Due to our strong cash flow, we were able to retire the remaining outstanding commercial paper in the first quarter of 2015. Our credit ratings are dependent, however, upon a number of factors, both qualitative and quantitative, and are subject to change at any time. The disclosure of our credit ratings is made in order to enhance investors’ understanding of our sources of liquidity and the impact of our credit ratings on our cost of funds.

Our credit facility includes only one financial covenant, which is a limit of 60% on the ratio of funded debt to total capitalization. In addition, the credit facility contains customary non-financial covenants, including a limit on Nucor’s ability to pledge the Company’s assets and a limit on consolidations, mergers and sales of assets. As of October 3, 2015, our funded debt to total capital ratio was 35%, and we were in compliance with all other non-financial covenants under our credit facility. No borrowings were outstanding under the credit facility as of October 3, 2015.

In challenging market conditions such as we are experiencing today, our financial strength allows a number of capital preservation options. Nucor’s robust capital investment and maintenance practices give us the flexibility to reduce spending by prioritizing our capital projects, potentially rescheduling certain projects, and selectively allocating capital to investments with the greatest impact on our long-term earnings power. Capital expenditures for 2015 are projected to be approximately $400 million compared to $568.9 million in 2014. The decrease in projected 2015 capital expenditures is due to a number of capital expansion projects within the steel mills segment being completed in 2014, such as the Berkeley County, South Carolina mill’s $100 million capital project to produce wider and thinner high-strength steel (wide-light steel) and the NYS $115 million capital project to expand its offering of wider sheet piling sections. Also, projected 2015 capital expenditures are decreased because of the suspension of drilling new natural gas wells in 2015 due to the expectation that natural gas prices will continue to be weak in 2016.

31

In September 2015, Nucor’s board of directors declared a quarterly cash dividend on Nucor’s common stock of $0.3725 per share payable on November 10, 2015 to stockholders of record on September 30, 2015. This dividend is Nucor’s 170th consecutive quarterly cash dividend.

Also in September 2015, Nucor announced that its board of directors authorized the repurchase of up to $900 million of the Company’s common stock. Share repurchases will be made from time to time in the open market at prevailing market prices, through private transactions or block trades. The timing and amount of repurchases will depend on market conditions, share price, applicable legal requirements and other factors. The board of directors also terminated any previously authorized repurchase programs. No share repurchases have been made since the announcement.

Funds provided from operations, cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments and new borrowings under our existing credit facilities are expected to be adequate to meet future capital expenditure and working capital requirements for existing operations for at least the next 24 months.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

In the ordinary course of business, Nucor is exposed to a variety of market risks. We continually monitor these risks and develop appropriate strategies to manage them.

Interest Rate Risk – Nucor manages interest rate risk by using a combination of variable-rate and fixed-rate debt. Nucor also occasionally makes use of interest rate swaps to manage net exposure to interest rate changes. Management does not believe that Nucor’s exposure to interest rate market risk has significantly changed since December 31, 2014. There were no interest rate swaps outstanding at October 3, 2015.

Commodity Price Risk – In the ordinary course of business, Nucor is exposed to market risk for price fluctuations of raw materials and energy, principally scrap steel, other ferrous and nonferrous metals, alloys and natural gas. We attempt to negotiate the best prices for our raw materials and energy requirements and to obtain prices for our steel products that match market price movements in response to supply and demand. In periods of strong or stable demand for our products, we are more likely to be able to effectively reduce the normal time lag in passing through higher raw material costs so that we can maintain our gross margins. When demand for our products is weaker, this becomes more challenging.

Natural gas produced by Nucor’s working interest drilling programs is being sold to third parties to offset our exposure to changes in the price of natural gas consumed by our Louisiana DRI facility. In addition to the natural gas needs at the Louisiana DRI facility, Nucor is also a substantial consumer of natural gas at our steel mill operations. Natural gas produced through the working interest drilling programs is expected to be sufficient in the future to cover Nucor’s demand at all of its steel mills in the United States plus the demand of two DRI plants or, alternatively, at three DRI plants. However, the natural gas production from the working interest drilling programs currently does not completely cover the natural gas usage at our operating facilities due to the temporary suspension of drilling discussed below. For the nine months ended October 3, 2015, the volume of natural gas sold from our natural gas working interest drilling programs was approximately 42% of the volume of natural gas purchased for consumption in our domestic steelmaking and DRI facilities.

Our natural gas working interest drilling programs are affected by changes in natural gas prices in an inverse manner to natural gas costs at our DRI and steel mill operations. As natural gas prices increase, our increased energy costs at our DRI and steel mill operations are somewhat mitigated by increased profit from sales of natural gas to third party customers from our natural gas drilling programs. Likewise, as natural gas prices decrease, we experience decreased energy costs at our DRI and steel mill operations, but we also experience decreased profit from our natural gas drilling programs.

The impact of low natural gas prices associated with our drilling programs is limited by the existence of a drilling suspension clause. Nucor is contractually obligated to drill a minimum number of wells per

32

year under the terms of our original agreements with Encana; however, we have the right to suspend drilling of new wells if market pricing falls below a pre-established threshold. In the fourth quarter of 2013, we announced a joint decision with Encana to temporarily suspend drilling new natural gas wells until there is a sustained improvement in natural gas pricing. In the fourth quarter of 2014, Nucor and Encana agreed to further suspend drilling through calendar year 2015, except for a de minimis number of wells that are necessary in order to retain leasehold rights. We believe that this pause demonstrates the flexibility of our partnership with Encana to react to market conditions to the mutual benefit of both parties while still allowing us to better manage our exposure to natural gas pricing volatility at our operating divisions that consume natural gas.

Nucor also periodically uses derivative financial instruments to hedge a portion of our exposure to price risk related to natural gas purchases used in the production process and to hedge a portion of our scrap, aluminum and copper purchases and sales. Gains and losses from derivatives designated as hedges are deferred in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) on the condensed consolidated balance sheets and recognized into earnings in the same period as the underlying physical transaction. At October 3, 2015, accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) included $11.7 million in unrealized net-of-tax losses for the fair value of these derivative instruments. Changes in the fair values of derivatives not designated as hedges are recognized in earnings each period. The following table presents the negative effect on pre-tax earnings of a hypothetical change in the fair value of derivative instruments outstanding at October 3, 2015, due to an assumed 10% and 25% change in the market price of each of the indicated commodities (in thousands):

Commodity Derivative	10% Change		25% Change
Natural gas	$	4,700	$	11,700
Aluminum		1,217		3,042
Copper		86		214

Any resulting changes in fair value would be recorded as adjustments to other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, or recognized in net earnings, as appropriate. These hypothetical losses would be partially offset by the benefit of lower prices paid or higher prices received for the physical commodities.

Foreign Currency Risk – Nucor is exposed to foreign currency risk primarily through its operations in Canada, Europe, and Trinidad. We periodically use derivative contracts to mitigate the risk of currency fluctuations. Open foreign currency derivative contracts at October 3, 2015, were insignificant.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures – As of the end of the period covered by this report, the Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the evaluation date.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting – There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended October 3, 2015, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

33

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

Nucor has been named, along with other major steel producers, as a co-defendant in several related antitrust class-action complaints filed by Standard Iron Works and other steel purchasers in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. The majority of these complaints were filed in September and October of 2008, with two additional complaints being filed in July and December of 2010. Two of these complaints have been voluntarily dismissed and are no longer pending. The plaintiffs allege that from April 1, 2005, through December 31, 2007, eight steel manufacturers, including Nucor, engaged in anticompetitive activities with respect to the production and sale of steel. The plaintiffs seek monetary and other relief on behalf of themselves and a putative class of all purchasers of steel products from the defendants in the U.S. between April 1, 2005, and December 31, 2007. Five of the eight defendants have reached court approved settlements with the plaintiffs. On September 9, 2015, the District Court entered an order ruling on issues of class certification, which granted in part, and denied in part, the plaintiffs’ motion, certifying a class solely on the issue of whether defendants engaged in a conspiracy in violation of the antitrust laws, and declining to certify a class on the issues of antitrust impact and damages. Although we believe the plaintiffs’ claims are without merit and will vigorously defend against them, we cannot at this time predict the outcome of this litigation or estimate the range of Nucor’s potential exposure. Nucor has not recorded any reserves or contingencies related to this legal matter.

On April 19, 2012, MM Steel LP filed an action against Nucor and its co-defendants in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas and has asserted violations of federal antitrust law. On March 25, 2014, the jury returned a verdict of $52.0 million in damages against all defendants jointly and severally, which amount was subject to trebling under the federal antitrust laws. On June 1, 2014, the court awarded a judgment jointly and severally against the defendants totaling $160.8 million after trebling and including costs and attorneys’ fees. As a result of developments since the verdict, including settlements reached by various other parties, the Company believes that its practical estimable exposure has been reduced to approximately $40.0 million. Although the Company has filed an appeal with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, the ultimate resolution of the case is uncertain. Nucor has not recorded any reserves or contingencies related to this matter.

Nucor is from time to time a party to various other lawsuits, claims and legal proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of business. With respect to all such lawsuits, claims and proceedings, we record reserves when it is probable a liability has been incurred and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. We do not believe that any of these proceedings, individually or in the aggregate, would be expected to have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial position or cash flows. Nucor maintains liability insurance for certain risks that is subject to certain self-insurance limits.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

There have been no material changes in Nucor’s risk factors from those included in Nucor’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.

34

Item 6. Exhibits

Exhibit No.	Description of Exhibit
12	Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
31	Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a), as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
31.1	Certification of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a), as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32	Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.1	Certification of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
101	Financial statements from the quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Nucor Corporation for the quarter ended October 3, 2015, filed on November 12, 2015, formatted in XBRL: (i) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings, (ii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, (iii) the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, (iv) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and (v) the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Nucor Corporation has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

NUCOR CORPORATION
By:	/s/ James D. Frias
	James D. Frias
	Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer
	and Executive Vice President

Dated: November 12, 2015

35

NUCOR CORPORATION

List of Exhibits to Form 10-Q – October 3, 2015

Exhibit No.	Description of Exhibit
12	Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
31	Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a), as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
31.1	Certification of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a), as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32	Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.1	Certification of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
101	Financial statements (unaudited) from the quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Nucor Corporation for the quarter ended October 3, 2015, filed on November 12, 2015, formatted in XBRL: (i) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings, (ii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, (iii) the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, (iv) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and (v) the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

36

EX-12

Exhibit 12

Nucor Corporation

2015 Form 10-Q

	Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
	Year-ended December 31,															Nine Months Ended			Nine Months Ended
																October 3,			October 4,
	2010			2011			2012			2013			2014			2015			2014
	(In thousands, except ratios)
Earnings
Earnings before income taxes and noncontrolling interests	$	267,115		$	1,251,812		$	852,940		$	791,123		$	1,204,577		$	689,538		$	853,351
Plus: (earnings)/losses from equity investments		32,082			10,043			13,323			(9,297	)		(13,505	)		(550	)		(10,028	)
Plus: fixed charges (includes interest expense and amortization of bond issuance costs and settled swaps and estimated interest on rent expense)		163,626			183,541			179,169			164,128			178,240			135,565			138,164
Plus: amortization of capitalized interest		2,332			2,724			2,550			3,064			4,166			2,988			3,134
Plus: distributed income of equity investees		4,923			3,883			9,946			8,708			53,738			14,149			11,504
Less: interest capitalized		(940	)		(3,509	)		(4,715	)		(10,913	)		(2,946	)		(91	)		(2,841	)
Less: pre-tax earnings in noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries that have not incurred fixed charges		(73,110	)		(83,591	)		(88,507	)		(97,504	)		(101,844	)		(91,691	)		(67,313	)
Total earnings before fixed charges	$	396,028		$	1,364,903		$	964,706		$	849,309		$	1,322,426		$	749,908		$	925,971
Fixed charges
Interest cost and amortization of bond issuance and settled swaps	$	162,213		$	182,321		$	178,218		$	162,899		$	177,088		$	134,715		$	137,236
Estimated interest on rent expense		1,413			1,220			951			1,229			1,152			850			928
Total fixed charges	$	163,626		$	183,541		$	179,169		$	164,128		$	178,240		$	135,565		$	138,164
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges		2.42			7.44			5.38			5.17			7.42			5.53			6.70

EX-31

Exhibit 31

Certification of Principal Executive Officer

Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a)

(Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002)

I, John J. Ferriola, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Nucor Corporation;

2. Based on my knowledge, this quarterly report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this quarterly report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this quarterly report is being prepared;

(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: November 12, 2015	/s/ John J. Ferriola
	John J. Ferriola
	Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President

EX-31.1

Exhibit 31.1

Certification of Principal Financial Officer

Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a)

(Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002)

I, James D. Frias, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Nucor Corporation;

2. Based on my knowledge, this quarterly report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this quarterly report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this quarterly report is being prepared;

(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: November 12, 2015	/s/ James D. Frias
	James D. Frias
	Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer
	and Executive Vice President

EX-32

Exhibit 32

Certification of Principal Executive Officer

Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350

(Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002)

I, John J. Ferriola, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President (principal executive officer) of Nucor Corporation (the “Registrant”), certify, to my knowledge, based upon a review of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended October 3, 2015 of the Registrant (the “Report”), that:

(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Registrant.

/s/ John J. Ferriola

Name: John J. Ferriola

Date: November 12, 2015

EX-32.1

Exhibit 32.1

Certification of Principal Financial Officer

Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350

(Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002)

I, James D. Frias, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Executive Vice President (principal financial officer) of Nucor Corporation (the “Registrant”), certify, to my knowledge, based upon a review of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended October 3, 2015 of the Registrant (the “Report”), that:

(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Registrant.

/s/ James D. Frias

Name: James D. Frias

Date: November 12, 2015

XML

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Schedule of Intangible Assets (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Oct. 03, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible assets, Gross Amount	$ 1,367,975	$ 1,381,349
Intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	574,929	519,256
Customer Relationships [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible assets, Gross Amount	1,188,474	1,199,942
Intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	501,902	454,353
Trademarks and Trade Names [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible assets, Gross Amount	156,470	158,584
Intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	55,442	48,356
Other [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible assets, Gross Amount	23,031	22,823
Intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	$ 17,585	$ 16,547

XML

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 03, 2015	Oct. 04, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Effective income tax rate	24.40%	32.10%
Non-cash gain related to correction of deferred tax liabilities	$ 10.2
Current deferred tax assets	256.6		$ 253.4
Current deferred tax Liabilities	8.3		13.1
Non-current deferred tax liabilities	$ 729.8		$ 779.3

XML

Stock-Based Compensation - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Oct. 03, 2015 USD ($)	Oct. 04, 2014 USD ($)	Oct. 03, 2015 USD ($) Anniversaries Installment	Oct. 04, 2014 USD ($)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock options exercise prices as percentage of the market value on the date of the grant			100.00%
Compensation expenses for stock options	$ 0.1	$ 0.1	$ 7.3	$ 7.7
Restricted Stock [Member] | LTIP [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Portion of restricted stock award vesting on anniversary			33.30%
Eligible age of officer for LTIP restricted stock award			55 years
Restricted Stock Units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized compensation expense related to stock	36.2		$ 36.2
Weighted-average recognition period for unrecognized compensation expense related to stock (years)			2 years 4 months 24 days
Number of anniversaries of grant date upon which restricted stock units vest | Anniversaries			3
Installments in which restricted stock units vest and are converted to common stock | Installment			3
Compensation expense	5.4	5.3	$ 29.8	27.8
Restricted Stock Units [Member] | AIP [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Amount of annual incentive award payment participant can elect to defer			50.00%
Additional common stock units for election of deferred annual incentive award, percentage			25.00%
Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock options vesting period			3 years
Stock options term, years			10 years
Unrecognized compensation expense related to stock	1.4		$ 1.4
Weighted-average recognition period for unrecognized compensation expense related to stock (years)			2 years 4 months 24 days
Restricted Stock And Restricted Stock Units [Member] | AIP and LTIP [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized compensation expense related to stock	1.0		$ 1.0
Weighted-average recognition period for unrecognized compensation expense related to stock (years)			1 year 8 months 12 days
Compensation expense	$ 0.0	$ 1.8	$ 2.3	$ 4.9

XML

Stockholders' Equity - Additional Information (Detail)	Oct. 03, 2015
Nucor-Yamato Steel Company [Member]
Stockholders' Equity [Line Items]
Noncontrolling interest, ownership percentage by parent	51.00%

XML

Fair Value Measurements - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Oct. 03, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair value of short-term and long-term debt, including current maturities	$ 4,670	$ 4,970

XML

Earnings Per Share (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Oct. 03, 2015

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Computations of Basic and Diluted Net Earnings Per Share

The computations of basic and diluted net earnings per share are as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):

	Three Months (13 Weeks) Ended						Nine Months (39 Weeks) Ended
	October 3, 2015			October 4, 2014			October 3, 2015			October 4, 2014
Basic net earnings per share:
Basic net earnings	$	227,126		$	245,447		$	419,681		$	503,519
Earnings allocated to participating securities		(737	)		(781	)		(1,498	)		(1,659	)
Net earnings available to common stockholders	$	226,389		$	244,666		$	418,183		$	501,860
Average shares outstanding		320,819			320,023			320,544			319,737
Basic net earnings per share	$	0.71		$	0.76		$	1.30		$	1.57
Diluted net earnings per share:
Diluted net earnings	$	227,126		$	245,447		$	419,681		$	503,519
Earnings allocated to participating securities		(737	)		(781	)		(1,499	)		(1,659	)
Net earnings available to common stockholders	$	226,389		$	244,666		$	418,182		$	501,860
Diluted average shares outstanding:
Basic shares outstanding		320,819			320,023			320,544			319,737
Dilutive effect of stock options and other		81			314			151			288
		320,900			320,337			320,695			320,025
Diluted net earnings per share	$	0.71		$	0.76		$	1.30		$	1.57

Anti-Dilutive Stock Options

The following stock options were excluded from the computation of diluted net earnings per share because their effect would have been anti-dilutive (in thousands, except per share amounts):

	Three Months (13 Weeks) Ended				Nine Months (39 Weeks) Ended
	October 3, 2015		October 4, 2014		October 3, 2015		October 4, 2014
Anti-dilutive stock options:
Weighted average shares		1,641		—		846		—
Weighted average exercise price	$	47.45	$	—	$	48.58	$	—

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Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income - Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Oct. 03, 2015	Oct. 04, 2014	Oct. 03, 2015	Oct. 04, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]
Beginning Balance, Gains and Losses on Hedging Derivatives	$ (9,400)	$ (1,400)	$ (8,000)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, Gains and Losses on Hedging Derivatives	(3,985)	103	(6,717)	$ (1,530)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into earnings, Gains and Losses on Hedging Derivatives	1,685	197	3,017	430
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss), Gains and Losses on Hedging Derivatives	(2,300)	300	(3,700)	(1,100)
Ending Balance, Gains and Losses on Hedging Derivatives	(11,700)	(1,100)	(11,700)	(1,100)
Beginning Balance, Foreign Currency Gain (Loss)	(238,568)	(19,070)	(148,968)	(7,438)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, Foreign Currency Gain (Loss)	(62,903)	(81,689)	(155,203)	(93,321)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into earnings, Foreign Currency Gain (Loss)			2,700
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss), Foreign Currency Gain (Loss)	(62,903)	(81,689)	(152,503)	(93,321)
Ending Balance, Foreign Currency Gain (Loss)	(301,471)	(100,759)	(301,471)	(100,759)
Beginning Balance, Adjustment to Early Retiree Medical Plan	11,260	16,518	11,260	16,518
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, Adjustment to Early Retiree Medical Plan	0	0	0	0
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into earnings, Adjustment to Early Retiree Medical Plan	0	0	0	0
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss), Adjustment to Early Retiree Medical Plan	0	0	0	0
Ending Balance, Adjustment to Early Retiree Medical Plan	11,260	16,518	11,260	16,518
Beginning Balance	(236,708)	(3,952)	(145,708)	9,080
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(66,888)	(81,586)	(161,920)	(94,851)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into earnings	1,685	197	5,717	430
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	(65,203)	(81,389)	(156,203)	(94,421)
Ending Balance	$ (301,911)	$ (85,341)	$ (301,911)	$ (85,341)

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Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Oct. 03, 2015

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Change in Net Carrying Amount of Goodwill by Segment

5. GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS: The change in the net carrying amount of goodwill for the nine months ended October 3, 2015, by segment is as follows (in thousands):

	Steel Mills			Steel Products			Raw Materials		Total
Balance at December 31, 2014	$	594,402		$	744,685		$	729,577	$	2,068,664
Translation		—			(41,108	)		—		(41,108	)
Other		(3,768	)		—			—		(3,768	)
Balance at October 3, 2015	$	590,634		$	703,577		$	729,577	$	2,023,788

Schedule of Intangible Assets

Intangible assets with estimated useful lives of 5 to 22 years are amortized on a straight-line or accelerated basis and are comprised of the following (in thousands):

	October 3, 2015				December 31, 2014
	Gross Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Gross Amount		Accumulated Amortization
Customer relationships	$	1,188,474	$	501,902	$	1,199,942	$	454,353
Trademarks and trade names		156,470		55,442		158,584		48,356
Other		23,031		17,585		22,823		16,547
	$	1,367,975	$	574,929	$	1,381,349	$	519,256

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Stock-Based Compensation - Summary of Nucor's Restricted Stock Unit Activity (Detail) shares in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Oct. 03, 2015 $ / shares shares
Restricted Stock Units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unvested at beginning of year, Shares	1,012
Granted, Shares	790
Vested, Shares	(750)
Canceled, Shares	(13)
Unvested at end of period, Shares	1,039
Unvested at beginning of year, Grant Date Fair Value | $ / shares	$ 45.98
Granted, Grant Date Fair Value | $ / shares	47.59
Vested, Grant Date Fair Value | $ / shares	44.97
Canceled, Grant Date Fair Value | $ / shares	46.32
Unvested at end of period, Grant Date Fair Value | $ / shares	$ 47.93
Restricted Stock Units and Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares reserved for future grants	10,355

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Derivatives - Additional Information (Detail) MMBTU in Millions	Oct. 03, 2015 MMBTU
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Notional amount of commodity derivatives	16.1

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Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Schedule of Change in Net Carrying Amount of Goodwill by Segment (Detail) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Oct. 03, 2015 USD ($)
Goodwill [Line Items]
Balance, beginning of period	$ 2,068,664
Translation	(41,108)
Other	(3,768)
Balance, end of period	2,023,788
Steel Mills [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Balance, beginning of period	594,402
Other	(3,768)
Balance, end of period	590,634
Steel Products [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Balance, beginning of period	744,685
Translation	(41,108)
Balance, end of period	703,577
Raw Materials [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Balance, beginning of period	729,577
Balance, end of period	$ 729,577

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Employee Benefit Plan - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Oct. 03, 2015	Oct. 04, 2014	Oct. 03, 2015	Oct. 04, 2014
Employee Benefit Plan [Abstract]
Profit Sharing and Retirement Savings Plan, plan expense	$ 31.4	$ 37.3	$ 63.7	$ 77.5

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Earning Per Share - Anti-Dilutive Stock Options (Detail) - $ / shares shares in Thousands	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Oct. 03, 2015	Oct. 03, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Weighted average shares	1,641	846
Weighted average exercise price	$ 47.45	$ 48.58

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Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Millions			9 Months Ended
	Jun. 01, 2014 USD ($)	Mar. 25, 2014 USD ($)	Oct. 03, 2015 USD ($) Manufacturers_Distributors Complaints Defendant	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Accrual for environmental loss contingencies, gross			$ 21.4	$ 27.2
Accrued environmental loss contingencies, current			10.0	11.3
Accrued environmental loss contingencies, noncurrent			$ 11.4	$ 15.9
Steel manufacturers, number of manufacturers | Manufacturers_Distributors			8
Additional complaints being filed in July and December of 2010 | Complaints			2
Complaints that are dismissed | Complaints			2
Defendants that have reached court approved settlements with the plaintiffs | Defendant			5
Damages against all defendants jointly and severally	$ 160.8	$ 52.0
Practical estimable exposure			$ 40.0

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Inventories

9 Months Ended

Oct. 03, 2015

Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]

Inventories

3. INVENTORIES: Inventories consisted of approximately 42% raw materials and supplies and 58% finished and semi-finished products at October 3, 2015 (40% and 60%, respectively, at December 31, 2014). Nucor’s manufacturing process consists of a continuous, vertically integrated process from which products are sold to customers at various stages throughout the process. Since most steel products can be classified as either finished or semi-finished products, these two categories of inventory are combined.

Inventories valued using the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method of accounting represented approximately 47% of total inventories as of October 3, 2015 (43% as of December 31, 2014). If the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method of accounting had been used, inventories would have been $318.4 million higher at October 3, 2015 ($567.4 million higher at December 31, 2014). Use of the lower of cost or market methodology reduced inventories by $12.5 million at October 3, 2015 ($2.7 million at December 31, 2014).

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Derivatives - Fair Values of Derivative Instruments (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Oct. 03, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Liabilities, Fair Value	$ (18,500)	$ (12,700)
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Assets, Fair Value	277	2,228
Commodity Contracts [Member] | Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Liabilities, Fair Value	(13,800)	(6,400)
Commodity Contracts [Member] | Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Liabilities, Fair Value	(4,700)	(6,300)
Commodity Contracts [Member] | Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Other Current Assets [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Assets, Fair Value	102	1,856
Foreign Exchange Contracts [Member] | Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Other Current Assets [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Assets, Fair Value	$ 175	$ 372

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Interest Expense (Income) (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Oct. 03, 2015

Banking and Thrift, Interest [Abstract]

Schedule of Components of Interest Expense, Net

The components of net interest expense are as follows (in thousands):

	Three Months (13 Weeks) Ended						Nine Months (39 Weeks) Ended
	Oct. 3, 2015			Oct. 4, 2014			Oct. 3, 2015			Oct. 4, 2014
Interest expense	$	46,406		$	46,624		$	134,624		$	134,395
Interest income		(1,065	)		(1,275	)		(2,680	)		(3,914	)
Interest expense, net	$	45,341		$	45,349		$	131,944		$	130,481

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Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Oct. 03, 2015

Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]

Summary of Stock Option Plans Activity

A summary of activity under Nucor’s stock option plans for the first nine months of 2015 is as follows (in thousands, except year and per share amounts):

	Shares			Weighted - Average Exercise Price		Weighted - Average Remaining Contractual Life		Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Number of shares under option:
Outstanding at beginning of year		2,422		$	42.39
Granted		700		$	47.59
Exercised		(10	)	$	42.34			$	66
Canceled		(20	)	$	50.63
Outstanding at October 3, 2015		3,092		$	43.51		7.5 years	$	1,543
Options exercisable at October 3, 2015		1,531		$	39.35		6.1 years	$	1,543

Summary of Nucor's Restricted Stock Unit Activity

A summary of Nucor’s RSU activity for the first nine months of 2015 is as follows (shares in thousands):

	Shares			Grant Date Fair Value
Restricted stock units:
Unvested at beginning of year		1,012		$	45.98
Granted		790		$	47.59
Vested		(750	)	$	44.97
Canceled		(13	)	$	46.32
Unvested at October 3, 2015		1,039		$	47.93
Shares reserved for future grants (stock options and RSUs)		10,355

Summary of Nucor's Restricted Stock Activity under AIP and LTIP

A summary of Nucor’s restricted stock activity under the AIP and the LTIP for the first nine months of 2015 is as follows (shares in thousands):

	Shares			Grant Date Fair Value
Restricted stock awards and units:
Unvested at beginning of year		65		$	48.20
Granted		136		$	47.07
Vested		(134	)	$	47.11
Canceled		—			—
Unvested at October 3, 2015		67		$	48.08
Shares reserved for future grants		975

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Stockholders' Equity - Schedule of Changes in Stockholders' Equity (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Oct. 03, 2015	Oct. 04, 2014	Oct. 03, 2015	Oct. 04, 2014
Stockholders' Equity [Line Items]
Stockholders' equity, beginning of period			$ 8,075,118	$ 7,910,278
Total comprehensive income	$ 202,533	$ 192,812	355,169	476,411
Stock options			7,707	12,132
Issuance of stock under award plans, net of forfeitures			24,572	24,242
Amortization of unearned compensation			600	500
Dividends declared			(359,740)	(356,459)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests			(56,085)	(51,401)
Stockholders' equity, end of period	8,047,341	8,015,703	8,047,341	8,015,703
Attributable to Nucor Corporation [Member]
Stockholders' Equity [Line Items]
Stockholders' equity, beginning of period			7,772,470	7,645,769
Total comprehensive income			263,478	409,098
Stock options			7,707	12,132
Issuance of stock under award plans, net of forfeitures			24,572	24,242
Amortization of unearned compensation			600	500
Dividends declared			(359,740)	(356,459)
Stockholders' equity, end of period	7,709,087	7,735,282	7,709,087	7,735,282
Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests [Member]
Stockholders' Equity [Line Items]
Stockholders' equity, beginning of period			302,648	264,509
Total comprehensive income			91,691	67,313
Distributions to noncontrolling interests			(56,085)	(51,401)
Stockholders' equity, end of period	$ 338,254	$ 280,421	$ 338,254	$ 280,421

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Derivatives - Effect of Derivative Instruments on Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Oct. 03, 2015	Oct. 04, 2014	Oct. 03, 2015	Oct. 04, 2014
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Amount of Gain or (Loss), net of tax, Recognized in OCI on Derivatives (Effective Portion)	$ (3,985)	$ 103	$ (6,717)	$ (1,530)
Amount of Gain or (Loss), net of tax, Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Earnings on Derivatives (Effective Portion)	(1,685)	(197)	(3,017)	(430)
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Earnings on Derivatives	1,260	1,158	3,678	1,548
Cost of Products Sold [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Amount of Gain or (Loss), net of tax, Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Earnings on Derivatives (Effective Portion)	(1,685)	(197)	(3,017)	(430)
Cost of Products Sold [Member] | Commodity Contracts [Member] | Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Earnings on Derivatives	658	844	2,314	1,282
Cost of Products Sold [Member] | Commodity Contracts [Member] | Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Amount of Gain or (Loss), net of tax, Recognized in OCI on Derivatives (Effective Portion)	(3,985)	103	(6,717)	(1,530)
Amount of Gain or (Loss), net of tax, Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Earnings on Derivatives (Effective Portion)	(1,685)	(197)	(3,017)	(430)
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Earnings on Derivatives (Ineffective Portion)	0	0	0	0
Cost of Products Sold [Member] | Foreign Exchange Contracts [Member] | Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Earnings on Derivatives	$ 602	$ 314	$ 1,364	$ 266

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Stockholders' Equity (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Oct. 03, 2015

Equity [Abstract]

Schedule of Changes in Stockholders' Equity

The following tables reflect the changes in stockholders’ equity attributable to both Nucor and the noncontrolling interests of Nucor’s joint ventures, primarily Nucor-Yamato Steel Company, of which Nucor owns 51% (in thousands):

	Attributable to Nucor Corporation			Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests			Total
Stockholders’ equity at December 31, 2014	$	7,772,470		$	302,648		$	8,075,118
Total comprehensive income		263,478			91,691			355,169
Stock options		7,707			—			7,707
Issuance of stock under award plans, net of forfeitures		24,572			—			24,572
Amortization of unearned compensation		600			—			600
Dividends declared		(359,740	)		—			(359,740	)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests		—			(56,085	)		(56,085	)
Stockholders’ equity at October 3, 2015	$	7,709,087		$	338,254		$	8,047,341

	Attributable to Nucor Corporation			Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests			Total
Stockholders’ equity at December 31, 2013	$	7,645,769		$	264,509		$	7,910,278
Total comprehensive income		409,098			67,313			476,411
Stock options		12,132			—			12,132
Issuance of stock under award plans, net of forfeitures		24,242			—			24,242
Amortization of unearned compensation		500			—			500
Dividends declared		(356,459	)		—			(356,459	)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests		—			(51,401	)		(51,401	)
Stockholders’ equity at October 4, 2014	$	7,735,282		$	280,421		$	8,015,703

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Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Oct. 03, 2015

Text Block [Abstract]

Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income

The following tables reflect the changes in accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income by component (in thousands):

	Three Month (13 Week) Period Ended October 3, 2015
	Gains and Losses on Hedging Derivatives			Foreign Currency Gain (Loss)			Adjustment to Early Retiree Medical Plan		Total
July 4, 2015	$	(9,400	)	$	(238,568	)	$	11,260	$	(236,708	)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications		(3,985	)		(62,903	)		—		(66,888	)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into earnings (1)		1,685			—			—		1,685
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)		(2,300	)		(62,903	)		—		(65,203	)
October 3, 2015	$	(11,700	)	$	(301,471	)	$	11,260	$	(301,911	)

	Nine Month (39 Week) Period Ended October 3, 2015
	Gains and Losses on Hedging Derivatives			Foreign Currency Gain (Loss)			Adjustment to Early Retiree Medical Plan		Total
December 31, 2014	$	(8,000	)	$	(148,968	)	$	11,260	$	(145,708	)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications		(6,717	)		(155,203	)		—		(161,920	)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into earnings (1)		3,017			2,700			—		5,717
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)		(3,700	)		(152,503	)		—		(156,203	)
October 3, 2015	$	(11,700	)	$	(301,471	)	$	11,260	$	(301,911	)

⁽¹⁾  Includes $1,685 and $3,017 of accumulated other comprehensive income reclassifications into cost of products sold for net losses on commodity contracts in the third quarter and first nine months of 2015, respectively. The tax impacts of those reclassifications were $1,000 and $1,800, respectively. Also includes $2,700 of accumulated other comprehensive income reclassifications into marketing, administrative, and other expenses for net losses on translation in the first nine months of 2015 (none in the third quarter of 2015). The tax impact of the reclassification was $1,500 in the first nine months of 2015.

	Three Month (13 Week) Period Ended October 4, 2014
	Gains and Losses on Hedging Derivatives			Foreign Currency Gain (Loss)			Adjustment to Early Retiree Medical Plan		Total
July 5, 2014	$	(1,400	)	$	(19,070	)	$	16,518	$	(3,952	)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications		103			(81,689	)		—		(81,586	)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income into earnings (2)		197			—			—		197
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)		300			(81,689	)		—		(81,389	)
October 4, 2014	$	(1,100	)	$	(100,759	)	$	16,518	$	(85,341	)

	Nine Month (39 Week) Period Ended October 4, 2014
	Gains and Losses on Hedging Derivatives			Foreign Currency Gain (Loss)			Adjustment to Early Retiree Medical Plan		Total
December 31, 2013	$	—		$	(7,438	)	$	16,518	$	9,080
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications		(1,530	)		(93,321	)		—		(94,851	)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into earnings (2)		430			—			—		430
Net current-period other comprehensive (loss) income		(1,100	)		(93,321	)		—		(94,421	)
October 4, 2014	$	(1,100	)	$	(100,759	)	$	16,518	$	(85,341	)

⁽²⁾  Includes $197 and $430 of accumulated other comprehensive income reclassifications into cost of products sold for net losses on commodity contracts in the third quarter and first nine months of 2014, respectively. The tax impacts of those reclassifications were $100 and $200, respectively.

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Accounts Receivable

9 Months Ended

Oct. 03, 2015

Receivables [Abstract]

Accounts Receivable

2.

ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE: An allowance for doubtful accounts is maintained for estimated losses resulting from the inability of our customers to make required payments. Accounts receivable are stated net of an allowance for doubtful accounts of $37.6 million at October 3, 2015 ($65.4 million at December 31, 2014).

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Segments (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Oct. 03, 2015

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Segments

Nucor’s results by segment were as follows (in thousands):

	Three Months (13 Weeks) Ended						Nine Months (39 Weeks) Ended
	October 3, 2015			October 4, 2014			October 3, 2015			October 4, 2014
Net sales to external customers:
Steel mills	$	2,816,441		$	3,898,031		$	8,838,424		$	11,179,935
Steel products		1,081,047			1,142,043			3,018,077			3,052,135
Raw materials		328,026			661,795			1,126,062			1,869,318
	$	4,225,514		$	5,701,869		$	12,982,563		$	16,101,388
Intercompany sales:
Steel mills	$	551,300		$	797,396		$	1,703,554		$	2,248,462
Steel products		26,271			34,215			66,788			82,257
Raw materials		1,689,458			2,492,453			5,210,317			7,463,951
Corporate/eliminations		(2,267,029	)		(3,324,064	)		(6,980,659	)		(9,794,670	)
	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—
Earnings (loss) before income taxes and noncontrolling interests:
Steel mills	$	260,776		$	502,703		$	676,404		$	1,188,638
Steel products		96,167			63,890			199,261			108,222
Raw materials		(43,177	)		(19,321	)		(122,778	)		(20,597	)
Corporate/eliminations		40,505			(143,287	)		(63,349	)		(422,912	)
	$	354,271		$	403,985		$	689,538		$	853,351
	October 3, 2015			Dec. 31, 2014
Segment assets:
Steel mills	$	7,851,349		$	8,528,623
Steel products		2,638,770			2,731,320
Raw materials		3,492,948			3,858,254
Corporate/eliminations		1,286,401			497,730
	$	15,269,468		$	15,615,927

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Equity Investments - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Thousands, € in Millions		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Oct. 03, 2015 USD ($)	Oct. 03, 2015 USD ($)	Oct. 04, 2014 USD ($)	Oct. 03, 2015 USD ($) Sheet	Oct. 04, 2014 USD ($)	Oct. 03, 2015 EUR (€)	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 EUR (€)
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity method investment	$ 868,000	$ 868,000		$ 868,000			$ 872,500
Amortization expense due to fair value step-up				55,673	$ 54,127
Hunter Ridge Energy Services LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity method investment	$ 136,600	$ 136,600		$ 136,600			138,600
Period used for lag basis, in months	1 month
Equity method investment, ownership percentage	50.00%	50.00%		50.00%		50.00%
NuMit LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity method investment	$ 307,400	$ 307,400		$ 307,400			301,500
Period used for lag basis, in months				1 month
Equity method investment, ownership percentage	50.00%	50.00%		50.00%		50.00%
Steel Technologies LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity method investment, ownership percentage	100.00%	100.00%		100.00%		100.00%
Number of sheet processing facilities operated by Steel Technologies | Sheet				25
Duferdofin Nucor S.r.l. [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity method investment	$ 386,300	$ 386,300		$ 386,300			412,900
Period used for lag basis, in months				1 month
Equity method investment, ownership percentage	50.00%	50.00%		50.00%		50.00%
Equity method investments, share of net assets	$ 51,700	$ 51,700		$ 51,700
Basis difference due to the step-up to fair value of certain assets and liabilities	334,600	334,600		334,600
Step-up to fair value of equity method investment, portion related to identification of goodwill				270,600
Amortization expense due to fair value step-up		2,200	$ 2,600	6,600	$ 8,000
Due from related parties, noncurrent	39,200	39,200		$ 39,200		€ 35.0	42,500	€ 35.0
Notes receivable, related parties, interest rate				1.14%
Interest rate per year in excess of Euribor as of date of the notes				1.00%
Equity method investments note payable with parent company, maturity date				Jan. 31, 2019
Facility A [Member] | Duferdofin Nucor S.r.l. [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity method investments credit facilities, amount	137,200	137,200		$ 137,200		122.5
Total amount outstanding under equity method investments credit facilities	$ 128,800	$ 128,800		$ 128,800		€ 115.0	129,900	107.0
Line of credit facility, maturity period				Apr. 26, 2016
Guarantor obligation percentage of exposure in case of default	50.00%	50.00%		50.00%		50.00%
Standby Medium Long Term Credit Facility [Member] | Duferdofin Nucor S.r.l. [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity method investments credit facilities, amount	$ 67,200	$ 67,200		$ 67,200		€ 60.0	72,800	60.0
Total amount outstanding under equity method investments credit facilities	$ 67,200	$ 67,200		$ 67,200		€ 60.0	$ 72,800	€ 60.0
Line of credit facility, maturity period				Apr. 22, 2016
Guarantor obligation percentage of exposure in case of default	50.00%	50.00%		50.00%		50.00%
Structured Trade Finance Facilities [Member] | Facility A [Member] | Duferdofin Nucor S.r.l. [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, maturity period				Oct. 12, 2018

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Interest Expense (Income) - Schedule of Components of Net Interest Expense (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Oct. 03, 2015	Oct. 04, 2014	Oct. 03, 2015	Oct. 04, 2014
Interest Revenue (Expense), Net [Abstract]
Interest expense	$ 46,406	$ 46,624	$ 134,624	$ 134,395
Interest income	(1,065)	(1,275)	(2,680)	(3,914)
Interest expense, net	$ 45,341	$ 45,349	$ 131,944	$ 130,481

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Consolidated Statements of Earnings - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Oct. 03, 2015	Oct. 04, 2014	Oct. 03, 2015	Oct. 04, 2014
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 4,225,514	$ 5,701,869	$ 12,982,563	$ 16,101,388
Costs, expenses and other:
Cost of products sold	3,701,678	5,102,283	11,784,139	14,708,733
Marketing, administrative and other expenses	124,339	152,604	377,492	418,851
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	(115)	(2,352)	(550)	(10,028)
Interest expense, net	45,341	45,349	131,944	130,481
Costs, expenses and other, total	3,871,243	5,297,884	12,293,025	15,248,037
Earnings before income taxes and noncontrolling interests	354,271	403,985	689,538	853,351
Provision for income taxes	86,535	129,784	178,166	282,519
Net earnings	267,736	274,201	511,372	570,832
Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	40,610	28,754	91,691	67,313
Net earnings attributable to Nucor stockholders	$ 227,126	$ 245,447	$ 419,681	$ 503,519
Net earnings per share:
Basic	$ 0.71	$ 0.76	$ 1.30	$ 1.57
Diluted	$ 0.71	$ 0.76	$ 1.30	$ 1.57
Average shares outstanding:
Basic	320,819	320,023	320,544	319,737
Diluted	320,900	320,337	320,695	320,025
Dividends declared per share	$ 0.3725	$ 0.3700	$ 1.1175	$ 1.1100

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Fair Value Measurements - Schedule of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities Measured at Fair Value (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Oct. 03, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Short-term investments	$ 100,000	$ 100,000
Total assets	15,269,468	15,615,927
Reported Value Measurement [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash equivalents	1,616,755	861,656
Short-term investments	100,000	100,000
Foreign exchange and commodity contracts	277	2,228
Total assets	1,717,032	963,884
Commodity contracts	(18,500)	(12,700)
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash equivalents	1,616,755	861,656
Short-term investments	100,000	100,000
Total assets	1,716,755	961,656
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Foreign exchange and commodity contracts	277	2,228
Total assets	277	2,228
Commodity contracts	$ (18,500)	$ (12,700)

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Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Oct. 03, 2015	Oct. 04, 2014
Operating activities:
Net earnings	$ 511,372	$ 570,832
Adjustments:
Depreciation	469,239	486,684
Amortization	55,673	54,127
Stock-based compensation	39,542	40,325
Deferred income taxes	(52,661)	(43,712)
Distributions from affiliates	14,149	11,504
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	(550)	(10,028)
Loss on assets	7,700	21,546
Changes in assets and liabilities (exclusive of acquisitions and dispositions):
Accounts receivable	328,671	(418,353)
Inventories	370,445	(80,975)
Accounts payable	(83,396)	84,161
Federal income taxes	113,458	94,999
Salaries, wages and related accruals	(15,993)	65,027
Other operating activities	(350)	49,426
Cash provided by operating activities	1,757,299	925,563
Investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(283,087)	(557,249)
Investment in and advances to affiliates	(41,271)	(94,128)
Repayment of advances to affiliates		26,500
Disposition of plant and equipment	24,996	18,748
Acquisitions (net of cash acquired)	(253)	(38,466)
Purchases of investments	(111,927)	(100,000)
Proceeds from the sale of investments	111,452	27,529
Other investing activities	2,947
Cash used in investing activities	(297,143)	(717,066)
Financing activities:
Net change in short-term debt	(152,529)	11,900
Repayment of long-term debt	(16,300)	(3,300)
Issuance of common stock	423	4,465
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	1,700	3,200
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(56,085)	(51,401)
Cash dividends	(359,461)	(356,230)
Other financing activities	(1,630)	(1,651)
Cash used in financing activities	(583,882)	(393,017)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(4,993)	(2,787)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	871,281	(187,307)
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of year	1,024,144	1,483,252
Cash and cash equivalents - end of nine months	1,895,425	1,295,945
Non-cash investing activity:
Change in accrued plant and equipment purchases	$ (14,577)	$ (98,050)

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Segments - Segments (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Oct. 03, 2015	Oct. 04, 2014	Oct. 03, 2015	Oct. 04, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 4,225,514	$ 5,701,869	$ 12,982,563	$ 16,101,388
Earnings (loss) before income taxes and noncontrolling interests	354,271	403,985	689,538	853,351
Total assets	15,269,468		15,269,468		$ 15,615,927
Steel Mills [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Earnings (loss) before income taxes and noncontrolling interests	260,776	502,703	676,404	1,188,638
Total assets	7,851,349		7,851,349		8,528,623
Steel Products [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Earnings (loss) before income taxes and noncontrolling interests	96,167	63,890	199,261	108,222
Total assets	2,638,770		2,638,770		2,731,320
Raw Materials [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Earnings (loss) before income taxes and noncontrolling interests	(43,177)	(19,321)	(122,778)	(20,597)
Total assets	3,492,948		3,492,948		3,858,254
Net Sales to External Customers [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	4,225,514	5,701,869	12,982,563	16,101,388
Net Sales to External Customers [Member] | Steel Mills [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	2,816,441	3,898,031	8,838,424	11,179,935
Net Sales to External Customers [Member] | Steel Products [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	1,081,047	1,142,043	3,018,077	3,052,135
Net Sales to External Customers [Member] | Raw Materials [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	328,026	661,795	1,126,062	1,869,318
Intercompany Eliminations [Member] | Steel Mills [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	551,300	797,396	1,703,554	2,248,462
Intercompany Eliminations [Member] | Steel Products [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	26,271	34,215	66,788	82,257
Intercompany Eliminations [Member] | Raw Materials [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	1,689,458	2,492,453	5,210,317	7,463,951
Intercompany Eliminations [Member] | Corporate/Eliminations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	(2,267,029)	(3,324,064)	(6,980,659)	(9,794,670)
Earnings (loss) before income taxes and noncontrolling interests	40,505	$ (143,287)	(63,349)	$ (422,912)
Total assets	$ 1,286,401		$ 1,286,401		$ 497,730

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Inventories - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Oct. 03, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Raw materials and supplies in inventory, percentage	42.00%	40.00%
Finished and semi-finished products in inventory, percentage	58.00%	60.00%
Inventories valued using the last-in, first-out	47.00%	43.00%
Increased value of inventory if FIFO method had been used	$ 318.4	$ 567.4
Lower of cost or market adjustments	$ 12.5	$ 2.7

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Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income

9 Months Ended

Oct. 03, 2015

Text Block [Abstract]

Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income

16. ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME: The following tables reflect the changes in accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income by component (in thousands):

	Three Month (13 Week) Period Ended October 3, 2015
	Gains and Losses on Hedging Derivatives			Foreign Currency Gain (Loss)			Adjustment to Early Retiree Medical Plan		Total
July 4, 2015	$	(9,400	)	$	(238,568	)	$	11,260	$	(236,708	)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications		(3,985	)		(62,903	)		—		(66,888	)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into earnings (1)		1,685			—			—		1,685
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)		(2,300	)		(62,903	)		—		(65,203	)
October 3, 2015	$	(11,700	)	$	(301,471	)	$	11,260	$	(301,911	)

	Nine Month (39 Week) Period Ended October 3, 2015
	Gains and Losses on Hedging Derivatives			Foreign Currency Gain (Loss)			Adjustment to Early Retiree Medical Plan		Total
December 31, 2014	$	(8,000	)	$	(148,968	)	$	11,260	$	(145,708	)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications		(6,717	)		(155,203	)		—		(161,920	)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into earnings (1)		3,017			2,700			—		5,717
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)		(3,700	)		(152,503	)		—		(156,203	)
October 3, 2015	$	(11,700	)	$	(301,471	)	$	11,260	$	(301,911	)

⁽¹⁾  Includes $1,685 and $3,017 of accumulated other comprehensive income reclassifications into cost of products sold for net losses on commodity contracts in the third quarter and first nine months of 2015, respectively. The tax impacts of those reclassifications were $1,000 and $1,800, respectively. Also includes $2,700 of accumulated other comprehensive income reclassifications into marketing, administrative, and other expenses for net losses on translation in the first nine months of 2015 (none in the third quarter of 2015). The tax impact of the reclassification was $1,500 in the first nine months of 2015.

	Three Month (13 Week) Period Ended October 4, 2014
	Gains and Losses on Hedging Derivatives			Foreign Currency Gain (Loss)			Adjustment to Early Retiree Medical Plan		Total
July 5, 2014	$	(1,400	)	$	(19,070	)	$	16,518	$	(3,952	)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications		103			(81,689	)		—		(81,586	)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income into earnings (2)		197			—			—		197
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)		300			(81,689	)		—		(81,389	)
October 4, 2014	$	(1,100	)	$	(100,759	)	$	16,518	$	(85,341	)

	Nine Month (39 Week) Period Ended October 4, 2014
	Gains and Losses on Hedging Derivatives			Foreign Currency Gain (Loss)			Adjustment to Early Retiree Medical Plan		Total
December 31, 2013	$	—		$	(7,438	)	$	16,518	$	9,080
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications		(1,530	)		(93,321	)		—		(94,851	)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into earnings (2)		430			—			—		430
Net current-period other comprehensive (loss) income		(1,100	)		(93,321	)		—		(94,421	)
October 4, 2014	$	(1,100	)	$	(100,759	)	$	16,518	$	(85,341	)

⁽²⁾  Includes $197 and $430 of accumulated other comprehensive income reclassifications into cost of products sold for net losses on commodity contracts in the third quarter and first nine months of 2014, respectively. The tax impacts of those reclassifications were $100 and $200, respectively.

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Property, Plant and Equipment - Additional information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Oct. 03, 2015	Oct. 04, 2014	Oct. 03, 2015	Oct. 04, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Accumulated depreciation	$ 7,600,000		$ 7,600,000			$ 7,170,000
Property, plant and equipment net of accumulated depreciation, under a capital lease agreement	20,900		20,900			22,800
Gross property, plant and equipment acquired under capital lease	25,400		25,400
Total obligations associated with capital lease agreement	21,600		21,600			23,200
Capital lease obligations classified in accrued expenses and other current liabilities	2,300		2,300			2,200
Capital lease obligations classified in deferred credits and other liabilities	19,300		19,300			21,000
Initial payments from insurance receivables			10,300
Net charge associated with write-down of two remaining storage domes included in marketing, administrative and other expenses	124,339	$ 152,604	377,492	$ 418,851
Property, plant and equipment, net	5,040,902		5,040,902			5,287,639
First of Three Storage Domes [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property plant and equipment written down					$ 21,000
Inventory written down					7,000
Insurance receivable					$ 14,000
Three Iron Ore Storage Domes [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Insurance receivable	15,400		15,400
Two Remaining Storage Domes [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property plant and equipment written down			19,400
Insurance receivable	11,700		11,700
Net charge associated with write-down of two remaining storage domes included in marketing, administrative and other expenses			7,700
Net fixed assets associated with anticipated further development activities at the St. James Parish Site [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, net	$ 84,100		$ 84,100			$ 84,100

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Earnings Per Share

9 Months Ended

Oct. 03, 2015

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Earnings Per Share

18. EARNINGS PER SHARE: The computations of basic and diluted net earnings per share are as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):

	Three Months (13 Weeks) Ended						Nine Months (39 Weeks) Ended
	October 3, 2015			October 4, 2014			October 3, 2015			October 4, 2014
Basic net earnings per share:
Basic net earnings	$	227,126		$	245,447		$	419,681		$	503,519
Earnings allocated to participating securities		(737	)		(781	)		(1,498	)		(1,659	)
Net earnings available to common stockholders	$	226,389		$	244,666		$	418,183		$	501,860
Average shares outstanding		320,819			320,023			320,544			319,737
Basic net earnings per share	$	0.71		$	0.76		$	1.30		$	1.57
Diluted net earnings per share:
Diluted net earnings	$	227,126		$	245,447		$	419,681		$	503,519
Earnings allocated to participating securities		(737	)		(781	)		(1,499	)		(1,659	)
Net earnings available to common stockholders	$	226,389		$	244,666		$	418,182		$	501,860
Diluted average shares outstanding:
Basic shares outstanding		320,819			320,023			320,544			319,737
Dilutive effect of stock options and other		81			314			151			288
		320,900			320,337			320,695			320,025
Diluted net earnings per share	$	0.71		$	0.76		$	1.30		$	1.57

The following stock options were excluded from the computation of diluted net earnings per share because their effect would have been anti-dilutive (in thousands, except per share amounts):

	Three Months (13 Weeks) Ended				Nine Months (39 Weeks) Ended
	October 3, 2015		October 4, 2014		October 3, 2015		October 4, 2014
Anti-dilutive stock options:
Weighted average shares		1,641		—		846		—
Weighted average exercise price	$	47.45	$	—	$	48.58	$	—

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Basis of Interim Presentation

9 Months Ended

Oct. 03, 2015

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Basis of Interim Presentation

1. BASIS OF INTERIM PRESENTATION: The information furnished in Item 1 reflects all adjustments which are, in the opinion of management, necessary to a fair statement of the results for the interim periods presented and are of a normal and recurring nature unless otherwise noted. The information furnished has not been audited; however, the December 31, 2014 condensed consolidated balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements but does not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in this Item 1 should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in Nucor’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014.

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements – In the first quarter of 2015, Nucor adopted new accounting guidance which changes the criteria for determining which disposals can be presented as discontinued operations and modifies related disclosure requirements. This standard is applied prospectively for the Company beginning January 1, 2015. The adoption of this standard did not have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements – In May 2014, new accounting guidance was issued that will supersede nearly all existing accounting guidance related to revenue recognition. The new guidance provides that an entity recognizes revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. This update also requires additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts, including significant judgments and changes in judgments, and assets recognized from costs incurred to obtain or fulfill a contract. In August 2015, new accounting guidance was issued that deferred the effective date of this new accounting guidance by one year. As a result, the amendments are effective for the Company for all annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company is evaluating adoption methods and the impact it will have on the consolidated financial statements.

In August 2014, new accounting guidance was issued that specifies the responsibility that an entity’s management has to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern. The standard is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and is not expected to have an effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In April 2015, new accounting guidance was issued that requires debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. This new guidance is effective for the Company for all annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2015, and is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In September 2015, new accounting guidance was issued that requires an acquirer in a business combination to recognize adjustments to provisional amounts that are identified during the measurement period in the reporting period in which the adjustment amounts are determined. The standard is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2015, and is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

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Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Oct. 03, 2015	Oct. 04, 2014	Oct. 03, 2015	Oct. 04, 2014
Statement Of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net earnings	$ 267,736	$ 274,201	$ 511,372	$ 570,832
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Net unrealized (loss) income on hedging derivatives, net of income taxes of ($2,300) and $100 for the third quarter of 2015 and 2014, respectively, and ($3,900) and ($900) for the first nine months of 2015 and 2014, respectively	(3,985)	103	(6,717)	(1,530)
Reclassification adjustment for loss on settlement of hedging derivatives included in net income, net of income taxes of $1,000 and $100 for the third quarter of 2015 and 2014, respectively, and $1,800 and $200 for the first nine months of 2015 and 2014, respectively	1,685	197	3,017	430
Foreign currency translation (loss), net of income taxes of $0 for the third quarter of 2015 and 2014, and $0 and ($400) for the first nine months of 2015 and 2014, respectively	(62,903)	(81,689)	(155,203)	(93,321)
Other, net of income taxes of $0 for the third quarter of 2015 and 2014, and $1,500 and $0 for the first nine months of 2015 and 2014, respectively			2,700
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	(65,203)	(81,389)	(156,203)	(94,421)
Comprehensive income	202,533	192,812	355,169	476,411
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(40,610)	(28,754)	(91,691)	(67,313)
Comprehensive income attributable to Nucor stockholders	$ 161,923	$ 164,058	$ 263,478	$ 409,098

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Stock-Based Compensation

9 Months Ended

Oct. 03, 2015

Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]

Stock-Based Compensation

11. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION: Stock Options – Stock options may be granted to Nucor’s key employees, officers and non-employee directors with exercise prices at 100% of the market value on the date of the grant. The stock options granted are generally exercisable at the end of three years and have a term of 10 years. New shares are issued upon exercise of stock options.

A summary of activity under Nucor’s stock option plans for the first nine months of 2015 is as follows (in thousands, except year and per share amounts):

	Shares			Weighted - Average Exercise Price		Weighted - Average Remaining Contractual Life		Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Number of shares under option:
Outstanding at beginning of year		2,422		$	42.39
Granted		700		$	47.59
Exercised		(10	)	$	42.34			$	66
Canceled		(20	)	$	50.63
Outstanding at October 3, 2015		3,092		$	43.51		7.5 years	$	1,543
Options exercisable at October 3, 2015		1,531		$	39.35		6.1 years	$	1,543

Stock options granted to employees who are eligible for retirement on the date of grant are expensed immediately since these awards vest upon retirement from the Company. Retirement, for purposes of vesting in these stock options, means termination of employment after satisfying age and years of service requirements. Similarly, stock options granted to employees who will become retirement-eligible prior to the end of the vesting term are expensed over the period through which the employee will become retirement-eligible. Compensation expense for stock options granted to employees who are not retirement-eligible is recognized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. Compensation expense for stock options was $0.1 million in the third quarter of both 2015 and 2014, and $7.3 million and $7.7 million in the first nine months of 2015 and 2014, respectively. As of October 3, 2015, unrecognized compensation expense related to options was $1.4 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.4 years.

Restricted Stock Units – Nucor annually grants restricted stock units (RSUs) to key employees, officers and non-employee directors. The RSUs typically vest and are converted to common stock in three equal installments on each of the first three anniversaries of the grant date. A portion of the RSUs awarded to senior officers vest upon the officer’s retirement. Retirement, for purposes of vesting in these units only, means termination of employment with approval of the Compensation and Executive Development Committee of the Board of Directors after satisfying age and years of service requirements. RSUs granted to non-employee directors are fully vested on the grant date and are payable to the non-employee director in the form of common stock after the termination of the director’s service on the Board of Directors.

RSUs granted to employees who are eligible for retirement on the date of grant are expensed immediately, and RSUs granted to employees who will become retirement-eligible prior to the end of the vesting term are expensed over the period through which the employee will become retirement-eligible since these awards vest upon retirement from the Company. Compensation expense for RSUs granted to employees who are not retirement-eligible is recognized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period.

Cash dividend equivalents are paid to participants each quarter. Dividend equivalents paid on RSUs expected to vest are recognized as a reduction in retained earnings.

The fair value of an RSU is determined based on the closing stock price of Nucor’s common stock on the date of the grant. A summary of Nucor’s RSU activity for the first nine months of 2015 is as follows (shares in thousands):

	Shares			Grant Date Fair Value
Restricted stock units:
Unvested at beginning of year		1,012		$	45.98
Granted		790		$	47.59
Vested		(750	)	$	44.97
Canceled		(13	)	$	46.32
Unvested at October 3, 2015		1,039		$	47.93
Shares reserved for future grants (stock options and RSUs)		10,355

Compensation expense for RSUs was $5.4 million and $5.3 million in the third quarter of 2015 and 2014, respectively, and $29.8 million and $27.8 million in the first nine months of 2015 and 2014, respectively. As of October 3, 2015, unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested RSUs was $36.2 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.4 years.

Restricted Stock Awards – Nucor’s Senior Officers Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) and Annual Incentive Plan (AIP) authorize the award of shares of common stock to officers subject to certain conditions and restrictions.

The LTIP provides for the award of shares of restricted common stock at the end of each LTIP performance measurement period at no cost to officers if certain financial performance goals are met during the period. One-third of the LTIP restricted stock award vests upon each of the first three anniversaries of the award date or, if earlier, upon the officer’s attainment of age 55 while employed by Nucor. Although participants are entitled to cash dividends and may vote such awarded shares, the sale or transfer of such shares is limited during the restricted period.

The AIP provides for the payment of annual cash incentive awards. An AIP participant may elect, however, to defer payment of up to one-half of an annual incentive award. In such event, the deferred AIP award is converted into common stock units and credited with a deferral incentive, in the form of additional common stock units, equal to 25% of the number of common stock units attributable to the deferred AIP award. Common stock units attributable to deferred AIP awards are fully vested. Common stock units credited as a deferral incentive vest upon the AIP participant’s attainment of age 55 while employed by Nucor. Vested common stock units are paid to AIP participants in the form of shares of common stock following their termination of employment with Nucor.

A summary of Nucor’s restricted stock activity under the AIP and the LTIP for the first nine months of 2015 is as follows (shares in thousands):

	Shares			Grant Date Fair Value
Restricted stock awards and units:
Unvested at beginning of year		65		$	48.20
Granted		136		$	47.07
Vested		(134	)	$	47.11
Canceled		—			—
Unvested at October 3, 2015		67		$	48.08
Shares reserved for future grants		975

Compensation expense for common stock and common stock units awarded under the AIP and LTIP is recorded over the performance measurement and vesting periods based on the anticipated number and market value of shares of common stock and common stock units to be awarded. Compensation expense for anticipated awards based upon Nucor’s financial performance, exclusive of amounts payable in cash, was $1.8 million in the third quarter of 2014 (none in the third quarter of 2015), and $2.3 million and $4.9 million in the first nine months of 2015 and 2014, respectively. As of October 3, 2015, unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested restricted stock awards was $1.0 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.7 years.

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Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Oct. 03, 2015 shares
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Oct. 03, 2015
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Trading Symbol	NUE
Entity Registrant Name	NUCOR CORP
Entity Central Index Key	0000073309
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	319,614,898

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Employee Benefit Plans

9 Months Ended

Oct. 03, 2015

Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]

Employee Benefit Plans

12.

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN: Nucor makes contributions to a Profit Sharing and Retirement Savings Plan for qualified employees based on the profitability of the Company. Nucor’s expense for these benefits totaled $31.4 million and $37.3 million in the third quarter of 2015 and 2014, respectively, and was $63.7 million and $77.5 million in the first nine months of 2015 and 2014, respectively. The related liability for these benefits is included in salaries, wages and related accruals.

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Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Oct. 03, 2015	Oct. 04, 2014	Oct. 03, 2015	Oct. 04, 2014
Statement Of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net unrealized (loss) income on hedging derivatives, tax effect	$ (2,300)	$ 100	$ (3,900)	$ (900)
Reclassification adjustment for loss on settlement of hedging derivatives included in net earnings, tax effect	1,000	100	1,800	200
Foreign currency translation (loss), tax effect	0	0	0	(400)
Other, tax effect	$ 0	$ 0	$ 1,500	$ 0

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Equity Investments

9 Months Ended

Oct. 03, 2015

Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]

Equity Investments

6. EQUITY INVESTMENTS: The carrying value of our equity investments in domestic and foreign companies was $868.0 million at October 3, 2015, ($872.5 million at December 31, 2014) and is recorded in other assets in the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

DUFERDOFIN NUCOR

Nucor owns a 50% economic and voting interest in Duferdofin Nucor S.r.l. (Duferdofin Nucor), an Italian steel manufacturer, and accounts for the investment (on a one-month lag basis) under the equity method, as control and risk of loss are shared equally between the members.

Nucor’s investment in Duferdofin Nucor at October 3, 2015, was $386.3 million ($412.9 million at December 31, 2014). Nucor’s 50% share of the total net assets of Duferdofin Nucor was $51.7 million at October 3, 2015, resulting in a basis difference of $334.6 million due to the step-up to fair value of certain assets and liabilities attributable to Duferdofin Nucor as well as the identification of goodwill ($270.6 million) and finite-lived intangible assets. This basis difference, excluding the portion attributable to goodwill, is being amortized based on the remaining estimated useful lives of the various underlying net assets, as appropriate. Amortization expense associated with the fair value step-up was $2.2 million and $2.6 million in the third quarter of 2015 and 2014, respectively, and was $6.6 million and $8.0 million in the first nine months of 2015 and 2014, respectively.

As of October 3, 2015, Nucor had outstanding notes receivable of €35.0 million ($39.2 million) from Duferdofin Nucor (€35.0 million, or $42.5 million, as of December 31, 2014). The notes receivable bear interest at 1.14% and reset annually on September 30 to the twelve-month Euro Interbank Offered Rate (Euribor) plus 1% per year. The principal amounts are due on January 31, 2019. As of October 3, 2015, and December 31, 2014, the note receivable was classified in other assets in the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

Nucor has issued guarantees, the fair values of which are immaterial, for its ownership percentage (50%) of Duferdofin Nucor’s borrowings under Facility A of a Structured Trade Finance Facilities Agreement as well as the Standby Medium Long Term Loan Credit Facility, which mature on April 26, 2016, and April 22, 2016, respectively. The maximum amount Duferdofin Nucor can borrow under Facility A is €122.5 million ($137.2 million at October 3, 2015). As of October 3, 2015, there was €115.0 million ($128.8 million) outstanding under that facility (€107.0 million, or $129.9 million, at December 31, 2014). Subsequent to October 3, 2015, Facility A was amended to extend the maturity date to October 12, 2018. The guarantee under the Standby Medium Long Term Loan Credit Facility was issued in the second quarter of 2014, and, as of October 3, 2015, Duferdofin Nucor had the maximum borrowing amount of €60.0 million ($67.2 million) outstanding under the facility (€60.0 million, or $72.8 million, at December 31, 2014). Subsequent to October 3, 2015, Nucor and its joint-venture partner provided capital contributions to Duferdofin Nucor that were used to pay the outstanding balance of the Standby Medium Long Term Loan Credit Facility, which was also terminated. If Duferdofin Nucor fails to pay when due any amounts for which it is obligated under Facility A or the Standby Medium Long Term Loan Credit Facility, Nucor could be required to pay 50% of such amounts pursuant to and in accordance with the terms of its guarantees. Any indebtedness of Duferdofin Nucor to Nucor is effectively subordinated to the indebtedness of Duferdofin Nucor under both financing agreements. Nucor has not recorded any liability associated with these guarantees.

NUMIT

Nucor has a 50% economic and voting interest in NuMit LLC (NuMit). NuMit owns 100% of the equity interest in Steel Technologies LLC, an operator of 25 sheet processing facilities located throughout the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Nucor accounts for the investment in NuMit (on a one-month lag basis) under the equity method as control and risk of loss are shared equally between the members. Nucor’s investment in NuMit at October 3, 2015, was $307.4 million ($301.5 million as of December 31, 2014).

HUNTER RIDGE

Nucor has a 50% economic and voting interest in Hunter Ridge Energy Services LLC (Hunter Ridge). Hunter Ridge provides services for the gathering, separation and compression of energy products including natural gas produced by Nucor’s working interest drilling programs. Nucor accounts for the investment (on a one-month lag basis) under the equity method, as control and risk of loss are shared equally between the members. Nucor’s investment in Hunter Ridge was $136.6 million at October 3, 2015 ($138.6 million at December 31, 2014).

Recent declines in natural gas pricing have led to reduced natural gas drilling activity. Sustained or further reductions in natural gas production activity could lead to reduced utilization of the Hunter Ridge assets. We will continue to monitor for potential triggering events that could affect the carrying value of our investment in Hunter Ridge as a result of future market conditions and any changes in business strategy.

ALL EQUITY INVESTMENTS

Nucor reviews its equity investments for impairment if and when circumstances indicate that a decline in value below their carrying amounts may have occurred. In the fourth quarter of 2014, Nucor assessed its equity investment in Duferdofin Nucor for impairment due to the protracted challenging steel market conditions in Europe. After completing its assessment, the Company determined that the estimated fair value exceeded its carrying amount and that there was no need for impairment. The assumptions that most significantly affect the fair value determination include projected revenues and the discount rate. Steel market conditions in Europe have continued to be challenging through the third quarter of 2015, and, therefore, it is reasonably possible that material deviation of future performance from the estimates used in our most recent valuation could result in impairment of our investment in Duferdofin Nucor. We will continue to monitor for potential triggering events that could affect the carrying value of our investment in Duferdofin Nucor as a result of future market conditions and any changes in business strategy.

It is possible that the future performance of Duferdofin Nucor could affect the recorded value of the note receivable the Company has with Duferdofin Nucor and any potential liability associated with the Company’s guarantees of the indebtedness of Duferdofin Nucor as discussed above.

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Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

9 Months Ended

Oct. 03, 2015

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

5. GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS: The change in the net carrying amount of goodwill for the nine months ended October 3, 2015, by segment is as follows (in thousands):

	Steel Mills			Steel Products			Raw Materials		Total
Balance at December 31, 2014	$	594,402		$	744,685		$	729,577	$	2,068,664
Translation		—			(41,108	)		—		(41,108	)
Other		(3,768	)		—			—		(3,768	)
Balance at October 3, 2015	$	590,634		$	703,577		$	729,577	$	2,023,788

Nucor completed its most recent annual goodwill impairment testing during the fourth quarter of 2014 and concluded that there was no impairment of goodwill for any of its reporting units. There have been no triggering events requiring an interim assessment for impairment since the most recent annual impairment testing date.

Intangible assets with estimated useful lives of 5 to 22 years are amortized on a straight-line or accelerated basis and are comprised of the following (in thousands):

	October 3, 2015				December 31, 2014
	Gross Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Gross Amount		Accumulated Amortization
Customer relationships	$	1,188,474	$	501,902	$	1,199,942	$	454,353
Trademarks and trade names		156,470		55,442		158,584		48,356
Other		23,031		17,585		22,823		16,547
	$	1,367,975	$	574,929	$	1,381,349	$	519,256

Intangible asset amortization expense for the third quarter of 2015 and 2014 was $18.8 million and $17.9 million, respectively, and was $55.7 million and $54.1 million in the first nine months of 2015 and 2014, respectively. Annual amortization expense is estimated to be $74.2 million in 2015; $70.9 million in 2016; $68.7 million in 2017; $65.9 million in 2018; and $63.4 million in 2019.

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Segments

9 Months Ended

Oct. 03, 2015

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Segments

17. SEGMENTS: Nucor reports its results in the following segments: steel mills, steel products and raw materials. The steel mills segment includes carbon and alloy steel in sheet, bars, structural and plate; steel foundation distributors; steel trading businesses; rebar distribution businesses; and Nucor’s equity method investments in Duferdofin Nucor and NuMit. The steel products segment includes steel joists and joist girders, steel deck, fabricated concrete reinforcing steel, cold finished steel, steel fasteners, metal building systems, steel grating and expanded metal, and wire and wire mesh. The raw materials segment includes DJJ, primarily a scrap broker and processor; Nu-Iron Unlimited and Nucor Steel Louisiana, two facilities that produce DRI used by the steel mills; our natural gas working interests; and Nucor’s equity method investment in Hunter Ridge. The steel mills, steel products and raw materials segments are consistent with the way Nucor manages its business, which is primarily based upon the similarity of the types of products produced and sold by each segment. During the first six months of 2015, the Company performed certain internal reorganization activities. In connection with this process, the financial information utilized by the Chief Operating Decision Maker when assessing segment performance and making resource allocations was adjusted in a way that affected how certain assets are grouped. This resulted in certain assets being reclassified between the steel mills segment, steel products segment, raw materials segment and corporate/eliminations in order to align with the approach management uses to assess the performance of those segments. The segment data for the comparable periods has also been reclassified in order to conform to the current period presentation. These reclassifications did not have any impact on the consolidated asset balances nor did they impact any segment income statement amounts.

Net interest expense, other income, profit sharing expense, stock-based compensation and changes in the LIFO reserve are shown under Corporate/eliminations. Corporate assets primarily include cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, allowances to eliminate intercompany profit in inventory, deferred income tax assets, federal and state income taxes receivable, the LIFO reserve and investments in and advances to affiliates.

Nucor’s results by segment were as follows (in thousands):

	Three Months (13 Weeks) Ended						Nine Months (39 Weeks) Ended
	October 3, 2015			October 4, 2014			October 3, 2015			October 4, 2014
Net sales to external customers:
Steel mills	$	2,816,441		$	3,898,031		$	8,838,424		$	11,179,935
Steel products		1,081,047			1,142,043			3,018,077			3,052,135
Raw materials		328,026			661,795			1,126,062			1,869,318
	$	4,225,514		$	5,701,869		$	12,982,563		$	16,101,388
Intercompany sales:
Steel mills	$	551,300		$	797,396		$	1,703,554		$	2,248,462
Steel products		26,271			34,215			66,788			82,257
Raw materials		1,689,458			2,492,453			5,210,317			7,463,951
Corporate/eliminations		(2,267,029	)		(3,324,064	)		(6,980,659	)		(9,794,670	)
	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—
Earnings (loss) before income taxes and noncontrolling interests:
Steel mills	$	260,776		$	502,703		$	676,404		$	1,188,638
Steel products		96,167			63,890			199,261			108,222
Raw materials		(43,177	)		(19,321	)		(122,778	)		(20,597	)
Corporate/eliminations		40,505			(143,287	)		(63,349	)		(422,912	)
	$	354,271		$	403,985		$	689,538		$	853,351
	October 3, 2015			Dec. 31, 2014
Segment assets:
Steel mills	$	7,851,349		$	8,528,623
Steel products		2,638,770			2,731,320
Raw materials		3,492,948			3,858,254
Corporate/eliminations		1,286,401			497,730
	$	15,269,468		$	15,615,927

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Interest Expense (Income)

9 Months Ended

Oct. 03, 2015

Banking and Thrift, Interest [Abstract]

Interest Expense (Income)

13. INTEREST EXPENSE (INCOME): The components of net interest expense are as follows (in thousands):

	Three Months (13 Weeks) Ended						Nine Months (39 Weeks) Ended
	Oct. 3, 2015			Oct. 4, 2014			Oct. 3, 2015			Oct. 4, 2014
Interest expense	$	46,406		$	46,624		$	134,624		$	134,395
Interest income		(1,065	)		(1,275	)		(2,680	)		(3,914	)
Interest expense, net	$	45,341		$	45,349		$	131,944		$	130,481

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Fair Value Measurements

9 Months Ended

Oct. 03, 2015

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Fair Value Measurements

9. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS: The following table summarizes information regarding Nucor’s financial assets and financial liabilities that are measured at fair value as of October 3, 2015, and December 31, 2014 (in thousands). Nucor does not currently have any non-financial assets or liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis.

				Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
Description	Carrying Amount in Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets			Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)			Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
As of October 3, 2015
Assets:
Cash equivalents	$	1,616,755		$	1,616,755	$	—
Short-term investments		100,000			100,000		—
Foreign exchange and commodity contracts		277			—		277
Total assets	$	1,717,032		$	1,716,755	$	277		$	—
Liabilities:
Commodity contracts	$	(18,500	)	$	—	$	(18,500	)	$	—
As of December 31, 2014
Assets:
Cash equivalents	$	861,656		$	861,656	$	—
Short-term investments		100,000			100,000		—
Foreign exchange and commodity contracts		2,228			—		2,228
Total assets	$	963,884		$	961,656	$	2,228		$	—
Liabilities:
Commodity contracts	$	(12,700	)	$	—	$	(12,700	)	$	—

Fair value measurements for Nucor’s cash equivalents and short-term investments are classified under Level 1 because such measurements are based on quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets. Our short-term investments are held in similar short-term investment instruments as described in Note 4 to Nucor’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014. Fair value measurements for Nucor’s derivatives are classified under Level 2 because such measurements are based on published market prices for similar assets or are estimated based on observable inputs such as interest rates, yield curves, credit risks, spot and future commodity prices, and spot and future exchange rates.

The fair value of short-term and long-term debt, including current maturities, was approximately $4.67 billion at October 3, 2015 ($4.97 billion at December 31, 2014). The debt fair value estimates are classified under Level 2 because such estimates are based on readily available market prices of our debt at October 3, 2015, and December 31, 2014, or similar debt with the same maturities, ratings and interest rates.

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Earnings Per Share - Computations of Basic and Diluted Net Earnings Per Share (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Oct. 03, 2015	Oct. 04, 2014	Oct. 03, 2015	Oct. 04, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Basic net earnings	$ 227,126	$ 245,447	$ 419,681	$ 503,519
Earnings allocated to participating securities, Basic	(737)	(781)	(1,498)	(1,659)
Net earnings available to common stockholders, Basic	$ 226,389	$ 244,666	$ 418,183	$ 501,860
Average shares outstanding	320,819	320,023	320,544	319,737
Basic net earnings per share	$ 0.71	$ 0.76	$ 1.30	$ 1.57
Diluted net earnings	$ 227,126	$ 245,447	$ 419,681	$ 503,519
Earnings allocated to participating securities, Diluted	(737)	(781)	(1,499)	(1,659)
Net earnings available to common stockholders, Diluted	$ 226,389	$ 244,666	$ 418,182	$ 501,860
Basic shares outstanding	320,819	320,023	320,544	319,737
Dilutive effect of stock options and other	81	314	151	288
Diluted average shares outstanding	320,900	320,337	320,695	320,025
Diluted net earnings per share	$ 0.71	$ 0.76	$ 1.30	$ 1.57

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Current Liabilities

9 Months Ended

Oct. 03, 2015

Payables and Accruals [Abstract]

Current Liabilities

7.

CURRENT LIABILITIES: Book overdrafts, included in accounts payable in the condensed consolidated balance sheets, were $61.2 million at October 3, 2015 ($107.9 million at December 31, 2014). Dividends payable, included in accrued expenses and other current liabilities in the condensed consolidated balance sheets, were $120.0 million at October 3, 2015 ($119.7 million at December 31, 2014).

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Derivatives

9 Months Ended

Oct. 03, 2015

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]

Derivatives

8. 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 October 3, 2015, natural gas swaps covering approximately 16.1 million MMBTUs (extending through June 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	Oct. 3, 2015			Dec. 31, 2014
Asset derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
Commodity contracts	Other current assets	$	102		$	1,856
Foreign exchange contracts	Other current assets		175			372
Total asset derivatives not designated as hedging instruments		$	277		$	2,228
Liability derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
Commodity contracts	Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	$	(13,800	)	$	(6,400	)
Commodity contracts	Deferred credits and other liabilities		(4,700	)		(6,300	)
Total liability derivatives designated as hedging instruments		$	(18,500	)	$	(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				Three Months (13 Weeks) Ended						Three Months (13 Weeks) Ended
		Oct. 3, 2015		Oct. 4, 2014		Oct. 3, 2015			Oct. 4, 2014			Oct. 3, 2015		Oct. 4, 2014
Commodity contracts	Cost of products sold	$	(3,985)	$	103	$	(1,685	)	$	(197	)	$	—	$	—

. 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)
		Nine Months (39 Weeks) Ended					Nine Months (39 Weeks) Ended						Nine Months (39 Weeks) Ended
		Oct. 3, 2015		Oct. 4, 2014			Oct. 3, 2015			Oct. 4, 2014			Oct. 3, 2015		Oct. 4, 2014
Commodity contracts	Cost of products sold	$	(6,717)	$	(1,530	)	$	(3,017	)	$	(430	)	$	—	$	—

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	Oct. 3, 2015		Oct. 4, 2014		Oct. 3, 2015		Oct. 4, 2014
Commodity contracts	Cost of products sold	$	658	$	844	$	2,314	$	1,282
Foreign exchange contracts	Cost of products sold		602		314		1,364		266
Total		$	1,260	$	1,158	$	3,678	$	1,548

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Contingencies

9 Months Ended

Oct. 03, 2015

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Contingencies

10. CONTINGENCIES: Nucor is subject to environmental laws and regulations established by federal, state and local authorities and, accordingly, makes provision for the estimated costs of compliance. Of the undiscounted total of $21.4 million of accrued environmental costs at October 3, 2015 ($27.2 million at December 31, 2014), $10.0 million was classified in accrued expenses and other current liabilities ($11.3 million at December 31, 2014) and $11.4 million was classified in deferred credits and other liabilities ($15.9 million at December 31, 2014). Inherent uncertainties exist in these estimates primarily due to unknown conditions, evolving remediation technology and changing governmental regulations and legal standards.

Nucor has been named, along with other major steel producers, as a co-defendant in several related antitrust class-action complaints filed by Standard Iron Works and other steel purchasers in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. The majority of these complaints were filed in September and October of 2008, with two additional complaints being filed in July and December of 2010. Two of these complaints have been voluntarily dismissed and are no longer pending. The plaintiffs allege that from April 1, 2005, through December 31, 2007, eight steel manufacturers, including Nucor, engaged in anticompetitive activities with respect to the production and sale of steel. The plaintiffs seek monetary and other relief on behalf of themselves and a putative class of all purchasers of steel products from the defendants in the U.S. between April 1, 2005, and December 31, 2007. Five of the eight defendants have reached court approved settlements with the plaintiffs. On September 9, 2015, the District Court entered an order ruling on issues of class certification. The Court granted in part, and denied in part, the plaintiffs’ motion, certifying a class solely on the issue of whether defendants engaged in a conspiracy in violation of the antitrust laws, and declining to certify a class on the issues of antitrust impact and damages. We continue to believe the plaintiffs’ claims are without merit and will continue to vigorously defend against them, but we cannot at this time predict the outcome of this litigation or estimate the range of Nucor’s potential exposure and, consequently, have not recorded any reserves or contingencies related to this lawsuit.

On March 25, 2014, a jury in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas returned a verdict against Nucor and its co-defendants in an antitrust lawsuit brought by plaintiff MM Steel, LP, a steel plate service center located in Houston. The jury returned a verdict of $52.0 million in damages against all defendants jointly and severally. On June 1, 2014, pursuant to antitrust laws providing for treble damages, the court awarded a judgment to MM Steel jointly and severally against the defendants in an amount totaling $160.8 million after including costs and attorneys’ fees. As a result of developments since the verdict, including settlements reached by various other parties, the Company believes that its practical estimable exposure has been reduced to approximately $40.0 million. The Company has appealed the judgment to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, and believes that it has valid grounds to have the judgment vacated or reversed. The Company believes that the evidence against Nucor was insufficient to support any finding that Nucor was involved in a horizontal conspiracy. The Company believes that the trial court wrongly excluded relevant testimony of Nucor’s expert witness. The Company believes that the trial court erred in admitting hearsay evidence. Finally, the Company believes that the trial court did not sufficiently instruct the jury on applicable legal principles. As a result, the Company believes that the likelihood that the judgment will be affirmed is not probable, and, accordingly, it has not recorded any reserves or contingencies related to this legal matter. Although we are defending this lawsuit vigorously, its ultimate resolution is uncertain.

We are from time to time a party to various other lawsuits, claims and legal proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of business. With respect to all such lawsuits, claims and proceedings, we record reserves when it is probable a liability has been incurred and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. We do not believe that any of these proceedings, individually or in the aggregate, would be expected to have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial position or cash flows. Nucor maintains liability insurance for certain risks that is subject to certain self-insurance limits.

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Accounts Receivable - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Oct. 03, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounts Receivable, Net [Abstract]
Allowance for doubtful accounts receivable	$ 37.6	$ 65.4

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Stock-Based Compensation - Summary of Nucor's Restricted Stock Activity under AIP and LTIP (Detail) - Restricted Stock And Restricted Stock Units [Member] - AIP and LTIP [Member] shares in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Oct. 03, 2015 $ / shares shares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unvested at beginning of year, Shares	65
Granted, Shares	136
Vested, Shares	(134)
Canceled, Shares	0
Unvested at end of period, Shares	67
Shares reserved for future grants	975
Unvested at beginning of year, Grant Date Fair Value | $ / shares	$ 48.20
Granted, Grant Date Fair Value | $ / shares	47.07
Vested, Grant Date Fair Value | $ / shares	47.11
Canceled, Grant Date Fair Value | $ / shares	0
Unvested at end of period, Grant Date Fair Value | $ / shares	$ 48.08

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Stockholders' Equity

9 Months Ended

Oct. 03, 2015

Equity [Abstract]

Stockholders' Equity

15. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY: The following tables reflect the changes in stockholders’ equity attributable to both Nucor and the noncontrolling interests of Nucor’s joint ventures, primarily Nucor-Yamato Steel Company, of which Nucor owns 51% (in thousands):

	Attributable to Nucor Corporation			Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests			Total
Stockholders’ equity at December 31, 2014	$	7,772,470		$	302,648		$	8,075,118
Total comprehensive income		263,478			91,691			355,169
Stock options		7,707			—			7,707
Issuance of stock under award plans, net of forfeitures		24,572			—			24,572
Amortization of unearned compensation		600			—			600
Dividends declared		(359,740	)		—			(359,740	)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests		—			(56,085	)		(56,085	)
Stockholders’ equity at October 3, 2015	$	7,709,087		$	338,254		$	8,047,341

	Attributable to Nucor Corporation			Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests			Total
Stockholders’ equity at December 31, 2013	$	7,645,769		$	264,509		$	7,910,278
Total comprehensive income		409,098			67,313			476,411
Stock options		12,132			—			12,132
Issuance of stock under award plans, net of forfeitures		24,242			—			24,242
Amortization of unearned compensation		500			—			500
Dividends declared		(356,459	)		—			(356,459	)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests		—			(51,401	)		(51,401	)
Stockholders’ equity at October 4, 2014	$	7,735,282		$	280,421		$	8,015,703

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Derivatives (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Oct. 03, 2015

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	Oct. 3, 2015			Dec. 31, 2014
Asset derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
Commodity contracts	Other current assets	$	102		$	1,856
Foreign exchange contracts	Other current assets		175			372
Total asset derivatives not designated as hedging instruments		$	277		$	2,228
Liability derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
Commodity contracts	Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	$	(13,800	)	$	(6,400	)
Commodity contracts	Deferred credits and other liabilities		(4,700	)		(6,300	)
Total liability derivatives designated as hedging instruments		$	(18,500	)	$	(12,700	)

Derivatives 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), 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				Three Months (13 Weeks) Ended						Three Months (13 Weeks) Ended
		Oct. 3, 2015		Oct. 4, 2014		Oct. 3, 2015			Oct. 4, 2014			Oct. 3, 2015		Oct. 4, 2014
Commodity contracts	Cost of products sold	$	(3,985)	$	103	$	(1,685	)	$	(197	)	$	—	$	—

. 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)
		Nine Months (39 Weeks) Ended					Nine Months (39 Weeks) Ended						Nine Months (39 Weeks) Ended
		Oct. 3, 2015		Oct. 4, 2014			Oct. 3, 2015			Oct. 4, 2014			Oct. 3, 2015		Oct. 4, 2014
Commodity contracts	Cost of products sold	$	(6,717)	$	(1,530	)	$	(3,017	)	$	(430	)	$	—	$	—

Derivatives 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	Oct. 3, 2015		Oct. 4, 2014		Oct. 3, 2015		Oct. 4, 2014
Commodity contracts	Cost of products sold	$	658	$	844	$	2,314	$	1,282
Foreign exchange contracts	Cost of products sold		602		314		1,364		266
Total		$	1,260	$	1,158	$	3,678	$	1,548

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Stock-Based Compensation - Schedule of Stock Option Plans Activity (Detail) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Oct. 03, 2015 USD ($) $ / shares shares
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Outstanding at beginning of year, Shares | shares	2,422
Granted, Shares | shares	700
Exercised, Shares | shares	(10)
Canceled, Shares | shares	(20)
Outstanding at end of year, Shares | shares	3,092
Options exercisable at end of year, Shares | shares	1,531
Outstanding at beginning of year, Weighted - Average Exercise Price	$ 42.39
Granted, Weighted - Average Exercise Price	47.59
Exercised, Weighted - Average Exercise Price	42.34
Canceled, Weighted - Average Exercise Price	50.63
Outstanding at end of period, Weighted - Average Exercise Price	43.51
Options exercisable at end of year, Weighted - Average Exercise Price	$ 39.35
Outstanding at end of period, Weighted - Average Remaining Contractual Life	7 years 6 months
Options exercisable at end of period, Weighted - Average Remaining Contractual Life	6 years 1 month 6 days
Exercised, Aggregate Intrinsic Value | $	$ 66
Outstanding at end of period, Aggregate Intrinsic Value | $	1,543
Options exercisable at end of period, Aggregate Intrinsic Value | $	$ 1,543

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Current Liabilities - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Oct. 03, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Liabilities, Current [Abstract]
Book overdrafts	$ 61.2	$ 107.9
Dividends payable, current	$ 120.0	$ 119.7

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Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Oct. 03, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 1,895,425	$ 1,024,144
Short-term investments	100,000	100,000
Accounts receivable, net	1,716,356	2,068,298
Inventories, net	2,361,071	2,745,032
Other current assets	392,879	504,414
Total current assets	6,465,731	6,441,888
Property, plant and equipment, net	5,040,902	5,287,639
Goodwill	2,023,788	2,068,664
Other intangible assets, net	793,046	862,093
Other assets	946,001	955,643
Total assets	15,269,468	15,615,927
Current liabilities:
Short-term debt	54,601	207,476
Long-term debt due within one year		16,335
Accounts payable	907,332	993,872
Salaries, wages and related accruals	329,499	352,488
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	555,979	527,605
Total current liabilities	1,847,411	2,097,776
Long-term debt due after one year	4,360,600	4,360,600
Deferred credits and other liabilities	1,014,116	1,082,433
Total liabilities	7,222,127	7,540,809
Nucor stockholders' equity:
Common stock	151,425	151,237
Additional paid-in capital	1,913,240	1,883,356
Retained earnings	7,438,155	7,378,214
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of income taxes	(301,911)	(145,708)
Treasury stock	(1,491,822)	(1,494,629)
Total Nucor stockholders' equity	7,709,087	7,772,470
Noncontrolling interests	338,254	302,648
Total equity	8,047,341	8,075,118
Total liabilities and equity	$ 15,269,468	$ 15,615,927

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Property, Plant and Equipment

9 Months Ended

Oct. 03, 2015

Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]

Property, Plant and Equipment

4. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT: Property, plant and equipment is recorded net of accumulated depreciation of $7.60 billion at October 3, 2015 ($7.17 billion at December 31, 2014).

Included within property, plant and equipment, net at October 3, 2015, is $20.9 million of assets, net of accumulated depreciation, under a capital lease agreement ($22.8 million at December 31, 2014). The gross amount of property, plant and equipment acquired under the capital lease was $25.4 million, which was not included in capital expenditures on the condensed consolidated statement of cash flows in 2014. Total obligations associated with this capital lease agreement were $21.6 million at October 3, 2015 ($23.2 million at December 31, 2014), of which $2.3 million was classified in accrued expenses and other current liabilities ($2.2 million at December 31, 2014) and $19.3 million was classified in deferred credits and other liabilities ($21.0 million at December 31, 2014).

In 2013, one of three iron ore storage domes collapsed at Nucor Steel Louisiana in St. James Parish. As a result, Nucor recorded a partial write-down of assets at the facility, including $21.0 million of property, plant and equipment and $7.0 million of inventory, offset by a $14.0 million insurance receivable that was based on management’s best estimate of probable insurance recoveries. As of October 3, 2015, Nucor has received initial payments of $10.3 million related to the insurance receivable. Nucor finalized its assessment process related to the two remaining storage domes during the third quarter of 2015 and determined that those domes would no longer be utilized. The Company recorded an associated write-down of property, plant and equipment of $19.4 million, offset by an $11.7 million insurance receivable that was based on management’s best estimate of probable insurance recoveries. As of October 3, 2015, the insurance receivable related to the three iron ore storage domes totaled $15.4 million. The net charge associated with the write-down of the two remaining domes of $7.7 million is included in marketing, administrative and other expenses in the condensed consolidated statement of earnings in the third quarter and first nine months of 2015.

Included in property plant and equipment within the steel mills segment at October 3, 2015, and December 31, 2014, is approximately $84.1 million related to the anticipated further development activities at the St. James Parish site, the majority of which are engineering designs. Changes to the anticipated development activities at this site could result in full or partial impairment of these capitalized assets.

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Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income - Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income (Parenthetical) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Oct. 03, 2015	Oct. 04, 2014	Oct. 03, 2015	Oct. 04, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into earnings, Gains and Losses on Hedging Derivatives	$ 1,685	$ 197	$ 3,017	$ 430
AOCI reclassification impact on tax	1,000	100	1,800	200
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into earnings, foreign currency gain (loss)			2,700
Cost of Products Sold [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into earnings, Gains and Losses on Hedging Derivatives	1,685	197	3,017	430
AOCI reclassification impact on tax	1,000	$ 100	1,800	$ 200
Marketing Administrative and Other Expenses [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into earnings, foreign currency gain (loss)	$ 0		2,700
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into earnings, foreign currency gain (loss), tax			$ 1,500

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Fair Value Measurements (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Oct. 03, 2015

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

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 October 3, 2015, and December 31, 2014 (in thousands). Nucor does not currently have any non-financial assets or liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis.

				Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
Description	Carrying Amount in Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets			Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)			Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
As of October 3, 2015
Assets:
Cash equivalents	$	1,616,755		$	1,616,755	$	—
Short-term investments		100,000			100,000		—
Foreign exchange and commodity contracts		277			—		277
Total assets	$	1,717,032		$	1,716,755	$	277		$	—
Liabilities:
Commodity contracts	$	(18,500	)	$	—	$	(18,500	)	$	—
As of December 31, 2014
Assets:
Cash equivalents	$	861,656		$	861,656	$	—
Short-term investments		100,000			100,000		—
Foreign exchange and commodity contracts		2,228			—		2,228
Total assets	$	963,884		$	961,656	$	2,228		$	—
Liabilities:
Commodity contracts	$	(12,700	)	$	—	$	(12,700	)	$	—

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Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	Oct. 03, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Oct. 04, 2014	Oct. 03, 2015	Oct. 04, 2014
Finite And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Impairment of goodwill		$ 0
Intangible asset amortization expense	$ 18,800,000		$ 17,900,000	$ 55,700,000	$ 54,100,000
Future amortization expense, in 2015	74,200,000			74,200,000
Future amortization expense, in 2016	70,900,000			70,900,000
Future amortization expense, in 2017	68,700,000			68,700,000
Future amortization expense, in 2018	65,900,000			65,900,000
Future amortization expense, in 2019	$ 63,400,000			$ 63,400,000
Minimum [Member]
Finite And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible assets, useful life				5 years
Maximum [Member]
Finite And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible assets, useful life				22 years

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Income Taxes

9 Months Ended

Oct. 03, 2015

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Income Taxes

14. INCOME TAXES: The effective tax rate for the third quarter of 2015 was 24.4% compared to 32.1% for the third quarter of 2014. The decrease in the effective tax rate for the third quarter of 2015 as compared to the third quarter of 2014 is primarily due to a $10.2 million favorable non-cash out-of-period adjustment to deferred tax balances during the third quarter of 2015, which is not material to the current or any prior periods. The decrease in effective tax rate is also due to the change in relative proportions of net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests to total pre-tax earnings between the periods and the adjustment of tax expense to previously filed returns.

Nucor has substantially concluded U.S. federal income tax matters for years through 2012. The 2013 and 2014 tax years remain open to examination by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”). The Canada Revenue Agency is examining the 2012 Canadian returns for Harris Steel Group Inc. and certain related affiliates. The tax years 2009 through 2014 remain open to examination by other major taxing jurisdictions to which Nucor is subject (primarily Canada and other state and local jurisdictions).

Current deferred tax assets included in other current assets were $256.6 million at October 3, 2015 ($253.4 million at December 31, 2014). Current deferred tax liabilities included in accrued expenses and other current liabilities were $8.3 million at October 3, 2015 ($13.1 million at December 31, 2014). Non-current deferred tax liabilities included in deferred credits and other liabilities were $729.8 million at October 3, 2015 ($779.3 million at December 31, 2014).