Derivative Financial Instruments (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 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 December 31,
	Consolidated Balance Sheet Location	2015			2014
Asset derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
Commodity contracts	Other current assets	$	—		$	1,856
Foreign exchange contracts	Other current assets		909			372
Total asset derivatives		$	909		$	2,228
Liability derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
Commodity contracts	Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	$	(15,700	)	$	(6,400	)
Commodity contracts	Deferred credits and other liabilities		(2,800	)		(6,300	)
Total liability derivatives designated as hedging instruments			(18,500	)		(12,700	)
Liability derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
Commodity contracts	Accrued expenses and other current liabilities		(353	)		—
Total liability derivatives not designated as hedging instruments			(353	)		—
Total liability derivatives		$	(18,853	)	$	(12,700	)

Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Effect of Derivative Instruments on Consolidated Statements of Earnings

The Effect of Derivative Instruments on the Consolidated Statements of Earnings

Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments (in thousands)

Derivatives in Cash Flow	Statement of Earnings		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)
Hedging Relationships	Location		2015			2014			2013		2015			2014			2013		2015		2014		2013
Commodity contracts		Cost of products sold	$	(9,498	)	$	(8,542	)	$	—	$	(5,798	)	$	(542	)	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—

Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Effect of Derivative Instruments on Consolidated Statements of Earnings

Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments (in thousands)

Derivatives Not Designated	Statement of Earnings		Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Earnings on Derivatives
as Hedging Instruments	Location		2015		2014		2013
Commodity contracts		Cost of products sold	$	2,894	$	1,890	$	4,622
Foreign exchange contracts		Cost of products sold		2,392		748		112
Total			$	5,286	$	2,638	$	4,734