DERIVATIVES: Nucor periodically uses derivative financial instruments primarily to partially manage its exposure to price risk related to natural gas purchases used in the production process as well as to scrap, copper and aluminum purchased for resale to its customers. In addition, Nucor periodically uses derivatives to partially manage its exposure to changes in interest rates on outstanding debt instruments and uses forward foreign exchange contracts to hedge cash flows associated with certain assets and liabilities, firm commitments and anticipated transactions.

Nucor recognizes all derivative instruments in the condensed consolidated balance sheets at fair value. Any resulting changes in fair value are recorded as adjustments to other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, or recognized in net earnings, as appropriate.

At April 2, 2016, natural gas swaps covering approximately 11.4 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	April 2, 2016			Dec. 31, 2015
Asset derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
Foreign exchange contracts	Other current assets	$	—		$	909

Liability derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
Commodity contracts	Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	$	(14,900	)	$	(15,700	)
Commodity contracts	Deferred credits and other liabilities		(1,600	)		(2,800	)

Total liability derivatives designated as hedging instruments			(16,500	)		(18,500	)
Liability derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
Commodity contracts	Accrued expenses and other current liabilities		(1	)		(353	)
Foreign exchange contracts	Accrued expenses and other current liabilities		(339	)		—

Total liability derivatives not designated as hedging instruments			(340	)		(353	)

Total liability derivatives		$	(16,840	)	$	(18,853	)

The Effect of Derivative Instruments on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings

Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments

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

Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging

Relationships

Statement of

Earnings Location

April 2,
2016

April 4,
2015

April 2,
2016

April 4,
2015

April 2,
2016

April 4,
2015

Commodity contracts

Cost of products sold

(1,731)

(2,268

)

(3,031

)

(168

)

—

Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments


		Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Earnings on Derivatives
	Statement of Earnings Location	Three Months (13 weeks) Ended
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments	Statement of Earnings Location	April 2, 2016			April 4, 2015
Commodity contracts	Cost of products sold	$	88		$	304
Foreign exchange contracts	Cost of products sold		(818	)		758

Total		$	(730	)	$	1,062