Derivatives (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Oct. 01, 2016

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. 1, 2016			Dec. 31, 2015
Asset derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
Foreign exchange contracts	Other current assets	$	204		$	909
Liability derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
Commodity contracts	Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	$	(3,900	)	$	(15,700	)
Commodity contracts	Deferred credits and other liabilities		—			(2,800	)
Total liability derivatives designated as hedging instruments			(3,900	)		(18,500	)
Liability derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
Commodity contracts	Accrued expenses and other current liabilities		(546	)		(353	)
Total liability derivatives		$	(4,446	)	$	(18,853	)

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. 1, 2016			Oct. 3, 2015			Oct. 1, 2016			Oct. 3, 2015			Oct. 1, 2016		Oct. 3, 2015
Commodity contracts	Cost of products sold	$	(600	)	$	(3,985	)	$	(2,000	)	$	(1,685	)	$	—	$	—
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. 1, 2016			Oct. 3, 2015			Oct. 1, 2016			Oct. 3, 2015			Oct. 1, 2016		Oct. 3, 2015
Commodity contracts	Cost of products sold	$	912		$	(6,717	)	$	(8,288	)	$	(3,017	)	$	—	$	—

Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Effect of Derivative Instruments on Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings

Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments	Statement of Earnings Location	Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Earnings on Derivatives
		Three Months (13 Weeks) Ended					Nine Months (39 Weeks) Ended
		Oct. 1, 2016			Oct. 3, 2015		Oct. 1, 2016			Oct. 3, 2015
Commodity contracts	Cost of products sold	$	155		$	658	$	(719	)	$	2,314
Foreign exchange contracts	Cost of products sold		(47	)		602		(878	)		1,364
Total		$	108		$	1,260	$	(1,597	)	$	3,678