Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Oct. 01, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 1,704,707	$ 1,939,469
Short-term investments	650,000	100,000
Accounts receivable, net	1,850,455	1,383,823
Inventories, net	2,338,432	2,145,444
Other current assets	156,828	185,644
Total current assets	6,700,422	5,754,380
Property, plant and equipment, net	4,913,355	4,891,153
Goodwill	2,026,841	2,011,278
Other intangible assets, net	757,627	770,672
Other assets	715,434	799,461
Total assets	15,113,679	14,226,944
Current liabilities:
Short-term debt	29,795	51,315
Accounts payable	926,118	566,527
Salaries, wages and related accruals	389,585	289,004
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	552,989	478,327
Total current liabilities	1,898,487	1,385,173
Long-term debt due after one year	4,338,347	4,337,145
Deferred credits and other liabilities	786,329	718,613
Total liabilities	7,023,163	6,440,931
Nucor stockholders' equity:
Common stock	151,637	151,426
Additional paid-in capital	1,954,451	1,918,970
Retained earnings	7,469,580	7,255,972
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of income taxes	(288,584)	(351,362)
Treasury stock	(1,559,838)	(1,558,128)
Total Nucor stockholders' equity	7,727,246	7,416,878
Noncontrolling interests	363,270	369,135
Total equity	8,090,516	7,786,013
Total liabilities and equity	$ 15,113,679	$ 14,226,944

Carrying value as of the balance sheet date of liabilities incurred (and for which invoices have typically been received) and payable to vendors for goods and services received that are used in an entity's business. Used to reflect the current portion of the liabilities (due within one year or within the normal operating cycle if longer).

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount due from customers or clients, within one year of the balance sheet date (or the normal operating cycle, whichever is longer), for goods or services (including trade receivables) that have been delivered or sold in the normal course of business, reduced to the estimated net realizable fair value by an allowance established by the entity of the amount it deems uncertain of collection.