Derivatives

3 Months Ended

Apr. 01, 2017

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]

Derivatives

9. 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 1, 2017, natural gas swaps covering approximately 20.4 million MMBTUs (extending through December 2019) 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 1, 2017			Dec. 31, 2016
Asset derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
Commodity contracts		Other current assets	$	500		$	1,250
Asset derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
Foreign exchange contracts		Other current assets		—			779
Total asset derivatives			$	500		$	2,029
Liability derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
Commodity contracts		Deferred credits and other liabilities	$	(1,100	)	$	—
Liability derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
Commodity contracts		Accrued expenses and other current liabilities		(441	)		(605	)
Foreign exchange contracts		Accrued expenses and other current liabilities		(92	)		—
Total liability derivatives not designated as hedging instruments				(533	)		(605	)
Total liability derivatives			$	(1,633	)	$	(605	)

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
		April 1, 2017			April 2, 2016			April 1, 2017			April 2, 2016			April 1, 2017		April 2, 2016
Commodity contracts	Cost of products sold	$	(1,635	)	$	(1,731	)	$	(485	)	$	(3,031	)	$	—	$	—

Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments

		Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Earnings on Derivatives
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments	Statement of Earnings Location	Three Months (13 Weeks) Ended
		April 1, 2017			April 2, 2016
Commodity contracts	Cost of products sold	$	(2,555	)	$	88
Foreign exchange contracts	Cost of products sold		(896	)		(818	)
Total		$	(3,451	)	$	(730	)