Basis of Interim Presentation (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Apr. 01, 2017

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Schedule of Adjustments to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and Effect of Change in Accounting Principle from LIFO to FIFO on Net Earnings

As a result of the retrospective application of the change in accounting principle, certain financial statement line items in the Company’s condensed consolidated statement of earnings and condensed consolidated statement of cash flows (no impact on total cash provided by operating activities) for the three months ended April 2, 2016 were adjusted as follows:

(in thousands, except share data)	As Originally Reported		Effect of Change			As Currently Reported
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Earnings for the Three Months (13 Weeks) Ended April 2, 2016:
Cost of products sold	$	3,428,628	$	(28,037	)	$	3,400,591
Provision for income taxes		37,065		10,001			47,066
Net earnings		104,461		18,036			122,497
Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests		33,707		1,225			34,932
Net earnings attributable to Nucor stockholders		70,754		16,811			87,565
Net earnings per share:
Basic	$	0.22	$	0.05		$	0.27
Diluted	$	0.22	$	0.05		$	0.27
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the Three Months (13 Weeks) Ended April 2, 2016:
Net earnings	$	104,461	$	18,036		$	122,497
Changes in inventories		142,516		(28,037	)		114,479
Changes in deferred income taxes		5,529		10,001			15,530