Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Apr. 01, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 1,657,759	$ 2,045,961
Short-term investments	50,000	150,000
Accounts receivable, net	1,980,556	1,631,676
Inventories, net	3,064,170	2,479,958
Other current assets	125,708	198,798
Total current assets	6,878,193	6,506,393
Property, plant and equipment, net	5,133,404	5,078,650
Goodwill	2,177,276	2,052,728
Other intangible assets, net	969,492	866,835
Other assets	717,095	718,912
Total assets	15,875,460	15,223,518
Current liabilities:
Short-term debt	48,153	17,959
Long-term debt due within one year	600,000	600,000
Accounts payable	1,257,900	838,109
Federal income taxes payable	76,755
Salaries, wages and related accruals	325,981	428,829
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	529,007	505,069
Total current liabilities	2,837,796	2,389,966
Long-term debt due after one year	3,739,908	3,739,141
Deferred credits and other liabilities	829,685	839,703
Total liabilities	7,407,389	6,968,810
Nucor stockholders' equity:
Common stock	151,775	151,734
Additional paid-in capital	1,986,983	1,974,672
Retained earnings	7,866,405	7,630,916
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of income taxes	(316,992)	(317,843)
Treasury stock	(1,554,148)	(1,559,614)
Total Nucor stockholders' equity	8,134,023	7,879,865
Noncontrolling interests	334,048	374,843
Total equity	8,468,071	8,254,708
Total liabilities and equity	$ 15,875,460	$ 15,223,518