6.	EQUITY INVESTMENTS: The carrying value of our equity investments in domestic and foreign companies was $695.2 million at September 30, 2017 ($663.4 million at December 31, 2016) and is recorded in other assets in the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

NUMIT

Nucor has a 50% economic and voting interest in NuMit LLC (NuMit). NuMit owns 100% of the equity interest in Steel Technologies LLC, an operator of 25 sheet processing facilities located throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico. Nucor accounts for the investment in NuMit (on a one-month lag basis) under the equity method, as control and risk of loss are shared equally between the members. Nucor’s investment in NuMit at September 30, 2017 was $311.9 million ($325.1 million at December 31, 2016). Nucor received distributions from NuMit of $0.1 million during the third quarter of 2017 and $47.0 million during the first nine months of 2017. NuMit distributions were $0.5 million during the third quarter of 2016 and $37.5 million during the first nine months of 2016.

DUFERDOFIN NUCOR

Nucor owns a 50% economic and voting interest in Duferdofin Nucor S.r.l. (Duferdofin Nucor), an Italian steel manufacturer, and accounts for the investment (on a one-month lag basis) under the equity method, as control and risk of loss are shared equally between the members.

Nucor’s investment in Duferdofin Nucor at September 30, 2017 was $280.8 million ($256.6 million at December 31, 2016). Nucor’s 50% share of the total net assets of Duferdofin Nucor was $112.6 million at September 30, 2017, resulting in a basis difference of $168.2 million due to the step-up to fair value of certain assets and liabilities attributable to Duferdofin Nucor, as well as the identification of goodwill ($91.0 million) and finite-lived intangible assets. This basis difference, excluding the portion attributable to goodwill, is being amortized based on the remaining estimated useful lives of the various underlying net assets, as appropriate. Amortization expense associated with the fair value step-up was $2.3 million and $2.2 million in the third quarter of 2017 and 2016, respectively, and was $6.6 million in the first nine months of 2017 and 2016.

As of September 30, 2017, Nucor had outstanding notes receivable of €35.0 million ($41.3 million) from Duferdofin Nucor (€35.0 million, or $36.9 million, as of December 31, 2016). The notes receivable bear interest at 0.83% and reset annually on September 30 to the 12-month Euro Interbank Offered Rate (Euribor) plus 1% per year. The principal amounts are due on January 31, 2019. As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the notes receivable were classified in other assets in the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

Nucor has issued a guarantee, the fair value of which is immaterial, for its ownership percentage (50%) of Duferdofin Nucor’s borrowings under Facility A of a Structured Trade Finance Facilities Agreement (Facility A). The maximum amount Duferdofin Nucor could have borrowed under Facility A was €122.5 million ($144.6 million) as of September 30, 2017. As of September 30, 2017, there was €122.5 million ($144.6 million) outstanding under that facility (€107.0 million, or $112.7 million, as of December 31, 2016). Facility A was amended in 2015 to extend the maturity date to October 12, 2018. If Duferdofin Nucor fails to pay when due any amounts for which it is obligated under Facility A, Nucor could be required to pay 50% of such amounts pursuant to and in accordance with the terms of its guarantee. Any indebtedness of Duferdofin Nucor to Nucor is effectively subordinated to the indebtedness of Duferdofin Nucor under Facility A. Nucor has not recorded any liability associated with this guarantee.

ALL EQUITY INVESTMENTS

Nucor reviews its equity investments for impairment if and when circumstances indicate that a decline in value below their carrying amounts may have occurred. Nucor last assessed its equity investment in Duferdofin Nucor for impairment in 2015 due to the protracted challenging steel market conditions caused by excess global overcapacity, which increased in 2015, and the difficult economic environment in Europe. After completing its assessment, the Company determined that the carrying amount exceeded its estimated fair value and incurred a partial impairment of its investment. While the operating performance of Duferdofin Nucor showed meaningful improvement in 2016 and the first nine months of 2017, steel market conditions in Europe have continued to be challenging. Therefore, it is reasonably possible that material deviation of future performance from the estimates used in our most recent valuation could result in further impairment of our investment in Duferdofin Nucor. We will continue to monitor for potential triggering events that could affect the carrying value of our investment in Duferdofin Nucor as a result of future market conditions and any changes in our business strategy.