Nucor Corporation (NYSE:NUE) Given Average Recommendation of "Moderate Buy" by Brokerages

Key Points

• Nucor has an average broker rating of “Moderate Buy” from 16 analysts, with 10 Buy, 2 Strong Buy, and 4 Hold ratings. The consensus 1-year price target is $247.50.
• The company recently posted a strong quarter, with EPS of $3.23 beating estimates and revenue of $9.50 billion topping forecasts. Revenue also rose 21.3% year over year, and shares have been trading near their 52-week high.
• Nucor’s board approved a $4.0 billion stock buyback, which could allow the company to repurchase up to 9.7% of outstanding shares. The article notes this may signal management believes the stock is undervalued.

Shares of Nucor Corporation (NYSE:NUE - Get Free Report) have been given an average rating of "Moderate Buy" by the sixteen brokerages that are presently covering the stock, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation, ten have given a buy recommendation and two have issued a strong buy recommendation on the company. The average 1-year price objective among brokerages that have covered the stock in the last year is $247.50.

Several brokerages have recently commented on NUE. Jefferies Financial Group raised their target price on shares of Nucor from $225.00 to $250.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Tuesday, April 28th. Zacks Research raised shares of Nucor from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Tuesday, May 12th. Morgan Stanley raised their target price on shares of Nucor from $180.00 to $227.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a report on Wednesday, April 29th. CICC Research began coverage on shares of Nucor in a report on Monday. They set an "outperform" rating on the stock. Finally, Bank of America raised their target price on shares of Nucor from $190.00 to $250.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Tuesday, April 28th.

Nucor Stock Up 2.5%

Shares of NUE opened at $246.36 on Thursday. Nucor has a 12 month low of $106.21 and a 12 month high of $247.40. The firm's 50 day moving average is $200.60 and its 200-day moving average is $179.79. The stock has a market capitalization of $56.11 billion, a PE ratio of 24.39, a P/E/G ratio of 0.64 and a beta of 1.87. The company has a current ratio of 2.90, a quick ratio of 1.55 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.30.

Nucor (NYSE:NUE - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Monday, April 27th. The basic materials company reported $3.23 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.82 by $0.41. Nucor had a net margin of 6.82% and a return on equity of 10.68%. The company had revenue of $9.50 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $8.88 billion. During the same period last year, the firm earned $0.77 earnings per share. The business's revenue for the quarter was up 21.3% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts forecast that Nucor will post 14.84 EPS for the current year.

Nucor declared that its Board of Directors has approved a stock buyback program on Friday, February 20th that allows the company to buyback $4.00 billion in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization allows the basic materials company to purchase up to 9.7% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback programs are typically a sign that the company's management believes its shares are undervalued.

More Nucor News

Here are the key news stories impacting Nucor this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Zacks Research raised its earnings forecasts for Nucor across multiple periods, including FY2026, FY2027, and FY2028, implying stronger profitability ahead. The firm reiterated a Strong-Buy rating, which can support investor confidence.
• Positive Sentiment: Analysts lifted near-term EPS estimates for Q3 2026, Q4 2026, and Q1 2027, signaling expectations for sustained operating strength rather than a one-quarter earnings pop.
• Positive Sentiment: Nucor’s stock has been trading near its 52-week high after a strong quarterly report that beat consensus on both earnings and revenue, helping reinforce the bullish case for the shares.
• Neutral Sentiment: Coverage highlighting Nucor as one of Warren Buffett’s Berkshire holdings and a steady dividend payer adds a quality/income angle, but it is not a direct catalyst on its own.

Insider Activity at Nucor

In other news, insider Michael D. Keller sold 4,554 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, May 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $225.86, for a total transaction of $1,028,566.44. Following the transaction, the insider directly owned 16,834 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $3,802,127.24. This trade represents a 21.29% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, EVP David A. Sumoski sold 33,068 shares of Nucor stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, April 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $225.67, for a total transaction of $7,462,455.56. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 243,339 shares in the company, valued at $54,914,312.13. This trade represents a 11.96% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. In the last three months, insiders sold 71,818 shares of company stock valued at $16,234,593. 0.62% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Strive Financial Group LLC bought a new position in Nucor in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Stance Capital LLC bought a new position in Nucor in the third quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Bartlett & CO. Wealth Management LLC increased its stake in Nucor by 49.2% in the first quarter. Bartlett & CO. Wealth Management LLC now owns 191 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $32,000 after acquiring an additional 63 shares during the last quarter. Mcguire Capital Advisors Inc. bought a new position in Nucor in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $32,000. Finally, Motiv8 Investments LLC bought a new position in Nucor in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $32,000. 76.48% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

About Nucor

Nucor Corporation NYSE: NUE is an American steel producer headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina. The company is primarily engaged in the manufacture and sale of steel and steel products, operating a network of steel mills, recycling facilities and fabrication plants across the United States and North America. Nucor's operations emphasize electric arc furnace steelmaking using recycled scrap metal, which supports a decentralized, mill-based production model focused on efficiency and flexibility.

Product offerings span a broad range of basic and value‑added steel items, including sheet, plate, merchant bar, structural beams, reinforcing bar, tubing, fasteners and fabricated components.

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