Nucor stock falls 1.11 percent as Q3 guidance trails estimates

Published on 09/29/2026 at 07:35 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS

Nucor stock heads into its October 26 earnings release after Q3 EPS guidance of USD 5.55 to USD 5.65. Q2 adjusted EPS was USD 4.84.

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Nucor Corporation (ISIN US6703461052) was trading at USD 244.49 on the NYSE on September 28, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. ET, down 1.11 percent from the prior session's USD 247.25. The next test is the company's third-quarter outlook, which came in below the consensus estimate cited by MarketBeat on September 17, 2026.

Q3 guidance sets the test

According to PR Newswire on September 17, 2026, Nucor expects third-quarter earnings of USD 5.55 to USD 5.65 per diluted share. MarketBeat reported a consensus estimate of USD 6.17, putting the midpoint of Nucor's range USD 0.57 below that estimate.

The guidance also contrasts with Nucor's second-quarter results. The company reported GAAP net earnings of USD 5.04 per diluted share and adjusted net earnings of USD 4.84 for the quarter ended July 4, 2026, compared with USD 2.63 per diluted share in the third quarter of 2025, according to PR Newswire.

Capital returns cushion the outlook

Nucor said it repurchased 2.03 million shares during the third quarter at an average price of USD 247.04. The company also reported USD 1.36 billion returned to stockholders through repurchases and dividends during 2026 through the September 17 release.

The operating detail matters because Nucor expects higher earnings in its steel mills and steel products segments, while raw materials earnings are expected to decline. The company attributed the steel mills outlook to higher average selling prices and stable volumes, while the raw materials segment faces lower pricing and shipments.

Analysts keep targets elevated

Analyst expectations remain above the latest market price. MarketBeat reported on September 9, 2026 that JPMorgan raised its Nucor target to USD 308 from USD 294 and maintained an overweight rating. That target stands USD 63.51 above the September 28 price, a 25.98 percent difference.

Stock remains below its yearly high

Nucor was trading 12.72 percent below its 52-week high of USD 280.11 and above its 52-week low of USD 131.32 on September 28, 2026. Market capitalization stood at USD 55.7 billion and trading volume reached 1,146,459 shares.