Zacks Research Downgrades Nucor (NYSE:NUE) to Hold

Nucor (NYSE:NUE) was downgraded by analysts at Zacks Research from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report issued on Monday,Zacks.com reports. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Nucor’s Q2 2026 earnings at $4.77 EPS.

NUE has been the subject of several other reports. Jefferies Financial Group boosted their price objective on shares of Nucor from $225.00 to $250.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 28th. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their target price on shares of Nucor from $260.00 to $284.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, June 16th. BNP Paribas Exane upped their price target on shares of Nucor from $210.00 to $248.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Monday, May 4th. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price target on Nucor from $292.00 to $283.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a report on Thursday, June 18th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets raised their price objective on Nucor from $250.00 to $285.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Wednesday, June 3rd. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have given a Buy rating and four have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $266.92.

Nucor Price Performance

NUE stock opened at $222.72 on Monday. The company has a market cap of $50.72 billion, a PE ratio of 22.05, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.54 and a beta of 1.88. The company has a current ratio of 2.90, a quick ratio of 1.55 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.30. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $237.13 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $195.96. Nucor has a 12-month low of $128.46 and a 12-month high of $270.90.

Nucor (NYSE:NUE) last released its quarterly earnings data on Monday, April 27th. The basic materials company reported $3.23 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.82 by $0.41. Nucor had a return on equity of 10.68% and a net margin of 6.82%.The company had revenue of $9.50 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $8.88 billion. During the same period last year, the business posted $0.77 EPS. The company’s quarterly revenue was up 21.3% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, research analysts predict that Nucor will post 17 EPS for the current year.

Insider Activity at Nucor

In related news, EVP Bradley Ford sold 2,240 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $232.13, for a total value of $519,971.20. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 43,649 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $10,132,242.37. This represents a 4.88% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, 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 value of $1,028,566.44. Following the sale, the insider 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 position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 82,378 shares of company stock valued at $18,963,930. 0.62% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Institutional Trading of Nucor

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in NUE. Stance Capital LLC bought a new position in Nucor during the 3rd quarter valued at $25,000. Strive Financial Group LLC bought a new stake in shares of Nucor in the 4th quarter worth about $27,000. Motiv8 Investments LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Nucor in the 4th quarter valued at about $32,000. Bartlett & CO. Wealth Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Nucor by 49.2% during the first quarter. Bartlett & CO. Wealth Management LLC now owns 191 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $32,000 after purchasing an additional 63 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Mcguire Capital Advisors Inc. acquired a new position in Nucor in the fourth quarter worth about $32,000. Institutional investors own 76.48% of the company’s stock.

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.