Nucor reports 11% consolidated net sales decrease for the first six months compared to prior year
Nucor Corporation announced consolidated net earnings attributable to Nucor stockholders of $645.2 million, or $2.68 per diluted share, for the second quarter of 2024. By comparison, Nucor reported consolidated net earnings attributable to Nucor stockholders of $844.8 million, or $3.46 per diluted share, for the first quarter of 2024 and $1.46 billion, or $5.81 per diluted share, for the second quarter of 2023.
In the first six months of 2024, Nucor reported consolidated net earnings attributable to Nucor stockholders of $1.49 billion, or $6.14 per diluted share, compared with consolidated net earnings attributable to Nucor stockholders of $2.60 billion, or $10.26 per diluted share, in the first six months of 2023.
Leon J. Topalian
“While market conditions have softened compared to recent record-setting years, Nucor remains focused on its long-term growth strategy and has returned more than $1.7 billion to investors through June,” said Leon Topalian, Nucor’s Chair, President and Chief Executive Officer.
“Nucor’s strategy to grow our core steelmaking operations and expand into steel-adjacent downstream markets positions the company to create attractive shareholder value and improve the company’s through-cycle earnings profile. I am incredibly proud of the 32,000 men and women of Nucor who are executing this growth plan while achieving the safest start to any year in Nucor’s history.”
Nucor’s consolidated net sales decreased 1% to $8.08 billion in the second quarter of 2024 compared with $8.14 billion in the first quarter of 2024 and decreased 15% compared with $9.52 billion in the second quarter of 2023. Average sales price per ton in the second quarter of 2024 decreased 2% compared with the first quarter of 2024 and decreased 11% compared with the second quarter of 2023. Approximately 6,289,000 tons were shipped to outside customers in the second quarter of 2024, a 1% increase compared with the first quarter of 2024 and a 5% decrease compared with the second quarter of 2023. Total steel mill shipments in the second quarter of 2024 were comparable to the first quarter of 2024 and decreased 2% compared to the second quarter of 2023. Steel mill shipments to internal customers represented 21% of total steel mill shipments in the second quarter of 2024, compared with 21% in the first quarter of 2024 and 20% in the second quarter of 2023. Downstream steel product shipments to outside customers in the second quarter of 2024 increased by 11% compared with the first quarter of 2024 and decreased by 10% compared with the second quarter of 2023.
In the first six months of 2024, Nucor’s consolidated net sales of $16.21 billion decreased 11% compared with consolidated net sales of $18.23 billion reported in the first six months of 2023. Total tons shipped to outside customers in the first six months of 2024 were approximately 12,513,000 tons, a decrease of 4% compared with the first six months of 2023, and the average sales price per ton in the first six months of 2024 decreased 7% compared with the first six months of 2023.
The average scrap and scrap substitute cost per gross ton used in the second quarter of 2024 was $396, a 6% decrease compared to $421 in the first quarter of 2024 and a 13% decrease compared to $455 in the second quarter of 2023. The average scrap and scrap substitute cost per gross ton used in the first six months of 2024 was $409, a 6% decrease compared to $435 in the first six months of 2023.
Pre-operating and start-up costs related to the Company’s growth projects were approximately $137 million, or $0.43 per diluted share, in the second quarter of 2024, compared with approximately $125 million, or $0.39 per diluted share, in the first quarter of 2024 and approximately $90 million, or $0.27 per diluted share, in the second quarter of 2023.
In the first six months of 2024, pre-operating and start-up costs related to the Company’s growth projects were approximately $262 million, or $0.82 per diluted share, compared with approximately $172 million, or $0.52 per diluted share, in the first six months of 2023.
Overall, operating rates at the Company’s steel mills decreased to 75% in the second quarter of 2024, compared to 82% in the first quarter of 2024 and 84% in the second quarter of 2023. Operating rates in the first six months of 2024 decreased to 79%, compared to 82% in the first six months of 2023.
Financial Strength
At the end of the second quarter of 2024, we had $5.43 billion in cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments on hand. The Company’s $1.75 billion revolving credit facility remains undrawn and does not expire until November 2026. Nucor continues to have the strongest credit ratings in the North American steel sector (A-/A-/Baa1), with stable outlooks at Standard & Poor’s and Fitch Ratings and a positive outlook at Moody’s.
Commitment to Returning Capital to Stockholders
During the second quarter of 2024, Nucor repurchased approximately 2.9 million shares of its common stock at an average price of $170.70 per share (approximately 8.5 million shares during the first six months of 2024 at an average price of $177.30 per share). As of June 29, 2024, Nucor had approximately $1.82 billion remaining authorized and available for repurchases under its share repurchase program. This share repurchase authorization is discretionary and has no scheduled expiration date.
On June 6, 2024, Nucor’s Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.54 per share. This cash dividend is payable on August 9, 2024, to stockholders of record as of June 28, 2024, and is Nucor’s 205th consecutive quarterly cash dividend.
Second Quarter of 2024 Analysis
The largest driver of the decrease in earnings in the second quarter of 2024 as compared to the first quarter of 2024 was the decreased earnings of the steel mills segment, primarily due to lower average selling prices and, to a lesser extent, decreased volumes. The steel products segment had decreased earnings in the second quarter of 2024 as compared to the first quarter of 2024 due to lower average selling prices, partially offset by increased volumes. Earnings in the raw materials segment increased in the second quarter of 2024 as compared to the first quarter of 2024 due to the increased profitability of our direct reduced iron facilities.
Third Quarter of 2024 Outlook
We expect earnings in the third quarter of 2024 to decrease compared to the second quarter of 2024. The largest driver for the expected decrease in earnings in the third quarter of 2024 is the expected decrease in earnings of the steel mills segment, primarily due to lower average selling prices. We expect earnings in the steel products segment to decrease in the third quarter of 2024 as compared to the second quarter of 2024 due to lower average selling prices. The earnings of the raw materials segment are expected to decrease in the third quarter of 2024 as compared to the second quarter of 2024.
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