Nucor Reports Results for Fourth Quarter and Year Ended 2019

Nucor Corporation (NYSE: NUE) today announced consolidated net earnings of $107.8 million, or $0.35 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2019. Included in the fourth quarter of 2019 earnings are non-cash impairment charges of $66.9 million, or $0.17 per diluted share. By comparison, Nucor reported consolidated net earnings of $275.0 million, or $0.90 per diluted share, for the third quarter of 2019 and consolidated net earnings of $646.8 million, or $2.07 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2018.

For the full year 2019, Nucor reported consolidated net earnings of $1.27 billion, or $4.14 per diluted share, compared to $2.36 billion, or $7.42 per diluted share, in 2018.

"Stronger than expected steel mill segment performance in December was the primary driver for higher actual fourth quarter earnings than we indicated in our mid-December quantitative guidance," said Leon Topalian, Nucor's President and Chief Executive Officer. "We believe that the inventory destocking that occurred throughout most of 2019 concluded in the fourth quarter, when customers resumed more normal buying patterns. Additionally, general business conditions improved in the fourth quarter due to a number of factors, including a rate cut by the Federal Reserve, the new labor agreement between the United Automobile Workers and GM, and definitive progress on the trade front."

"For the full year, strong performance in many of our steel products businesses partially offset the impact of destocking on our steelmaking operations. In particular, our Vulcraft/Verco and Building Systems groups both achieved record profitability in 2019, reflecting both strong execution by our teammates and favorable nonresidential construction market conditions."

Mr. Topalian added, "We are encouraged by recent economic trends and confident that our positive momentum will continue in 2020. I would like to thank Nucor's dedicated teammates across the company for their continued focus on safety, serving our customers and creating value for shareholders."

Source: Nucor, Photo: Fotolia