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    September 17, 2026

    Nucor sees higher steel prices driving higher Q3 profits

    Written by Michael Cowden

    Nucor Corp. expects significantly higher earnings in the third quarter thanks to higher selling prices and stable sales volumes.

    The Charlotte, N.C.-based steelmaker estimated Q3’26 earnings would be in the range of $5.55-$5.65 per diluted share in earnings guidance released on Thursday afternoon. That’s up from $5.04 per diluted share in Q2’26 and up from $2.63 per diluted share in Q3’25.

    Michael Cowden

    Michael Cowden is editor-in-chief for Steel Market Update. Cowden has covered the steel industry since 2007. He specializes in flat-rolled steel but has also reported on steel long products, steel pipe and tube, and aluminum. Before joining SMU, Cowden held reporting jobs at Fastmarkets AMM in Chicago, the Associated Press in Pittsburgh, and the Cambodia Daily in Phnom Penh. He has also worked as a copy editor and in marketing at the University of Chicago Press. Cowden has a BA in English from the University of Chicago and an MSJ journalism from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism. Contact him at michael@steelmarketupdate.com or 724-759-7872.

    Read more from Michael Cowden

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