WSJ : Nucor Warns of Big 3Q Profit Decline As Steel Prices Fall

Nucor Warns of Big 3Q Profit Decline As Steel Prices Fall
Steelmaker cited an impairment and lower earnings from the steel-mills segment as selling prices have fallen

Nucor decrease; red down pointing triangle warned of a big year-over-year earnings decline in the current quarter after steel prices fell and the company incurred a hefty impairment charge.

The Charlotte, N.C., steelmaker Tuesday said it expected to post a profit of 87 cents to 97 cents a share for its third quarter ending Sept. 28, down from $4.57 a share in the same quarter last year.

Stripping out $123 million in one-time noncash charges, adjusted earnings are projected to hit $1.30 to $1.40 a share. Analysts polled by FactSet had been forecasting $1.81 a share.

The excluded charges are tied to the impairment of certain noncurrent assets in Nucor’s raw-materials and steel-products units.

Beyond the impairment, earnings are set to decline because of lower earnings from the steel-mills segment as selling prices have fallen. The steel-products unit is expected to record lower prices and volumes, the company said.

Nucor warned in July that its third-quarter profit was expected to drop sequentially due to lower steel prices.

Shares fell 1.7% to $140.50 in premarket trading.