CHARLOTTE, N.C., July 19, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Nucor Corporation (NYSE: NUE) today announced second quarter of 2018 consolidated net earnings of $683.2 million, or $2.13 per diluted share, which are the highest second quarter earnings in the Company's history. By comparison, Nucor reported consolidated net earnings of $354.2 million, or $1.10 per diluted share, for the first quarter of 2018 and $323.0 million, or $1.00 per diluted share, for the second quarter of 2017.

In the first half of 2018, Nucor reported consolidated net earnings of $1.04 billion, or $3.23 per diluted share, compared with consolidated net earnings of $679.9 million, or $2.11 per diluted share, in the first half of last year.

"We are pleased to report record second quarter earnings that reflect our success over the last several years positioning Nucor to take advantage of an upturn in the steel market," said John Ferriola, Nucor's Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President. "We have increased our workforce by 18% and invested $8 billion since the last cyclical peak in 2008. Now, against the backdrop of a strong market and economy, we are capitalizing on those investments to move up the value chain and profitably grow our company. Our financial performance over the last six quarters demonstrates our continued operational excellence and the success of our long-term strategy to pursue our Five Drivers to Profitable Growth. The Nucor team is committed to extending our long track record of superior performance and stockholder value creation in the second half of 2018 and beyond."

Selected Segment Data In the first quarter of 2018, the Company began reporting its tubular products and piling businesses as part of the steel products segment. These businesses were previously included in the steel mills segment. All prior period segment data presented in this news release has been recast to reflect this change. Earnings (loss) before income taxes and noncontrolling interests by segment were as follows for the second quarter and first six months of 2018 and 2017 (in thousands, unaudited):

Financial Review Included in the second quarter of 2018 results was a benefit of $23.3 million, or $0.06 per diluted share, related to insurance recoveries. Included in the first quarter of 2018 results was an expense of $21.8 million, or $0.07 per diluted share, related to the write off of deferred tax assets due to the change in the tax status of a subsidiary.

Nucor's consolidated net sales increased 16% to $6.50 billion in the second quarter of 2018 compared with $5.57 billion in the first quarter of 2018 and increased 25% compared with $5.17 billion in the second quarter of 2017. Average sales price per ton in the second quarter of 2018 increased 12% compared with the first quarter of 2018 and increased 17% compared with the second quarter of 2017. Total tons shipped to outside customers were 7,197,000 tons in the second quarter of 2018, a 3% increase from the first quarter of 2018 and a 7% increase from the second quarter of 2017. Total steel mill shipments in the second quarter of 2018 increased 3% from the first quarter of 2018 and increased 6% from the second quarter of 2017. Downstream steel products shipments to outside customers in the second quarter of 2018 increased 11% from the first quarter of 2018 and increased 17% from the second quarter of 2017.

In the first half of 2018, Nucor's consolidated net sales increased 20% to $12.03 billion, compared with $9.99 billion in last year's first half. Total tons shipped to outside customers in the first half of 2018 were 14,164,000, an increase of 6% from the first half of 2017, while average sales price per ton increased 13%.

The average scrap and scrap substitute cost per ton used during the second quarter of 2018 was $373, an 11% increase compared to $337 in the first quarter of 2018 and an increase of 19% compared to $313 in the second quarter of 2017. The average scrap and scrap substitute cost per ton used in the first half of 2018 was $355, an increase of 19% from $298 in the first half of 2017.

Overall operating rates at our steel mills increased to 95% in the second quarter of 2018 as compared to 92% in the first quarter of 2018 and 89% in the second quarter of 2017. Operating rates for the first half of 2018 increased to 93% as compared with 89% for the first half of 2017.

Total steel mill energy costs in the second quarter of 2018 decreased approximately $2 per ton compared to the first quarter of 2018 and decreased approximately $1 per ton compared to the second quarter of 2017 primarily due to lower natural gas unit costs and higher productivity resulting from increased steel production. Total steel mill energy costs for the first half of 2018 were consistent with the first half of 2017.

Our liquidity position remains strong with $1.5 billion in cash and cash equivalents as of June 30, 2018. In April 2018, we amended and extended our untapped $1.5 billion revolving credit facility to mature in April 2023. Additionally in April 2018, we issued $500.0 million of 3.950% notes due 2028 and $500.0 million of 4.400% notes due 2048. Proceeds from these issuances were used during the quarter to repay $500.0 million of 5.850% notes that were due June 1, 2018.

Recent Developments In May 2018, Nucor announced plans to build a galvanizing line at the Company's sheet mill in Arkansas to support Nucor's growth into a wider and more diverse set of strategic end-market applications. The new galvanizing line is a $240 million investment with an annual capacity of approximately 500,000 tons. It is expected to be operational in the first half of 2021.

In June 2018, Nucor's board of directors declared a cash dividend of $0.38 per share payable on August 10, 2018 to stockholders of record on June 29, 2018. This dividend is Nucor's 181st consecutive quarterly cash dividend, a record we expect to continue.

Second Quarter of 2018 Analysis As expected, earnings in the second quarter of 2018 improved significantly compared to the first quarter of 2018. The primary driver of the improved performance was our steel mills segment, which experienced higher average selling prices and increased profitability across all steel mill product groups, with the strongest profitability increase at our sheet mills. Our steel products and raw materials segments also experienced increased profitability in the second quarter of 2018 compared to the first quarter of 2018. These improved earnings are the result of much stronger market conditions that we believe have been positively impacted by deregulation, tax reform and higher, stable oil prices.

Third Quarter of 2018 Outlook Earnings in the third quarter of 2018 are expected to further improve compared to the second quarter of 2018. The performance of the steel mills segment is expected to remain strong in the third quarter of 2018 as compared to the second quarter of 2018, with margin expansion expected primarily at our sheet and plate mills. Based on the current steel market fundamentals and communications with our customers, we believe there is sustainable strength in steel end-use markets. We expect third quarter of 2018 performance of our steel products segment to be similar to the second quarter of 2018. The performance of our raw materials segment is expected to decrease in the third quarter of 2018 as compared to the second quarter of 2018 due to margin compression.

About Nucor Nucor and its affiliates are manufacturers of steel and steel products, with operating facilities primarily in the U.S. and Canada. Products produced include: carbon and alloy steel -- in bars, beams, sheet and plate; hollow structural section tubing; electrical conduit; steel piling; steel joists and joist girders; steel deck; fabricated concrete reinforcing steel; cold finished steel; steel fasteners; metal building systems; steel grating; and wire and wire mesh. Nucor, through The David J. Joseph Company, also brokers ferrous and nonferrous metals, pig iron and hot briquetted iron / direct reduced iron; supplies ferro-alloys; and processes ferrous and nonferrous scrap. Nucor is North America's largest recycler.

Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements contained in this news release are "forward-looking statements" that involve risks and uncertainties. The words "believe," "expect," "project," "will," "should," "could" and similar expressions are intended to identify those forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: (1) competitive pressure on sales and pricing, including competition from imports and substitute materials; (2) U.S. and foreign trade policies affecting steel imports or exports; (3) the sensitivity of the results of our operations to prevailing steel prices and the changes in the supply and cost of raw materials, including scrap steel; (4) market demand for steel products; and (5) energy costs and availability. These and other factors are discussed in Nucor's regulatory filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including those in Nucor's fiscal 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K, Item 1A. Risk Factors. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release speak only as of this date, and Nucor does not assume any obligation to update them.

Broadcast of Conference Call You are invited to listen to the live broadcast of Nucor's conference call in which management will discuss Nucor's second quarter results on July 19, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. Eastern time. The conference call will be available over the Internet at www.nucor.com, under Investor Relations.

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SOURCE Nucor Corporation