January 30, 2026–Written by Will Ploch, Assistant Editor-in-Chief for IIR News Intelligence (Sugar Land, Texas)–Nucor Corporation expects a strong start to 2026, with earnings forecasted to grow across its major operating segments. The company’s steel mills are expected to drive the momentum through stronger volumes and higher realized prices. This follows a somewhat disappointing fourth quarter, when rising costs suppressed margins in its steel-producing segments.
Industrial Info is tracking more than $6.7 billion worth of active and proposed projects from Nucor, including nearly $5.5 billion worth of U.S.-based steel-manufacturing projects. Executives at Nucor are encouraged by rising demand in several key end markets–particularly the U.S. Midwest, which is the largest steel sheet-consuming region–as well as historically strong backlogs and favorable federal policies.
