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Investing.com - Freedom Broker upgraded Nucor (NYSE:NUE), a prominent player in the Metals & Mining industry with a $33.25 billion market cap, from Hold to Buy on Friday, while raising its price target to $174.00 from $130.00. According to InvestingPro analysis, the company maintains a GOOD financial health score.
The upgrade reflects positive developments in the U.S. steel market, which continues to benefit from tariffs and infrastructure spending, according to the research firm. Notably, Nucor has maintained dividend payments for 53 consecutive years, demonstrating remarkable stability in a cyclical industry.
Freedom Broker highlighted China’s expected 2-5% steel output cuts in 2025 as a factor that will reduce global supply and support hot-rolled coil prices in the $800-$850 per ton range, benefiting Nucor’s electric arc furnace business model.
The firm noted that coking coal prices remain stable at $205 per metric ton, providing cost predictability for steel producers, though the industry’s long-term transition to green steel production methods will reduce reliance on coke.
Freedom Broker expects Nucor to experience sequential earnings recovery into late-2025 and early-2026, supported by improving pricing, healthy non-residential backlogs, and visible ramp-ups across new capacity in plate and tower/structure segments.
In other recent news, Nucor Corporation reported its Q2 2025 earnings, revealing a stronger-than-expected earnings per share (EPS) of $2.60, which surpassed the analysts’ forecast of $2.52. However, the company’s revenue did not meet expectations, totaling $8.46 billion compared to the anticipated $8.54 billion. In addition to its earnings report, Nucor declared a quarterly dividend of $0.55 per share, marking its 210th consecutive payout, which will be payable on November 10, 2025.
In terms of analyst activity, Jefferies upgraded Nucor’s stock rating from Hold to Buy, citing an improving steel demand outlook and potential increases in steel prices in the U.S. UBS also raised its price target for Nucor to $169 from $147, maintaining a Buy rating due to confidence in the durability of Section 232 tariffs. Meanwhile, Wells Fargo initiated coverage on Nucor with an Equal Weight rating and set a price target of $145. These developments reflect various perspectives on Nucor’s market position and future potential.
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