Should I buy Nucor stock in 2025 as a South African investor?

What is Nucor?

What is the price of Nucor stock?

The price of Nucor stock is rising this week. As of now, Nucor (NUE) trades at $108.94, reflecting a 0.09% gain in the last 24 hours but a weekly decline of 2.49%. The company's market capitalisation stands at $25.14 billion, with an average three-month daily volume of 2.59 million shares. Nucor’s price-to-earnings ratio is 19.18, its dividend yield is 2.02%, and the stock beta is 1.75, indicating above-average volatility. Investors in South Africa should note that while the recent trend is mixed, Nucor’s strong market position may offer growth potential, though price swings can be significant.

Our full analysis of the Nucor stock

After a rigorous review of Nucor Corporation’s latest quarterly and annual financial results and a detailed analysis of its stock performance over the past three years, we leveraged multiple sophisticated analytical tools, cross-referencing proprietary financial indicators, technical signals, sector data, and competitive benchmarking. This comprehensive approach reveals an evolving narrative in one of North America’s most important industrial equities. So, why might Nucor stock once again become a strategic entry point into the steel and industrials sector as we look ahead to 2025?

Recent Performance and Market Context

Nucor (NYSE: NUE) currently trades at $108.94 (30 May 2025), reflecting an intraday move of +0.09% but standing lower on a trailing twelve months basis, with the stock down -34.61% year-on-year and -29.58% over the past six months. This correction, which brings NUE to the lower end of its 52-week range ($97.59–$170.52), has primarily tracked broader softness in the steel sector as well as short-term macroeconomic headwinds.

Yet a closer look reveals notably positive events supporting the operational thesis:

• Fourth quarter 2024 earnings outperformed analyst expectations, with diluted EPS at $1.22 versus $1.05 in Q3, underpinning robust cost management even in a challenging pricing environment.
• Nucor’s CEO recently highlighted that the company’s order book is at its largest in corporate history, a powerful signal for future revenue visibility.
• A rebound in steel mill utilisation rates from 74% in Q4 2024 to 80% in Q1 2025 demonstrates both improving demand and internal efficiency.
• Supportive trade policies, such as the extension of 25% tariffs on imported steel into the US, work to shield domestic producers and strengthen Nucor’s competitive moat.

Within the context of global infrastructure investment and continued North American industrialisation, these developments contribute to a sector backdrop that appears increasingly favourable after a period of cyclical reset.

Technical Analysis

From a technical standpoint, the current consolidation in NUE’s share price presents intriguing asymmetric risk-reward characteristics:

• Relative Strength Index (RSI) at 37.53 (near oversold territory) signals that sellers may be losing momentum.
• MACD (Moving Average Convergence Divergence) at -1.90 has transitioned to a bullish (buy) signal, often indicating nascent reversal potential.
• While major moving averages (MA5, MA20, MA50, MA100, MA200) remain below the current price and are configured in a bearish sequence, this has historically coincided with the formation of medium-term bottoms.
• Primary support is established at $105.97, a level that has proven resilient despite recent sector volatility.
• Nearest resistance stands at $112.47—should Nucor breach this, technical momentum could accelerate meaningfully.

With medium-term momentum structural shifts apparent, short-term weakness could soon give way to a significant technical inflection. Oscillator readings in neutral-to-bullish zones reinforce the idea that a new accumulation phase is plausible.

Fundamental Analysis

Despite headwinds in 2024, both the operational and financial underpinnings of Nucor remain exceptionally sound:

• Annual revenue for 2024 finished at $30.73 billion, a decrease versus 2023, but underpinned by robust profitability with annual net income of $2.03 billion and strong EBITDA margins.
• The trailing P/E ratio sits at 19.18, which, judged against both historical averages and North American peers, appears well justified for a company with Nucor’s scale, balance sheet, and disciplined capital allocation.
• NUE’s dividend yield of 2.02% is underpinned by a long tradition—Nucor has paid consecutive dividends for 52 years (now over 207 periods), a rare mark of resilience in cyclical industries.
• Structural strengths:
• Industry leadership as North America’s largest diversified steel producer and its largest recycler—a distinctive strategic advantage for ESG-focused investors.
• Exceptional geographic and product diversification across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.
• Ongoing investment in technological innovation and process automation, positioning Nucor as a leader in cost-efficient, high-quality steel solutions.

These fundamentals not only explain the consensus 12-month price target of $146.24 (implying ~34% upside) but also justify renewed investor interest at current levels.

Volume and Liquidity

Nucor’s daily average trading volume (three months) stands at a robust 2.59 million shares, ensuring ample liquidity for both retail and institutional investors. With a public float of approximately 229.22 million shares and a $25.14 billion market capitalisation, NUE offers an ideal profile of high liquidity and manageable volatility—a dynamic often correlated with re-rating potential during sector upswings.

Sustained trading activity even during corrective phases reflects underlying market confidence in Nucor’s franchise and the reliability of its forward guidance.

Catalysts and Positive Outlook

The coming months offer multiple, clearly identifiable catalysts:

• Supportive Tariffs: 25% tariffs on imported steel remain in place, limiting competitive pressure and supporting steel pricing power.
• Record Backlog: The company is operating with a record-high order book, signalling revenue visibility for future quarters.
• Capital Investment Plans: Nucor continues to deploy capital in next-generation production infrastructure and smart factory automation, which are set to raise output and margin efficiency.
• Capacity Utilisation Rebound: The lift to 80% of steel mill utilisation rates positions Nucor to flexibly capture growing demand in construction, automotive, and energy verticals.
• ESG Advancements: Nucor’s leadership in recycling and emissions-minimising technologies builds an investable narrative as the world’s largest recycler—an attribute increasingly valued by global allocators.

With infrastructure spending rising in North America, and U.S. regulatory and trade policy providing tailwinds for domestic producers, Nucor’s business model is well-aligned with secular growth themes.

Investment Strategies

There are strong strategic arguments for positioning in NUE across short, medium, and long time horizons:

• Short-term: Entering near the $106–$110 zone, close to technical support, allows for an attractive risk/reward given possible mean reversion and bullish MACD crossover.
• Medium-term: This timeframe benefits from the likely unlocking of value as capacity utilisation and order book strength translate into earnings upgrades, and as technical reversal signals play out.
• Long-term: As a leader in North American industry transition (towards more sustainable steel, recycling, and market share consolidation), Nucor offers durable exposure to rising infrastructure spend, U.S. industrial resilience, and ESG-driven capital flows.

Positioning ahead of the next earnings release or in conjunction with confirmed order book growth provides an avenue for capitalising on forthcoming catalysts, especially with technical levels indicating the stock trades at a cyclical low.

Is it the Right Time to Buy Nucor?

In summation, Nucor’s essential strengths—market leadership, disciplined capital management, technological innovation, and substantial order visibility—stand in sharp contrast to its recent share price consolidation. Both fundamental and technical indicators point to an inflection point, while sector and macroeconomic elements reinforce the potential for renewed upside.

At the current valuation and with visible catalysts on the horizon, Nucor seems to represent an excellent opportunity for investors considering exposure to industrials and infrastructure. The convergence of supportive trade policies, robust operational metrics, and a record order book suggest NUE could be entering a new bullish phase—one that may reward patient, risk-aware investors.

For readers and investors focused on resilient, high-quality, and strategically positioned industrial leaders, Nucor deserves a prominent place on the watchlist as we move into 2025—offering a compelling blend of value, dividend consistency, and growth optionality.

How to buy Nucor stock in South Africa?

Buying Nucor stock (NUE) online has never been easier or more secure, thanks to regulated brokers that cater to South African investors. You have two main options: you can invest directly by purchasing Nucor shares (spot buying), or you can trade price movements via CFDs (Contracts for Difference). Both methods are accessible 100% online, with trading accounts available in rand or US dollar. If you’d like to see which brokers offer the best fees and features for South Africans, a detailed comparison is available further down the page.

Spot buying

Spot buying means purchasing the actual Nucor shares in your name through a regulated stockbroker. You become the direct owner of the shares and can benefit from dividends and long-term capital gains. Brokers typically charge a fixed commission per order, often around R80–R150 (or about $5–$8), depending on the provider.

Example

Suppose the Nucor share price is $108.94 (approx. R2,017 at R18.5/USD). With a R19,000 investment (about $1,000), you can buy around 9 Nucor shares after taking a R100 brokerage fee into account.

• Gain scenario: If the share price increases by 10%, your 9 shares are now worth approximately R20,900.
• Result: That’s a gross profit of around R1,900 (+10%) on your initial investment.

Trading via CFD

CFDs allow you to speculate on the rise or fall of Nucor’s share price without owning the actual shares. With CFDs, you can use leverage, meaning you can control a larger position with a smaller sum. CFD brokers charge a spread (the difference between buy and sell prices) and overnight financing costs if you hold positions longer than a day.

Example

Let’s say you open a CFD position on Nucor shares with R19,000 ($1,000) and use 5× leverage. This means you gain exposure to R95,000 ($5,000) worth of Nucor shares.

• Gain scenario: If the price rises by 8%, your position returns 8% × 5 = 40%.
• Result: That’s a R7,600 profit (+40%) on your initial stake of R19,000 (excluding spreads and overnight fees).

Final advice

Before investing in Nucor shares, it’s essential to compare brokers’ fees, platform offerings, and regulatory protections. Think carefully about your investment goals and risk comfort: owning shares suits long-term investors, while CFDs cater to active traders and those seeking leverage. The best choice is unique to each investor’s objectives and strategy. An in-depth broker comparison for South African clients is available just below to help you make an informed decision.

Our 7 tips for buying Nucor stock

The latest news about Nucor

Nucor’s Q4 2024 results exceeded analyst expectations, with EPS rising to $1.22 versus $1.05 in Q3. The company’s latest quarterly report confirms that earnings momentum is improving, which is a constructive development following a challenging year marked by declining revenues. Nucor’s net profit for the quarter reached $287 million on revenues of $7.08 billion. The beat on earnings per share (EPS), surpassing analyst consensus, demonstrates operational resilience and should serve as a reassuring signal for investors considering medium-term positioning, including those in South Africa seeking global industrial exposure or dividend consistency.

Nucor’s CEO announced a record order book and increased steel mill utilization to 80% in Q1 2025, up from 74% previously. This jump in capacity utilization reflects stronger demand and effective operational management, counterbalancing concerns of cyclical downturn. For South African institutional or retail investors exposed to steel or infrastructure-related sectors, these indicators reinforce Nucor’s leadership position and its ability to capture growing demand, possibly benefiting from emerging market infrastructure stimuli that ripple through global supply chains.

Favorable U.S. tariff policy on steel imports continues to provide a strong competitive advantage for Nucor. With a 25% tariff on imported steel remaining in place and the CEO’s vocal support for such measures, Nucor’s domestic operations enjoy enhanced protection and profitability. This protectionism makes Nucor a potential beneficiary in the event of similar or mirrored trade policies affecting steel markets that impact South African steel producers or downstream users, giving global investors a diversified defensive anchor.

Dividend reliability remains exceptional, as Nucor paid its 207th consecutive quarterly dividend and offers a 2.02% yield. The company has a remarkable 52-year dividend streak, underlining a shareholder-friendly approach and stable cash flows. For South African investors, particularly pension funds and income-focused portfolios, Nucor’s established history of consistent returns could be particularly attractive in the current global environment of yield uncertainty, while also avoiding direct emerging-market business risks.

Consensus analyst price target is $146.24, implying a 34% upside from current prices, with maintained “Buy” ratings by global investment banks. Even as technical indicators currently signal a consolidative or mildly negative short-term trend, medium-term sentiment remains constructive due to strong fundamentals and operational improvements. Recent target price affirmations and upward revisions—despite minor downward adjustments—highlight enduring optimism among expert market observers, suggesting Nucor offers value for global investors in search of both growth and defensive assets.

FAQ

P. Laurore

Finance expert

Co-founder of HelloSafe and holder of a Master's degree in finance, Pauline has recognised expertise in personal finance, which she uses to help users better understand and optimise their financial choices. At HelloSafe, Pauline plays a key role in designing clear, educational content on savings, investments and personal finance. Passionate about financial education, Pauline strives, with every piece of content she oversees, to provide reliable, transparent and unbiased information for independent and informed financial management. To this end, she has tested over 100 trading platforms to help internet users make the right choices.