Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10-Q

 

 

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended July 1, 2017

Commission file number 1-4119

 

 

NUCOR CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   13-1860817

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

1915 Rexford Road, Charlotte, North Carolina   28211
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

(704) 366-7000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 day    Yes       No  

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes       No  

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer      Accelerated filer  
Non-accelerated filer      Smaller reporting company  
     Emerging growth company  

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes       No  

319,425,944 shares of common stock were outstanding at July 1, 2017.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

Nucor Corporation

Form 10-Q

July 1, 2017

 

INDEX         
               Page  
Part I    Financial Information       
     Item 1    Financial Statements (Unaudited)       
     

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings - Three Months (13 Weeks) and Six Months (26 Weeks) Ended July 1, 2017 and July 2, 2016

     3  
     

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - Three Months (13 Weeks) and Six Months (26 Weeks) Ended July 1, 2017 and July 2, 2016

     4  
     

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets - July 1, 2017 and December  31, 2016

     5  
     

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - Six Months (26 Weeks) Ended July 1, 2017 and July 2, 2016

     6  
     

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

     7  
     Item 2    Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations    23  
  

Item 3

  

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

     31  
  

Item 4

  

Controls and Procedures

     32  
Part II    Other Information       
  

Item 1

  

Legal Proceedings

     32  
  

Item 1A

  

Risk Factors

     32  
  

Item 6

  

Exhibits

     33  

Signatures

        34  

 

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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Financial Statements

Nucor Corporation Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings (Unaudited)

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

 

     Three Months (13 Weeks) Ended     Six Months (26 Weeks) Ended  
     July 1, 2017     July 2, 2016     July 1, 2017     July 2, 2016  

Net sales

   $ 5,174,769     $ 4,245,772     $ 9,989,948     $ 7,961,348  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Costs, expenses and other:

        

Cost of products sold

     4,465,144       3,660,512       8,520,073       7,061,103  

Marketing, administrative and other expenses

     170,211       161,711       346,637       271,456  

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates

     (13,302     (6,819     (22,058     (16,064

Interest expense, net

     44,580       40,484       88,185       85,406  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     4,666,633       3,855,888       8,932,837       7,401,901  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings before income taxes and noncontrolling interests

     508,136       389,884       1,057,111       559,447  

Provision for income taxes

     166,412       118,515       337,739       165,581  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net earnings

     341,724       271,369       719,372       393,866  

Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests

     18,676       27,749       39,425       62,681  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net earnings attributable to Nucor stockholders

   $ 323,048     $ 243,620     $ 679,947     $ 331,185  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net earnings per share:

        

Basic

   $ 1.00     $ 0.76     $ 2.12     $ 1.03  

Diluted

   $ 1.00     $ 0.76     $ 2.11     $ 1.03  

Average shares outstanding:

        

Basic

     320,439       319,360       320,332       319,299  

Diluted

     321,226       319,583       321,186       319,437  

Dividends declared per share

   $ 0.3775     $ 0.3750     $ 0.755     $ 0.750  

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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Nucor Corporation Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)

(In thousands)

 

     Three Months (13 Weeks) Ended     Six Months (26 Weeks) Ended  
     July 1, 2017     July 2, 2016     July 1, 2017     July 2, 2016  

Net earnings

   $ 341,724     $ 271,369     $ 719,372     $ 393,866  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income:

        

Net unrealized (loss) income on hedging derivatives, net of income taxes of $0 and $1,900 for the second quarter of 2017 and 2016, respectively, and ($1,000) and $900 for the first six months of 2017 and 2016, respectively

     (71     3,243       (1,706     1,512  

Reclassification adjustment for loss on settlement of hedging derivatives included in net income, net of income taxes of $0 and $1,900 for the second quarter of 2017 and 2016, respectively, and $300 and $3,600 for the first six months of 2017 and 2016, respectively

     171       3,257       656       6,288  

Foreign currency translation gain, net of income taxes of $0 for the second quarter of 2017 and 2016, and $0 for the first six months of 2017 and 2016

     23,957       8,287       25,958       62,184  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     24,057       14,787       24,908       69,984  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive income

     365,781       286,156       744,280       463,850  

Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests

     (18,676     (27,749     (39,425     (62,681
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive income attributable to Nucor stockholders

   $ 347,105     $ 258,407     $ 704,855     $ 401,169  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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Nucor Corporation Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)

(In thousands)

 

     July 1, 2017     December 31, 2016  

ASSETS

    

Current assets:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 1,511,353     $ 2,045,961  

Short-term investments

     50,000       150,000  

Accounts receivable, net

     2,081,150       1,631,676  

Inventories, net

     3,326,563       2,479,958  

Other current assets

     213,626       198,798  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current assets

     7,182,692       6,506,393  

Property, plant and equipment, net

     5,062,423       5,078,650  

Goodwill

     2,179,641       2,052,728  

Other intangible assets, net

     946,978       866,835  

Other assets

     740,991       718,912  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 16,112,725     $ 15,223,518  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

    

Current liabilities:

    

Short-term debt

   $ 39,197     $ 17,959  

Long-term debt due within one year

     1,100,000       600,000  

Accounts payable

     1,214,313       838,109  

Salaries, wages and related accruals

     422,744       428,829  

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

     549,052       505,069  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     3,325,306       2,389,966  

Long-term debt due after one year

     3,240,694       3,739,141  

Deferred credits and other liabilities

     834,812       839,703  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     7,400,812       6,968,810  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

EQUITY

    

Nucor stockholders’ equity:

    

Common stock

     151,920       151,734  

Additional paid-in capital

     2,004,079       1,974,672  

Retained earnings

     8,067,846       7,630,916  

Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of income taxes

     (292,935     (317,843

Treasury stock

     (1,553,845     (1,559,614
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Nucor stockholders’ equity

     8,377,065       7,879,865  

Noncontrolling interests

     334,848       374,843  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total equity

     8,711,913       8,254,708  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities and equity

   $ 16,112,725     $ 15,223,518  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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Nucor Corporation Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)

(In thousands)

 

     Six Months (26 Weeks) Ended  
     July 1, 2017     July 2, 2016  

Operating activities:

    

Net earnings

   $ 719,372     $ 393,866  

Adjustments:

    

Depreciation

     318,278       306,088  

Amortization

     45,443       35,587  

Stock-based compensation

     41,159       37,576  

Deferred income taxes

     (4,173     11,687  

Distributions from affiliates

     46,877       37,026  

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates

     (22,058     (16,064

Changes in assets and liabilities (exclusive of acquisitions and dispositions):

    

Accounts receivable

     (396,452     (398,266

Inventories

     (781,581     (183,056

Accounts payable

     371,158       452,815  

Federal income taxes

     (14,114     129,325  

Salaries, wages and related accruals

     (5,794     32,091  

Other operating activities

     28,849       27,697  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash provided by operating activities

     346,964       866,372  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Investing activities:

    

Capital expenditures

     (189,235     (227,342

Investment in and advances to affiliates

     (19,000     (12,508

Disposition of plant and equipment

     12,509       11,631  

Acquisitions (net of cash acquired)

     (478,410     —    

Purchases of investments

     (50,000     (550,000

Proceeds from the sale of investments

     150,000       100,000  

Other investing activities

     (990     6,265  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash used in investing activities

     (575,126     (671,954
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Financing activities:

    

Net change in short-term debt

     21,235       (31,375

Issuance of common stock

     7,432       1,882  

Payment of tax withholdings on certain stock-based compensation

     (13,185     (9,407

Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation

     —         916  

Distributions to noncontrolling interests

     (79,420     (78,684

Cash dividends

     (242,704     (240,302

Acquisition of treasury stock

     —         (5,173

Other financing activities

     (1,101     (4,630
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash used in financing activities

     (307,743     (366,773
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

     1,297       14,036  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Decrease in cash and cash equivalents

     (534,608     (158,319

Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of year

     2,045,961       1,939,469  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents - end of six months

   $ 1,511,353     $ 1,781,150  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Non-cash investing activity:

    

Change in accrued plant and equipment purchases

   $ (12,927   $ 2,630  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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Nucor Corporation – Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

1. BASIS OF INTERIM PRESENTATION: The information included in this Item 1 reflects all adjustments which are, in the opinion of management, necessary to a fair statement of the results for the interim periods presented and are of a normal and recurring nature unless otherwise noted. The information furnished has not been audited; however, the December 31, 2016 condensed consolidated balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements but does not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in this Item 1 should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in Nucor’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements – In the first quarter of 2017, Nucor adopted new accounting guidance that amends the accounting for employee share-based payment transactions. This new standard requires income statement recognition of all tax effects, including all excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies, resulting from the settlement of share-based awards in the reporting period in which they occur. The standard also requires that all tax-related cash flows resulting from share-based payments, including the excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies related to the settlement of stock-based awards, be classified as cash flows from operating activities, and that cash paid by directly withholding shares for tax purposes be classified as a financing activity in the statement of cash flows. The standard also allows companies to make an accounting policy election to either estimate the number of awards that are expected to vest, consistent with current guidance, or account for forfeitures as they occur. This new guidance, with the exception of the presentation of cash paid by directly withholding shares for tax purposes on the statement of cash flows, is applied prospectively for the Company beginning on January 1, 2017. The presentation of cash paid by directly withholding shares for tax purposes on the statement of cash flows as a financing activity requires retrospective application beginning January 1, 2017. As a result of the retrospective application of this new guidance, $9.4 million was reclassified from other operating activities to payment of tax withholdings on certain stock-based compensation in the condensed consolidated statement of cash flows for the six months ended July 2, 2016. The adoption of this new guidance did not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. There is no change to our accounting policy with respect to the estimation of awards that are expected to vest.

In January 2017, new guidance was issued regarding the simplification of the test for goodwill impairment. The new guidance eliminates Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test and will require an entity to perform its annual, or interim, goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. The new guidance is effective for the Company for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted. The Company early adopted this new guidance in the first quarter of 2017. The adoption of this new guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements - In May 2014, new accounting guidance was issued that will supersede nearly all existing accounting guidance related to revenue recognition. The new guidance provides that an entity recognizes revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. This update also requires additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts, including significant judgments and changes in judgments, and assets recognized from costs incurred to obtain or fulfill a contract. The Financial Accounting Standards Board has also issued a number of updates to this new accounting guidance. The standard is effective for the Company for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In January 2016, new accounting guidance was issued regarding the recognition and measurement of financial assets and financial liabilities. Changes to the current accounting guidance primarily affect the accounting for equity investments, financial liabilities under the fair value option, and the presentation and disclosure requirements for financial instruments. In addition, the Financial Accounting Standards Board clarified guidance related to the valuation allowance assessment when recognizing deferred tax

 

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assets resulting from unrealized losses on available-for-sale debt securities. The accounting for other financial instruments, such as loans, investments in debt securities and financial liabilities, is largely unchanged. The standard is effective for the Company for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In February 2016, new accounting guidance was issued regarding the accounting for leases. The new guidance requires all lessees to recognize on the balance sheet right to use assets and lease liabilities for the rights and obligations created by lease arrangements with terms greater than 12 months. The standard is effective for the Company for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018. The Company is evaluating the impact that the adoption of this new guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements, but we expect that assets and liabilities will increase on the consolidated balance sheet.

In August 2016, new accounting guidance was issued regarding the presentation and classification of certain cash receipts and cash payments in the statement of cash flows. The new guidance addresses specific cash flow presentation issues in order to reduce diversity in existing practice. The new guidance is effective for the Company for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company is evaluating the impact that the adoption of this new guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements.

In October 2016, new accounting guidance was issued regarding intra-entity transfers of assets other than inventory. The new guidance requires that an entity should recognize the income tax consequences of an intra-entity transfer of an asset other than inventory when the transfer occurs. The new guidance is effective for the Company for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company is evaluating the impact that the adoption of this new guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements.

Prior Year Change in Accounting Principle - In the fourth quarter of 2016, the Company changed its accounting method for valuing its inventories held by the parent company and Nucor-Yamato Steel Company to the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method of accounting from the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method. All inventories held by other subsidiaries of the parent company were previously and continue to be valued using the FIFO method.

The effects of the change in accounting principle from LIFO to FIFO have been retrospectively applied to all periods presented. As a result of the retrospective application of the change in accounting principle, certain financial statement line items in the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of earnings for the three- and six-month periods ended July 2, 2016 and condensed consolidated statement of cash flows (no impact on total cash provided by operating activities) for the six-month period ended July 2, 2016 were adjusted as follows:

 

(in thousands, except per share data)   As Originally Reported     Effect of Change     As Currently Reported  

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Earnings for the Three Months (13 Weeks) Ended July 2, 2016:

     

Cost of products sold

  $ 3,679,512     $ (19,000   $ 3,660,512  

Provision for income taxes

    112,548       5,967       118,515  

Net earnings

    258,336       13,033       271,369  

Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests

    24,564       3,185       27,749  

Net earnings attributable to Nucor stockholders

    233,772       9,848       243,620  
     

Net earnings per share:

     

Basic

  $ 0.73     $ 0.03     $ 0.76  

Diluted

  $ 0.73     $ 0.03     $ 0.76  

 

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(in thousands, except per share data)    As Originally Reported      Effect of Change      As Currently Reported  

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Earnings for the Six Months (26 Weeks) Ended July 2, 2016:

        

Cost of products sold

   $ 7,108,140      $ (47,037    $ 7,061,103  

Provision for income taxes

     149,613        15,968        165,581  

Net earnings

     362,797        31,069        393,866  

Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests

     58,271        4,410        62,681  

Net earnings attributable to Nucor stockholders

     304,526        26,659        331,185  
        

Net earnings per share:

        

Basic

   $ 0.95      $ 0.08      $ 1.03  

Diluted

   $ 0.95      $ 0.08      $ 1.03  
(in thousands)                     

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the Six Months (26 Weeks) Ended July 2, 2016:

        

Net earnings

   $ 362,797      $ 31,069      $ 393,866  

Changes in inventories

     (136,019      (47,037      (183,056

Changes in deferred income taxes

     (4,281      15,968        11,687  

 

2. ACQUISITIONS AND DISPOSITIONS: On January 20, 2017, Nucor used cash on hand to acquire Republic Conduit (Republic) for a purchase price of $331.6 million. Republic produces steel electrical conduit primarily used to protect and route electrical wiring in various nonresidential structures such as hospitals, office buildings and stadiums. With its two facilities located in Kentucky and Georgia, Republic’s annual shipment volume has averaged 146,000 tons during the past two years. This acquisition not only further expands Nucor’s product portfolio to include steel electrical conduit but the Company also believes it will be an important, value-added channel to market for Nucor’s sheet mills. Republic’s financial results are included as part of the steel mills segment (see Note 18).

We have allocated the purchase price for Republic to its individual assets acquired and liabilities assumed. While the purchase price allocation is substantially complete, it is still preliminary and subject to change.

The following table summarizes the fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed of Republic as of the date of acquisition (in thousands):

 

Cash

   $ 206  

Accounts receivable

     39,177  

Inventory

     33,561  

Other current assets

     1,101  

Property, plant and equipment

     67,412  

Goodwill

     115,562  

Other intangible assets

     89,200  

Other assets

     3,118  
  

 

 

 

Total assets acquired

     349,337  
  

 

 

 

Current liabilities

     17,743  
  

 

 

 

Total liabilities assumed

     17,743  
  

 

 

 

Net assets acquired

   $ 331,594  
  

 

 

 

 

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The following table summarizes the purchase price allocation to the identifiable intangible assets of Republic as of the date of acquisition (in thousands, except years):

 

            Weighted -
Average Life
 

Customer relationships

   $ 80,800        12 years  

Trademarks and trade names

     8,400        13 years  
  

 

 

    
   $ 89,200     
  

 

 

    

The goodwill of $115.6 million is calculated as the excess of the purchase price over the fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed and has been allocated to the steel mills segment (see Note 6). Goodwill recognized for tax purposes was $118.6 million, all of which is deductible for tax purposes.

Other acquisitions, exclusive of purchase price adjustments of acquisitions made and net of cash acquired, totaled $150.8 million in the first six months of 2017 (none in the first six months of 2016). Included in the 2017 amount is the January 9, 2017 acquisition of Southland Tube (Southland). Nucor used cash on hand to acquire Southland for a purchase price of approximately $130 million. Southland is a manufacturer of hollow structural section tubing, which is primarily used in nonresidential construction markets. Southland had shipments of approximately 240,000 tons in 2016 and has one manufacturing facility in Birmingham, Alabama.

 

3. ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE: An allowance for doubtful accounts is maintained for estimated losses resulting from the inability of our customers to make required payments. Accounts receivable are stated net of an allowance for doubtful accounts of $47.3 million at July 1, 2017 ($45.9 million at December 31, 2016).

 

4. INVENTORIES: Inventories consisted of approximately 39% raw materials and supplies and 61% finished and semi-finished products at July 1, 2017 (37% and 63%, respectively, at December 31, 2016). Nucor’s manufacturing process consists of a continuous, vertically integrated process from which products are sold to customers at various stages throughout the process. Since most steel products can be classified as either finished or semi-finished products, these two categories of inventory are combined. Use of the lower of cost or market methodology reduced inventories by $2.0 million at July 1, 2017 ($2.2 million at December 31, 2016).

 

5. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT: Property, plant and equipment is recorded net of accumulated depreciation of $8.46 billion at July 1, 2017 ($8.16 billion at December 31, 2016).

Given the natural gas pricing environment, Nucor performed an impairment assessment of its proved producing natural gas well assets in December 2016. One of the main assumptions that most significantly affects the undiscounted cash flows determination is management’s estimate of future natural gas prices. The pricing used in this impairment assessment was developed by management based on projected natural gas market supply and demand dynamics, in conjunction with a review of projections by numerous sources of market data. This analysis was performed on each of Nucor’s three groups of wells, with each group defined by common geographic location. Each of Nucor’s three groups of wells passed the impairment test. One of the groups of wells had estimated undiscounted cash flows that were noticeably closer to its carrying value of $80.8 million as of December 31, 2016. The carrying value of that group of wells was $75.8 million at July 1, 2017. Changes in the natural gas industry or a prolonged low price environment beyond what had already been assumed in the analysis could cause management to revise the natural gas price assumptions, which could possibly result in an impairment of some or all of the groups of proved well assets.

 

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6. GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS: The change in the net carrying amount of goodwill for the six months ended July 1, 2017, by segment is as follows (in thousands):

 

     Steel Mills      Steel Products      Raw Materials      Total  

Balance at December 31, 2016

   $ 620,156      $ 702,995      $ 729,577      $ 2,052,728  

Acquisitions

     125,328        —          —          125,328  

Translation

     —          1,585        —          1,585  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance at July 1, 2017

   $ 745,484      $ 704,580      $ 729,577      $ 2,179,641  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Nucor completed its most recent annual goodwill impairment testing during the fourth quarter of 2016 and concluded that there was no impairment of goodwill for any of its reporting units. There have been no triggering events requiring an interim assessment for impairment since the most recent annual impairment testing date.

Intangible assets with estimated useful lives of 5 to 22 years are amortized on a straight-line or accelerated basis and are comprised of the following (in thousands):

 

     July 1, 2017      December 31, 2016  
     Gross
Amount
     Accumulated
Amortization
     Gross
Amount
     Accumulated
Amortization
 

Customer relationships

   $ 1,409,125      $ 603,734      $ 1,295,803      $ 566,884  

Trademarks and trade names

     174,116        71,843        161,851        66,494  

Other

     62,807        23,493        62,807        20,248  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 1,646,048      $ 699,070      $ 1,520,461      $ 653,626  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Intangible asset amortization expense in the second quarter of 2017 and 2016 was $23.0 million and $17.5 million, respectively, and was $45.4 million and $35.6 million in the first six months of 2017 and 2016, respectively. Annual amortization expense is estimated to be $90.8 million in 2017; $88.8 million in 2018; $85.9 million in 2019; $83.5 million in 2020; and $82.3 million in 2021.

 

7. EQUITY INVESTMENTS: The carrying value of our equity investments in domestic and foreign companies was $679.5 million at July 1, 2017 ($663.4 million at December 31, 2016) and is recorded in other assets in the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

NUMIT

Nucor has a 50% economic and voting interest in NuMit LLC (NuMit). NuMit owns 100% of the equity interest in Steel Technologies LLC, an operator of 25 sheet processing facilities located throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico. Nucor accounts for the investment in NuMit (on a one-month lag basis) under the equity method, as control and risk of loss are shared equally between the members. Nucor’s investment in NuMit at July 1, 2017 was $302.3 million ($325.1 million at December 31, 2016). Nucor received distributions of $46.9 million and $37.0 million from NuMit during the first six months of 2017 and 2016, respectively.

DUFERDOFIN NUCOR

Nucor owns a 50% economic and voting interest in Duferdofin Nucor S.r.l. (Duferdofin Nucor), an Italian steel manufacturer, and accounts for the investment (on a one-month lag basis) under the equity method, as control and risk of loss are shared equally between the members.

 

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Nucor’s investment in Duferdofin Nucor at July 1, 2017 was $274.7 million ($256.6 million at December 31, 2016). Nucor’s 50% share of the total net assets of Duferdofin Nucor was $110.3 million at July 1, 2017, resulting in a basis difference of $164.4 million due to the step-up to fair value of certain assets and liabilities attributable to Duferdofin Nucor as well as the identification of goodwill ($88.0 million) and finite-lived intangible assets. This basis difference, excluding the portion attributable to goodwill, is being amortized based on the remaining estimated useful lives of the various underlying net assets, as appropriate. Amortization expense associated with the fair value step-up was $2.2 million in the second quarter of 2017 and 2016, and was $4.3 million and $4.4 million in the first six months of 2017 and 2016, respectively.

As of July 1, 2017, Nucor had outstanding notes receivable of €35.0 million ($40.0 million) from Duferdofin Nucor (€35.0 million, or $36.9 million, as of December 31, 2016). The notes receivable bear interest at 0.94% and reset annually on September 30 to the 12-month Euro Interbank Offered Rate (Euribor) plus 1% per year. The principal amounts are due on January 31, 2019. As of July 1, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the notes receivable were classified in other assets in the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

Nucor has issued a guarantee, the fair value of which is immaterial, for its ownership percentage (50%) of Duferdofin Nucor’s borrowings under Facility A of a Structured Trade Finance Facilities Agreement (Facility A). The maximum amount Duferdofin Nucor could have borrowed under Facility A was €122.5 million ($139.9 million) as of July 1, 2017. As of July 1, 2017, there was €115.0 million ($131.4 million) outstanding under that facility (€107.0 million, or $112.7 million, as of December 31, 2016). Facility A was amended in 2015 to extend the maturity date to October 12, 2018. If Duferdofin Nucor fails to pay when due any amounts for which it is obligated under Facility A, Nucor could be required to pay 50% of such amounts pursuant to and in accordance with the terms of its guarantee. Any indebtedness of Duferdofin Nucor to Nucor is effectively subordinated to the indebtedness of Duferdofin Nucor under Facility A. Nucor has not recorded any liability associated with this guarantee.

ALL EQUITY INVESTMENTS

Nucor reviews its equity investments for impairment if and when circumstances indicate that a decline in value below their carrying amounts may have occurred. Nucor last assessed its equity investment in Duferdofin Nucor for impairment in 2015 due to the protracted challenging steel market conditions caused by excess global overcapacity, which increased in 2015, and the difficult economic environment in Europe. After completing its assessment, the Company determined that the carrying amount exceeded its estimated fair value and incurred a partial impairment of its investment. While the operating performance of Duferdofin Nucor showed meaningful improvement in 2016 and the first half of 2017, steel market conditions in Europe have continued to be challenging. Therefore, it is reasonably possible that material deviation of future performance from the estimates used in our most recent valuation could result in further impairment of our investment in Duferdofin Nucor. We will continue to monitor for potential triggering events that could affect the carrying value of our investment in Duferdofin Nucor as a result of future market conditions and any changes in our business strategy.

 

8. CURRENT LIABILITIES: Book overdrafts, included in accounts payable in the condensed consolidated balance sheets, were $123.5 million at July 1, 2017 ($61.3 million at December 31, 2016). Dividends payable, included in accrued expenses and other current liabilities in the condensed consolidated balance sheets, were $121.6 million at July 1, 2017 ($121.3 million at December 31, 2016).

 

9. DERIVATIVES: Nucor periodically uses derivative financial instruments primarily to partially manage its exposure to price risk related to natural gas purchases used in the production process as well as to scrap, copper and aluminum purchased for resale to its customers. In addition, Nucor periodically uses derivatives to partially manage its exposure to changes in interest rates on outstanding debt instruments and uses forward foreign exchange contracts to hedge cash flows associated with certain assets and liabilities, firm commitments and anticipated transactions.

 

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Nucor recognizes all derivative instruments in the condensed consolidated balance sheets at fair value. Any resulting changes in fair value are recorded as adjustments to other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, or recognized in net earnings, as appropriate.

At July 1, 2017, natural gas swaps covering approximately 17.6 million MMBTUs (extending through December 2019) were outstanding.

The following tables summarize information regarding Nucor’s derivative instruments (in thousands):

Fair Value of Derivative Instruments

 

        Fair Value at  
   

Balance Sheet Location

  July 1, 2017     Dec. 31, 2016  

Asset derivatives designated as hedging instruments:

     

Commodity contracts

  Other current assets   $ 200     $ 1,250  
   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Asset derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:

     

Foreign exchange contracts

  Other current assets     —         779  
   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total asset derivatives

    $ 200     $ 2,029  
   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Liability derivatives designated as hedging instruments:

     

Commodity contracts

  Deferred credits and other liabilities   $ (700   $ —    
   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Liability derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:

     

Commodity contracts

  Accrued expenses and other current liabilities     (658     (605

Foreign exchange contracts

  Accrued expenses and other current liabilities     (1,232     —    
   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liability derivatives not designated as hedging instruments

      (1,890     (605

Total liability derivatives

    $ (2,590   $ (605
   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The Effect of Derivative Instruments on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings

Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments

 

              Amount of Gain or (Loss), net of        
        Amount of Gain or (Loss), net of     tax, Reclassified from     Amount of Gain or (Loss), net of  
Derivatives in       tax, Recognized in OCI on     Accumulated OCI into Earnings on     tax, Recognized in Earnings on  
Cash Flow   Statement of   Derivatives (Effective Portion)     Derivatives (Effective Portion)     Derivatives (Ineffective Portion)  
Hedging   Earnings   Three Months (13 Weeks) Ended     Three Months (13 Weeks) Ended     Three Months (13 Weeks) Ended  

Relationships

  Location   July 1, 2017     July 2, 2016     July 1, 2017     July 2, 2016     July 1, 2017     July 2, 2016  

Commodity contracts

  Cost of
products
sold
  $ (71   $ 3,243     $ (171   $ (3,257   $ —       $ —    
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Derivatives in

Cash Flow

  Statement of   Amount of Gain or (Loss), net of
tax, Recognized in OCI on
Derivatives (Effective Portion)
    Amount of Gain or (Loss), net of
tax, Reclassified from
Accumulated OCI into Earnings on
Derivatives (Effective Portion)
    Amount of Gain or (Loss), net of
tax, Recognized in Earnings on
Derivatives (Ineffective Portion)
 
Hedging   Earnings   Six Months (26 Weeks) Ended     Six Months (26 Weeks) Ended     Six Months (26 Weeks) Ended  

Relationships

  Location   July 1, 2017     July 2, 2016     July 1, 2017     July 2, 2016     July 1, 2017     July 2, 2016  

Commodity contracts

  Cost of
products
sold
  $ (1,706   $ 1,512     $ (656   $ (6,288   $ —       $ —    
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments

 

          Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Earnings on Derivatives  
Derivatives Not Designated as   Statement of     Three Months (13 Weeks) Ended     Six Months (26 Weeks) Ended  

Hedging Instruments

  Earnings Location     July 1, 2017     July 2, 2016     July 1, 2017     July 2, 2016  

Commodity contracts

    Cost of products sold     $ (364   $ (962   $ (2,919   $ (874

Foreign exchange contracts

    Cost of products sold       (1,449     (13     (2,345     (831
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

    $ (1,813   $ (975   $ (5,264   $ (1,705
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

10. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS: The following table summarizes information regarding Nucor’s financial assets and financial liabilities that are measured at fair value as of July 1, 2017 and December 31, 2016 (in thousands). Nucor does not have any non-financial assets or non-financial liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis.

 

          Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using  

Description

  Carrying
Amount in
Condensed
Consolidated
Balance Sheets
    Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)
    Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
    Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 

As of July 1, 2017

       

Assets:

       

Cash equivalents

  $ 1,092,015     $ 1,092,015     $ —       $ —    

Short-term investments

    50,000       50,000       —         —    

Commodity contracts

    200       —         200       —    
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

  $ 1,142,215     $ 1,142,015     $ 200     $ —    
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Liabilities:

       

Commodity and foreign exchange contracts

  $ (2,590   $ —       $ (2,590   $ —    
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2016

       

Assets:

       

Cash equivalents

  $ 1,609,523     $ 1,609,523     $ —       $ —    

Short-term investments

    150,000       150,000       —         —    

Commodity and foreign exchange contracts

    2,029       —         2,029       —    
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

  $ 1,761,552     $ 1,759,523     $ 2,029     $ —    
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Liabilities:

       

Commodity contracts

  $ (605   $ —       $ (605   $ —    
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Fair value measurements for Nucor’s cash equivalents and short-term investments are classified under Level 1 because such measurements are based on quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets. Our short-term investments are held in similar short-term investment instruments as described in Note 4 to the audited consolidated financial statements included in Nucor’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016. Fair value measurements for Nucor’s derivatives are classified under Level 2 because such measurements are based on published market prices for similar assets or are estimated based on observable inputs such as interest rates, yield curves, credit risks, spot and future commodity prices, and spot and future exchange rates.

The fair value of short-term and long-term debt, including current maturities, was approximately $4.75 billion at July 1, 2017 ($4.70 billion at December 31, 2016). The debt fair value estimates are

 

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classified under Level 2 because such estimates are based on readily available market prices of our debt at July 1, 2017 and December 31, 2016, or similar debt with the same maturities, ratings and interest rates.

 

11. CONTINGENCIES: Nucor is subject to environmental laws and regulations established by federal, state and local authorities and, accordingly, makes provision for the estimated costs of compliance. Of the undiscounted total of $17.4 million of accrued environmental costs at July 1, 2017 ($21.9 million at December 31, 2016), $5.1 million was classified in accrued expenses and other current liabilities ($9.5 million at December 31, 2016) and $12.3 million was classified in deferred credits and other liabilities ($12.4 million at December 31, 2016). Inherent uncertainties exist in these estimates primarily due to unknown conditions, evolving remediation technology and changing governmental regulations and legal standards.

We are from time to time a party to various lawsuits, claims and other legal proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of business. With respect to all such lawsuits, claims and proceedings, we record reserves when it is probable a liability has been incurred and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. We do not believe that any of these proceedings, individually or in the aggregate, would be expected to have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial position or cash flows. Nucor maintains liability insurance for certain risks that is subject to certain self-insurance limits.

 

12. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION: Stock Options – Stock options may be granted to Nucor’s key employees, officers and non-employee directors with exercise prices at 100% of the market value on the date of the grant. The stock options granted are generally exercisable at the end of three years and have a term of 10 years. New shares are issued upon exercise of stock options.

A summary of activity under Nucor’s stock option plans for the first six months of 2017 is as follows (in thousands, except years and per share amounts):

 

            Weighted -      Weighted -         
            Average      Average      Aggregate  
            Exercise      Remaining      Intrinsic  
     Shares      Price      Contractual Life      Value  

Number of shares under stock options:

           

Outstanding at beginning of year

     3,591      $ 45.32        

Granted

     698      $ 59.07        

Exercised

     (92    $ 38.56         $ 2,278  

Canceled

     —          —          
  

 

 

          

Outstanding at July 1, 2017

     4,197      $ 47.75        7.3 years      $ 43,313  
  

 

 

          

Stock options exercisable at July 1, 2017

     1,900      $ 43.16        5.4 years      $ 27,960  
  

 

 

          

For the 2017 stock option grant, the grant date fair value of $12.61 per share was calculated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following assumptions:

 

Exercise price

   $ 59.07  

Expected dividend yield

     2.56

Expected stock price volatility

     26.53

Risk-free interest rate

     2.02

Expected life (years)

     6.5    

Stock options granted to employees who are eligible for retirement on the date of grant are expensed immediately since these awards vest upon retirement from the Company. Retirement, for purposes of vesting in these stock options, means termination of employment after satisfying age and years of service requirements. Similarly, stock options granted to employees who will become retirement-eligible prior to the end of the vesting term are expensed over the period through which the employee will become retirement-eligible. Compensation expense for stock options granted to

 

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employees who will not become retirement-eligible prior to the end of the vesting term is recognized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. Compensation expense for stock options was $7.2 million and $7.1 million in the second quarter of 2017 and 2016, respectively, and $7.5 million and $7.3 million in the first six months of 2017 and 2016, respectively. As of July 1, 2017, unrecognized compensation expense related to stock options was $2.9 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.4 years.

Restricted Stock Units Nucor annually grants restricted stock units (RSUs) to key employees, officers and non-employee directors. The RSUs typically vest and are converted to common stock in three equal installments on each of the first three anniversaries of the grant date. A portion of the RSUs awarded to an officer vests upon the officer’s retirement. Retirement, for purposes of vesting in these RSUs only, means termination of employment with approval of the Compensation and Executive Development Committee of the Board of Directors after satisfying age and years of service requirements. RSUs granted to a non-employee director are fully vested on the grant date and are payable to the non-employee director in the form of common stock after the termination of the director’s service on the Board of Directors.

RSUs granted to employees who are eligible for retirement on the date of grant are expensed immediately, and RSUs granted to employees who will become retirement-eligible prior to the end of the vesting term are expensed over the period through which the employee will become retirement-eligible since these awards vest upon retirement from the Company. Compensation expense for RSUs granted to employees who will not become retirement-eligible prior to the end of the vesting term is recognized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period.

Cash dividend equivalents are paid to holders of RSUs each quarter. Dividend equivalents paid on RSUs expected to vest are recognized as a reduction in retained earnings.

The fair value of an RSU is determined based on the closing stock price of Nucor’s common stock on the date of the grant . A summary of Nucor’s RSU activity for the first six months of 2017 is as follows (shares in thousands):

 

            Grant Date  
     Shares      Fair Value  

Restricted stock units:

     

Unvested at beginning of year

     1,040      $ 48.47  

Granted

     721      $ 59.07  

Vested

     (630    $ 53.21  

Canceled

     (10    $ 49.38  
  

 

 

    

Unvested at July 1, 2017

     1,121      $ 52.62  
  

 

 

    

Shares reserved for future grants (stock options and RSUs)

     7,278     
  

 

 

    

Compensation expense for RSUs was $21.1 million and $18.3 million in the second quarter of 2017 and 2016, respectively, and $26.1 million and $23.2 million in the first six months of 2017 and 2016, respectively. As of July 1, 2017, unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested RSUs was $46.3 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.5 years.

Restricted Stock Awards Nucor’s Senior Officers Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) and Senior Officers Annual Incentive Plan (AIP) authorize the award of shares of common stock to officers subject to certain conditions and restrictions.

The LTIP provides for the award of shares of restricted common stock at the end of each LTIP performance measurement period at no cost to officers if certain financial performance goals are met during the period. One-third of the LTIP restricted stock award vests upon each of the first three anniversaries of the award date or, if earlier, upon the officer’s attainment of age 55 while employed by Nucor. Although participants are entitled to cash dividends and may vote such awarded shares, the sale or transfer of such shares is limited during the restricted period.

 

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The AIP provides for the payment of annual cash incentive awards. An AIP participant may elect, however, to defer payment of up to one-half of an AIP award. In such event, the deferred AIP award is converted into common stock units and credited with a deferral incentive, in the form of additional common stock units, equal to 25% of the number of common stock units attributable to the deferred AIP award. Common stock units attributable to deferred AIP awards are fully vested. Common stock units credited as a deferral incentive vest upon the AIP participant’s attainment of age 55 while employed by Nucor. Vested common stock units are paid to AIP participants in the form of shares of common stock following their termination of employment with Nucor.

A summary of Nucor’s restricted stock activity under the AIP and the LTIP for the first six months of 2017 is as follows (shares in thousands):

 

            Grant Date  
     Shares      Fair Value  

Restricted stock awards and units:

     

Unvested at beginning of year

     67      $ 45.77  

Granted

     172      $ 60.62  

Vested

     (144    $ 51.69  

Canceled

     —          —    
  

 

 

    

Unvested at July 1, 2017

     95      $ 54.45  
  

 

 

    

Shares reserved for future grants

     683     
  

 

 

    

Compensation expense for common stock and common stock units awarded under the AIP and the LTIP is recorded over the performance measurement and vesting periods based on the anticipated number and market value of shares of common stock and common stock units to be awarded. Compensation expense for anticipated awards based upon Nucor’s financial performance, exclusive of amounts payable in cash, was $3.2 million and $4.8 million in the second quarter of 2017 and 2016, respectively, and $7.5 million and $7.0 million in the first six months of 2017 and 2016, respectively. As of July 1, 2017, unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested restricted stock awards was $1.6 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.1 years.

 

13. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN: Nucor makes contributions to a Profit Sharing and Retirement Savings Plan for qualified employees based on the profitability of the Company. Nucor’s expense for these benefits totaled $48.5 million and $36.0 million in the second quarter of 2017 and 2016, respectively, and $102.5 million and $47.8 million in the first six months of 2017 and 2016, respectively. The related liability for these benefits is included in salaries, wages and related accruals in the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

 

14. INTEREST EXPENSE (INCOME): The components of net interest expense are as follows (in thousands):

 

     Three Months (13 Weeks) Ended      Six Months (26 Weeks) Ended  
     July 1, 2017      July 2, 2016      July 1, 2017      July 2, 2016  

Interest expense

   $ 47,565      $ 43,477      $ 93,865      $ 90,851  

Interest income

     (2,985      (2,993      (5,680      (5,445
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Interest expense, net

   $ 44,580      $ 40,484      $ 88,185      $ 85,406  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

15. INCOME TAXES: The effective tax rate for the second quarter of 2017 was 32.7% compared to 30.4% for the second quarter of 2016. The increase in the effective tax rate for the second quarter of 2017 as compared to the second quarter of 2016 was primarily due to the change in relative proportions of net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests to total pre-tax earnings between the periods.

 

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Nucor has concluded U.S. federal income tax matters for years through 2012. The tax years 2013 through 2015 remain open to examination by the Internal Revenue Service. The Canada Revenue Agency has substantially concluded its examination of the 2012 Canadian returns for Harris Steel Group Inc. and certain related affiliates and is now examining the 2013 Canadian returns. The tax years 2009 through 2016 remain open to examination by other major taxing jurisdictions to which Nucor is subject (primarily Canada and other state and local jurisdictions).

Non-current deferred tax assets included in other assets in the condensed consolidated balance sheets were $0.6 million at July 1, 2017 (none at December 31, 2016). Non-current deferred tax liabilities included in deferred credits and other liabilities in the condensed consolidated balance sheets were $549.7 million at July 1, 2017 ($558.6 million at December 31, 2016).

 

16. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY: The following tables reflect the changes in stockholders’ equity attributable to both Nucor and the noncontrolling interests of Nucor’s joint ventures, primarily Nucor-Yamato Steel Company, of which Nucor owns 51% (in thousands):

 

     Attributable to      Attributable to         
     Nucor Corporation      Noncontrolling Interests      Total  

Stockholders’ equity at December 31, 2016

   $ 7,879,865      $ 374,843      $ 8,254,708  

Total comprehensive income

     704,855        39,425        744,280  

Stock options

     11,068        —          11,068  

Issuance of stock under award plans, net of forfeitures

     23,593        —          23,593  

Amortization of unearned compensation

     700        —          700  

Dividends declared

     (243,016      —          (243,016

Distributions to noncontrolling interests

     —          (79,420      (79,420
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Stockholders’ equity at July 1, 2017

   $ 8,377,065      $ 334,848      $ 8,711,913  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     Attributable to      Attributable to         
     Nucor Corporation      Noncontrolling Interests      Total  

Stockholders’ equity at December 31, 2015

   $ 7,477,816      $ 372,061      $ 7,849,877  

Total comprehensive income

     401,169        62,681        463,850  

Stock options

     9,215        —          9,215  

Issuance of stock under award plans, net of forfeitures

     18,973        —          18,973  

Amortization of unearned compensation

     500        —          500  

Treasury stock acquired

     (5,173      —          (5,173

Dividends declared

     (240,538      —          (240,538

Distributions to noncontrolling interests

     —          (78,684      (78,684

Other

     (602      (1,776      (2,378
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Stockholders’ equity at July 2, 2016

   $ 7,661,360      $ 354,282      $ 8,015,642  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

In September 2015, the Company announced that the Board of Directors had approved a stock repurchase program under which the Company is authorized to repurchase up to $900 million of the Company’s common stock. This $900 million share repurchase program has no stated expiration and replaced any previously authorized repurchase programs. As of July 1, 2017, the Company had $828.3 million remaining available under the program. The Company expects any share repurchases to be made through purchases from time to time in the open market at prevailing market prices, through private transactions or block trades. The timing and amount of any repurchases will depend on market conditions, share price, applicable legal requirements and other factors.

 

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17. ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS): The following tables reflect the changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) by component (in thousands):

 

     Three-Month (13 Week) Period Ended  
     July 1, 2017  
     Gains and Losses on      Foreign Currency      Adjustment to Early         
     Hedging Derivatives      Gain (Loss)      Retiree Medical Plan      Total  

Accumulated other comprehensive loss at April 1, 2017

   $ (400    $ (324,169    $ 7,577      $ (316,992

Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications

     (71      23,957        —          23,886  

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into earnings (1)

     171        —          —          171  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)

     100        23,957        —          24,057  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss at July 1, 2017

   $ (300    $ (300,212    $ 7,577      $ (292,935
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     Six-Month (26 Week) Period Ended  
     July 1, 2017  
     Gains and Losses on      Foreign Currency      Adjustment to Early         
     Hedging Derivatives      Gain (Loss)      Retiree Medical Plan      Total  

Accumulated other comprehensive loss at December 31, 2016

   $ 750      $ (326,170    $ 7,577      $ (317,843

Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications

     (1,706      25,958        —          24,252  

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into earnings (1)

     656        —          —          656  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)

     (1,050      25,958        —          24,908  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss at July 1, 2017

   $ (300    $ (300,212    $ 7,577      $ (292,935
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1)   Includes $171 and $656 of accumulated other comprehensive income reclassifications into cost of products sold for net losses on commodity contracts in the second quarter and first six months of 2017, respectively. The tax impacts of those reclassifications were $0 and $300, respectively.

 

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     Three-Month (13 Week) Period Ended  
     July 2, 2016  
     Gains and Losses on      Foreign Currency      Adjustment to Early         
     Hedging Derivatives      Gain (Loss)      Retiree Medical Plan      Total  

Accumulated other comprehensive loss at April 2, 2016

   $ (10,400    $ (297,768    $ 12,003      $ (296,165

Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications

     3,243        8,287        —          11,530  

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into earnings (2)

     3,257        —          —          3,257  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)

     6,500        8,287        —          14,787  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss at July 2, 2016

   $ (3,900    $ (289,481    $ 12,003      $ (281,378
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     Six-Month (26 Week) Period Ended  
     July 2, 2016  
     Gains and Losses on      Foreign Currency      Adjustment to Early         
     Hedging Derivatives      Gain (Loss)      Retiree Medical Plan      Total  

Accumulated other comprehensive loss at December 31, 2015

   $ (11,700    $ (351,665    $ 12,003      $ (351,362

Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications

     1,512        62,184        —          63,696  

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into earnings (2)

     6,288        —          —          6,288  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)

     7,800        62,184        —          69,984  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss at July 2, 2016

   $ (3,900    $ (289,481    $ 12,003      $ (281,378
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(2)   Includes $3,257 and $6,288 of accumulated other comprehensive income reclassifications into cost of products sold for net losses on commodity contracts in the second quarter and first six months of 2016, respectively. The tax impacts of those reclassifications were $1,900 and $3,600, respectively.

 

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18. SEGMENTS: Nucor reports its results in the following segments: steel mills, steel products and raw materials. The steel mills segment includes carbon and alloy steel in sheet, bars, structural and plate; steel foundation distributors; tubular products businesses; steel trading businesses; rebar distribution businesses; and Nucor’s equity method investments in Duferdofin Nucor and NuMit. The steel products segment includes 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. The raw materials segment includes The David J. Joseph Company and its affiliates, primarily a scrap broker and processor; Nu-Iron Unlimited and Nucor Steel Louisiana, two facilities that produce direct reduced iron used by the steel mills; our natural gas production operations; and Nucor’s equity method investment in Hunter Ridge Energy Services LLC (Hunter Ridge). Nucor sold its 50% interest in Hunter Ridge during the third quarter of 2016. The steel mills, steel products and raw materials segments are consistent with the way Nucor manages its business, which is primarily based upon the similarity of the types of products produced and sold by each segment.

Net interest expense, other income, profit sharing expense and stock-based compensation are shown under Corporate/eliminations. Corporate assets primarily include cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, allowances to eliminate intercompany profit in inventory, deferred income tax assets, federal and state income taxes receivable and investments in and advances to affiliates. The balance of earnings (loss) before income taxes and noncontrolling interests as of and for the periods ended July 2, 2016 was adjusted due to the change in accounting principle from LIFO to FIFO for certain inventories (see Note 1).

Nucor’s results by segment were as follows (in thousands):

 

     Three Months (13 Weeks) Ended      Six Months (26 Weeks) Ended  
     July 1, 2017      July 2, 2016      July 1, 2017      July 2, 2016  

Net sales to external customers:

           

Steel mills

   $ 3,800,359      $ 3,016,322      $ 7,343,148      $ 5,650,911  

Steel products

     970,398        923,357        1,830,473        1,751,733  

Raw materials

     404,012        306,093        816,327        558,704  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 5,174,769      $ 4,245,772      $ 9,989,948      $ 7,961,348  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Intercompany sales:

           

Steel mills

   $ 760,937      $ 554,395      $ 1,421,855      $ 1,024,658  

Steel products

     24,972        27,954        52,115        49,160  

Raw materials

     2,459,352        1,771,470        4,637,991        2,942,832  

Corporate/eliminations

     (3,245,261      (2,353,819      (6,111,961      (4,016,650
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ —        $ —        $ —        $ —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Earnings (loss) before income taxes and noncontrolling interests:

           

Steel mills

   $ 617,366      $ 530,727      $ 1,301,527      $ 811,099  

Steel products

     45,809        82,946        72,731        125,313  

Raw materials

     66,227        (27,181      92,618        (90,553

Corporate/eliminations

     (221,266      (196,608      (409,765      (286,412
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 508,136      $ 389,884      $ 1,057,111      $ 559,447  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     July 1, 2017      Dec. 31, 2016         

Segment assets:

        

Steel mills

   $ 9,230,612      $ 8,084,773     

Steel products

     2,691,020        2,544,344     

Raw materials

     3,316,269        3,235,237     

Corporate/eliminations

     874,824        1,359,164     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    
   $ 16,112,725      $ 15,223,518     
  

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

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19. EARNINGS PER SHARE: The computations of basic and diluted net earnings per share are as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):

 

     Three Months (13 Weeks) Ended      Six Months (26 Weeks) Ended  
     July 1, 2017      July 2, 2016      July 1, 2017      July 2, 2016  

Basic net earnings per share:

           

Basic net earnings

   $ 323,048      $ 243,620      $ 679,947      $ 331,185  

Earnings allocated to participating securities

     (1,138      (852      (2,333      (1,089
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net earnings available to common stockholders

   $ 321,910      $ 242,768      $ 677,614      $ 330,096  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Average shares outstanding

     320,439        319,360        320,332        319,299  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Basic net earnings per share

   $ 1.00      $ 0.76      $ 2.12      $ 1.03  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Diluted net earnings per share:

           

Diluted net earnings

   $ 323,048      $ 243,620      $ 679,947      $ 331,185  

Earnings allocated to participating securities

     (1,136      (852      (2,328      (1,089
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net earnings available to common stockholders

   $ 321,912      $ 242,768      $ 677,619      $ 330,096  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Diluted average shares outstanding:

           

Basic shares outstanding

     320,439        319,360        320,332        319,299  

Dilutive effect of stock options and other

     787        223        854        138  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     321,226        319,583        321,186        319,437  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Diluted net earnings per share

   $ 1.00      $ 0.76      $ 2.11      $ 1.03  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The following stock options were excluded from the computation of diluted net earnings per share because their effect would have been anti-dilutive (in thousands, except per share amounts):

 

     Three Months (13 Weeks) Ended      Six Months (26 Weeks) Ended  
     July 1, 2017      July 2, 2016      July 1, 2017      July 2, 2016  

Anti-dilutive stock options:

           

Weighted-average shares

     698        1,334        349        1,874  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Weighted-average exercise price

   $ 59.07      $ 49.40      $ 59.07      $ 47.04  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Certain statements made in this quarterly report 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. These forward-looking statements reflect the Company’s best judgment based on current information, and although we base these statements on circumstances that we believe to be reasonable when made, there can be no assurance that future events will not affect the accuracy of such forward-looking information. As such, the forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, and actual results may vary materially from the projected results and expectations discussed in this report. 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 pressure 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 changes in the supply and cost of raw materials, including pig iron, iron ore and scrap steel; (4) availability and cost of electricity and natural gas which could negatively affect our cost of steel production or could result in a delay or cancelation of existing or future drilling within our natural gas drilling programs; (5) critical equipment failures and business interruptions; (6) market demand for steel products, which, in the case of many of our products, is driven by the level of nonresidential construction activity in the U.S.; (7) impairment in the recorded value of inventory, equity investments, fixed assets, goodwill or other long-lived assets; (8) uncertainties surrounding the global economy, including the severe economic downturn in construction markets and excess world capacity for steel production; (9) fluctuations in currency conversion rates; (10) significant changes in laws or government regulations affecting environmental compliance, including legislation and regulations that result in greater regulation of greenhouse gas emissions that could increase our energy costs and our capital expenditures and operating costs or cause one or more of our permits to be revoked or make it more difficult to obtain permit modifications; (11) the cyclical nature of the steel industry; (12) capital investments and their impact on our performance; and (13) our safety performance.

The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included elsewhere in this report, as well as the audited consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” and “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” contained in Nucor’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.

Overview

Nucor and its affiliates manufacture steel and steel products. Nucor also produces direct reduced iron (DRI) for use in its steel mills. Through The David J. Joseph Company and its affiliates (DJJ), the Company also processes ferrous and nonferrous metals and brokers ferrous and nonferrous metals, pig iron, hot briquetted iron (HBI) and DRI. Most of Nucor’s operating facilities and customers are located in North America. Nucor’s operations include international trading and sales companies that buy and sell steel and steel products manufactured by the Company and others. Nucor is North America’s largest recycler, using scrap steel as the primary raw material in producing steel and steel products.

Nucor reports its results in three segments: steel mills, steel products and raw materials. In the steel mills segment, Nucor produces sheet steel (hot-rolled, cold-rolled and galvanized), hollow structural section (HSS) tubing, electrical conduit, plate steel, structural steel (wide-flange beams, beam blanks, H-piling and sheet piling) and bar steel (blooms, billets, concrete reinforcing bar, merchant bar and special bar quality). Nucor manufactures steel principally from scrap steel and scrap steel substitutes using electric arc furnaces, continuous casting and automated rolling mills. The steel mills segment also includes Nucor’s equity method investments in Duferdofin Nucor S.r.l. (Duferdofin Nucor) and NuMit LLC (NuMit), as well as Nucor’s steel trading businesses and rebar distribution businesses. In the steel products segment, Nucor produces steel joists and joist girders, steel deck, fabricated concrete reinforcing steel, cold finished steel, steel fasteners, metal building systems, steel grating and expanded metal, and wire and wire mesh. In the raw materials segment, Nucor produces DRI; brokers ferrous and nonferrous metals, pig iron, HBI and DRI; supplies ferro-alloys; and processes ferrous and nonferrous scrap metal. The raw materials segment also includes our natural gas drilling operations.

 

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The average utilization rates of all operating facilities in the steel mills, steel products and raw materials segments were approximately 87%, 62% and 67%, respectively, in the first six months of 2017, compared with 83%, 61% and 62%, respectively, in the first six months of 2016. The steel mills segment’s utilization rate for the first six months of 2016 was revised as part of our updated analysis of steel mill capacity performed in the fourth quarter of 2016. The utilization rates of the steel mills segment for the first six months of 2017 and the first six months of 2016 are calculated using the same steel mill capacity as calculated from that updated analysis.

On January 9, 2017, Nucor used cash on hand to acquire Southland Tube (Southland) for a purchase price of approximately $130 million. Southland is a manufacturer of HSS tubing, which is primarily used in nonresidential construction markets. Southland had shipments of approximately 240,000 tons in 2016 and has one manufacturing facility in Birmingham, Alabama.

Nucor further expanded its value-added product offerings to its customers within the pipe and tube market through the January 20, 2017 acquisition of Republic Conduit (Republic) for a purchase price of $331.6 million. Republic produces steel electrical conduit primarily used to protect and route electrical wiring in various nonresidential structures such as hospitals, office buildings and stadiums. With its two facilities located in Kentucky and Georgia, Republic’s annual shipment volume has averaged 146,000 tons during the past two years.

In March 2017, Nucor announced an investment of $85 million to upgrade the rolling mill at its steel bar mill in Marion, Ohio in order to maintain a cost competitive position by reducing operating costs.

In May 2017, Nucor announced that it is investing an estimated $176 million to build a hot band galvanizing and pickling line at its sheet mill in Ghent, Kentucky. The new galvanizing line will expand Nucor Steel Gallatin’s product capabilities and should have an annual capacity of 500,000 tons. Once the necessary approvals are obtained, it is expected to take two years to construct the galvanizing line and begin operations.

Nucor’s financial results for the first half of 2017 were the strongest first half results the Company has reported since the cyclical peak year of 2008. The results sustained during the past six months are a result of the ongoing execution of our strategy for long-term, profitable growth. In addition, conditions in the overall economy and many of the markets we serve are much improved from the depressed levels in the years that followed the Great Recession. Our business is cyclical and market conditions can change very rapidly, but Nucor’s steady, long-term focus provides for strong financial performance that takes advantage of improved market conditions.

Results of Operations

Net Sales – Net sales to external customers by segment for the second quarter and first six months of 2017 and 2016 were as follows (in thousands):

 

     Three Months (13 Weeks) Ended     Six Months (26 Weeks) Ended  
     July 1, 2017      July 2, 2016      % Change     July 1, 2017      July 2, 2016      % Change  

Steel mills

   $ 3,800,359      $ 3,016,322        26   $ 7,343,148      $ 5,650,911        30

Steel products

     970,398        923,357        5     1,830,473        1,751,733        4

Raw materials

     404,012        306,093        32     816,327        558,704        46
  

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

    

Net sales

   $ 5,174,769      $ 4,245,772        22   $ 9,989,948      $ 7,961,348        25
  

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

    

Net sales for the second quarter of 2017 increased 22% from the second quarter of 2016. Average sales price per ton increased 17% from $658 in the second quarter of 2016 to $767 in the second quarter of 2017. Total tons shipped to outside customers in the second quarter of 2017 were 6,748,000, a 5% increase from the second quarter of 2016.

Net sales for the first six months of 2017 increased 25% from the first six months of 2016. Average sales price per ton increased 19% from $632 in the first half of 2016 to $749 in the first half of 2017, while

 

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total tons shipped to outside customers in the first half of 2017 were 13,332,000, a 6% increase from the first half of 2016.

In the steel mills segment, sales tons were as follows (in thousands):

 

     Three Months (13 Weeks) Ended      Six Months (26 Weeks) Ended  
     July 1, 2017      July 2, 2016      % Change      July 1, 2017      July 2, 2016      % Change  

Outside steel shipments

     5,322        5,082        5%        10,524        9,981        5%  

Inside steel shipments

     1,025        848        21%        1,970        1,596        23%  
  

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

    

Total steel shipments

     6,347        5,930        7%        12,494        11,577        8%  
  

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

    

Net sales for the steel mills segment increased 26% in the second quarter of 2017 from the second quarter of 2016 primarily due to a 20% increase in the average sales price per ton from $593 to $714 and a 5% increase in tons shipped to outside customers. Our sheet, bar and plate products all experienced higher average selling prices in the second quarter and first half of 2017 as compared to the respective prior year periods, with the most significant increases at our sheet and plate mills. Steel mills net sales increased 30% in the first half of 2017 from the first half of 2016 primarily due to a 23% increase in average sales price per ton and a 5% increase in outside shipments. The increase in tons sold to outside customers for the second quarter and first half of 2017 compared to the respective prior year periods is primarily due to the addition of tubular products that occurred during the fourth quarter of 2016 and first quarter of 2017.

Imports continue to negatively impact the U.S. steel industry. Through the first half of 2017, finished steel imports have increased an estimated 15% compared to the same period last year and account for an estimated 27% share of the U.S. market. The industry continues to pursue trade cases to combat unfairly traded imports. Final determinations issued earlier this year against cut-to-length steel plate imports from twelve countries are having a positive impact as steel imports of these products have decreased in the first six months of this year compared to the same period last year. In June, the U.S. International Trade Commission made final injury determinations affirming the Department of Commerce’s antidumping duties in the steel concrete reinforcing bar (rebar) case against Japan and Turkey, as well as final countervailing duties on rebar imports from Turkey. A final decision regarding Taiwan is still pending. In May 2017, the government determined that there is a reasonable indication that the U.S. steel industry is materially injured or threatened with material injury by reason of carbon and certain alloy steel wire rod imports from ten countries. As a result, the government will continue its wire rod antidumping and countervailing duty investigations, and is expected to issue preliminary duty determinations in the coming months.

Tonnage data for the steel products segment was as follows (in thousands):

 

     Three Months (13 Weeks) Ended      Six Months (26 Weeks) Ended  
     July 1, 2017      July 2, 2016      % Change      July 1, 2017      July 2, 2016      % Change  

Joist sales

     104        95        9%        205        193        6%  

Deck sales

     104        108        -4%        210        209        0%  

Cold finish sales

     120        110        9%        242        229        6%  

Fabricated concrete reinforcing steel sales

     291        304        -4%        538        546        -1%  

The 5% increase in the steel products segment’s sales for the second quarter of 2017 from the second quarter of 2016 was due to a 4% increase in average sales price per ton from $1,285 to $1,337 and a 1% increase in volume. The 4% increase in the steel products segment’s sales for the first half of 2017 from the first half of 2016 was due to a 3% increase in average sales price per ton from $1,278 to $1,313 and a 2% increase in volume.

Sales for the raw materials segment increased 32% and 46% in the second quarter and first half of 2017, respectively, from comparative prior year periods. The increases are primarily due to significantly higher average selling prices in DJJ’s brokerage operations, and, to a lesser extent, increased volumes in both DJJ’s brokerage and scrap processing operations. In the second quarter of 2017, approximately 88%

 

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of outside sales for the raw materials segment were from the brokerage operations of DJJ and approximately 10% of outside sales were from DJJ’s scrap processing operations (91% and 7%, respectively, in the second quarter of 2016). In the first half of 2017, approximately 87% of outside sales for the raw materials segment were from the brokerage operations of DJJ and approximately 10% of outside sales were from the scrap processing operations of DJJ (89% and 8%, respectively, in the first half of 2016).

Gross Margins – Nucor recorded gross margins of $709.6 million (14%) for the second quarter of 2017, which was an increase compared with $585.3 million (14%) in the second quarter of 2016:

 

    The primary driver for the increase in gross margin dollars in the second quarter of 2017 as compared to the second quarter of 2016 was increased metal margins in the steel mills segment, particularly at our sheet mills. Metal margin is the difference between the selling price of steel and the cost of scrap and scrap substitutes. The average scrap and scrap substitute cost per ton used in the second quarter of 2017 was $313, a 35% increase from $232 in the second quarter of 2016. Despite this increase in the average scrap and scrap substitute cost per ton used, total metal margin dollars increased in the second quarter of 2017 compared to the second quarter of 2016 due to the increases in average selling prices and volumes as discussed above.

Scrap prices are driven by the global supply and demand for scrap and other iron-based raw materials used to make steel. Scrap prices increased during the first half of 2017 with prices beginning to level out at the end of the second quarter. We expect scrap prices to be stable as we enter the second half of 2017.

 

    Steel mill energy costs increased approximately $2 per ton in the second quarter of 2017 compared with the second quarter of 2016, primarily due to higher natural gas unit costs.

 

    Gross margins in the steel products segment in the second quarter of 2017 decreased compared to the second quarter of 2016 due to a highly competitive market environment and margin compression resulting from higher steel prices.

 

    Gross margins related to DJJ’s scrap processing operations for the second quarter of 2017 increased compared to the second quarter of 2016 due to increased volumes and margin expansion caused by improved scrap selling prices. Gross margins for DJJ’s brokerage operations also increased in the second quarter of 2017 compared to the second quarter of 2016.

 

    Gross margins in the raw materials segment were positively impacted by the profitable performance of our DRI facilities, which experienced a significant increase in pricing in the second quarter of 2017 compared to the second quarter of 2016.

For the first half of 2017, Nucor recorded gross margins of $1.47 billion (15%), which was an increase compared with $900.2 million (11%) in the first half of 2016:

 

    The primary driver for the increase in gross margins in the first half of 2017 as compared to the first half of 2016 was increased metal margins in the steel mills segment. The average scrap and scrap substitute cost per ton used in the first half of 2017 was $298, a 40% increase from $213 in the first half of 2016. Despite this increase in the average scrap and scrap substitute cost per ton used, total metal margin dollars increased in the first half of 2017 compared to the first half of 2016 due to the increases in average selling prices and volumes as discussed above.

 

    Steel mill energy costs for the first half of 2017 increased approximately $2 per ton from the first half of 2016, primarily due to higher natural gas unit costs.

 

    Gross margins in the steel products segment decreased in the first half of 2017 over the first half of 2016 due to the same factors discussed above.

 

   

Gross margins in the raw materials segment for the first half of 2017 benefitted from higher gross margins at DJJ’s brokerage and scrap processing operations as a result of improved scrap selling

 

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prices. The raw materials segment also benefitted from the profitable performance of our DRI facilities due to significantly increased pricing in the first half of 2017 compared to the first half of 2016.

Marketing, Administrative and Other Expenses – A major component of marketing, administrative and other expenses is profit sharing and other incentive compensation costs. These costs, which are based upon and fluctuate with Nucor’s financial performance, increased $11.5 million in the second quarter of 2017 compared to the second quarter of 2016, and increased $58.4 million in the first half of 2017 compared to the first half of 2016, due to the increased profitability of the Company. Profit sharing and other incentive compensation costs increased $6.4 million in the second quarter of 2017 compared to the first quarter of 2017 due to the annual restricted stock unit and stock option grants that occurred in the second quarter of 2017.

Equity in Earnings of Unconsolidated Affiliates – Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates was $13.3 million and $6.8 million in the second quarter of 2017 and 2016, respectively, and $22.1 million and $16.1 million in the first half of 2017 and 2016, respectively. The increase in equity method investment earnings was due to increased earnings at NuMit during both the second quarter and the first half of 2017. Additionally, included in equity method investment earnings in the first half of 2016 is a $5.7 million benefit, $5.0 million of which was out-of-period, at Duferdofin Nucor primarily related to a change in the Italian income tax rate. The out-of-period adjustment is not material to the current period or any previously reported periods.

Interest Expense (Income) - Net interest expense for the second quarter and first half of 2017 and 2016 was as follows (in thousands):

 

     Three Months (13 Weeks) Ended      Six Months (26 Weeks) Ended  
     July 1, 2017      July 2, 2016      July 1, 2017      July 2, 2016  

Interest expense

   $ 47,565      $ 43,477      $ 93,865      $ 90,851  

Interest income

     (2,985      (2,993      (5,680      (5,445
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Interest expense, net

   $ 44,580      $ 40,484      $ 88,185      $ 85,406  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Interest expense for the second quarter of 2017 increased compared to the second quarter of 2016 due to decreased capitalized interest. Interest expense for the first half of 2017 increased compared to the first half 2016 due to higher average interest rates on our variable rate debt and decreased capitalized interest. Interest income for the second quarter and first half of 2017 was consistent with the respective prior year periods due to higher average interest rates on investments offset by significantly decreased average investment levels.

Earnings Before Income Taxes and Noncontrolling Interests – Earnings before income taxes and noncontrolling interests by segment for the second quarter and first half of 2017 and 2016 were as follows (in thousands):

 

     Three Months (13 Weeks) Ended      Six Months (26 Weeks) Ended  
     July 1, 2017      July 2, 2016      July 1, 2017      July 2, 2016  

Steel mills

   $ 617,366      $ 530,727      $ 1,301,527      $ 811,099  

Steel products

     45,809        82,946        72,731        125,313  

Raw materials

     66,227        (27,181      92,618        (90,553

Corporate/eliminations

     (221,266      (196,608      (409,765      (286,412
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 508,136      $ 389,884      $ 1,057,111      $ 559,447  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Earnings before income taxes and noncontrolling interests for the steel mills segment for the second quarter and first half of 2017 increased compared to the respective prior year periods due to significantly improved metal margins. Higher scrap and scrap substitutes costs and increased energy costs were more than offset by higher average selling prices and some increase in volume in the first half of 2017 compared to the first half of 2016. The steel mills segment continues to gain ground in the automotive markets. Energy markets have improved compared to the depressed conditions experienced in 2016.

In the steel products segment, earnings before income taxes and noncontrolling interests in the second quarter and first half of 2017 decreased compared to the respective prior year periods. The decrease in profitability is due to margin compression resulting from highly competitive markets, particularly for our rebar fabrication operations, and higher steel input costs. The performance of our joist, deck, building systems and rebar fabrication operations declined in the second quarter and first half of 2017 compared to the respective prior year periods. Our cold finish operations improved in the second quarter and first half of 2017 compared to the respective prior year periods.

The profitability of our raw materials segment in the second quarter and first half of 2017 improved compared to the respective prior year periods primarily due to the improved, profitable performance of our DRI facilities, which benefited from improved pricing. Also benefiting the raw material segment’s improved profitability in the second quarter and first half of 2017 was the improved performance of DJJ’s scrap processing and brokerage operations, both of which experienced increased average selling prices and volumes.

Greater losses in corporate/eliminations in the second quarter and first half of 2017 as compared to the respective prior year periods was driven by increased incentive compensation costs, primarily profit sharing, caused by the increased profitability of the Company and higher intercompany eliminations. Intercompany eliminations increased due to increased intercompany sales activity and increased intercompany margins at our steel mills and DRI facilities.

Noncontrolling Interests – Noncontrolling interests represent the income attributable to the noncontrolling partners of Nucor’s joint ventures, primarily Nucor-Yamato Steel Company (NYS), of which Nucor owns 51%. The decrease in earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests in the second quarter of 2017 as compared to the second quarter of 2016 was primarily attributable to the decreased earnings of NYS. NYS had lower metal margins in the second quarter of 2017 as compared to the second quarter of 2016 due to the rapid increase in scrap cost, slightly offset by higher sales volumes. The decrease in earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests in the first half of 2017 as compared to the first half of 2016 is mainly the result of lower metal margins in the first half of 2017 as compared to the first half of 2016. Under the NYS limited partnership agreement, the minimum amount of cash to be distributed each year to the partners is the amount needed by each partner to pay applicable U.S. federal and state income taxes. In the first half of 2017 and 2016, the amount of cash distributed to noncontrolling interest holders exceeded the earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests based on mutual agreement of the general partners; however, the cumulative amount of cash distributed to partners was less than the cumulative net earnings of the partnership.

Provision for Income Taxes – The effective tax rate for the second quarter of 2017 was 32.7% compared to 30.4% for the second quarter of 2016. We expect that the effective tax rate for the full year of 2017 will be approximately 32.3% compared with 30.7% for the full year of 2016. The increase in the effective tax rate for the second quarter of 2017 as compared to the second quarter of 2016 was primarily due to the change in relative proportions of net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests to total pre-tax earnings between the periods.

We estimate that in the next 12 months our gross unrecognized tax benefits, which totaled $45.9 million at July 1, 2017 exclusive of interest, could decrease by as much as $9.3 million as a result of the expiration of the statute of limitations and closures of examinations, substantially all of which would impact the effective tax rate.

Nucor has concluded U.S. federal income tax matters for years through 2012. The tax years 2013 through 2015 remain open to examination by the Internal Revenue Service. The Canada Revenue Agency has substantially concluded its examination of the 2012 Canadian returns for Harris Steel Group Inc. and

 

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certain related affiliates and is now examining the 2013 Canadian returns. The tax years 2009 through 2016 remain open to examination by other major taxing jurisdictions to which Nucor is subject (primarily Canada and other state and local jurisdictions).

Net Earnings Attributable to Nucor Stockholders and Return on Equity – Nucor reported consolidated net earnings of $323.0 million, or $1.00 per diluted share, in the second quarter of 2017 compared with consolidated net earnings of $243.6 million, or $0.76 per diluted share, in the second quarter of 2016. Net earnings attributable to Nucor stockholders as a percentage of net sales was 6% in the second quarter of 2017 and 2016.

Nucor reported consolidated net earnings of $679.9 million, or $2.11 per diluted share, in the first half of 2017 compared with consolidated net earnings of $331.2 million, or $1.03 per diluted share, in the first half of 2016. Net earnings attributable to Nucor stockholders as a percentage of net sales was 7% and 4% in the first half of 2017 and 2016, respectively. Annualized return on average stockholders’ equity was 17% and 9% in the first half of 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Outlook – Earnings in the third quarter of 2017 should be in a range similar to the quarterly results of the first half of 2017. Nonresidential construction indicators, such as the Dodge Momentum Index and Architecture Billings Index, continue to suggest that construction activity will remain healthy through the end of the year. We continue to gain ground in the automotive market and expect to continue that trend through the remainder of the year. We are encouraged by improved energy markets compared to the depressed levels of 2015 and 2016.

Nucor’s largest exposure to market risk is via our steel mills and steel products segments. Our largest single customer in the first half of 2017 represented approximately 5% of sales and has consistently paid within terms. In the raw materials segment, we are exposed to price fluctuations related to the purchase of scrap and scrap substitutes and iron ore. Our exposure to market risk is mitigated by the fact that our steel mills use a significant portion of the products of this segment.

Liquidity and capital resources

Cash provided by operating activities was $347.0 million in the first half of 2017 compared with $866.4 million in the first half of 2016. The primary reason for the decrease in cash provided by operating activities is that changes in operating assets and operating liabilities (exclusive of acquisitions) used cash of $797.9 million in the first half of 2017 compared with $60.6 million of cash generated in the first half of 2016. The funding of our working capital in the first half of 2017 increased over the prior year period due mainly to increases in accounts receivable and inventories, partially offset by increases in accounts payable. Accounts receivable increased due to a 16% increase in tons shipped to outside customers in the second quarter of 2017 from the fourth quarter of 2016 and a 13% increase in average sales price per ton. Inventories and accounts payable increased due to the 28% increase in the cost of scrap and scrap substitutes in inventory, as well as the 16% increase in tons of inventory on hand from year-end 2016 to the end of the second quarter of 2017 to support higher operating rates. Partially offsetting the decrease in cash generated from changes in operating assets and operating liabilities was a $325.5 million increase in net earnings over the first half of 2016.

The current ratio was 2.2 at the end of the second quarter of 2017 and 2.7 at year-end 2016. The current ratio was negatively impacted by a 45% increase in accounts payable as compared to year-end 2016 due to the reasons cited above. The current ratio was also negatively impacted by a decrease in cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments and an increase in long-term debt due within one year. The $634.6 million decrease in cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments from year-end 2016 was primarily due to the funding of working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions and dividends, partially offset by cash generated from operating activities. Accounts receivable and inventories increased 28% and 34%, respectively, since year-end 2016 due to the reasons cited above. In the second quarters of both 2017 and 2016, total accounts receivable turned approximately every five weeks and inventories turned approximately every nine weeks. The increase in long-term debt due within one year resulted from the reclassification of $500.0 million of debt due in June 2018 from non-current to current liabilities.

 

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Cash used in investing activities during the first half of 2017 was $575.1 million compared to $672.0 million from the prior year period. The primary driver for the decrease in cash used in investing activities was that cash used to purchase investments decreased from $550.0 million in the first half of 2016 to $50.0 million in the first six months of 2017. Cash used for capital expenditures also experienced a small decrease from the first half of the prior year. The decrease in cash used in investing activities was partially offset by a $478.4 million increase in cash used to fund acquisitions, mainly the purchase of Republic and Southland in January 2017.

Cash used in financing activities decreased by $59.0 million in the first half of 2017 compared with the prior year period. The majority of this change related to the net change in short-term debt associated with trade credit arrangements used to finance the business of Nucor Trading S.A.

Nucor’s conservative financial practices have served us well in the past and are serving us well today. Our cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments position remained strong at $1.56 billion as of July 1, 2017. Nucor’s financial strength allows for a consistent approach to capital allocation throughout the business cycle. Nucor’s highest capital allocation priority is to invest for profitable long-term growth through our multi-pronged strategy of optimizing existing operations, acquisitions and greenfield expansions. Our second priority is to provide our stockholders with cash dividends that are consistent with our success in delivering long-term earnings growth. Our third priority is to opportunistically repurchase our stock when our cash position is strong and attractively priced growth opportunities are limited. In 2015, Nucor’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $900 million of the Company’s common stock.

Nucor has an undrawn $1.5 billion revolving credit facility that does not mature until April 2021. We believe our financial strength is a key strategic advantage among domestic steel producers, particularly during recessionary business cycles. We carry the highest credit ratings of any steel producer headquartered in North America, with an A- long-term rating from Standard and Poor’s and a Baa1 long term rating from Moody’s. Our credit ratings are dependent, however, upon a number of factors, both qualitative and quantitative, and are subject to change at any time. The disclosure of our credit ratings is made in order to enhance investors’ understanding of our sources of liquidity and the impact of our credit ratings on our cost of funds. Based upon the preceding factors, we expect to continue to have adequate access to the capital markets at a reasonable cost of funds for liquidity purposes when needed.

Our credit facility includes only one financial covenant, which is a limit of 60% on the ratio of funded debt to total capitalization. In addition, the credit facility contains customary non-financial covenants, including a limit on Nucor’s ability to pledge the Company’s assets and a limit on consolidations, mergers and sales of assets. As of July 1, 2017, our funded debt to total capital ratio was 33%, and we were in compliance with all non-financial covenants under our credit facility. No borrowings were outstanding under the credit facility as of July 1, 2017.

Capital expenditures for 2017 are expected to be approximately $500.0 million compared to $617.7 million in 2016. The decrease in projected 2017 capital expenditures is primarily due to the fact that several major expansion projects were completed or near completion by the end of 2016. Those projects include NYS’s quench and self-tempering project to become the sole North American producer of high-strength, low-alloy beams; the heat treat facility addition at our Memphis, Tennessee SBQ mill to expand our participation in energy, automotive, heavy equipment and service center markets; an upgraded finishing end at our Auburn, New York bar mill; and the installation of DRI handling equipment near our Gallatin, Kentucky sheet mill. Additionally, in 2016, Nucor purchased 49% of Encana Oil & Gas (USA) Inc.’s leasehold interest covering approximately 54,000 acres in the South Piceance Basin for $165.0 million. The project that we anticipate will have the largest capital expenditures in 2017 is the addition of a cold mill complex at Nucor Steel Arkansas.

In June 2017, Nucor’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend on Nucor’s common stock of $0.3775 per share payable on August 11, 2017 to stockholders of record on June 30, 2017. This dividend is Nucor’s 177th consecutive quarterly cash dividend.

 

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Funds provided from operations, cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments and new borrowings under our existing credit facilities are expected to be adequate to meet future capital expenditure and working capital requirements for existing operations for at least the next 24 months.

 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

In the ordinary course of business, Nucor is exposed to a variety of market risks. We continually monitor these risks and develop appropriate strategies to manage them.

Interest Rate Risk – Nucor manages interest rate risk by using a combination of variable-rate and fixed-rate debt. Nucor also occasionally makes use of interest rate swaps to manage net exposure to interest rate changes. Management does not believe that Nucor’s exposure to interest rate market risk has significantly changed since December 31, 2016. There were no interest rate swaps outstanding at July 1, 2017.

Commodity Price Risk – In the ordinary course of business, Nucor is exposed to market risk for price fluctuations of raw materials and energy, principally scrap steel, other ferrous and nonferrous metals, alloys and natural gas. We attempt to negotiate the best prices for our raw materials and energy requirements and to obtain prices for our steel products that match market price movements in response to supply and demand. In periods of strong or stable demand for our products, we are more likely to be able to effectively reduce the normal time lag in passing through higher raw material costs so that we can maintain our gross margins. When demand for our products is weaker, this becomes more challenging. Our DRI facilities in Trinidad and Louisiana provide us with flexibility in managing our input costs. DRI is particularly important for operational flexibility when demand for prime scrap increases due to increased domestic steel production.

Natural gas produced by Nucor’s drilling operations is being sold to third parties to offset our exposure to changes in the price of natural gas consumed by our Louisiana DRI facility and our steel mills in the United States. For the six months ended July 1, 2017, the volume of natural gas sold from our drilling operations was approximately 19% of the volume of natural gas purchased for consumption in our domestic steelmaking and DRI facilities.

Nucor also periodically uses derivative financial instruments to hedge a portion of our exposure to price risk related to natural gas purchases used in the production process and to hedge a portion of our scrap, aluminum and copper purchases and sales. Gains and losses from derivatives designated as hedges are deferred in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of income taxes on the condensed consolidated balance sheets and recognized into earnings in the same period as the underlying physical transaction. At July 1, 2017, accumulated other comprehensive loss included $0.3 million in unrealized net-of-tax losses for the fair value of these derivative instruments. Changes in the fair values of derivatives not designated as hedges are recognized in earnings each period. The following table presents the negative effect on pre-tax earnings of a hypothetical change in the fair value of derivative instruments outstanding at July 1, 2017, due to an assumed 10% and 25% change in the market price of each of the indicated commodities (in thousands):

 

Commodity Derivative

   10% Change      25% Change  

Natural gas

   $ 4,999      $ 12,496  

Aluminum

     2,000        4,891  

Copper

     1,898        4,852  

Any resulting changes in fair value would be recorded as adjustments to other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes, or recognized in net earnings, as appropriate. These hypothetical losses would be partially offset by the benefit of lower prices paid or higher prices received for the physical commodities.

Foreign Currency Risk  - Nucor is exposed to foreign currency risk primarily through its operations in Canada, Europe and Trinidad. We periodically use derivative contracts to mitigate the risk of currency fluctuations. Open foreign currency derivative contracts at July 1, 2017 were insignificant.

 

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Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures – As of the end of the period covered by this report, the Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the evaluation date.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting – There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended July 1, 2017, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

Nucor is from time to time a party to various lawsuits, claims and other legal proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of business. With respect to all such lawsuits, claims and proceedings, we record reserves when it is probable a liability has been incurred and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. We do not believe that any of these proceedings, individually or in the aggregate, would be expected to have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial position or cash flows. Nucor maintains liability insurance for certain risks that is subject to certain self-insurance limits.

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors

There have been no material changes in Nucor’s risk factors from those included in “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in Nucor’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.

 

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Item 6. Exhibits

 

Exhibit
No.

  

Description of Exhibit

  10*    Employment Agreement of Leon Topalian (#)
  12*    Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
  31*    Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a), as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
  31.1*    Certification of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a), as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
  32**    Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
  32.1**    Certification of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
  101*    Financial statements (unaudited) from the quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Nucor Corporation for the quarter ended July 1, 2017, filed on August 9, 2017, formatted in XBRL: (i) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings, (ii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, (iii) the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, (iv) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and (v) the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

* Filed herewith.
** Furnished (and not filed) herewith pursuant to Item 601(b)(32)(ii) of Regulation S-K.
(#) Indicates a management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

NUCOR CORPORATION
By:  

/s/ James D. Frias

  James D. Frias
 

Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer

and Executive Vice President

Dated: August 9, 2017

 

34

Exhibit 10

EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

THIS EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”) is made and entered into between NUCOR CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation with its principal place of business in Charlotte, North Carolina, on behalf of itself and each of its affiliates and subsidiaries (all such entities, collectively, “ Nucor ”), and LEON TOPALIAN (“ Executive ”), a resident of Arkansas as of the date hereof, but who will be relocating to the Charlotte, North Carolina area pursuant to the performance of his duties following his promotion discussed herein.

WHEREAS, Executive has heretofore been employed at Nucor Corporation’s Nucor-Yamato Steel Company affiliate as an at-will employee of Nucor in the position of Vice President of Nucor Corporation and General Manager of Nucor-Yamato Steel Company (the “ Prior Position ”); and

WHEREAS, Nucor has offered Executive a promotion to the position of Executive Vice President of Nucor Corporation effective May 14, 2017, contingent upon Executive’s execution of this Agreement, and Executive has accepted the promotion; and

WHEREAS, Nucor Corporation’s Board of Directors (the “ Board ”) has approved Executive’s promotion to the position of Executive Vice President of Nucor Corporation contingent upon Executive’s execution of this Agreement; and

WHEREAS, prior to the effective date of the promotion, Executive and Nucor discussed the requirements of the restrictive covenants contained in this Agreement as a condition to Executive’s promotion; and

WHEREAS, Nucor’s promotion of Executive entitles Executive to receive increased compensation and benefits that Executive did not have prior to his promotion; and

WHEREAS, Executive agrees and acknowledges that in his new position of Executive Vice President of Nucor Corporation he will acquire greater access to and knowledge of Nucor’s trade secrets and confidential information which Executive did not have prior to his promotion; and

WHEREAS, the parties wish to formalize their employment relationship in writing and for Nucor to employ Executive under the terms and conditions set forth below; and

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration for the promises and mutual agreements contained herein, the parties agree, effective as of May 14, 2017, as follows:

1.     Employment . Nucor agrees to employ Executive in the position of Executive Vice President of Nucor Corporation, and Executive agrees to accept employment in this position, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, including the confidentiality, non-competition and non-solicitation provisions which Executive acknowledges were discussed in detail prior to and made an express condition of his promotion to Executive Vice President of Nucor Corporation. Executive acknowledges that the Board’s approval of Executive’s promotion to Executive Vice President of Nucor Corporation is conditioned upon Executive’s execution of this Agreement.

2.     Compensation and Benefits During Employment . Nucor will provide the following compensation and benefits to Executive:


(a)    Nucor will pay Executive a base salary of $367,400 per year, paid not less frequently than monthly in accordance with Nucor’s normal payroll practices, subject to withholding by Nucor and other deductions as required by law. The parties acknowledge and agree that this amount exceeds the base salary Executive was entitled to receive in the Prior Position. Executive’s base salary is subject to adjustment up or down by the Board at its sole discretion and without notice to Executive.

(b)    Provided Executive remains in the position of an executive officer of Nucor Corporation, Executive will be a participant in and eligible to receive awards of incentive and equity-based compensation under and in accordance with the applicable terms and conditions of the Nucor Corporation Senior Officers Annual Incentive Plan, the Nucor Corporation Senior Officers Long-Term Incentive Plan, and the Nucor Corporation 2014 Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan (the “ Omnibus Plan ”), each as modified from time to time by, and in the sole discretion of, the Board of Directors of Nucor Corporation.

(c)    Provided Executive remains in the position of an executive officer of Nucor Corporation, Executive will be eligible for all other employee benefits that are generally made available by Nucor Corporation to its executive officers.

3.     Compensation Following Termination .

(a)    From the date of Executive’s termination of employment with Nucor, whether by Executive or Nucor for any or no reason, and provided that (i) Executive executes and returns to Nucor a separation and release agreement in form and substance satisfactory to Nucor, in its sole discretion, releasing any and all claims Executive has or may have against Nucor at the time of his termination of employment from Nucor, (ii) Executive is employed as an Executive Vice President of Nucor at the time of Executive’s termination of employment with Nucor, and (iii), except in the event Executive’s employment with Nucor is terminated in accordance with applicable laws, rules and regulations due to Executive’s disability, Executive is at least fifty eight (58) years of age and has served as an Executive Vice President of Nucor for at least five (5) consecutive years at the time of Executive’s termination of employment with Nucor (the “ Monthly Payment Requirements ”), Nucor will pay Executive the Monthly Amount (as defined below) for twenty-four (24) months following Executive’s termination. Nucor shall have no obligation to make any payments of the Monthly Amount if, at the time of Executive’s termination of employment with Nucor, all of the Monthly Payment Requirements are not satisfied. The “ Monthly Amount ” shall be an amount equal to (i) the product of (A) the amount of Executive’s highest base salary level during the twelve (12) month period immediately prior to his date of termination, multiplied by (B) 3.36, (ii) divided by twelve (12). Subject to the provisions of Section 24 of this Agreement, the payments of any Monthly Amount due shall be made at the end of each month following Executive’s termination of employment with Nucor on Nucor’s regular monthly payroll date.

(b)    In exchange for Nucor’s agreement to pay the Monthly Amount as set forth in this Section 3, and other good and valuable consideration, including without limitation the compensation and benefits set forth in Section 2 of this Agreement, Executive agrees to strictly abide by the terms of Sections 8 through 13 of this Agreement.

(c)    If Executive is employed by Nucor at the time of Executive’s death, Nucor’s obligations to make any payments of the Monthly Amount under this Agreement will automatically terminate and Executive’s estate and executors will have no rights to any payments

 

2


of the Monthly Amount under this Agreement. If Executive dies during the first twelve (12) months following Executive’s termination from employment with Nucor, then Nucor will pay Executive’s estate the payments of the Monthly Amount due pursuant to Section 3(a) of this Agreement through the end of the twelfth (12 th ) month following Executive’s termination from employment with Nucor. If Executive dies twelve (12) or more months after termination of Executive’s employment with Nucor, then Nucor’s obligations to make any payments of the Monthly Amount under Section 3(a) of this Agreement will automatically terminate without the necessity of Nucor providing notice, written or otherwise.

(d)    The amounts payable pursuant to this Section 3 of this Agreement shall be in addition to and not in lieu of any amounts payable to Executive pursuant to the Nucor Corporation Severance Plan for Senior Officers and General Managers (the “ Severance Plan ”), which payments, if any, shall be governed by the terms and conditions of the Severance Plan.

4.     Duties and Responsibilities; Best Efforts . While employed by Nucor, Executive shall perform such duties for and on behalf of Nucor as may be determined and assigned to Executive from time to time by the Chief Executive Officer of Nucor Corporation or the Board. Executive shall devote his full time and best efforts to the business and affairs of Nucor. During the term of Executive’s employment with Nucor, Executive will not undertake other paid employment or engage in any other business activity without the prior written consent of the Board.

5.     Employment at Will . The parties acknowledge and agree that this Agreement does not create employment for a definite term and that Executive’s employment with Nucor is at will and terminable by Nucor or Executive at any time, with or without cause and with or without notice, unless otherwise expressly set forth in a separate written agreement executed by Executive and Nucor after the date of this Agreement.

6.     Change in Executive’s Position . In the event that Nucor transfers, demotes, promotes, or otherwise changes Executive’s compensation or position with Nucor, the restrictions and post-termination obligations set forth in Sections 8 through 13 of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.

7.     Recognition of Nucor’s Legitimate Interests . Executive understands and acknowledges that Nucor competes in North America and throughout the world in the research, manufacture, marketing, trading, sale, fabrication, placement and/or distribution of steel or steel products (including but not limited to flat-rolled steel, special quality and merchant quality steel bar and shapes, concrete reinforcement bars, structural steel, hollow structural section tubing, conduit tubing, steel plate, steel joists and girders, steel deck, steel fasteners, steel pilings, metal building systems, wire rod, welded-wire reinforcement rolls and sheets, cold finished steel bars and wire, guard rail, and structural welded-wire reinforcement) or steel or steel product inputs (including but not limited to scrap metal and direct reduced iron) (all such activities, collectively, the “ Business ”). As part of Executive’s employment with Nucor, Executive acknowledges he will continue to have access to and gain knowledge of significant secret, confidential and proprietary information of the full range of operations of Nucor. In addition, Executive will continue to have access to training opportunities, contact with vendors, customers and prospective vendors and customers of Nucor, in which capacity he is expected to develop good relationships with such vendors, customers and prospective vendors and customers, and will gain intimate knowledge regarding the products and services of Nucor. Executive recognizes and agrees that Nucor has spent and will continue to spend substantial effort, time and money in developing relationships with its vendors and customers, that many such vendors and customers have long term relationships with Nucor, and that all vendors, customers and accounts that Executive may deal with during his employment with Nucor, are the vendors, customers and accounts of Nucor. Executive acknowledges that Nucor’s competitors would obtain an unfair

 

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advantage if Executive disclosed Nucor’s Secret Information or Confidential Information (as defined in Sections 8 and 9, respectively) to a competitor, used it on a competitor’s behalf, or if he were able to exploit the relationships he develops as an employee of Nucor to solicit business on behalf of a competitor.

8.     Covenant Regarding Nucor’s Secret Information . Executive recognizes and agrees that he will have continued access to certain sensitive and confidential information of Nucor (a) that is not generally known in the steel business, which would be difficult for others to acquire or duplicate without improper means, (b) that Nucor strives to keep secret, and (c) from which Nucor derives substantial commercial benefit because of the fact that it is not generally known (the “ Secret Information ”), including without limitation: (i) Nucor’s process of developing and producing raw material, and designing and manufacturing steel and iron products; (ii) Nucor’s process for treating, processing or fabricating steel and iron products; (iii) Nucor’s non-public financial data, strategic business plans, competitor analysis, sales and marketing data, and proprietary margin, pricing, and cost data; and (iv) any other information or data which meets the definition of “trade secrets” under the North Carolina Trade Secrets Protection Act. Executive agrees that unless he is expressly authorized by Nucor in writing, Executive will not use or disclose or allow to be used or disclosed Nucor’s Secret Information. This covenant shall survive until the Secret Information is generally known in the industry through no act or omission of the Executive or until Nucor knowingly authorizes the disclosure of or discloses the Secret Information, without any limitations on use or confidentiality. Executive acknowledges that he did not have knowledge of Nucor’s Secret Information prior to his employment with Nucor and that the Secret Information does not include Executive’s general skills and know-how.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, pursuant to the federal Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016, an individual will be immune from criminal or civil liability under any federal or state trade secret law for (x) the disclosure of a trade secret that is made (i) in confidence to a federal, state, or local government official, either directly or indirectly, or to an attorney; and (ii) solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law; or (y) a disclosure that is made in a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, if such filing is made under seal. An individual who files a lawsuit for retaliation by an employer for reporting a suspected violation of law may disclose the trade secret to the attorney of the individual and use the trade secret information in the court proceeding, if the individual files any document containing the trade secret under seal and does not disclose the trade secret, except pursuant to court order

9.     Agreement to Maintain Confidentiality .

(a)    As used in this Agreement, “ Confidential Information ” shall include all confidential and proprietary information of Nucor, including, without limitation, any of the following information to the extent not generally known to third persons: financial and budgetary information and strategies; plant design, specifications, and layouts; equipment design, specifications, and layouts; product design and specifications; manufacturing processes, procedures, and specifications; data processing or other computer programs; research and development projects; marketing information and strategies; customer lists; vendor lists; information about customer preferences and buying patterns; information about prospective customers, vendors and prospective vendors, or business opportunities; information about Nucor’s costs and the pricing structure used in sales to customers; information about Nucor’s overall corporate business strategy; and technological innovations used in Nucor’s business, to the extent that such information does not fall within the definition of Secret Information.

 

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(b)    During Executive’s employment with Nucor and at all times after the termination of Executive’s employment with Nucor, (i) Executive covenants and agrees to treat as confidential all Confidential Information submitted to Executive or received, compiled, developed, designed, produced, accessed, or otherwise discovered by the Executive from time to time while employed by Nucor, and (ii) Executive will not disclose or divulge the Confidential Information to any person, entity, firm or company whatsoever or use the Confidential Information for Executive’s own benefit or for the benefit of any person, entity, firm or company other than Nucor. This restriction will apply throughout the world; provided , however , that if the restrictions of this Section 9(b) when applied to any specific piece of Confidential Information would prevent Executive from using his general knowledge or skills in competition with Nucor or would otherwise substantially restrict the Executive’s ability to fairly compete with Nucor, then as to that piece of Confidential Information only, the scope of this restriction will apply only for the Restrictive Period (as defined below).

(c)    Executive specifically acknowledges that the Confidential Information, whether reduced to writing or maintained in the mind or memory of Executive, and whether compiled or created by Executive, Nucor, or any of its vendors, customers, or prospective vendors or customers derives independent economic value from not being readily known to or ascertainable by proper means by others who could obtain economic value from the disclosure or use of the Confidential Information. Executive also acknowledges that reasonable efforts have been put forth by Nucor to maintain the secrecy of the Confidential Information, that the Confidential Information is and will remain the sole property of Nucor or any of its vendors, customers or prospective vendors or customers, as the case may be, and that any retention and/or use of Confidential Information during or after the termination of Executive’s employment with Nucor (except in the regular course of performing his duties hereunder) will constitute a misappropriation of the Confidential Information belonging to Nucor. Executive acknowledges and agrees that if he (i) accesses Confidential Information on any Nucor computer system within 30 days prior to the effective date of his voluntary resignation of employment with Nucor and (ii) transmits, copies or reproduces in any manner such Confidential Information to or for himself or any person or entity not authorized by Nucor to receive such Confidential Information, or deletes any such Confidential Information, he is exceeding his authorized access to such computer system. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein, this Agreement shall not be construed to restrict Executive from communications or disclosures that are protected under federal law or regulation.

10.     Noncompetition .

(a)    Executive hereby agrees that for the duration of Executive’s employment with Nucor, and for a period of twenty-four (24) months thereafter (the “ Restrictive Period ”), Executive will NOT, within the Restricted Territory, do any of the following:

(i)    engage in, whether as an employee, consultant, or in any other capacity, any business activity (other than business activities engaged in for or on behalf of Nucor) (A) that is the same as, or is in direct competition with, any portion of the Business, and (B) in which Executive engaged in during the course of his employment with Nucor (any such activities described in this Section 10(a)(i), “ Competing Activities ”);

(ii)    commence, establish or own (in whole or in part) any business that engages in any Competing Activities, whether (i) by establishing a sole proprietorship, (ii) as a partner of a partnership, (iii) as a member of a limited liability company, (iv) as a

 

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shareholder of a corporation (except to the extent Executive is the holder of not more than five percent (5%) of any class of the outstanding stock of any company listed on a national securities exchange so long as Executive does not actively participate in the management or business of any such entity) or (v) as the owner of any similar equity interest in any such entity;

(iii)    provide any public endorsement of, or otherwise lend Executive’s name for use by, any person or entity engaged in any Competing Activities; or

(iv)    engage in work that would inherently call on him in the fulfillment of his duties and responsibilities to reveal, rely upon, or otherwise use any Confidential Information or Secret Information.

(b)    For purposes of this Agreement:

(i)    The term “ Restricted Territory ” means Executive’s geographic area of responsibility at Nucor which Executive acknowledges extends to the full scope of Nucor operations throughout the world. “ Restricted Territory ” therefore consists of the following alternatives reasonably necessary to protect Nucor’s legitimate business interests:

(A)    Western Europe, the Middle East, South America, Central America and North America, where Executive acknowledges Nucor engages in the Business, but if such territory is deemed overbroad by a court of law, then

(B)    The United States, Canada, Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Colombia, Argentina and Brazil, where Executive acknowledges Nucor engages in the Business, but if such territory is deemed overbroad by a court of law, then;

(C)    The United States, Canada and Mexico, where Executive acknowledges Nucor engages in the Business, but if such territory is deemed overbroad by a court of law, then;

(D)    The contiguous United States, where Executive acknowledges Nucor engages in the Business, but if such territory is deemed overbroad by a court of law, then;

(E)    Any state in the United States located within a three hundred (300) mile radius of a Nucor plant or facility that engages in any aspect of the Business, but if such territory is deemed overbroad by a court of law, then;

(F)    Any state in the United States where a Customer or Prospective Customer is located.

(ii)    The term “ Customer ” means the following alternatives:

(A)    any and all customers of Nucor with whom Nucor is doing business at the time of, or at any time during the 12 month period immediately prior to, Executive’s termination of employment with Nucor, but if such

 

6


definition is deemed overbroad by a court of law, then;

(B)    any customer of Nucor with whom Executive or Executive’s direct reports had significant contact or with whom Executive or Executive’s direct reports directly dealt on behalf of Nucor at the time of, or at any time during the 12 month period immediately prior to, Executive’s termination of employment with Nucor, but if such definition is deemed overbroad by a court of law, then;

(C)    any customer of Nucor with whom Executive had significant contact or with whom Executive directly dealt on behalf of Nucor at the time of, or at any time during the 12 month period immediately prior to, Executive’s termination of employment with Nucor, but if such definition is deemed overbroad by a court of law, then;

(D)    any customer of Nucor about whom Executive had obtained Secret Information or Confidential Information by virtue of his employment with Nucor and with whom Executive had significant contact or with whom Executive directly dealt on behalf of Nucor at the time of, or at any time during the 12 month period immediately prior to, Executive’s termination of employment with Nucor;

Provided, however , that the term “ Customer ” shall not include any business or entity that no longer does business with Nucor without any direct or indirect interference by Executive or violation of this Agreement by Executive, and that ceased doing business with Nucor prior to any direct or indirect communication or contact by Executive.

(iii)     The term “ Prospective Customer ” means any person or entity who does not currently or has not yet purchased the products or services of Nucor, but who, at the time of, or at any time during the 12 month period immediately prior to, Executive’s termination of employment with Nucor has been targeted by Nucor as a potential user of the products or services of Nucor, and whom Executive or his direct reports participated in the solicitation of or on behalf of Nucor.

(iv)    The term “ solicit ” means to initiate contact for the purpose of promoting, marketing, or selling products or services similar to those Nucor offered during the tenure of Executive’s employment with Nucor or to accept business from Customers or Prospective Customers.

(c)    Executive specifically agrees that the post-termination obligations and restrictions in this Section 10 and in Sections 8, 9, 11, 12 and 13 will apply to Executive regardless of whether termination of employment is initiated by Nucor or Executive and regardless of the reason for termination of Executive’s employment. Further, Executive acknowledges and agrees that Nucor’ s payments of the compensation described in Section 3, as well as any payments under the Severance Plan, are intended to compensate Executive for the limitations on Executive’s competitive activities described in this Section 10 and Sections 11 and 12 for the Restrictive Period regardless of the reason for termination. Thus, for example, in the event that Nucor terminates Executive’s employment without cause, Executive expressly agrees that the obligations and restrictions in this Section 10 and Sections 8, 9, 11, 12 and 13 will apply

 

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to Executive notwithstanding the reasons or motivations of Nucor in terminating Executive’s employment.

11.     Nonsolicitation . Executive hereby agrees that for the duration of Executive’s employment with Nucor, and for the Restrictive Period, Executive will NOT do any of the following:

(a)    solicit, contact, or attempt to influence any Customer to limit, curtail, cancel, or terminate any business it transacts with, or products it receives from Nucor;

(b)    solicit, contact, or attempt to influence any Prospective Customer to terminate any business negotiations it is having with Nucor, or to otherwise not do business with Nucor;

(c)    solicit, contact, or attempt to influence any Customer to purchase products or services from an entity other than Nucor, which are the same or substantially similar to, or otherwise in competition with, those offered to the Customer by Nucor; or

(d)    solicit, contact, or attempt to influence any Prospective Customer to purchase products or services from an entity other than Nucor, which are the same or substantially similar to, or otherwise in competition with, those offered to the Prospective Customer by Nucor.

12.     Antipiracy .

(a)    Executive agrees for the duration of the Restrictive Period, Executive will not, directly or indirectly, encourage, contact, or attempt to induce any employees of Nucor (i) with whom Executive had regular contact with at the time of, or at any time during the 12 month period immediately prior to, Executive’s termination of employment with Nucor, and (ii) who are employed by Nucor at the time of the encouragement, contact or attempted inducement, to end their employment relationship with Nucor.

(b)    Executive further agrees for the duration of the Restrictive Period not to hire for any reason any employees described in Section 12(a) of this Agreement.

13.     Assignment of Intellectual Property Rights .

(a)    Executive hereby assigns to Nucor Corporation Executive’s entire right, title and interest, including copyrights and patents, in any idea, invention, design of a useful article (whether the design is ornamental or otherwise), work product and any other work of authorship (collectively the “ Developments ”), made or conceived solely or jointly by Executive at any time during Executive’s employment by Nucor (whether prior or subsequent to the execution of this Agreement), or created wholly or in part by Executive, whether or not such Developments are patentable, copyrightable or susceptible to other forms of protection, where the Developments: (i) were developed, invented, or conceived within the scope of Executive’s employment with Nucor; (ii) relate to Nucor’s actual or demonstrably anticipated research or development; or (iii) result from any work performed by Executive on Nucor’s behalf. Executive shall disclose any Developments to Nucor’s management within 30 days following Executive’s development, making or conception thereof.

(b)    The assignment requirement in Paragraph 13(a) shall not apply to an invention that Executive developed entirely on his own time without using Nucor’s equipment, supplies, facilities or Secret Information or Confidential Information except for those inventions that (i)

 

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relate to Nucor’s business or actual or demonstrably anticipated research or development, or (ii) result from any work performed by Executive for Nucor.

(c)    Executive will, within 3 business days following Nucor’s request, execute a specific assignment of title to any Developments to Nucor Corporation or its designee, and do anything else reasonably necessary to enable Nucor Corporation or its designee to secure a patent, copyright, or other form of protection for any Developments in the United States and in any other applicable country.

(d)    Nothing in this Section 13 is intended to waive, or shall be construed as waiving, any assignment of any Developments to Nucor implied by law.

14.     Severability . It is the intention of the parties to restrict the activities of Executive only to the extent reasonably necessary for the protection of Nucor’s legitimate interests. The parties specifically covenant and agree that should any of the provisions in this Agreement be deemed by a court of competent jurisdiction too broad for the protection of Nucor’s legitimate interests, the parties authorize the court to narrow, limit or modify the restrictions herein to the extent reasonably necessary to accomplish such purpose. In the event such limiting construction is impossible, such invalid or unenforceable provision shall be deemed severed from this Agreement and every other provision of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.

15.     Enforcement . Executive understands and agrees that any breach or threatened breach by Executive of any of the provisions of Sections 8 through 13 of this Agreement shall be considered a material breach of this Agreement, and in the event of such a breach or threatened breach of this Agreement, Nucor shall be entitled to pursue any and all of its remedies under law or in equity arising out of such breach. If Nucor pursues either a temporary restraining order or temporary injunctive relief, then Executive agrees to expedited discovery with respect thereto and waives any requirement that Nucor post a bond. Executive further agrees that in the event of his breach of any of the provisions of Sections 8 through 13 of this Agreement, unless otherwise prohibited by law:

(a)    Nucor shall be entitled to (i) cancel any unexercised stock options granted under any senior officer equity incentive compensation plan from and after the date of this Agreement (the “ Post-Agreement Date Option Grants ”), (ii) cease payment of any Monthly Amounts and any other severance payments (including those under the Severance Plan) otherwise due hereunder, (iii) seek other appropriate relief, including, without limitation, repayment by Executive of any (A) Monthly Amounts already paid hereunder and (B) benefits already paid under any severance plan (including the Severance Plan) or similar benefit plans; and

(b)    Executive shall (i) forfeit any (A) unexercised Post-Agreement Date Option Grants and (B) any shares of restricted stock or restricted stock units granted under any senior officer equity incentive compensation plan that vested during the six (6) month period immediately preceding Executive’s termination of employment (the “ Vested Stock ”) and (ii) forfeit and immediately return upon demand by Nucor any profit realized by Executive from the exercise of any Post-Agreement Date Option Grants or sale or exchange of any Vested Stock during the six (6) month period preceding Executive’s breach of any of the provisions of Sections 8 through 13 of this Agreement.

Executive agrees that any breach or threatened breach of any of the provisions of Sections 8 through 13 will cause Nucor irreparable harm which cannot be remedied through monetary damages and the alternative relief set forth in Sections 15(a) and (b) shall not be considered an adequate remedy for the

 

9


harm Nucor would incur. Executive further agrees that such remedies in Sections 15(a) and (b) will not preclude injunctive relief.

If Executive breaches or threatens to breach any of the provisions of Sections 10, 11 or 12 of this Agreement and Nucor obtains an injunction, preliminary or otherwise, ordering Executive to adhere to the Restrictive Period required by the applicable Section, then the applicable Restrictive Period will be extended by the number of days that Nucor has alleged that Executive has been in breach of any of these provisions.

Executive further agrees, unless otherwise prohibited by law, to pay Nucor’s attorneys’ fees and costs incurred in successfully enforcing its rights pursuant to this Section 15, or in defending against any action brought by Executive or on Executive’s behalf in violation of or under this Section 15 in which Nucor prevails. Executive agrees that Nucor’s actions pursuant to this Section 15, including, without limitation, filing a legal action, are permissible and are not and will not be considered by Executive to be retaliatory. Executive further represents and acknowledges that in the event of the termination of Executive’s employment for any reason, Executive’s experience and capabilities are such that Executive can obtain employment and that enforcement of this Agreement by way of injunction will not prevent Executive from earning a livelihood.

16.     Reasonableness of Restrictions . Executive has carefully considered the nature and extent of the restrictions upon him and the rights and remedies conferred upon Nucor under Sections 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 15 and hereby acknowledges and agrees that the same are reasonable in time and territory, are designed to eliminate competition which would otherwise be unfair to Nucor, do not interfere with Executive’s exercise of his inherent skill and experience, are reasonably required to protect the legitimate interests of Nucor, and do not confer a benefit upon Nucor disproportionate to the detriment to Executive. Executive certifies that he has had the opportunity to discuss this Agreement with such legal advisors as he chooses and that he understands its provisions and has entered into this Agreement freely and voluntarily.

17.     Applicable Law . Following Executive’s promotion to Executive Vice President of Nucor Corporation, Executive’s primary place of employment will be Nucor’s corporate headquarters located in Charlotte, North Carolina. Accordingly, this Agreement is made in, and shall be interpreted, construed and governed according to the laws of, the State of North Carolina, regardless of choice of law principles of any jurisdiction to the contrary. Each party, for themselves and their successors and assigns, hereby irrevocably (a) consents to the exclusive jurisdiction of the North Carolina state and federal courts located in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina and (b) waives any objection to any such action based on venue or forum non conveniens . Further, Executive hereby irrevocably consents to the jurisdiction of any court or similar body within the Restricted Territory for enforcement of any judgment entered in a court or similar body pursuant to this Agreement. This Agreement is intended, among other things, to supplement the provisions of the North Carolina Trade Secrets Protection Act and the Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016, each as amended from time to time, and the duties Executive owes to Nucor under North Carolina common law, including, but not limited to, the duty of loyalty.

18.     Executive to Return Property . Executive agrees that upon (a) the termination of Executive’s employment with Nucor and within three (3) business days thereof, whether by Executive or Nucor for any reason (with or without cause), or (b) the written request of Nucor, Executive (or in the event of the death or disability of Executive, Executive’s heirs, successors, assigns and legal representatives) shall return to Nucor any and all property of Nucor regardless of the medium in which such property is stored or kept, including but not limited to all Secret Information, Confidential Information, notes, data, tapes, computers, lists, customer lists, names of customers, reference items,

 

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phones, documents, sketches, drawings, software, product samples, rolodex cards, forms, manuals, keys, pass or access cards and equipment, without retaining any copies or summaries of such property. Executive further agrees that to the extent Secret Information or Confidential Information are in electronic format and in Executive’s possession, custody or control, Executive will provide all such copies to Nucor and will not keep copies in such format but, upon Nucor’s request, will confirm the permanent deletion or other destruction thereof.

19.     Entire Agreement; Amendments . This Agreement discharges and cancels all previous agreements regarding Executive’s employment with Nucor, including without limitation that certain Executive Agreement by and between Nucor Corporation and Executive dated as of December 10, 2012, and constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with regard to the subject matter hereof. No agreements, representations, or statements of any party not contained herein shall be binding on either party. Further, no amendment or variation of the terms or conditions of this Agreement shall be valid unless in writing and signed by both parties.

20.     Assignability . This Agreement and the rights and duties created hereunder shall not be assignable or delegable by Executive. Nucor may, at its option and without consent of Executive, assign its rights and duties hereunder to any successor entity or transferee of Nucor Corporation’s assets.

21.     Binding Effect . This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of Nucor and Executive and their respective successors, assigns, heirs and legal representatives.

22.     No Waiver . No failure or delay by any party to this Agreement to enforce any right specified in this Agreement will operate as a waiver of such right, nor will any single or partial exercise of a right preclude any further or later enforcement of the right within the period of the applicable statute of limitations. No waiver of any provision hereof shall be effective unless such waiver is set forth in a written instrument executed by the party waiving compliance.

23.     Cooperation . Executive agrees that both during and after his employment, he shall, at Nucor’s request, render all assistance and perform all lawful acts that Nucor considers necessary or advisable in connection with any litigation involving Nucor or any of its directors, officers, employees, shareholders, agents, representatives, consultants, clients, customers or vendors. Executive understands and agrees that Nucor will reimburse him for any reasonable documented expense he incurs related to this cooperation and assistance, but will not be obligated to pay him any additional amounts.

24.     Compliance with Code Section  409A . Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, if (a) Executive is a “specified employee” under Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the “ Code ”) as of the date of his separation from service and (b) any amount or benefit that Nucor determines would constitute non-exempt “deferred compensation” for purposes of Section 409A of the Code would otherwise be payable or distributable under this Agreement by reason of Executive’s separation from service, then to the extent necessary to comply with Code Section 409A: (i) if the payment or distribution is payable in a lump sum, Executive’s right to receive payment or distribution of such non-exempt deferred compensation will be delayed until the earlier of Executive’s death or the seventh month following Executive’s separation from service, and (ii) if the payment, distribution or benefit is payable or provided over time, the amount of such non-exempt deferred compensation or benefit that would otherwise be payable or provided during the six (6) month period immediately following Executive’s separation from service will be accumulated, and Executive’s right to receive payment or distribution of such accumulated amount or benefit will be delayed until the earlier of Executive’s death or the seventh month following Executive’s separation from service and paid or provided on the earlier of such dates, without interest, and the normal payment or distribution schedule

 

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for any remaining payments, distributions or benefits will commence.

For purposes of this Agreement, the term “separation from service” shall be defined as provided in Code Section 409A and applicable regulations, and Executive shall be a “specified employee” during the twelve (12) month period beginning April 1 each year if Executive met the requirements of Section 416(i)(1)(A)(i), (ii) or (iii) of the Code (applied in accordance with the regulations thereunder and disregarding Section 416(i)(5) of the Code) at any time during the twelve (12) month period ending on the December 31 immediately preceding his separation from service.

[Signatures Appear on Following Page]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Executive and Nucor Corporation have executed this Agreement on the dates specified below.

 

EXECUTIVE

/s/ Leon Topalian

Leon Topalian
Date:  

5/17/17

NUCOR CORPORATION
By:  

/s/ John J. Ferriola

Its:  

Chairman, CEO and President

Date:  

5/17/17

Exhibit 12

Nucor Corporation

2017 Form 10-Q

Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

 

           Six Months
Ended
    Six Months
Ended
 
     Year-ended December 31,     July 1,     July 1,  
     2012     2013     2014     2015     2016     2017     2016  
     (In thousands, except ratios)                          

Earnings

              

Earnings before income taxes and noncontrolling interests

   $ 697,004     $ 808,568     $ 1,147,288     $ 241,866     $ 1,298,659     $ 1,057,111     $ 559,447  

Plus: (earnings)/losses from equity investments

     13,323       (9,297     (13,505     (5,329     (38,757     (22,058     (16,064

Plus: fixed charges (includes interest expense and amortization of bond issuance costs and settled swaps and estimated interest on rent expense)

     179,169       164,128       178,240       178,941       186,437       95,004       93,009  

Plus: amortization of capitalized interest

     2,550       3,064       4,166       4,062       3,715       2,101       1,942  

Plus: distributed income of equity investees

     9,946       8,708       53,738       15,132       40,602       46,877       37,026  

Less: interest capitalized

     (4,715     (10,913     (2,946     (311     (3,940     (470     (1,600

Less: pre-tax earnings in noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries that have not incurred fixed charges

     (83,207     (94,330     (99,227     (112,306     (104,145     (39,425     (62,681
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total earnings before fixed charges

   $ 814,070     $ 869,928     $ 1,267,754     $ 322,055     $ 1,382,571     $ 1,139,140     $ 611,079  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Fixed charges

              

Interest cost and amortization of bond issuance and settled swaps

   $ 178,218     $ 162,899     $ 177,088     $ 177,855     $ 185,119     $ 94,335     $ 92,451  

Estimated interest on rent expense

     951       1,229       1,152       1,086       1,318       669       558  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total fixed charges

   $ 179,169     $ 164,128     $ 178,240     $ 178,941     $ 186,437     $ 95,004     $ 93,009  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges

     4.54       5.30       7.11       1.80       7.42       11.99       6.57  

Exhibit 31

Certification of Principal Executive Officer

Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a)

(Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002)

I, John J. Ferriola, certify that:

 

  1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Nucor Corporation;

 

  2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

  3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

  4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

  5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Date: August 9, 2017      

/s/ John J. Ferriola

            John J. Ferriola
            Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President

Exhibit 31.1

Certification of Principal Financial Officer

Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a)

(Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002)

I, James D. Frias, certify that:

 

  1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Nucor Corporation;

 

  2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

  3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

  4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

  5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Date: August 9, 2017      

/s/ James D. Frias

            James D. Frias
            Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Executive Vice
President

Exhibit 32

Certification of Principal Executive Officer

Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350

(Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002)

I, John J. Ferriola, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President (principal executive officer) of Nucor Corporation (the “Registrant”), certify, to my knowledge, based upon a review of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended July 1, 2017 of the Registrant (the “Report”), that:

 

(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

 

(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Registrant.

 

/s/ John J. Ferriola

Name:   John J. Ferriola
Date:   August 9, 2017

Exhibit 32.1

Certification of Principal Financial Officer

Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350

(Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002)

I, James D. Frias, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Executive Vice President (principal financial officer) of Nucor Corporation (the “Registrant”), certify, to my knowledge, based upon a review of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended July 1, 2017 of the Registrant (the “Report”), that:

 

(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

 

(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Registrant.

 

/s/ James D. Frias

Name:   James D. Frias
Date:   August 9, 2017