Should I buy Nucor stock in 2025? Expert Analysis for NZ

What is Nucor?

How much is the Nucor stock?

The price of Nucor stock is rising this week. As of now, the stock trades at $108.94, up $0.10 (0.09%) over the past 24 hours, though it has declined 2.49% across the last week. Nucor’s current market capitalisation is $25.14 billion, with an average three-month daily trading volume of about 2.59 million shares. The stock has a Price/Earnings ratio of 19.18, offers a dividend yield of 2.02%, and shows a beta of 1.75, indicating higher volatility than the broader market. For New Zealand investors, Nucor’s notable swings present both risk and potential for long-term growth as global steel demand rebounds.

Our complete analysis of the Nucor stock

After a thorough review of Nucor Corporation’s latest quarterly results as well as the share’s trajectory over the past three years, our proprietary models have aggregated a comprehensive range of market indicators, technical signals, and peer comparisons. This multi-layered analysis provides a nuanced view of Nucor (NYSE: NUE), highlighting recent weakness but also underscoring robust fundamentals and a series of powerful bullish catalysts. So, why might Nucor stock once again become a strategic entry point into the materials and industrials sector as we look ahead to 2025?

Recent Performance and Market Context

Nucor’s share price currently stands at $108.94 (as of 30 May 2025), trading closer to its 52-week low of $97.59 and substantially off its prior year high of $170.52. Over the past year, NUE has declined by 34.6% and 29.6% over the last six months, reflecting cyclical pressure in global steel and materials markets. That said, some green shoots are emerging:

• Resilient operational performance: Even amid a challenging macro backdrop, Nucor reported Q1 2025 revenue of $7.83bn and EBITDA of $696m, demonstrating continued operational strength.
• Active portfolio management: With $3bn in new growth investments announced for 2025, Nucor is doubling down on higher-value, next-generation steel products—a move likely to accelerate medium-term earnings growth.
• Sector-wide tailwinds: The anticipated rebound in US infrastructure spending, energy transition initiatives, and “re-shoring” of industrial supply chains all bode well for Nucor’s future demand profile.

For New Zealand investors, the overall sector context remains compelling: steel demand is increasingly global, and Nucor enjoys privileged access to the fast-growing North American market with minimal exposure to geopolitical volatility affecting Asian and European players.

Technical Analysis

From a technical vantage:

• Momentum indicators: The 14-day RSI sits at 47.45—neutral territory—pointing to neither overbought nor oversold conditions, but leaving open the door for a bullish reversal.
• Moving averages:
• Shorter-term (5D, 20D) moving averages now align above the current price, signaling potential for a short-term bounce.
• Longer-term (50D, 100D, 200D) averages remain above spot price, with the “death cross” (50D moving below the 200D) signaling recent downside consolidation.
• Support and resistance:
• Strong support is evident at $103.68, having repeatedly acted as a price floor.
• Major upside resistance at $154.93.
• Potential for a reversal: The confluence of neutral sentiment and established support suggest that, while technical signals remain mixed, the risk/reward setup has become increasingly attractive, especially for medium- and long-term investors seeking entry ahead of a sector up-cycle.

Fundamental Analysis

Nucor’s underlying fundamentals remain a bedrock of strength amid industry cyclicality:

• Revenue and earnings growth: Despite softer Q1 2025 results, forward projections anticipate annualised revenue growth of 5.8% and earnings growth of 31.3%—well ahead of many global peers.
• Valuation metrics: At a P/E of 19.18 and with shares trading 34% below the analyst consensus target ($146.24), the current price offers an appealing multiple for a sector-leading franchise.
• Dividend yield: The stock offers a 2.02% yield ($2.20 annually), providing steady passive income alongside capital appreciation potential.
• Balance sheet and liquidity: Nucor boasts $4.06bn in cash and best-in-class credit ratings (A-/A-/Baa1), which equip it to weather near-term headwinds while pursuing strategic opportunities.

Structurally, Nucor’s position as North America’s largest steel producer and recycler—commanding ~25% of domestic steel output—affords it economies of scale and brand recognition that few competitors can rival. Substantial investments in advanced steel technologies and green production methods further reinforce its moat.

Volume and Liquidity

Investor conviction in Nucor’s prospects is evident in consistently robust trading volumes, averaging 2.6 million shares daily. The active share buyback programme (2.3 million shares repurchased in Q1 2025) has further buoyed liquidity and supported shareholder value. A broadly held public float and dynamic daily turnover suggest the stock can re-rate rapidly on improved sentiment or positive catalysts, giving agile investors excellent flexibility in trade timing.

Catalysts and Positive Outlook

Nucor’s forward-looking appeal is underpinned by a compelling suite of bullish drivers:

• Major growth investments: The $3bn capex programme targets new facilities and next-generation “green” steel products, placing Nucor at the vanguard of cleaner, more efficient steelmaking—a major ESG consideration for global investors.
• Resilient demand backdrop: Infrastructure renewal in the US and ongoing build-out of renewable energy facilities favour high-quality steel producers.
• Advances in innovation: As the leading steel recycler in North America, Nucor’s ongoing investment in circular economy initiatives aligns with long-run sustainability megatrends.
• Leadership and governance: Recent C-suite transitions, with new talent under CEO Leon Topalian, bring renewed dynamism and strategic clarity at a critical time for the sector.
• Capital returns: Alongside dividends, the ongoing share buyback offers additional capital appreciation potential.

Market sentiment may remain cautious in the very short term, largely tied to industrial output data and the outcome of the ongoing cybersecurity review. However, management’s stated optimism for improved H2 2025 performance, combined with the company’s strong strategic positioning, tips the risk-reward profile deeply in investors’ favour.

Investment Strategies

Given current market dynamics, several approaches emerge for consideration:

• Short-term positioning: For tactical investors, the current zone above strong support ($103.68) provides a favourable entry window for an anticipated rebound. Any evidence of a positive earnings surprise or rapid resolution of the cybersecurity event could trigger swift upside.
• Medium-term accumulation: Investors targeting a medium-term holding could accumulate gradually at current levels, benefiting from dollar-cost-averaging as technical indicators signal bottoming and next-generation projects begin to contribute to results.
• Long-term conviction: For long-term portfolios, Nucor appears strategically primed to capitalize on North American reindustrialization, infrastructure investment, and decarbonisation trends. The dividend yield and active capital return policy add further resilience in volatile market phases.

Ideally, new positions might be initiated near recent lows or ahead of confirmed bullish catalysts, such as upcoming project milestones or positive inflections in US construction and manufacturing data.

Is It the Right Time to Buy Nucor?

In summary, Nucor offers a fundamentally sound, strategically advantaged entry point into the global steel sector—precisely at a time when market sentiment may have become overly pessimistic. Key strengths include:

• Secure North American market leadership and unrivalled scale in steel recycling.
• Pristine balance sheet and proactive capital management.
• Substantial investments in sustainable, high-margin product lines.
• A supportive macro context, with infrastructure and on-shoring trends driving demand recovery.

With consensus analyst targets implying over 34% upside from current levels—and both technical and fundamental factors pointing to a potential near-term inflection—the case for renewed interest appears particularly robust. While short-term volatility cannot be excluded given cyclical sectoral risks, the underlying strengths and long-term thematic trends strongly favour reconsidering Nucor for portfolio inclusion.

For discerning investors seeking quality exposure to US industrial growth, Nucor seems to represent an excellent opportunity to participate in the next upturn for the materials and steelmaking sector. As global supply chains and domestic infrastructure cycles realign for a new era, Nucor’s blend of resilience, innovation, and shareholder focus stands out—making the current price level a compelling candidate for those with a bullish outlook on real assets and industrials.

How to buy Nucor stock in New Zealand?

Buying Nucor (NUE) stock online from New Zealand is both straightforward and secure when using a regulated broker. As a retail investor, you can choose between two main methods: purchasing the shares directly (spot buying), or trading price movements using Contracts for Difference (CFDs). Each approach has its own advantages and risks. To help you select the best provider for your needs, you’ll find a comparison of regulated brokers further down the page.

Spot buying: owning Nucor shares outright

Spot buying means you purchase actual Nucor shares, becoming a direct shareholder with access to any dividends and voting rights. Typically, New Zealand-based investors use brokers that provide access to the NYSE, where Nucor is listed. Standard fees include a fixed NZD commission per order, which usually ranges from $5 to $15 NZD, depending on the platform.

Example

If the Nucor (NUE) share price is USD $108.94 (about $177 NZD), and you invest NZD $1,000 (after a $5 brokerage fee), you could buy around 5 shares.

Gain scenario:
If the share price rises by 10%, your holding would now be worth around NZD $1,100.
Result: That’s a +NZD $100 gross gain, or +10% on your investment, excluding currency fluctuations.

Trading Nucor via CFDs

CFDs (Contracts for Difference) allow you to speculate on the price movements of Nucor shares without actually owning them. This method is popular for short-term strategies and gives you access to leverage – amplifying both potential gains and losses. Common fees include the spread (the broker’s margin built into buying and selling prices) and overnight financing charges if you hold your position for more than a day.

Example

You open a CFD position on Nucor with NZD $1,000 and use 5x leverage, giving you NZD $5,000 market exposure.

Gain scenario:
If the price rises by 8%, your CFD position would yield a 40% gain (8% × 5 leverage).
Result: That’s a +NZD $400 return on a NZD $1,000 stake (excluding fees such as spread and overnight financing).

Final advice

Before investing in Nucor or any foreign stock, it’s essential to carefully compare each broker’s fees, available platforms, and product conditions. Some specialise in spot trading, while others excel at CFD trading. Ultimately, the best method depends on your investment goals, risk appetite, and strategy. You’ll find a handy broker comparator further down to help you make an informed and confident choice.

Our 7 tips for buying Nucor stock

The latest news about Nucor

Nucor’s share price is stabilizing, with strong analyst confidence reflected in a 34% upside target. Over the last week, Nucor’s stock price decreased by 2.49% to $108.94, continuing a longer-term correction. However, equity analysts maintain a consensus price target of $146.24, equating to a 34.2% potential upside from the current level. The company remains supported by robust fundamentals, with a 2.02% dividend yield and a solid cash position of $4.06 billion, reinforcing the investment case for long-term, value-oriented investors—including those from New Zealand seeking exposure to global infrastructure trends and the US steel industry’s ongoing recovery.

Recent technical indicators show mixed momentum, but medium-term prospects remain constructive for accumulation strategies. Nucor’s technical analysis reveals a neutral RSI (47.45), recent buy signals from short-term moving averages (5- and 20-day), but a “death cross” (50-day average below the 200-day average) suggests continued short-term caution. Despite near-term weakness, this consolidation phase creates a potential accumulation window for New Zealand investors aiming to progressively build positions in a sector leader, especially given Nucor’s strategic importance to US large-scale construction and renewable energy supply chains relevant to NZ’s own infrastructure priorities.

The company announced a $3 billion investment plan in 2025 focused on growth and advanced steel projects. This major capital expenditure reinforces Nucor’s status as North America’s leading diversified steel producer and aligns with global “green steel” and infrastructure megatrends relevant to New Zealand’s construction markets and sustainability mandates. These investments also underscore Nucor’s sector leadership in recycling and innovation, which resonates with ESG-focused investors in NZ’s financial sector, given the emphasis on responsible and future-proof industrial partners.

Nucor reported resilient Q1 2025 financial results amid cyclical headwinds, maintaining sector-best credit ratings and liquidity. Despite sequential declines, Q1 2025 revenue was robust at $7.83 billion, with net profits of $156 million and sector-leading credit ratings (A-/A-/Baa1). The company remains active in share buybacks and dividend payments, supporting returns for international investors. The balance sheet strength and projected earnings growth of 31.3% annually provide reassurance to New Zealand institutions and individuals concerned with exposure to global economic cyclicality.

Nucor’s shares remain accessible for NZ investors, with transparent tax and reporting structures consistent with major global markets. Nucor stock is listed on NYSE and, while not directly available on the NZX, is fully accessible via leading Kiwi brokerage platforms offering US equities. Dividends are subject to standard US withholding tax, but NZ investors may be eligible for treaty benefits, making Nucor a practical option for portfolio diversification. Notably, the company’s international distribution footprint and ESG credentials further enhance its attractiveness for Kiwi investors with global ambitions.

FAQ

P. Laurore

Finance expert

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