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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 September 28, 2019

OR

☐ | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from to

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)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class |  | Trading Symbol(s) |  | Name of each exchange on which registered
Common stock, par value $0.40 per share |  | NUE |  | New York Stock Exchange

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 days. Yes ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted 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 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.

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 ☒

303,215,267 shares of the registrant’s common stock were outstanding at September 28, 2019.

Table of Contents

Nucor Corporation

Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q

For the Three Months and Nine Months Ended September 28, 2019

TABLE OF CONTENTS

|  |  |  |  |  | Page
Part I |  | Financial Information |  |
|  | Item 1 |  | Financial Statements (Unaudited) |  |
|  |  |  | Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings - Three Months (13 Weeks) and Nine Months (39 Weeks) Ended September 28, 2019 and September 29, 2018 |  | 1
|  |  |  | Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - Three Months (13 Weeks) and Nine Months (39 Weeks) Ended September 28, 2019 and September 29, 2018 |  | 2
|  |  |  | Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets – September 28, 2019 and December 31, 2018 |  | 3
|  |  |  | Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - Nine Months (39 Weeks) Ended September 28, 2019 and September 29, 2018 |  | 4
|  |  |  | Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements |  | 5
|  | Item 2 |  | Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |  | 20
|  | Item 3 |  | Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk |  | 27
|  | Item 4 |  | Controls and Procedures |  | 28
Part II |  | Other Information |  |
|  | Item 1 |  | Legal Proceedings |  | 29
|  | Item 1A |  | Risk Factors |  | 29
|  | Item 6 |  | Exhibits |  | 30
Signatures |  | 31

i

Table of Contents

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 |  |  | Nine Months (39 Weeks) Ended |
|  | Sept. 28, 2019 |  |  | Sept. 29, 2018 |  |  | Sept. 28, 2019 |  |  | Sept. 29, 2018 |
Net sales |  | $ | 5,464,502 |  |  | $ | 6,742,202 |  |  | $ | 17,457,112 |  |  | $ | 18,771,395 |
Costs, expenses and other: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Cost of products sold |  |  | 4,891,991 |  |  |  | 5,452,052 |  |  |  | 15,213,215 |  |  |  | 15,588,249 |
Marketing, administrative and other expenses |  |  | 159,301 |  |  |  | 234,081 |  |  |  | 549,020 |  |  |  | 651,422 |
Equity in losses (earnings) of unconsolidated affiliates |  |  | 1,585 |  |  |  | (13,634 | ) |  |  | (2,459 | ) |  |  | (34,157 | )
Impairment of assets |  |  | - |  |  |  | 110,000 |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | 110,000 |
Interest expense, net |  |  | 31,286 |  |  |  | 37,201 |  |  |  | 92,759 |  |  |  | 103,766 |
|  |  | 5,084,163 |  |  |  | 5,819,700 |  |  |  | 15,852,535 |  |  |  | 16,419,280 |
Earnings before income taxes and noncontrolling interests |  |  | 380,339 |  |  |  | 922,502 |  |  |  | 1,604,577 |  |  |  | 2,352,115 |
Provision for income taxes |  |  | 86,752 |  |  |  | 216,215 |  |  |  | 367,920 |  |  |  | 552,101 |
Net earnings |  |  | 293,587 |  |  |  | 706,287 |  |  |  | 1,236,657 |  |  |  | 1,800,014 |
Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests |  |  | 18,556 |  |  |  | 29,631 |  |  |  | 73,337 |  |  |  | 86,026 |
Net earnings attributable to Nucor stockholders |  | $ | 275,031 |  |  | $ | 676,656 |  |  | $ | 1,163,320 |  |  | $ | 1,713,988 |
Net earnings per share: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Basic |  | $ | 0.90 |  |  | $ | 2.13 |  |  | $ | 3.79 |  |  | $ | 5.37 |
Diluted |  | $ | 0.90 |  |  | $ | 2.13 |  |  | $ | 3.78 |  |  | $ | 5.35 |
Average shares outstanding: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Basic |  |  | 304,637 |  |  |  | 315,913 |  |  |  | 305,553 |  |  |  | 317,928 |
Diluted |  |  | 304,980 |  |  |  | 316,798 |  |  |  | 306,029 |  |  |  | 318,882 |

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 |  |  | Nine Months (39 Weeks) Ended |
|  | Sept. 28, 2019 |  |  | Sept. 29, 2018 |  |  | Sept. 28, 2019 |  |  | Sept. 29, 2018 |
Net earnings |  | $ | 293,587 |  |  | $ | 706,287 |  |  | $ | 1,236,657 |  |  | $ | 1,800,014 |
Other comprehensive income: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net unrealized loss on hedging derivatives, net of income taxes of $(1,000) and $(400) for the third quarter of 2019 and 2018, respectively, and $(2,500) and $(1,000) for the first nine months of 2019 and 2018, respectively |  |  | (3,315 | ) |  |  | (1,393 | ) |  |  | (7,801 | ) |  |  | (5,792 | )
Reclassification adjustment for settlement of hedging derivatives included in net income, net of income taxes of $500 and $100 for the third quarter of 2019 and 2018, respectively, and $500 and $200 for the first nine months of 2019 and 2018, respectively |  |  | 1,615 |  |  |  | 193 |  |  |  | 1,501 |  |  |  | 592 |
Foreign currency translation (loss) gain, net of income taxes of $0 for the third quarter and first nine months of 2019 and 2018 |  |  | (14,306 | ) |  |  | 22,625 |  |  |  | (5,219 | ) |  |  | (14,726 | )
|  |  | (16,006 | ) |  |  | 21,425 |  |  |  | (11,519 | ) |  |  | (19,926 | )
Comprehensive income |  |  | 277,581 |  |  |  | 727,712 |  |  |  | 1,225,138 |  |  |  | 1,780,088 |
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests |  |  | (18,556 | ) |  |  | (29,631 | ) |  |  | (73,337 | ) |  |  | (86,026 | )
Comprehensive income attributable to Nucor stockholders |  | $ | 259,025 |  |  | $ | 698,081 |  |  | $ | 1,151,801 |  |  | $ | 1,694,062 |

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

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Nucor Corporation Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)

(In thousands)

|  | Sept. 28, 2019 |  |  | Dec. 31, 2018 |
ASSETS |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Current assets: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Cash and cash equivalents |  | $ | 1,686,365 |  |  | $ | 1,398,886 |
Short-term investments |  |  | 249,616 |  |  |  | - |
Accounts receivable, net |  |  | 2,312,366 |  |  |  | 2,505,568 |
Inventories, net |  |  | 4,072,464 |  |  |  | 4,553,500 |
Other current assets |  |  | 363,477 |  |  |  | 178,311 |
Total current assets |  |  | 8,684,288 |  |  |  | 8,636,265 |
Property, plant and equipment, net |  |  | 5,886,730 |  |  |  | 5,334,748 |
Goodwill |  |  | 2,186,499 |  |  |  | 2,184,336 |
Other intangible assets, net |  |  | 764,267 |  |  |  | 828,504 |
Other assets |  |  | 984,481 |  |  |  | 936,735 |
Total assets |  | $ | 18,506,265 |  |  | $ | 17,920,588 |
LIABILITIES |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Current liabilities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Short-term debt |  | $ | 47,725 |  |  | $ | 57,870 |
Current portion of long-term debt and finance lease obligations |  |  | 28,878 |  |  |  | - |
Accounts payable |  |  | 1,310,670 |  |  |  | 1,428,191 |
Salaries, wages and related accruals |  |  | 539,360 |  |  |  | 709,397 |
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities |  |  | 659,360 |  |  |  | 610,842 |
Total current liabilities |  |  | 2,585,993 |  |  |  | 2,806,300 |
Long-term debt and finance lease obligations due after one year |  |  | 4,287,597 |  |  |  | 4,233,276 |
Deferred credits and other liabilities |  |  | 771,642 |  |  |  | 679,044 |
Total liabilities |  |  | 7,645,232 |  |  |  | 7,718,620 |
EQUITY |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Nucor stockholders' equity: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Common stock |  |  | 152,061 |  |  |  | 152,061 |
Additional paid-in capital |  |  | 2,108,948 |  |  |  | 2,073,715 |
Retained earnings |  |  | 11,130,172 |  |  |  | 10,337,445 |
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of income taxes |  |  | (313,766 | ) |  |  | (304,133 | )
Treasury stock |  |  | (2,628,368 | ) |  |  | (2,467,010 | )
Total Nucor stockholders' equity |  |  | 10,449,047 |  |  |  | 9,792,078 |
Noncontrolling interests |  |  | 411,986 |  |  |  | 409,890 |
Total equity |  |  | 10,861,033 |  |  |  | 10,201,968 |
Total liabilities and equity |  | $ | 18,506,265 |  |  | $ | 17,920,588 |

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

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Nucor Corporation Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)

(In thousands)

|  | Nine Months (39 Weeks) Ended |
|  | Sept. 28, 2019 |  |  | Sept. 29, 2018 |
Operating activities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net earnings |  | $ | 1,236,657 |  |  | $ | 1,800,014 |
Adjustments: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Depreciation |  |  | 477,957 |  |  |  | 474,330 |
Amortization |  |  | 64,655 |  |  |  | 66,684 |
Stock-based compensation |  |  | 74,311 |  |  |  | 65,597 |
Deferred income taxes |  |  | 76,737 |  |  |  | 54,162 |
Distributions from affiliates |  |  | 27,405 |  |  |  | 29,325 |
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates |  |  | (2,459 | ) |  |  | (34,157 | )
Impairment of assets |  |  | - |  |  |  | 110,000 |
Changes in assets and liabilities (exclusive of acquisitions and dispositions): |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Accounts receivable |  |  | 197,783 |  |  |  | (615,118 | )
Inventories |  |  | 476,761 |  |  |  | (644,865 | )
Accounts payable |  |  | (180,397 | ) |  |  | 229,552 |
Federal income taxes |  |  | (177,405 | ) |  |  | 168,639 |
Salaries, wages and related accruals |  |  | (157,317 | ) |  |  | 173,732 |
Other operating activities |  |  | 5,526 |  |  |  | 23,564 |
Cash provided by operating activities |  |  | 2,120,214 |  |  |  | 1,901,459 |
Investing activities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Capital expenditures |  |  | (984,646 | ) |  |  | (624,739 | )
Investment in and advances to affiliates |  |  | (27,613 | ) |  |  | (111,540 | )
Divestiture of affiliates |  |  | 67,591 |  |  |  | - |
Disposition of plant and equipment |  |  | 32,922 |  |  |  | 27,964 |
Acquisitions (net of cash acquired) |  |  | (9,495 | ) |  |  | - |
Purchase of investments |  |  | (249,616 | ) |  |  | - |
Proceeds from the sale of investments |  |  | - |  |  |  | 50,000 |
Other investing activities |  |  | 2,176 |  |  |  | 25,347 |
Cash used in investing activities |  |  | (1,168,681 | ) |  |  | (632,968 | )
Financing activities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net change in short-term debt |  |  | (10,145 | ) |  |  | (5 | )
Proceeds from long-term debt, net of discount |  |  | - |  |  |  | 995,710 |
Repayment of long-term debt |  |  | - |  |  |  | (500,000 | )
Bond issuance related costs |  |  | - |  |  |  | (7,625 | )
Issuance of common stock |  |  | 5,892 |  |  |  | 24,102 |
Payment of tax withholdings on certain stock-based compensation |  |  | (15,723 | ) |  |  | (22,123 | )
Distributions to noncontrolling interests |  |  | (71,241 | ) |  |  | (49,494 | )
Cash dividends |  |  | (369,270 | ) |  |  | (364,982 | )
Acquisition of treasury stock |  |  | (197,511 | ) |  |  | (351,392 | )
Other financing activities |  |  | (6,538 | ) |  |  | (5,248 | )
Cash used in financing activities |  |  | (664,536 | ) |  |  | (281,057 | )
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash |  |  | 482 |  |  |  | (4,383 | )
Increase in cash and cash equivalents |  |  | 287,479 |  |  |  | 983,051 |
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of year |  |  | 1,398,886 |  |  |  | 949,104 |
Cash and cash equivalents - end of nine months |  | $ | 1,686,365 |  |  | $ | 1,932,155 |
Non-cash investing activity: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Change in accrued plant and equipment purchases |  | $ | 62,700 |  |  | $ | 40,996 |

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

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Nucor Corporation – Notes to Condensed Con solidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

1. | BASIS OF INTERIM PRESENTATION: The information furnished 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, 2018 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 included 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, 2018.

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements – In the first quarter of 2019, Nucor adopted new guidance related to lease accounting using the modified retrospective approach, which permits companies to recognize a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings in the period of adoption without adjusting the comparative periods prior to adoption. The new lease guidance requires all lessees to recognize on the balance sheet right-of-use assets and lease liabilities for the rights and obligations created by lease arrangements with terms greater than 12 months, including operating leases. Expenses are recognized in the statement of earnings in a manner similar to previous accounting guidance.

We elected the package of practical expedients permitted under the transition guidance within the new lease standard, which, among other things, allowed us to carry forward the historical lease classification. We also elected the practical expedient related to land easements, allowing us to carry forward our accounting treatment for land easements on existing agreements, and the short-term lease exemption policy such that the new lease guidance was applied to leases greater than one year in duration. The adoption of the new lease standard did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements as it resulted in an increase of 0.5% and 1.2% to our total assets and total liabilities, respectively, on our consolidated balance sheet at January 1, 2019. The new lease standard did not materially impact our consolidated net earnings and had no impact on our cash flows. Finance lease right-of-use assets and liabilities are presented separately from operating lease right-of-use assets and liabilities in the condensed consolidated balance sheet in accordance with the new lease standard. See Note 4 for further information.

In the first quarter of 2019, we also adopted new accounting guidance related to tax effects of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. As a result of the adoption of the new guidance, we elected to reclassify stranded tax effects from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings, effective January 1, 2019. The adoption of this new guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

2. | INVENTORIES: Inventories consisted of approximately 43% raw materials and supplies and 57% finished and semi-finished products at September 28, 2019 and December 31, 2018. 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.

3. | PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT: Property, plant and equipment is recorded net of accumulated depreciation of $9.54 billion at September 28, 2019 ($9.19 billion at December 31, 2018).

Nucor performed an impairment assessment of its proved producing natural gas well assets in September 2018. One of the main assumptions that most significantly affects the undiscounted cash flows determination is management’s estimate of future pricing of natural gas and natural gas liquids. The pricing used in the impairment assessment was developed by management based on projected natural gas market supply and demand dynamics, in conjunction with a review of projections by market analysts. Management also makes key estimates on the expected reserve levels and on the expected drilling production costs. The impairment assessment was performed on each of Nucor’s three groups (“fields”) of wells, with each field defined by common geographic location.

As a result of the impairment assessment, Nucor recorded an impairment charge of $110.0 million relating to two fields of wells in the third quarter of 2018. The post-impairment combined carrying value of these two fields was $68.0 million at September 28, 2019 ($71.0 million at December 31, 2018). The third field was not impaired and had a carrying value of $48.3 million at September 28, 2019 ($51.8 million at December 31, 2018). Changes in the natural gas industry or a prolonged low price environment beyond what had already been assumed in the assessment could cause management to revise the natural gas and natural gas liquids price assumptions, the estimated reserves or the estimated drilling production costs. Unfavorable revisions to these assumptions or estimates could possibly result in an impairment of some or all of the fields of proved well assets.

4. | LEASES: We lease certain equipment, office space and land. Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are not recorded on the consolidated balance sheet.

Most leases include one or more options to renew, with renewal terms that can extend the lease term from one to five years or more. The exercise of lease renewal options is at our sole discretion and we consider these options in determining the lease term used to establish our right-of-use assets and lease liabilities. Certain leases also include options to purchase the leased property. The depreciable life of assets and leasehold improvements is limited by the expected lease term, unless there is a transfer of title or a purchase option reasonably certain of exercise.

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We determine that a contract contains a lease if the contract conveys the right to control the use of an identified asset for a period of time in exchange for consideration. In evaluating whether we have the right to control the use of an identified asset, we assess whether or not we have the right to direct the use of the identified asset and to obtain substantially all of the economic benefit from the use of the identified asset.

As most of our leases do not provide an implicit rate, we use our incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at the commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments.

Certain of our lease agreements include payments that adjust periodically for consumption of goods provided by the right-of-use asset in excess of contractually determined minimum amounts and for inflation. These variable lease payments are not significant. Our lease agreements do not contain any material residual value guarantees or material restrictive covenants.

Supplemental statement of earnings information related to our leases is as follows (in thousands):

|  |  |  | Three Months |  |  | Nine Months |
|  |  |  | (13 Weeks) Ended |  |  | (39 Weeks) Ended |
|  | Statement of Earnings Classification |  | Sept. 28, 2019 |  |  | Sept. 28, 2019 |
Operating lease cost |  | Cost of products sold |  | $ | 4,932 |  |  | $ | 16,075 |
Operating lease cost |  | Marketing, administrative and other expenses |  |  | 990 |  |  |  | 1,572 |
Total operating lease cost |  |  |  | $ | 5,922 |  |  | $ | 17,647 |
Finance lease cost: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Amortization of leased assets |  | Cost of products sold |  | $ | 2,377 |  |  | $ | 7,054 |
Interest on lease liabilities |  | Interest expense, net |  |  | 2,788 |  |  |  | 8,451 |
Total finance lease cost |  |  |  | $ | 5,165 |  |  | $ | 15,505 |
Total lease cost |  |  |  | $ | 11,087 |  |  | $ | 33,152 |

Supplemental cash flow information related to our leases is as follows (in thousands):

|  | Nine Months |
|  | (39 Weeks) Ended |
|  | Sept. 28, 2019 |
Cash paid for amounts included in measurement of lease liabilities: |  |  |  |
Operating cash flows from operating leases |  | $ | 16,766 |
Operating cash flows from finance leases |  | $ | 8,451 |
Financing cash flows from finance leases |  | $ | 6,538 |

Supplemental balance sheet information related to our leases is as follows (in thousands):

|  | Balance Sheet Classification |  | Sept. 28, 2019 |
Assets: |  |  |  |  |  |
Operating lease |  | Other assets |  | $ | 92,022 |
Finance lease |  | Property, plant and equipment, net |  |  | 67,554 |
Total leased |  |  |  | $ | 159,576 |
Liabilities: |  |  |  |  |  |
Current operating |  | Accrued expenses and other current liabilities |  | $ | 17,362 |
Current finance |  | Current portion of long-term debt and finance lease obligations |  |  | 8,878 |
Non-current operating |  | Deferred credits and other liabilities |  |  | 75,854 |
Non-current finance |  | Long-term debt and finance lease obligations due after one year |  |  | 72,773 |
Total leased |  |  |  | $ | 174,867 |

Weighted-average remaining lease term and discount rate for our leases are as follows:

|  | Sept. 28, 2019
Weighted-average remaining lease term - operating leases |  | 9.3 years
Weighted-average remaining lease term - finance leases |  | 10.3 years
Weighted-average discount rate - operating leases |  | 3.8%
Weighted-average discount rate - finance leases |  | 30.8%

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The reason for the substantial weighted-average discount rate – finance leases, of 30.8%, is due to Nucor’s past accounting for the respective finance leases following the former accounting guidance for capital leases. Pursuant to the former lease accounting guidance, the recognition of a capital lease asset and associated capital lease liability could not exceed the fair market value of the leased asset at the lease commencement. Accordingly, the incremental borrowing rate was adjusted upward so that the present value of the minimum lease payments would equal the fair value of the asset.

Maturities of lease liabilities by fiscal year for our leases were as follows as of September 28, 2019 (in thousands):

|  | Operating Leases |  |  | Finance Leases |
Maturities of lease liabilities, year ending December 31, |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
2019 |  | $ | 5,957 |  |  | $ | 4,904 |
2020 |  |  | 19,223 |  |  |  | 19,307 |
2021 |  |  | 16,853 |  |  |  | 18,833 |
2022 |  |  | 15,248 |  |  |  | 18,038 |
2023 |  |  | 12,161 |  |  |  | 16,194 |
Thereafter |  |  | 44,265 |  |  |  | 79,529 |
Total lease payments |  | $ | 113,707 |  |  | $ | 156,805 |
Less imputed interest |  |  | (20,491 | ) |  |  | (75,154 | )
Present value of lease liabilities |  | $ | 93,216 |  |  | $ | 81,651 |

Prior Period Disclosures - As a result of adopting the new lease accounting guidance on January 1, 2019 under the modified retrospective approach, the Company is required to present future minimum lease commitments for capital leases and operating leases having initial or noncancellable lease terms in excess of one year that were previously disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 and accounted for under previous lease guidance.

Total future minimum lease payments related to capital leases at December 31, 2018 were $154.8 million, with the timing of those payments estimated at that date to be made as follows: $17.7 million in 2019; a total of $33.6 million to be paid between 2020 and 2021; a total of $30.0 million to be paid between 2022 and 2023; and $73.4 million to be paid thereafter.

Total future minimum lease payments related to operating leases having initial or noncancellable lease terms in excess of one year at December 31, 2018 were $128.6 million, with the timing of those payments estimated at that date to be made as follows: $31.8 million in 2019; a total of $45.0 million to be paid between 2020 and 2021; a total of $28.4 million to be paid between 2022 and 2023; and $23.5 million to be paid thereafter.

The gross amount of assets recorded under capital leases was $89.4 million as of December 31, 2018, which primarily consisted of buildings and improvements or machinery and equipment.

5. | GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS: The change in the net carrying amount of goodwill for the nine months ended September 28, 2019 by segment was as follows (in thousands):

|  | Steel Mills |  |  | Steel Products |  |  | Raw Materials |  |  | Total |
Balance at December 31, 2018 |  | $ | 591,986 |  |  | $ | 862,773 |  |  | $ | 729,577 |  |  | $ | 2,184,336 |
Translation |  |  | - |  |  |  | 2,163 |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | 2,163 |
Balance at September 28, 2019 |  | $ | 591,986 |  |  | $ | 864,936 |  |  | $ | 729,577 |  |  | $ | 2,186,499 |

Nucor completed its most recent annual goodwill impairment testing during the fourth quarter of 2018 and concluded that as of such time there was no impairment of goodwill for any of its reporting units.

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The assessment performed in 2018 used forward-looking projections and included significant expected improvements in the future cash flows of one of the Company’s reporting units, Rebar Fabrication. The fair value of this reporting unit exceeded its carrying value by approximately 8% in the most recent assessment. We expect the 2019 operating results of this reporting unit to improve as compared to 2018. If our assessment of the relevant facts and circumstances changes, or the actual performance of this reporting unit falls short of expected results, noncash impairment charges may be required. Total goodwill associated with the Rebar Fabrication reporting unit was $354.9 million as of September 28, 2019 ($353.0 million as of December 31, 2018). An impairment of goodwill may also lead us to record an impairment of other intangible assets. Total finite-lived intangible assets associated with the Rebar Fabrication reporting unit were $69.4 million as of September 28, 2019 ($76.7 million as of December 31, 2018). There have been no triggering events requiring an interim assessment for impairment of the Rebar Fabrication reporting unit since the most recent annual goodwill impairment testing date.

The Company has monitored one of its reporting units, Grating, for potential triggering events since the impairment assessment performed in the fourth quarter of 2018. Due to lower than expected operating performance and anticipated changes to the reporting unit’s business strategy and structure, the Company determined a triggering event occurred in the third quarter of 2019 and performed an impairment assessment. The fair value of the Grating reporting unit exceeded its carrying value by approximately 17% in the most recent assessment. If our assessment of the relevant facts and circumstances changes, or the actual performance of this reporting unit falls short of expected results, noncash impairment charges may be required. An impairment of goodwill may also lead us to record an impairment of other intangible assets. As of September 28, 2019, total goodwill and finite-lived intangible assets associated with the Grating reporting unit were $36.7 million and $3.3 million, respectively.

Intangible assets with estimated useful lives of five to 22 years are amortized on a straight-line or accelerated basis and were comprised of the following as of September 28, 2019 and December 31, 2018 (in thousands):

|  | September 28, 2019 |  |  | December 31, 2018 |
|  | Gross Amount |  |  | Accumulated Amortization |  |  | Gross Amount |  |  | Accumulated Amortization |
Customer relationships |  | $ | 1,421,107 |  |  | $ | 767,027 |  |  | $ | 1,418,250 |  |  | $ | 713,656 |
Trademarks and trade names |  |  | 177,620 |  |  |  | 95,450 |  |  |  | 176,046 |  |  |  | 87,680 |
Other |  |  | 63,807 |  |  |  | 35,790 |  |  |  | 67,820 |  |  |  | 32,276 |
|  | $ | 1,662,534 |  |  | $ | 898,267 |  |  | $ | 1,662,116 |  |  | $ | 833,612 |

Intangible asset amortization expense in the third quarter of 2019 and 2018 was $22.0 million and $22.1 million, respectively, and was $64.7 million and $66.7 million in the first nine months of 2019 and 2018, respectively. Annual amortization expense is estimated to be $87.1 million in 2019; $84.7 million in 2020; $83.5 million in 2021; $81.2 million in 2022; and $80.0 million in 2023.

6. | EQUITY INVESTMENTS: The carrying value of our equity investments in domestic and foreign companies was $826.1 million at September 28, 2019 ($869.9 million at December 31, 2018) and is recorded in other assets in the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

NUMIT

Nucor owns a 50% economic and voting interest in NuMit LLC (“NuMit”). NuMit owns 100% of the equity interest in Steel Technologies LLC, an operator of 26 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 was $323.9 million at September 28, 2019 ($337.2 million at December 31, 2018). Nucor received distributions of $27.4 million and $28.3 million from NuMit during the first nine months of 2019 and 2018, 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.

Nucor’s investment in Duferdofin Nucor was $256.0 million at September 28, 2019 ($269.1 million at December 31, 2018). Nucor’s 50% share of the total net assets of Duferdofin Nucor was $107.0 million at September 28, 2019, resulting in a basis difference of $149.0 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 ($84.3 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

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million and $2.3 million in the third quarter of 2019 and 2018, respectively, and was $6.7 million and $7.1 million in the first nine months of 2019 and 2018, respectively.

As of September 28, 2019, Nucor had outstanding notes receivable of €35.0 million ($38.3 million) from Duferdofin Nucor (€35.0 million, or $40.2 million, as of December 31, 2018). The notes receivable bear interest at a rate that resets annually on September 30 to the 12-month Euro Interbank Offered Rate plus 0.75% per year. The maturity date of the principal amounts was extended to January 31, 2022 during the first quarter of 2018. As of September 28, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the notes receivable were classified in other assets in the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

Nucor has issued a guarantee for its ownership percentage (50%) of Duferdofin Nucor’s borrowings under Facility A of a Structured Trade Finance Facilities Agreement (“Facility A”). The fair value of the guarantee is immaterial. In April 2018, Duferdofin Nucor amended and extended Facility A to mature on April 16, 2021. The maximum amount Duferdofin Nucor could borrow under Facility A was €160.0 million ($175.1 million) at September 28, 2019. As of September 28, 2019, there was €154.0 million ($168.5 million) outstanding under that facility (€155.0 million, or $178.0 million, as of December 31, 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.

NUCOR-JFE

Nucor owns a 50% economic and voting interest in Nucor-JFE Steel Mexico, S. de R.L. de C.V. (“Nucor-JFE”), a 50-50 joint venture with JFE Steel Corporation of Japan, to build and operate a galvanized sheet steel plant in central Mexico. Nucor-JFE plant construction is substantially complete and operations are expected to begin by the end of 2019. Nucor accounts for the investment in Nucor-JFE (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 Nucor-JFE was $150.1 million at September 28, 2019 ($135.7 million at December 31, 2018).

On January 16, 2019, Nucor entered into an agreement to guarantee a percentage, equal to its ownership percentage (50%), of Nucor-JFE’s borrowings under the General Financing Agreement and Promissory Note (the “Facility”). The fair value of the guarantee is immaterial. Nucor’s guarantee expires on April 30, 2020. Under the Facility, the maximum amount Nucor-JFE could borrow was $65.0 million as of September 28, 2019. The Facility is uncommitted. As of September 28, 2019, there was $30.0 million outstanding under the Facility. If Nucor-JFE fails to pay when due any amounts for which it is obligated under the Facility, Nucor could be required to pay 50% of such amounts pursuant to and in accordance with the terms of its guarantee. Nucor has not recorded any liability associated with this guarantee.

On July 26, 2019, Nucor entered into another agreement to guarantee $17.5 million of debt, plus interest and fees, totaling up to $20.0 million under the $35.0 million Uncommitted Loan Facility Agreement and Promissory Note (the “Loan Agreement”). The fair value of the guarantee is immaterial. Nucor’s guarantee expires on July 31, 2024. If Nucor-JFE fails to pay when due any amounts for which it is obligated under the Loan Agreement, Nucor could be required to pay such amounts pursuant to and in accordance with the terms of its guarantee. 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 fair value below their carrying amounts may have occurred. Nucor last assessed its equity investment in Duferdofin Nucor for impairment during the fourth quarter of 2017 due to the protracted challenging steel market conditions in Europe. After completing its assessment, the Company determined that the estimated fair value exceeded its carrying amount by a sufficient amount and that there was no need to record an impairment charge. The assumptions that most significantly affect the fair value determination include projected cash flows and the discount rate. It is reasonably possible that material deviation of future performance from the estimates used in our most recent valuation could result in impairment of our investment in Duferdofin Nucor. The outlook for the European economy has weakened in 2019. 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.

7. | CURRENT LIABILITIES: Book overdrafts, included in accounts payable in the condensed consolidated balance sheets, were $161.5 million at September 28, 2019 ($89.8 million at December 31, 2018). Dividends payable, included in accrued expenses and other current liabilities in the condensed consolidated balance sheets, were $122.8 million at September 28, 2019 ($123.4 million at December 31, 2018).

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8. | FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS: The following table summarizes information regarding Nucor’s financial assets and financial liabilities that were measured at fair value as of September 28, 2019 and December 31, 2018 (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 September 28, 2019 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Assets: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Cash equivalents |  | $ | 1,445,116 |  |  | $ | 1,445,116 |  |  | $ | - |  |  | $ | - |
Short-term investments |  |  | 249,616 |  |  |  | 249,616 |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |
Derivative contracts |  |  | 2,228 |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | 2,228 |  |  |  | - |
Total assets |  | $ | 1,696,960 |  |  | $ | 1,694,732 |  |  | $ | 2,228 |  |  | $ | - |
Liabilities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Derivative contracts |  | $ | (16,800 | ) |  | $ | - |  |  | $ | (16,800 | ) |  | $ | - |
As of December 31, 2018 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Assets: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Cash equivalents |  | $ | 1,084,319 |  |  | $ | 1,084,319 |  |  | $ | - |  |  | $ | - |
Derivative contracts |  |  | 4,772 |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | 4,772 |  |  |  | - |
Total assets |  | $ | 1,089,091 |  |  | $ | 1,084,319 |  |  | $ | 4,772 |  |  | $ | - |
Liabilities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Derivative contracts |  | $ | (8,600 | ) |  | $ | - |  |  | $ | (8,600 | ) |  | $ | - |

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 at September 28, 2019 consisted of certificates of deposit, commercial paper and corporate notes. 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 $4.83 billion at September 28, 2019 ($4.45 billion at December 31, 2018). The debt fair value estimates are classified under Level 2 because such estimates are based on readily available market prices of our debt at September 28, 2019 and December 31, 2018, or similar debt with the same maturities, ratings and interest rates.

9. | CONTINGENCIES: Nucor is subject to environmental laws and regulations established by federal, state and local authorities and, accordingly, makes provisions for the estimated costs of compliance. Of the undiscounted total of $17.1 million of accrued environmental costs at September 28, 2019 ($18.4 million at December 31, 2018), $4.7 million was classified in accrued expenses and other current liabilities ($7.0 million at December 31, 2018) and $12.4 million was classified in deferred credits and other liabilities ($11.4 million at December 31, 2018). 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 with self-insurance limits for certain risks.

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10. | STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION: Overview – The Company maintains the Nucor Corporation 2014 Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan (the “Omnibus Plan”) under which the Company may award stock-based compensation to key employees, officers and non-employee directors. The Company’s stockholders approved the Omnibus Plan on May 8, 2014. The Omnibus Plan permits the award of stock options, restricted stock units, restricted shares and other stock-based awards for up to 13.0 million shares of the Company’s common stock. As of September 28, 2019, 3.6 million shares remained available for award under the Omnibus Plan.

The Company also maintains a number of inactive plans under which stock-based awards remain outstanding but no further awards may be made. As of September 28, 2019, 1.5 million shares were reserved for issuance upon the future settlement of outstanding awards under such inactive plans.

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.

A summary of activity under Nucor’s stock option plans for the first nine months of 2019 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 |  |  | 3,828 |  |  | $ | 49.71 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Granted |  |  | 489 |  |  | $ | 48.00 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Exercised |  |  | (153 | ) |  | $ | 38.56 |  |  |  |  | $ | 3,058 |
Canceled |  |  | - |  |  | $ | - |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Outstanding at September 28, 2019 |  |  | 4,164 |  |  | $ | 49.92 |  |  | 5.9 years |  | $ | 11,151 |
Stock options exercisable at September 28, 2019 |  |  | 2,914 |  |  | $ | 47.13 |  |  | 4.7 years |  | $ | 10,283 |

Stock options granted to employees who are eligible for retirement on the date of the 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 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 $0.3 million in the third quarter of both 2019 and 2018 and $4.4 million and $4.3 million in the first nine months of 2019 and 2018, respectively. As of September 28, 2019, unrecognized compensation expense related to stock options was $1.5 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.8 years.

Restricted Stock Units – Nucor annually grants restricted stock units (“RSUs”) to key employees, officers and non-employee directors. The RSUs granted to key employees and officers vest and are converted to common stock in three equal installments on each of the first three anniversaries of the grant date, provided that a portion of the RSUs awarded to officers prior to 2018 vests only 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 the 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.

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The fair value of an RSU is determined based on the closing price of Nucor’s common stock on the date of the grant. A summary of Nucor’s RSU activity for the first nine months of 2019 is as follows (shares in thousands):

|  | Shares |  |  | Grant Date Fair Value |
Restricted stock units: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Unvested at beginning of year |  |  | 1,246 |  |  | $ | 59.09 |
Granted |  |  | 1,770 |  |  | $ | 48.00 |
Vested |  |  | (1,177 | ) |  | $ | 52.39 |
Canceled |  |  | (29 | ) |  | $ | 57.53 |
Unvested at September 28, 2019 |  |  | 1,810 |  |  | $ | 52.62 |

Compensation expense for RSUs was $11.0 million and $8.5 million in the third quarter of 2019 and 2018, respectively, and $59.1 million and $46.8 million in the first nine months of 2019 and 2018, respectively. As of September 28, 2019, unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested RSUs was $70.2 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.7 years.

Restricted Stock Awards – Prior to their expiration effective December 31, 2017, the Nucor Corporation Senior Officers Long-Term Incentive Plan and the Nucor Corporation Senior Officers Annual Incentive Plan authorized the award of shares of common stock to officers subject to certain conditions and restrictions. Effective January 1, 2018, the Company adopted supplements to the Omnibus Plan with terms that permit the award of shares of common stock to officers subject to the conditions and restrictions described below, which are substantially similar to those of the expired Senior Officers Long-Term Incentive Plan and Senior Officers Annual Incentive Plan. The expired Senior Officers Long-Term Incentive Plan, together with the applicable supplement, is referred to below as the “LTIP,” and the expired Senior Officers Annual Incentive Plan, together with the applicable supplement, is referred to below as the “AIP.”

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 LTIP 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.

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 nine months of 2019 is as follows (shares in thousands):

|  |  |  |  |  | Grant Date |
|  | Shares |  |  | Fair Value |
Restricted stock units and restricted stock awards: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Unvested at beginning of year |  |  | 130 |  |  | $ | 62.97 |
Granted |  |  | 316 |  |  | $ | 58.04 |
Vested |  |  | (296 | ) |  | $ | 58.78 |
Canceled |  |  | - |  |  | $ | - |
Unvested at September 28, 2019 |  |  | 150 |  |  | $ | 60.84 |

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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 $1.8 million and $4.9 million in the third quarter of 2019 and 2018, respectively, and $10.9 million and $14.6 million in the first nine months of 2019 and 2018, respectively. As of September 28, 2019, unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested restricted stock awards was $2.1 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.7 years.

11. | 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 $40.0 million and $86.4 million in the third quarter of 2019 and 2018, respectively, and $163.7 million and $226.5 million in the first nine months of 2019 and 2018, respectively. The related liability for these benefits is included in salaries, wages and related accruals in the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

12. | INTEREST EXPENSE (INCOME): The components of net interest expense for the third quarter and first nine months of 2019 and 2018 are as follows (in thousands):

|  | Three Months (13 Weeks) Ended |  |  | Nine Months (39 Weeks) Ended |
|  | Sept. 28, 2019 |  |  | Sept. 29, 2018 |  |  | Sept. 28, 2019 |  |  | Sept. 29, 2018 |
Interest expense |  | $ | 40,721 |  |  | $ | 44,789 |  |  | $ | 119,736 |  |  | $ | 120,308 |
Interest income |  |  | (9,435 | ) |  |  | (7,588 | ) |  |  | (26,977 | ) |  |  | (16,542 | )
Interest expense, net |  | $ | 31,286 |  |  | $ | 37,201 |  |  | $ | 92,759 |  |  | $ | 103,766 |

Interest expense decreased in the third quarter and first nine months of 2019 as compared to the third quarter and first nine months of 2018 due to an increase in capitalized interest related to capital projects being constructed in the first nine months of 2019. Included in interest expense in the first nine months of 2018 was the benefit received from the settlement of a treasury lock instrument that was entered into in anticipation of the Company’s debt issuance that occurred in the second quarter of 2018. The Company did not elect hedge accounting for this instrument.

13. | INCOME TAXES: The effective tax rate for the third quarter of 2019 was 22.8% as compared to 23.4% for the third quarter of 2018.

Nucor has concluded U.S. federal income tax matters for years through 2014. The tax years 2015 through 2018 remain open to examination by the Internal Revenue Service. The Canada Revenue Agency has concluded its examination of the 2012 and 2013 Canadian returns for Harris Steel Group Inc. and certain related affiliates. The 2015 tax year is currently under examination by the Canada Revenue Agency. The Trinidad and Tobago Inland Revenue Division has concluded its examination of the Nu-Iron Unlimited 2013 corporate income tax return. The tax years 2012 through 2018 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 $0.9 million at September 28, 2019 ($0.7 million at December 31, 2018). Non-current deferred tax liabilities included in deferred credits and other liabilities in the condensed consolidated balance sheets were $407.0 million at September 28, 2019 ($332.0 million at December 31, 2018).

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14. | 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 (Limited Partnership) of which Nucor owns 51%, for the three months and nine months ended September 28, 2019 and September 29, 2018 (in thousands):

|  |  |  |  |  | Three Months (13 Weeks) Ended September 28, 2019 |  |  |  |  |
|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | Accumulated |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | Total |  |  |  |  |
|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | Additional |  |  |  |  |  |  | Other |  |  | Treasury Stock |  |  | Nucor |  |  |  |  |
|  |  |  |  |  | Common Stock |  |  | Paid-in |  |  | Retained |  |  | Comprehensive |  |  | (at cost) |  |  | Stockholders' |  |  | Noncontrolling |
|  | Total |  |  | Shares |  |  | Amount |  |  | Capital |  |  | Earnings |  |  | Income (Loss) |  |  | Shares |  |  | Amount |  |  | Equity |  |  | Interests |
BALANCES, June 29, 2019 |  | $ | 10,698,008 |  |  |  | 380,154 |  |  | $ | 152,061 |  |  | $ | 2,098,809 |  |  | $ | 10,977,950 |  |  | $ | (297,760 | ) |  |  | 76,997 |  |  | $ | (2,630,343 | ) |  | $ | 10,300,717 |  |  | $ | 397,291 |
Net earnings |  |  | 293,587 |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | 275,031 |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | 275,031 |  |  |  | 18,556 |
Other comprehensive income (loss) |  |  | (16,006 | ) |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | (16,006 | ) |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | (16,006 | ) |  |  | - |
Stock options exercised |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |
Stock option expense |  |  | 275 |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | 275 |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | 275 |  |  |  | - |
Issuance of stock under award plans, net of forfeitures |  |  | 11,339 |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | 9,365 |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | (58 | ) |  |  | 1,974 |  |  |  | 11,339 |  |  |  | - |
Amortization of unearned compensation |  |  | 500 |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | 500 |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | 500 |  |  |  | - |
Treasury stock acquired |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |
Cash dividends declared |  |  | (122,809 | ) |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | (122,809 | ) |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | (122,809 | ) |  |  | - |
Distributions to noncontrolling interests |  |  | (3,861 | ) |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | (3,861 | )
Other |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | (1 | ) |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | 1 |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |
BALANCES, September 28, 2019 |  | $ | 10,861,033 |  |  |  | 380,154 |  |  | $ | 152,061 |  |  | $ | 2,108,948 |  |  | $ | 11,130,172 |  |  | $ | (313,766 | ) |  |  | 76,939 |  |  | $ | (2,628,368 | ) |  | $ | 10,449,047 |  |  | $ | 411,986 |

|  |  |  |  |  | Nine Months (39 Weeks) Ended September 28, 2019 |  |  |  |  |
|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | Accumulated |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | Total |  |  |  |  |
|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | Additional |  |  |  |  |  |  | Other |  |  | Treasury Stock |  |  | Nucor |  |  |  |  |
|  |  |  |  |  | Common Stock |  |  | Paid-in |  |  | Retained |  |  | Comprehensive |  |  | (at cost) |  |  | Stockholders' |  |  | Noncontrolling |
|  | Total |  |  | Shares |  |  | Amount |  |  | Capital |  |  | Earnings |  |  | Income (Loss) |  |  | Shares |  |  | Amount |  |  | Equity |  |  | Interests |
BALANCES, December 31, 2018 |  | $ | 10,201,968 |  |  |  | 380,154 |  |  | $ | 152,061 |  |  | $ | 2,073,715 |  |  | $ | 10,337,445 |  |  | $ | (304,133 | ) |  |  | 74,562 |  |  | $ | (2,467,010 | ) |  | $ | 9,792,078 |  |  | $ | 409,890 |
Net earnings |  |  | 1,236,657 |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | 1,163,320 |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | 1,163,320 |  |  |  | 73,337 |
Other comprehensive income (loss) |  |  | (11,519 | ) |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | (11,519 | ) |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | (11,519 | ) |  |  | - |
Stock options exercised |  |  | 5,892 |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | 808 |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | (153 | ) |  |  | 5,084 |  |  |  | 5,892 |  |  |  | - |
Stock option expense |  |  | 4,387 |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | 4,387 |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | 4,387 |  |  |  | - |
Issuance of stock under award plans, net of forfeitures |  |  | 59,608 |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | 28,540 |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | (920 | ) |  |  | 31,068 |  |  |  | 59,608 |  |  |  | - |
Amortization of unearned compensation |  |  | 1,500 |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | 1,500 |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | 1,500 |  |  |  | - |
Treasury stock acquired |  |  | (197,511 | ) |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | 3,450 |  |  |  | (197,511 | ) |  |  | (197,511 | ) |  |  | - |
Cash dividends declared |  |  | (368,707 | ) |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | (368,707 | ) |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | (368,707 | ) |  |  | - |
Distributions to noncontrolling interests |  |  | (71,241 | ) |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | (71,241 | )
Other |  |  | (1 | ) |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | (2 | ) |  |  | (1,886 | ) |  |  | 1,886 |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | 1 |  |  |  | (1 | ) |  |  | - |
BALANCES, September 28, 2019 |  | $ | 10,861,033 |  |  |  | 380,154 |  |  | $ | 152,061 |  |  | $ | 2,108,948 |  |  | $ | 11,130,172 |  |  | $ | (313,766 | ) |  |  | 76,939 |  |  | $ | (2,628,368 | ) |  | $ | 10,449,047 |  |  | $ | 411,986 |

|  |  |  |  |  | Three Months (13 Weeks) Ended September 29, 2018 |  |  |  |  |
|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | Accumulated |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | Total |  |  |  |  |
|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | Additional |  |  |  |  |  |  | Other |  |  | Treasury Stock |  |  | Nucor |  |  |  |  |
|  |  |  |  |  | Common Stock |  |  | Paid-in |  |  | Retained |  |  | Comprehensive |  |  | (at cost) |  |  | Stockholders' |  |  | Noncontrolling |
|  | Total |  |  | Shares |  |  | Amount |  |  | Capital |  |  | Earnings |  |  | Income (Loss) |  |  | Shares |  |  | Amount |  |  | Equity |  |  | Interests |
BALANCES, June 30, 2018 |  | $ | 9,735,424 |  |  |  | 380,154 |  |  | $ | 152,061 |  |  | $ | 2,051,383 |  |  | $ | 9,257,822 |  |  | $ | (296,032 | ) |  |  | 63,810 |  |  | $ | (1,791,827 | ) |  | $ | 9,373,407 |  |  | $ | 362,017 |
Net earnings |  |  | 706,287 |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | 676,656 |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | 676,656 |  |  |  | 29,631 |
Other comprehensive income (loss) |  |  | 21,425 |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | 21,425 |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | 21,425 |  |  |  | - |
Stock options exercised |  |  | 11,822 |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | 4,572 |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | (256 | ) |  |  | 7,250 |  |  |  | 11,822 |  |  |  | - |
Stock option expense |  |  | 312 |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | 312 |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | 312 |  |  |  | - |
Issuance of stock under award plans, net of forfeitures |  |  | 9,598 |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | 8,633 |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | (34 | ) |  |  | 965 |  |  |  | 9,598 |  |  |  | - |
Amortization of unearned compensation |  |  | 400 |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | 400 |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | 400 |  |  |  | - |
Treasury stock acquired |  |  | (181,077 | ) |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | 2,701 |  |  |  | (181,077 | ) |  |  | (181,077 | ) |  |  | - |
Cash dividends declared |  |  | (120,406 | ) |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | (120,406 | ) |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | (120,406 | ) |  |  | - |
Distributions to noncontrolling interests |  |  | (9,364 | ) |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | (9,364 | )
Other |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | (1 | ) |  |  | 1 |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |
BALANCES, September 29, 2018 |  | $ | 10,174,421 |  |  |  | 380,154 |  |  | $ | 152,061 |  |  | $ | 2,065,299 |  |  | $ | 9,814,073 |  |  | $ | (274,607 | ) |  |  | 66,221 |  |  | $ | (1,964,689 | ) |  | $ | 9,792,137 |  |  | $ | 382,284 |

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|  |  |  |  |  | Nine Months (39 Weeks) Ended September 29, 2018 |  |  |  |  |
|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | Accumulated |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | Total |  |  |  |  |
|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | Additional |  |  |  |  |  |  | Other |  |  | Treasury Stock |  |  | Nucor |  |  |  |  |
|  |  |  |  |  | Common Stock |  |  | Paid-in |  |  | Retained |  |  | Comprehensive |  |  | (at cost) |  |  | Stockholders' |  |  | Noncontrolling |
|  | Total |  |  | Shares |  |  | Amount |  |  | Capital |  |  | Earnings |  |  | Income (Loss) |  |  | Shares |  |  | Amount |  |  | Equity |  |  | Interests |
BALANCES, December 31, 2017 |  | $ | 9,084,788 |  |  |  | 379,900 |  |  | $ | 151,960 |  |  | $ | 2,021,339 |  |  | $ | 8,463,709 |  |  | $ | (254,681 | ) |  |  | 61,931 |  |  | $ | (1,643,291 | ) |  | $ | 8,739,036 |  |  | $ | 345,752 |
Net earnings |  |  | 1,800,014 |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | 1,713,988 |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | 1,713,988 |  |  |  | 86,026 |
Other comprehensive income (loss) |  |  | (19,926 | ) |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | (19,926 | ) |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | (19,926 | ) |  |  | - |
Stock options exercised |  |  | 24,102 |  |  |  | 210 |  |  |  | 84 |  |  |  | 14,675 |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | (334 | ) |  |  | 9,343 |  |  |  | 24,102 |  |  |  | - |
Stock option expense |  |  | 4,249 |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | 4,249 |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | 4,249 |  |  |  | - |
Issuance of stock under award plans, net of forfeitures |  |  | 44,304 |  |  |  | 44 |  |  |  | 17 |  |  |  | 23,636 |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | (754 | ) |  |  | 20,651 |  |  |  | 44,304 |  |  |  | - |
Amortization of unearned compensation |  |  | 1,400 |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | 1,400 |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | 1,400 |  |  |  | - |
Treasury stock acquired |  |  | (351,392 | ) |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | 5,378 |  |  |  | (351,392 | ) |  |  | (351,392 | ) |  |  | - |
Cash dividends declared |  |  | (363,624 | ) |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | (363,624 | ) |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | (363,624 | ) |  |  | - |
Distributions to noncontrolling interests |  |  | (49,494 | ) |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | (49,494 | )
BALANCES, September 29, 2018 |  | $ | 10,174,421 |  |  |  | 380,154 |  |  | $ | 152,061 |  |  | $ | 2,065,299 |  |  | $ | 9,814,073 |  |  | $ | (274,607 | ) |  |  | 66,221 |  |  | $ | (1,964,689 | ) |  | $ | 9,792,137 |  |  | $ | 382,284 |

Dividends declared per share were $0.40 per share in the third quarter of 2019 ($0.38 per share in the third quarter of 2018) and $1.20 per share in the first nine months of 2019 ($1.14 per share in the first nine months of 2018).

In September 2018, the Company announced that the Board of Directors had approved a share repurchase program under which the Company is authorized to repurchase up to $2.0 billion of the Company’s common stock. Share repurchases will be made from time to time in the open market at prevailing market prices or through private transactions or block trades. The timing and amount of repurchases will depend on market conditions, share price, applicable legal requirements and other factors. The share repurchase authorization is discretionary and has no expiration date. The Board of Directors also terminated any previously authorized share repurchase programs. As of September 28, 2019, the Company had approximately $1.3 billion remaining available for share repurchases under the program.

15. | ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS): The following tables reflect the changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) by component for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 28, 2019 and September 29, 2018 (in thousands):

|  | Three-Month (13-Week) Period Ended |
|  | September 28, 2019 |
|  | Gains and Losses on |  |  | Foreign Currency |  |  | Adjustment to Early |  |  |  |  |
|  | Hedging Derivatives |  |  | Gain (Loss) |  |  | Retiree Medical Plan |  |  | Total |
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) at June 29, 2019 |  | $ | (11,100 | ) |  | $ | (295,559 | ) |  | $ | 8,899 |  |  | $ | (297,760 | )
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications |  |  | (3,315 | ) |  |  | (14,306 | ) |  |  | - |  |  |  | (17,621 | )
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into earnings (1) |  |  | 1,615 |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | 1,615 |
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss) |  |  | (1,700 | ) |  |  | (14,306 | ) |  |  | - |  |  |  | (16,006 | )
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) at September 28, 2019 |  | $ | (12,800 | ) |  | $ | (309,865 | ) |  | $ | 8,899 |  |  | $ | (313,766 | )

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|  | Nine-Month (39-Week) Period Ended |
|  | September 28, 2019 |
|  | Gains and Losses on |  |  | Foreign Currency |  |  | Adjustment to Early |  |  |  |  |
|  | Hedging Derivatives |  |  | Gain (Loss) |  |  | Retiree Medical Plan |  |  | Total |
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) at December 31, 2018 |  | $ | (6,500 | ) |  | $ | (304,646 | ) |  | $ | 7,013 |  |  | $ | (304,133 | )
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications |  |  | (7,801 | ) |  |  | (5,219 | ) |  |  | - |  |  |  | (13,020 | )
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into earnings (1) |  |  | 1,501 |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | 1,501 |
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss) |  |  | (6,300 | ) |  |  | (5,219 | ) |  |  | - |  |  |  | (11,519 | )
Other |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | 1,886 |  |  |  | 1,886 |
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) at September 28, 2019 |  | $ | (12,800 | ) |  | $ | (309,865 | ) |  | $ | 8,899 |  |  | $ | (313,766 | )

(1) | Includes $1,615 and $1,501 of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) reclassifications into cost of products sold for net losses on commodity contracts in the third quarter and first nine months of 2019, respectively. The tax impact of those reclassifications was $500 in both the third quarter and first nine months of 2019.

|  | Three-Month (13-Week) Period Ended |
|  | September 29, 2018 |
|  | Gains and Losses on |  |  | Foreign Currency |  |  | Adjustment to Early |  |  |  |  |
|  | Hedging Derivatives |  |  | Gain (Loss) |  |  | Retiree Medical Plan |  |  | Total |
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) at June 30, 2018 |  | $ | (6,800 | ) |  | $ | (294,864 | ) |  | $ | 5,632 |  |  | $ | (296,032 | )
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications |  |  | (1,393 | ) |  |  | 22,625 |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | 21,232 |
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into earnings (2) |  |  | 193 |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | 193 |
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss) |  |  | (1,200 | ) |  |  | 22,625 |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | 21,425 |
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) at September 29, 2018 |  | $ | (8,000 | ) |  | $ | (272,239 | ) |  | $ | 5,632 |  |  | $ | (274,607 | )

|  | Nine-Month (39-Week) Period Ended |
|  | September 29, 2018 |
|  | Gains and Losses on |  |  | Foreign Currency |  |  | Adjustment to Early |  |  |  |  |
|  | Hedging Derivatives |  |  | Gain (Loss) |  |  | Retiree Medical Plan |  |  | Total |
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) at December 31, 2017 |  | $ | (2,800 | ) |  | $ | (257,513 | ) |  | $ | 5,632 |  |  | $ | (254,681 | )
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications |  |  | (5,792 | ) |  |  | (14,726 | ) |  |  | - |  |  |  | (20,518 | )
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into earnings (2) |  |  | 592 |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | 592 |
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss) |  |  | (5,200 | ) |  |  | (14,726 | ) |  |  | - |  |  |  | (19,926 | )
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) at September 29, 2018 |  | $ | (8,000 | ) |  | $ | (272,239 | ) |  | $ | 5,632 |  |  | $ | (274,607 | )

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(2) Includes $193 and $592 of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) reclassifications into cost of products sold for net losses on commodity contracts in the third quarter and first nine months of 2018, respectively. The tax impact of those reclassifications w as $100 and $200 in the third quarter and first nine months of 2018, respectively.

16. | 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 trading businesses; rebar distribution businesses; and Nucor’s equity method investments in Duferdofin Nucor, NuMit and Nucor-JFE. The steel products segment includes steel joists and joist girders, steel deck, fabricated concrete reinforcing steel, cold finished steel, precision castings, steel fasteners, metal building systems, steel grating, tubular products businesses, piling products business, 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; and our natural gas production operations.

Net interest expense on long-term debt, charges and credits associated with changes in allowances to eliminate intercompany profit in inventory, 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.

Nucor’s results by segment for the third quarter and first nine months of 2019 and 2018 were as follows (in thousands):

|  | Three Months (13 Weeks) Ended |  |  | Nine Months (39 Weeks) Ended |
|  | Sept. 28, 2019 |  |  | Sept. 29, 2018 |  |  | Sept. 28, 2019 |  |  | Sept. 29, 2018 |
Net sales to external customers: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Steel mills |  | $ | 3,244,473 |  |  | $ | 4,401,610 |  |  | $ | 10,897,322 |  |  | $ | 12,151,843 |
Steel products |  |  | 1,820,359 |  |  |  | 1,849,218 |  |  |  | 5,225,064 |  |  |  | 5,056,299 |
Raw materials |  |  | 399,670 |  |  |  | 491,374 |  |  |  | 1,334,726 |  |  |  | 1,563,253 |
|  | $ | 5,464,502 |  |  | $ | 6,742,202 |  |  | $ | 17,457,112 |  |  | $ | 18,771,395 |
Intercompany sales: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Steel mills |  | $ | 825,237 |  |  | $ | 1,055,093 |  |  | $ | 2,542,008 |  |  | $ | 3,019,199 |
Steel products |  |  | 57,517 |  |  |  | 56,185 |  |  |  | 174,718 |  |  |  | 142,862 |
Raw materials |  |  | 2,063,167 |  |  |  | 2,923,196 |  |  |  | 6,917,523 |  |  |  | 8,687,408 |
Corporate/eliminations |  |  | (2,945,921 | ) |  |  | (4,034,474 | ) |  |  | (9,634,249 | ) |  |  | (11,849,469 | )
|  | $ | - |  |  | $ | - |  |  | $ | - |  |  | $ | - |
Earnings (loss) before income taxes and noncontrolling interests: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Steel mills |  | $ | 309,939 |  |  | $ | 1,095,360 |  |  | $ | 1,578,257 |  |  | $ | 2,617,647 |
Steel products |  |  | 170,214 |  |  |  | 138,688 |  |  |  | 363,731 |  |  |  | 380,268 |
Raw materials |  |  | (10,599 | ) |  |  | (29,074 | ) |  |  | 64,333 |  |  |  | 180,468 |
Corporate/eliminations |  |  | (89,215 | ) |  |  | (282,472 | ) |  |  | (401,744 | ) |  |  | (826,268 | )
|  | $ | 380,339 |  |  | $ | 922,502 |  |  | $ | 1,604,577 |  |  | $ | 2,352,115 |

|  | Sept. 28, 2019 |  |  | Dec. 31, 2018 |
Segment assets: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Steel mills |  | $ | 9,117,610 |  |  | $ | 9,244,086 |
Steel products |  |  | 4,730,410 |  |  |  | 4,734,636 |
Raw materials |  |  | 3,225,367 |  |  |  | 3,492,126 |
Corporate/eliminations |  |  | 1,432,878 |  |  |  | 449,740 |
|  | $ | 18,506,265 |  |  | $ | 17,920,588 |

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17. | REVENUE: The following tables disaggregate our revenue by major source for the third quarter and first nine months of 2019 and 2018 (in thousands):

|  | Three Months (13 Weeks) Ended September 28, 2019 |  |  | Nine Months (39 Weeks) Ended September 28, 2019 |
|  | Steel Mills |  |  | Steel Products |  |  | Raw Materials |  |  | Total |  |  | Steel Mills |  |  | Steel Products |  |  | Raw Materials |  |  | Total |
Sheet |  | $ | 1,513,884 |  |  | $ | - |  |  | $ | - |  |  | $ | 1,513,884 |  |  | $ | 5,071,027 |  |  | $ | - |  |  | $ | - |  |  | $ | 5,071,027 |
Bar |  |  | 979,082 |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | 979,082 |  |  |  | 3,173,289 |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | 3,173,289 |
Structural |  |  | 378,670 |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | 378,670 |  |  |  | 1,214,355 |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | 1,214,355 |
Plate |  |  | 372,837 |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | 372,837 |  |  |  | 1,438,651 |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | 1,438,651 |
Tubular Products |  |  | - |  |  |  | 296,519 |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | 296,519 |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | 919,711 |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | 919,711 |
Rebar Fabrication |  |  | - |  |  |  | 469,180 |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | 469,180 |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | 1,249,912 |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | 1,249,912 |
Other Steel Products |  |  | - |  |  |  | 1,054,660 |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | 1,054,660 |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | 3,055,441 |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | 3,055,441 |
Raw Materials |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | 399,670 |  |  |  | 399,670 |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | 1,334,726 |  |  |  | 1,334,726 |
|  | $ | 3,244,473 |  |  | $ | 1,820,359 |  |  | $ | 399,670 |  |  | $ | 5,464,502 |  |  | $ | 10,897,322 |  |  | $ | 5,225,064 |  |  | $ | 1,334,726 |  |  | $ | 17,457,112 |

|  | Three Months (13 Weeks) Ended September 29, 2018 |  |  | Nine Months (39 Weeks) Ended September 29, 2018 |
|  | Steel Mills |  |  | Steel Products |  |  | Raw Materials |  |  | Total |  |  | Steel Mills |  |  | Steel Products |  |  | Raw Materials |  |  | Total |
Sheet |  | $ | 2,051,634 |  |  | $ | - |  |  | $ | - |  |  | $ | 2,051,634 |  |  | $ | 5,692,281 |  |  | $ | - |  |  | $ | - |  |  | $ | 5,692,281 |
Bar |  |  | 1,243,890 |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | 1,243,890 |  |  |  | 3,592,475 |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | 3,592,475 |
Structural |  |  | 503,733 |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | 503,733 |  |  |  | 1,348,987 |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | 1,348,987 |
Plate |  |  | 602,353 |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | 602,353 |  |  |  | 1,518,100 |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | 1,518,100 |
Tubular Products |  |  | - |  |  |  | 357,815 |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | 357,815 |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | 1,040,611 |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | 1,040,611 |
Rebar Fabrication |  |  | - |  |  |  | 412,977 |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | 412,977 |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | 1,133,117 |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | 1,133,117 |
Other Steel Products |  |  | - |  |  |  | 1,078,426 |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | 1,078,426 |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | 2,882,571 |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | 2,882,571 |
Raw Materials |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | 491,374 |  |  |  | 491,374 |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |  |  |  | 1,563,253 |  |  |  | 1,563,253 |
|  | $ | 4,401,610 |  |  | $ | 1,849,218 |  |  | $ | 491,374 |  |  | $ | 6,742,202 |  |  | $ | 12,151,843 |  |  | $ | 5,056,299 |  |  | $ | 1,563,253 |  |  | $ | 18,771,395 |

18. | EARNINGS PER SHARE: The computations of basic and diluted net earnings per share for the third quarter and first nine months of 2019 and 2018 are as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):

|  | Three Months (13 Weeks) Ended |  |  | Nine Months (39 Weeks) Ended |
|  | Sept. 28, 2019 |  |  | Sept. 29, 2018 |  |  | Sept. 28, 2019 |  |  | Sept. 29, 2018 |
Basic net earnings per share: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Basic net earnings |  | $ | 275,031 |  |  | $ | 676,656 |  |  | $ | 1,163,320 |  |  | $ | 1,713,988 |
Earnings allocated to participating securities |  |  | (1,655 | ) |  |  | (2,807 | ) |  |  | (6,295 | ) |  |  | (6,707 | )
Net earnings available to common stockholders |  | $ | 273,376 |  |  | $ | 673,849 |  |  | $ | 1,157,025 |  |  | $ | 1,707,281 |
Average shares outstanding |  |  | 304,637 |  |  |  | 315,913 |  |  |  | 305,553 |  |  |  | 317,928 |
Basic net earnings per share |  | $ | 0.90 |  |  | $ | 2.13 |  |  | $ | 3.79 |  |  | $ | 5.37 |
Diluted net earnings per share: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Diluted net earnings |  | $ | 275,031 |  |  | $ | 676,656 |  |  | $ | 1,163,320 |  |  | $ | 1,713,988 |
Earnings allocated to participating securities |  |  | (1,656 | ) |  |  | (2,796 | ) |  |  | (6,295 | ) |  |  | (6,684 | )
Net earnings available to common stockholders |  | $ | 273,375 |  |  | $ | 673,860 |  |  | $ | 1,157,025 |  |  | $ | 1,707,304 |
Diluted average shares outstanding: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Basic shares outstanding |  |  | 304,637 |  |  |  | 315,913 |  |  |  | 305,553 |  |  |  | 317,928 |
Dilutive effect of stock options and other |  |  | 343 |  |  |  | 885 |  |  |  | 476 |  |  |  | 954 |
|  |  | 304,980 |  |  |  | 316,798 |  |  |  | 306,029 |  |  |  | 318,882 |
Diluted net earnings per share |  | $ | 0.90 |  |  | $ | 2.13 |  |  | $ | 3.78 |  |  | $ | 5.35 |

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The following stock options were excluded from the computation of diluted net earnings per share for the third quarter and first nine months of 2019 and 2018 because their effect would have been anti-dilutive (shares in thousands):

|  | Three Months (13 Weeks) Ended |  |  | Nine Months (39 Weeks) Ended |
|  | Sept. 28, 2019 |  |  | Sept. 29, 2018 |  |  | Sept. 28, 2019 |  |  | Sept. 29, 2018 |
Anti-dilutive stock options: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Weighted-average shares |  |  | 963 |  |  |  | 265 |  |  |  | 963 |  |  |  | 89 |
Weighted-average exercise price |  | $ | 60.92 |  |  | $ | 65.80 |  |  | $ | 60.92 |  |  | $ | 65.80 |

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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 on Form 10-Q 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) the availability and cost of electricity and natural gas which could negatively affect our cost of steel production or result in a delay or cancellation 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 United States; (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 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, 2018.

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 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 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 trading businesses; rebar distribution businesses; and Nucor’s equity method investments in Duferdofin Nucor, NuMit and Nucor-JFE. The steel products segment includes steel joists and joist girders, steel deck, fabricated concrete reinforcing steel, cold finished steel, precision castings, steel fasteners, metal building systems, steel grating, tubular products businesses, piling products business, and wire and wire mesh. The raw materials segment includes DJJ, primarily a scrap broker and processor; Nu-Iron Unlimited and Nucor Steel Louisiana, two facilities that produce DRI used by the steel mills; and our natural gas production operations.

The average utilization rates of all operating facilities in the steel mills, steel products and raw materials segments were approximately 85%, 71% and 70%, respectively, in the first nine months of 2019 compared with approximately 93%, 74% and 73%, respectively, in the first nine months of 2018.

In March 2019, Nucor announced its plans to build a new state of the art steel plate mill in Brandenburg, Kentucky. The new plate mill will have an estimated annual capacity of 1.2 million tons and employ approximately 400 people. The new plate mill will significantly strengthen Nucor’s plate product portfolio, giving the Company the ability to produce approximately 97% of the products demanded in the current domestic plate market, including specialty higher-margin products. The new plate mill will complement Nucor’s existing plate mills in North Carolina, Alabama and Texas and is expected to be fully operational in 2022.

Results of Operations

Nucor reported consolidated net earnings of $0.90 per diluted share in the third quarter of 2019 and $3.78 per diluted share in the first nine months of 2019. The third quarter performance reflects the continuing downward trend in earnings that

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we have experienced in 2019. We believe that inventory levels were overstocked by both service center and end-use customers at the end of a very strong 2018, and as a result the excess inventory throughout the supply chain has resulted in destocking by many of our customers through the first nine months of 2019. This customer destocking, combined with difficult weather conditions earlier in 2019 and falling average selling prices, have made steel market conditions much more challenging in 2019 than what we experienced in our record-setting 2018. Our steel products segment had a strong third quarter of 2019 and benefited from lower steel prices and excellent commercial execution as nonresidential construction conditions remained positive. Our raw materials segment operating results have been negatively impacted by margin compression due to decreased pricing for raw materials.

The following discussion will provide greater quantitative and qualitative analysis of Nucor’s performance in the third quarter and first nine months of 2019 as compared to the respective prior year periods.

Net Sales – Net sales to external customers by segment for the third quarter and first nine months of 2019 and 2018 were as follows (in thousands):

|  | Three Months (13 Weeks) Ended |  | Nine Months (39 Weeks) Ended
|  | Sept. 28, 2019 |  | Sept. 29, 2018 |  | % Change |  | Sept. 28, 2019 |  | Sept. 29, 2018 |  | % Change
Steel mills |  | $3,244,473 |  | $4,401,610 |  | -26% |  | $10,897,322 |  | $12,151,843 |  | -10%
Steel products |  | 1,820,359 |  | 1,849,218 |  | -2% |  | 5,225,064 |  | 5,056,299 |  | 3%
Raw materials |  | 399,670 |  | 491,374 |  | -19% |  | 1,334,726 |  | 1,563,253 |  | -15%
Total net sales |  | $5,464,502 |  | $6,742,202 |  | -19% |  | $17,457,112 |  | $18,771,395 |  | -7%

Net sales for the third quarter of 2019 decreased 19% from the third quarter of 2018. Average sales price per ton decreased 13% from $957 in the third quarter of 2018 to $834 in the third quarter of 2019. Total tons shipped to outside customers in the third quarter of 2019 were 6,555,000 tons, a 7% decrease from the third quarter of 2018.

Net sales for the first nine months of 2019 decreased 7% from the first nine months of 2018. Total tons shipped to outside customers in the first nine months of 2019 were 20,046,000 tons, a 5% decrease from the first nine months of 2018. Average sales price per ton decreased 2% from $885 in the first nine months of 2018 to $871 in the first nine months of 2019.

In the steel mills segment, sales tons for the third quarter and first nine months of 2019 and 2018 were as follows (in thousands):

|  | Three Months (13 Weeks) Ended |  | Nine Months (39 Weeks) Ended
|  | Sept. 28, 2019 |  | Sept. 29, 2018 |  | % Change |  | Sept. 28, 2019 |  | Sept. 29, 2018 |  | % Change
Outside steel shipments |  | 4,559 |  | 5,031 |  | -9% |  | 14,013 |  | 15,125 |  | -7%
Inside steel shipments |  | 1,229 |  | 1,262 |  | -3% |  | 3,564 |  | 3,876 |  | -8%
Total steel shipments |  | 5,788 |  | 6,293 |  | -8% |  | 17,577 |  | 19,001 |  | -7%

Net sales for the steel mills segment decreased 26% in the third quarter of 2019 from the third quarter of 2018, due primarily to a 19% decrease in the average sales price per ton from $876 to $711 and a 9% decrease in tons sold to outside customers. Average selling prices and volumes decreased across all product groups within the steel mills segment in the third quarter of 2019 as compared to the third quarter of 2018.

Net sales for the steel mills segment decreased 10% in the first nine months of 2019 from the first nine months of 2018, primarily due to a 7% decrease in tons sold to outside customers and a 3% decrease in the average sales price per ton from $804 to $776.

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Outside sales tonnage for the steel products segment for the third quarter and first nine months of 2019 and 2018 was as follows (in thousands):

|  | Three Months (13 Weeks) Ended |  | Nine Months (39 Weeks) Ended
|  | Sept. 28, 2019 |  | Sept. 29, 2018 |  | % Change |  | Sept. 28, 2019 |  | Sept. 29, 2018 |  | % Change
Joist sales |  | 133 |  | 136 |  | -2% |  | 359 |  | 355 |  | 1%
Deck sales |  | 132 |  | 130 |  | 2% |  | 354 |  | 352 |  | 1%
Cold finish sales |  | 116 |  | 141 |  | -18% |  | 390 |  | 437 |  | -11%
Fabricated concrete reinforcing steel sales |  | 342 |  | 324 |  | 6% |  | 929 |  | 951 |  | -2%
Piling products sales |  | 160 |  | 152 |  | 5% |  | 462 |  | 438 |  | 5%
Tubular products sales |  | 272 |  | 259 |  | 5% |  | 780 |  | 829 |  | -6%
Other steel products |  | 107 |  | 126 |  | -15% |  | 303 |  | 343 |  | -12%
Total steel products |  | 1,262 |  | 1,268 |  | - |  | 3,577 |  | 3,705 |  | -3%

Net sales for the steel products segment decreased 2% in the third quarter of 2019 compared to the third quarter of 2018, due primarily to a 1% decrease in the average sales price per ton from $1,459 to $1,442 and a slight decrease in tons shipped to outside customers. While average selling prices increased for most businesses within the steel products segment in the third quarter of 2019 as compared to the third quarter of 2018, our tubular products businesses experienced lower average selling prices.

Net sales for the steel products segment increased 3% in the first nine months of 2019 from the first nine months of 2018, due primarily to a 7% increase in the average sales price per ton from $1,365 to $1,461, which was partially offset by a 3% decrease in volume. Average selling prices increased across all businesses within the steel products segment, except for our tubular products businesses, in the first nine months of 2019 as compared to the first nine months of 2018. The largest decreases in volume in the first nine months of 2019 as compared to the first nine months of 2018 were in our tubular products and cold finished products businesses.

Net sales for the raw materials segment decreased 19% in the third quarter of 2019 compared to the third quarter of 2018, due primarily to decreased average selling prices and volumes at DJJ’s brokerage operations. In the third quarter of 2019, approximately 89% 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 9%, respectively, in the third quarter of 2018).

Net sales for the raw materials segment decreased 15% in the first nine months of 2019 from the first nine months of 2018, due primarily to decreased average selling prices at DJJ’s brokerage operations and, to a lesser extent, decreased average selling prices and volumes at DJJ’s scrap processing operations. In the first nine months of 2019, approximately 90% of outside sales for the raw materials segment were from the brokerage operations of DJJ, and approximately 9% of outside sales were from the scrap processing operations of DJJ (90% and 9%, respectively, in the first nine months of 2018).

Gross Margins – Nucor recorded gross margins of $572.5 million (10%) in the third quarter of 2019, which was a decrease compared with $1.29 billion (19%) in the third quarter of 2018.

| • | The primary driver for the decrease in gross margins in the third quarter of 2019 as compared to the third quarter of 2018 was decreased metal margin in the steel mills segment. 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 gross ton used in the third quarter of 2019 was $299, a 20% decrease compared to $374 in the third quarter of 2018. Despite the decrease in average scrap and scrap substitute cost per gross ton used, metal margin in the steel mills segment decreased due to lower average selling prices and volumes.

Scrap prices are driven by the global supply and demand for scrap and other iron-based raw materials used to make steel. Scrap prices decreased during the first nine months of 2019. As we begin the fourth quarter of 2019, we believe scrap prices have bottomed.

| • | Pre-operating and start-up costs of new facilities increased to approximately $28 million in the third quarter of 2019 from approximately $11 million in the third quarter of 2018. The increase in pre-operating and start-up costs was due to increased costs at the bar mills being built in Missouri and Florida, increased costs for the cold mill expansion at our sheet mill in Arkansas and increased costs related to the expansion at our sheet mill in Kentucky. Nucor defines pre-operating and start-up costs, all of which are expensed, as the losses attributable to facilities or major projects that are either under construction or in the early stages of operation. Once these facilities or projects have attained a utilization rate that is consistent with our similar operating facilities, they are no longer considered by Nucor to be in start-up.

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| • | Gross margins in the steel products segment in creased in the third quarter of 2019 as compared to the third quarter of 2018. The primary driver for this in crease was the increased profitability of our joist, deck, rebar fabrication and building system businesses, which w as partially offset by the de creased profitability of our tubular product s businesses.

| • | Gross margins in the raw materials segment decreased in the third quarter of 2019 as compared to the third quarter of 2018, due primarily to the decreased profitability of our DRI facilities, which experienced lower average selling prices and increased iron ore costs in the third quarter of 2019. Our DRI facility in Louisiana began a planned maintenance outage in early September of 2019 that is expected to last until mid-November of 2019.

Gross margins related to DJJ’s scrap processing operations in the third quarter of 2019 decreased significantly compared to the third quarter of 2018 due to margin compression and decreased volumes. The flow of scrap into DJJ’s scrap yards declined in the third quarter of 2019 as compared to the third quarter of 2018.

Included in the third quarter of 2018 gross margins of the raw materials segment was an $18.0 million benefit related to insurance recoveries.

In the first nine months of 2019, Nucor recorded gross margins of $2.24 billion (13%), which was a decrease from $3.18 billion (17%) in the first nine months of 2018.

| • | The primary driver for the decrease in gross margins in the first nine months of 2019 as compared to the first nine months of 2018 was decreased metal margin in the steel mills segment. The average scrap and scrap substitute cost per gross ton used in the first nine months of 2019 was $328, a 9% decrease compared to $361 in the first nine months of 2018. Despite the decrease in average scrap and scrap substitute cost per gross ton used, metal margin in the steel mills segment decreased due to lower average selling prices and volumes.

| • | Pre-operating and start-up costs of new facilities increased to approximately $68 million in the first nine months of 2019 from approximately $19 million in the first nine months of 2018. The increase in pre-operating and start-up costs was due to the previously mentioned projects.

| • | Gross margins in the steel products segment decreased in the first nine months of 2019 as compared to the first nine months of 2018, primarily due to the decreased profitability of our tubular products businesses which was partially offset by higher margins at our joist, deck and building system businesses.

| • | Gross margins in the raw materials segment significantly decreased in the first nine months of 2019 as compared to the first nine months of 2018, due primarily to the decreased profitability of our DRI facilities, which experienced lower average selling prices and increased iron ore costs in the first nine months of 2019.

Gross margins related to DJJ’s scrap processing operations in the first nine months of 2019 decreased significantly compared to the first nine months of 2018 due to margin compression and decreased volumes. The flow of scrap into DJJ’s scrap yards declined in the first nine months of 2019 as compared to the first nine months of 2018. Gross margins for DJJ’s brokerage operations also decreased in the first nine months of 2019 as compared to the first nine months of 2018.

Included in the first nine months of 2018 gross margins of the raw materials segment was a $27.6 million benefit related to insurance recoveries.

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, decreased $81.3 million in the third quarter of 2019 as compared to the third quarter of 2018, and decreased $116.4 million in the first nine months of 2019 as compared to the first nine months of 2018.

Included in marketing, administrative and other expenses in the first nine months of 2019 was a benefit of $33.7 million related to the gain on the sale of an equity method investment in the raw materials segment. Included in marketing, administrative and other expenses in the third quarter and first nine months of 2018 were a $6.8 million benefit and a $20.5 million benefit, respectively, related to insurance recoveries.

Equity in Losses (Earnings) of Unconsolidated Affiliates – Equity in losses of unconsolidated affiliates was $1.6 million in the third quarter of 2019, which compared to equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates of $13.6 million in the third quarter of 2018. Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates was $2.5 million and $34.2 million in the first nine months of 2019 and 2018, respectively. The decreases in equity method investment earnings were primarily due to margin compression and decreased volumes at NuMit.

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Impairment of Assets – There were no impairment charges in the third quarter and first nine months of 2019. In the third quarter and first nine months of 2018, Nucor recorded a $110.0 million impairment charge related to its proved producing natural gas well assets in the raw materials segment (see Note 3 to the condensed consolidated financial statements).

Interest Expense (Income) – Net interest expense for the third quarter and first nine months of 2019 and 2018 was as follows (in thousands):

|  | Three Months (13 Weeks) Ended |  |  | Nine Months (39 Weeks) Ended |
|  | Sept. 28, 2019 |  |  | Sept. 29, 2018 |  |  | Sept. 28, 2019 |  |  | Sept. 29, 2018 |
Interest expense |  | $ | 40,721 |  |  | $ | 44,789 |  |  | $ | 119,736 |  |  | $ | 120,308 |
Interest income |  |  | (9,435 | ) |  |  | (7,588 | ) |  |  | (26,977 | ) |  |  | (16,542 | )
Interest expense, net |  | $ | 31,286 |  |  | $ | 37,201 |  |  | $ | 92,759 |  |  | $ | 103,766 |

Interest expense decreased in the third quarter and first nine months of 2019 as compared to the third quarter and first nine months of 2018 due to an increase in capitalized interest related to capital projects being constructed in the first nine months of 2019. Included in interest expense in the first nine months of 2018 was the benefit received from the settlement of a treasury lock instrument that was entered into in anticipation of the Company’s debt issuance that occurred in the second quarter of 2018. The Company did not elect hedge accounting for this instrument.

Interest income increased in the third quarter and first nine months of 2019 as compared to the third quarter and first nine months of 2018 due to an increase in average interest rates on investments.

Earnings (Loss) Before Income Taxes and Noncontrolling Interests – Earnings (loss) before income taxes and noncontrolling interests by segment for the third quarter and first nine months of 2019 and 2018 were as follows (in thousands):

|  | Three Months |  |  | Nine Months |
|  | (13 Weeks) Ended |  |  | (39 Weeks) Ended |
|  | Sept. 28, 2019 |  |  | Sept. 29, 2018 |  |  | Sept. 28, 2019 |  |  | Sept. 29, 2018 |
Steel mills |  | $ | 309,939 |  |  | $ | 1,095,360 |  |  | $ | 1,578,257 |  |  | $ | 2,617,647 |
Steel products |  |  | 170,214 |  |  |  | 138,688 |  |  |  | 363,731 |  |  |  | 380,268 |
Raw materials |  |  | (10,599 | ) |  |  | (29,074 | ) |  |  | 64,333 |  |  |  | 180,468 |
Corporate/eliminations |  |  | (89,215 | ) |  |  | (282,472 | ) |  |  | (401,744 | ) |  |  | (826,268 | )
|  | $ | 380,339 |  |  | $ | 922,502 |  |  | $ | 1,604,577 |  |  | $ | 2,352,115 |

Earnings before income taxes and noncontrolling interests for the steel mills segment in the third quarter and first nine months of 2019 decreased compared to the respective prior year periods, primarily due to the previously mentioned lower average selling prices, volumes and metal margin. Excess inventory throughout the supply chain resulted in continued destocking by many of our customers through the first nine months of 2019. Additionally, unusually wet weather conditions earlier in 2019 negatively impacted markets and projects located in areas affected by these weather conditions. Overall operating rates decreased from 92% and 93% for the third quarter and first nine months of 2018, respectively, to 83% and 85% for the third quarter and first nine months of 2019, respectively.

In the steel products segment, earnings before income taxes and noncontrolling interests increased in the third quarter of 2019 as compared to the third quarter of 2018, primarily due to the increased performance at our joist, deck, rebar fabrication and building systems businesses, which have implemented efficiency initiatives and made adjustments to their business models. This increase was partially offset by the continued trend of decreased earnings at our tubular products operations, which drove the decrease in earnings of the steel products segment in the first nine months of 2019 as compared to the first nine months of 2018. Our tubular products are suffering from aggressive destocking by service center customers, resulting in lower order rates, which is driving down prices and margins.

The performance of our raw materials segment increased in the third quarter of 2019 as compared to the third quarter of 2018, primarily due to the absence of the $110.0 million impairment charge related to our proved producing natural gas well assets that was recorded in the third quarter of 2018. This improved performance was partially offset by the decreased performance from our DRI facilities and DJJ’s scrap processing operations in the third quarter of 2019 and the $24.8 million benefit related to insurance recoveries that was recorded in the third quarter of 2018.

The profitability of our raw materials segment decreased in the first nine months of 2019 as compared to the first nine months of 2018, primarily due to the decreased performance from our DRI facilities and DJJ’s scrap processing operations. Partially offsetting the decrease in profitability in the first nine months of 2019 was a benefit of $33.7 million related to the gain

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on the sale of an equity method investment in the raw materials segment. Included in the first nine months of 2018 was the $110.0 million impairment charge related to our proved producing natural gas well assets, which was partially offset by the benefi t of $48.1 million related to insurance recoveries.

The decrease in the loss of the corporate/eliminations line in the third quarter and first nine months of 2019 as compared to the respective prior year periods was primarily due to decreased intercompany eliminations of profit in inventory as well as lower profit sharing costs.

Noncontrolling Interests – Noncontrolling interests represent the income attributable to the noncontrolling partners of Nucor’s joint ventures, primarily Nucor-Yamato Steel Company (Limited Partnership) (“NYS”) of which Nucor owns 51%. The decrease in earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests in the third quarter and first nine months of 2019 as compared to the third quarter and first nine months of 2018 was primarily due to the decreased earnings of NYS, which was a result of decreased sales volume in the first nine months of 2019 as compared to the first nine months of 2018. 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.

Provision for Income Taxes – The effective tax rate for the third quarter of 2019 was 22.8% as compared to 23.4% for the third quarter of 2018. The expected effective tax rate for the full year of 2019 is approximately 23.0% as compared to 23.2% for the full year of 2018.

We estimate that in the next 12 months our gross unrecognized tax benefits, which totaled $54.7 million at September 28, 2019, exclusive of interest, could decrease by as much as $8.1 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 2014. The tax years 2015 through 2018 remain open to examination by the Internal Revenue Service. The Canada Revenue Agency has concluded its examination of the 2012 and 2013 Canadian returns for Harris Steel Group Inc. and certain related affiliates. The 2015 tax year is currently under examination by the Canada Revenue Agency. The Trinidad and Tobago Inland Revenue Division has concluded its examination of the Nu-Iron Unlimited 2013 corporate income tax return. The tax years 2012 through 2018 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 $275.0 million, or $0.90 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2019 as compared to consolidated net earnings of $676.7 million, or $2.13 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2018. Net earnings attributable to Nucor stockholders as a percentage of net sales were 5% and 10% in the third quarter of 2019 and 2018, respectively.

Nucor reported consolidated net earnings of $1.16 billion, or $3.78 per diluted share, in the first nine months of 2019 as compared to consolidated net earnings of $1.71 billion, or $5.35 per diluted share, in the first nine months of 2018. Net earnings attributable to Nucor stockholders as a percentage of net sales were 7% and 9% in the first nine months of 2019 and 2018, respectively. Annualized return on average stockholders’ equity was 15% and 25% in the first nine months of 2019 and 2018, respectively.

Outlook – Nucor’s earnings in the fourth quarter of 2019 are expected to decrease as compared to the third quarter of 2019. We expect earnings in the steel mills segment to further decrease in the fourth quarter of 2019 from the third quarter, as lower steel prices at the end of the third quarter, which we believe have bottomed, impact our fourth quarter results. The profitability of the steel products segment in the fourth quarter of 2019 is expected to decrease slightly from the third quarter of 2019 due to normal year-end seasonality. The performance of the raw materials segment is expected to decline in the fourth quarter of 2019 compared to the third quarter of 2019 due to the impact of our Louisiana DRI plant’s planned outage continuing until mid-November – as well as expected further margin pressure throughout our raw materials businesses.

Nucor’s largest exposure to market risk is via our steel mills and steel products segments. Our largest single customer in the first nine months of 2019 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 the raw materials segment.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Cash provided by operating activities was $2.12 billion in the first nine months of 2019 as compared to $1.90 billion in the first nine months of 2018. The primary reason for the increase in cash provided by operating activities was the $829.4 million reduction of cash used in operating assets and operating liabilities. Changes in operating assets and operating liabilities

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(exclusive of acquisitions and dispositions) provided cash of $165.0 million in the first nine months of 2019 as compared to using $664.5 million of cash in the first nine months of 2018. The funding of our working capital in the first nine months of 2019 decreased compared to the first nine months of 2018 mainly due to decreases in inventory and accounts receivable, partially offset by an increase in other current assets and decreases in accounts payable and salaries, wages and related accruals. Accounts receivable decreased in the first nine months of 2019 from year-end 2018 due to an 11% decrease in composite sales price per ton. From year-end 2018 to the end of the third quarter of 2019, inventories and accounts payable decreased due to an 18% decline in average scrap and scrap substitutes cost per ton in inventory and an 8% decline in total inventory tons on hand. The increase in other current assets, specifically federal income tax receivable, is mainly a function of the timing of federal tax payments. The increase in cash used to fund salaries, wages and related accruals was primarily attributable to the increased payout of accrued profit sharing and other incentive compensation costs in the first nine months of 2019 as compared to payouts in the first nine months of 2018. The 2019 payments were based on Nucor’s financial performance in 2018, which was a record earnings year.

The current ratio was 3.4 at the end of the third quarter of 2019 and 3.1 at year-end 2018. The current ratio was positively impacted by the 104% increase in other current assets, the 38% increase in cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments, the 24% decrease in salaries, wages and related accruals and the 8% decrease in accounts payable from year-end 2018 due to the reasons cited above. In the first nine months of 2019, accounts receivable turned approximately every five weeks and inventories turned approximately every 11 weeks, compared to approximately every five weeks and nine weeks, respectively, in the first nine months of 2018.

Cash used in investing activities during the first nine months of 2019 was $1.17 billion as compared to $633.0 million in the prior year period. The primary driver for the increase in cash used in investing activities was that cash used for capital expenditures increased by 58%, from $624.7 million in the first nine months of 2018 to $984.6 million in the first nine months of 2019. The higher levels of capital expenditures in the first three quarters of 2019 over the same period in 2018 were primarily related to the new hot band galvanizing line and sheet mill expansion at Nucor Steel Gallatin and the new micro mill greenfield expansion in Sedalia, Missouri. Also impacting cash used in investing activities was the purchase of $249.6 million in investments. Cash provided by the divestiture of an affiliate of $67.6 million related to the sale of an equity method investment and an $83.9 million reduction in investments in and advances to affiliates over the first nine months of 2019 partially offset the capital expenditures and investment purchases. The greater investments in affiliates in the first nine months of 2018 as compared to the first nine months of 2019 related to an additional $61.0 million of investments in Nucor-JFE, as well as investments in other minor equity method investments.

Cash used in financing activities during the first nine months of 2019 was $664.5 million as compared to $281.1 million in the prior year period. In 2018, cash from financing activities benefited from the issuance of $500.0 million of 10-year 3.950% notes and $500.0 million of 30-year 4.400% notes, partially offset by the repayment of $500.0 million of 5.850% notes. Treasury stock repurchases were $197.5 million in the first nine months of 2019 as compared to $351.4 million in the first nine months of 2018.

Nucor’s conservative financial practices have served us well in the past and continue to serve us well today. Our cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments position remained strong at $1.94 billion as of September 28, 2019. Nucor’s solid cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments position provides many opportunities for prudent deployment of our capital. We have three approaches to allocating our capital. Nucor’s highest capital allocation priority is to reinvest in our business to ensure our continued profitable growth over the long term. We have historically done this by investing to optimize our existing operations, initiate greenfield expansions and make acquisitions. 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 supplement our base dividend with additional returns of capital to our stockholders when both our earnings and financial condition are strong. We intend to return a minimum of 40% of our net earnings to our stockholders while maintaining a debt-to-capital ratio that supports a strong investment grade credit rating. We will use stock repurchases or supplemental dividends to reach this level when our base dividend is not sufficient to meet this goal. The primary factor we will use to decide between share repurchases and supplemental dividends will be our assessment of the intrinsic value of a Nucor share. In September 2018, Nucor’s Board of Directors approved a share repurchase program under which the Company is authorized to repurchase up to $2.00 billion of its common stock. As of September 28, 2019, the Company had approximately $1.30 billion remaining for share repurchases under the program.

Nucor’s $1.50 billion revolving credit facility is undrawn and was amended and restated in April 2018 to extend the maturity date to April 2023. 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 & 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.

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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 September 28, 2019, our funded debt to total capital ratio was 2 9%, and we were in compliance with all non-financial covenants under our credit facility. No borrowings were outstanding under the credit facility as of September 28, 2019.

Our financial strength allows a number of capital preservation options. Nucor’s robust capital investment and maintenance practices give us the flexibility to reduce spending by prioritizing our capital projects, potentially rescheduling certain projects and selectively allocating capital to investments with the greatest impact on our long-term earnings power. Capital expenditures for 2019 are expected to be approximately $1.50 billion as compared to $997.3 million in 2018. The increase in projected 2019 capital expenditures is primarily due to the fact that several major expansion projects have begun and are underway in 2019. The projects that we anticipate will have the largest capital expenditures in 2019 are the hot band galvanizing line at Nucor Steel Arkansas, the hot band galvanizing line and the sheet mill expansion at Nucor Steel Gallatin, the two micro mill greenfield expansions in Sedalia, Missouri and Frostproof, Florida, the merchant bar rolling facility at Nucor Steel Kankakee and the upgrades at Nucor Steel Louisiana to improve the reliability and efficiency of the facility.

In September 2019, Nucor’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend on Nucor’s common stock of $0.40 per share payable on November 8, 2019, to stockholders of record on September 27, 2019. This dividend is Nucor’s 186th consecutive quarterly cash dividend.

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 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 risk has significantly changed since December 31, 2018. There were no interest rate swaps outstanding at September 28, 2019.

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 material 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.

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 September 28, 2019, accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of income taxes included $12.8 million in unrealized net-of-tax losses for the fair value of these derivative instruments. Changes in the fair value of derivatives not designated as hedges are recognized in net 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 September 28, 2019, 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 |  | $ | 9,050 |  |  | $ | 22,630 |
Aluminum |  | $ | 3,624 |  |  | $ | 8,959 |
Copper |  | $ | 1,071 |  |  | $ | 2,630 |

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Any resulting changes in fair value would be recorded as adjustments to accumulated other comprehensive 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 Mexico. We periodically use derivative contracts to mitigate the risk of currency fluctuations. Open foreign currency derivative contracts at September 28, 2019 were insignificant.

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 the 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 September 28, 2019 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

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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 with self-insurance limits for certain risks.

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, 2018.

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Item 6. Exhibits

Exhibit No. |  | Description of Exhibit
3 |  | Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Nucor Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed September 14, 2010 (File No. 001-04119))
3.1 |  | Bylaws of Nucor Corporation, as amended and restated September 15, 2016 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed September 20, 2016 (File No. 001-04119))
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 September 28, 2019, filed on November 6, 2019, formatted in Inline 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.
104* |  | Cover Page from the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Nucor Corporation for the quarter ended September 28, 2019, filed on November 6, 2019, formatted in Inline XBRL (included in Exhibit 101).

* | Filed herewith.

** | Furnished (and not filed) herewith pursuant to Item 601(b)(32)(ii) of Regulation S-K.

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SIGNA TURES

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: November 6, 2019

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