NUCOR CORP - Quarter Report: 2016 April (Form 10-Q)

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 April 2, 2016

Commission file number 1-4119

NUCOR CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

(704) 366-7000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

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

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

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

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

317,928,650 shares of common stock were outstanding at April 2, 2016.

Nucor Corporation

Form 10-Q

April 2, 2016

INDEX

2

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

Nucor Corporation Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings (Unaudited)

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

3

Nucor Corporation Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)

(In thousands)

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

4

Nucor Corporation Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)

(In thousands)

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

5

Nucor Corporation Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)

(In thousands)

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

6

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

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements – In the first quarter of 2016, Nucor adopted new accounting guidance that requires debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. This new guidance is applied retrospectively for the Company for all periods presented. As of December 31, 2015, the Company reclassified $23.5 million of deferred long-term debt issuance costs from other assets to long-term debt due after one year in the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

In the first quarter of 2016, Nucor adopted new accounting guidance that requires an acquirer in a business combination to recognize adjustments to provisional amounts that are identified during the measurement period in the reporting period in which the adjustment amounts are determined. This standard is applied prospectively for the Company beginning January 1, 2016. The adoption of this standard did not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements – In May 2014, new accounting guidance was issued that will supersede nearly all existing accounting guidance related to revenue recognition. The new guidance provides that an entity recognizes revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. This update also requires additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts, including significant judgments and changes in judgments, and assets recognized from costs incurred to obtain or fulfill a contract. In August 2015, additional accounting guidance was issued that deferred the effective date of this new accounting guidance by one year. In March 2016, additional accounting guidance was issued that clarifies the implementation guidance on principal versus agent considerations. In April 2016, additional accounting guidance was issued that clarifies aspects related to the identification of performance obligations and accounting for licenses. The amendments are effective for the Company for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company is evaluating adoption methods and the impact the amendments will have on its consolidated financial statements.

In August 2014, new accounting guidance was issued that specifies the responsibility that an entity’s management has to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern. The standard is effective for the Company for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and is not expected to have an effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In January 2016, new accounting guidance was issued regarding the recognition and measurement of financial assets and financial liabilities. Changes to the current accounting guidance primarily affect the accounting for equity investments, financial liabilities under the fair value option, and the presentation and disclosure requirements for financial instruments. In addition, the Financial Accounting Standards Board clarified guidance related to the valuation allowance assessment when recognizing deferred tax assets resulting from unrealized losses on available-for-sale debt securities. The accounting for other financial instruments, such as loans, investments in debt securities, and financial liabilities is largely unchanged. The standard is effective for the Company for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

7

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

In March 2016, new accounting guidance was issued regarding employee share-based payment accounting. The new guidance simplifies certain aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including income tax requirements, forfeitures and presentation on the balance sheet and statement of cash flows. The new guidance is effective for the Company for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company is evaluating the impact that the adoption of this new guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements.

Inventories valued using the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method of accounting represented approximately 43% of total inventories as of April 2, 2016 (48% as of December 31, 2015). If the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method of accounting had been used, inventories would have been $128.1 million higher at April 2, 2016 ($100.6 million higher at December 31, 2015). Use of the lower of cost or market methodology reduced inventories by $3.1 million at April 2, 2016 ($5.1 million at December 31, 2015).

Due to the current natural gas pricing environment, Nucor performed an impairment assessment of its producing natural gas well assets in December 2015. One of the main assumptions that most significantly affects the undiscounted cash flows determination is management’s estimate of future natural gas prices. The pricing used in this impairment assessment was developed by management based on natural gas market supply and demand dynamics, in conjunction with a review of projections by numerous sources of market data. This analysis was performed on each of Nucor’s three groups of wells, with each group defined by common geographic location. Each of Nucor’s three groups of wells passed the impairment test. One of the groups of wells had estimated undiscounted cash flows that were noticeably closer to its carrying value of $87.2 million as of December 31, 2015. The carrying value of that group of wells was $84.6 million at April 2, 2016. Changes in the natural gas industry or a prolonged low price environment beyond what had already been assumed in the analysis could cause management to revise the natural gas price assumption. Market conditions in the natural gas industry have continued to be challenging through the first quarter of 2016, and, therefore, it is reasonably possible that material deviation of future performance from the estimates used in our most recent valuation could possibly result in an impairment of a portion or all of the groups of wells assets.

8

Nucor completed its most recent annual goodwill impairment testing during the fourth quarter of 2015 and concluded that there was no impairment of goodwill for any of its reporting units. There have been no triggering events requiring an interim assessment for impairment since the most recent annual impairment testing date.

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

Intangible asset amortization expense for the first quarter of 2016 and 2015 was $18.1 million and $18.7 million, respectively. Annual amortization expense is estimated to be $68.3 million in 2016; $68.8 million in 2017; $65.9 million in 2018; $63.4 million in 2019; and $61.0 million in 2020.

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 at April 2, 2016 was $275.8 million ($258.2 million at December 31, 2015). Nucor’s 50% share of the total net assets of Duferdofin Nucor was $96.6 million at April 2, 2016, resulting in a basis difference of $179.2 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 ($87.8 million) and finite-lived intangible assets. This basis difference, excluding the portion attributable to goodwill, is being amortized based on the remaining estimated useful lives of the various underlying net assets, as appropriate. Amortization expense associated with the fair value step-up was $2.2 million in the first quarter of 2016 and 2015.

9

As of April 2, 2016, Nucor had outstanding notes receivable of €35.0 million ($39.8 million) from Duferdofin Nucor (€35.0 million, or $38.2 million, as of December 31, 2015). The notes receivable bear interest at 1.14% and reset annually on September 30 to the twelve-month Euro Interbank Offered Rate (Euribor) plus 1% per year. The principal amounts are due on January 31, 2019. As of April 2, 2016, and December 31, 2015, the note receivable was classified in other assets in the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

Nucor has issued a guarantee, the fair value of which is immaterial, for its ownership percentage (50%) of Duferdofin Nucor’s borrowings under Facility A of a Structured Trade Finance Facilities Agreement. The maximum amount Duferdofin Nucor can borrow under Facility A is €122.5 million ($139.5 million as of April 2, 2016). As of April 2, 2016, there was €117.0 million ($133.2 million) outstanding under that facility (€119.0 million, or $129.8 million, at December 31, 2015). Facility A was amended in 2015 to extend the maturity date to October 12, 2018. If Duferdofin Nucor fails to pay when due any amounts for which it is obligated under Facility A, Nucor could be required to pay 50% of such amounts pursuant to and in accordance with the terms of its guarantee. Any indebtedness of Duferdofin Nucor to Nucor is effectively subordinated to the indebtedness of Duferdofin Nucor under Facility A. Nucor has not recorded any liability associated with this guarantee.

NUMIT

Nucor has a 50% economic and voting interest in NuMit LLC (NuMit). NuMit owns 100% of the equity interest in Steel Technologies LLC, an operator of 25 sheet processing facilities located throughout the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Nucor accounts for the investment in NuMit (on a one-month lag basis) under the equity method, as control and risk of loss are shared equally between the members. Nucor’s investment in NuMit at April 2, 2016, was $288.2 million ($314.5 million as of December 31, 2015). Nucor received distributions of $36.0 million from NuMit during the first quarter of 2016. There were no distributions from NuMit during the first quarter of 2015.

HUNTER RIDGE

Nucor has a 50% economic and voting interest in Hunter Ridge Energy Services LLC (Hunter Ridge). Hunter Ridge provides services for the gathering, separation and compression of energy products including natural gas produced by Nucor’s working interest drilling programs. Nucor 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 Hunter Ridge was $135.3 million at April 2, 2016 ($135.9 million at December 31, 2015).

Recent declines in natural gas pricing have led to reduced natural gas drilling activity. Sustained or further reductions in natural gas production activity could lead to reduced utilization of the Hunter Ridge assets. We will continue to monitor for potential triggering events that could affect the carrying value of our investment in Hunter Ridge as a result of future market conditions and any changes in our business strategy.

ALL EQUITY INVESTMENTS

Nucor reviews its equity investments for impairment if and when circumstances indicate that a decline in value below their carrying amounts may have occurred. In the fourth quarter of 2015, Nucor assessed its equity investment in Duferdofin Nucor for impairment due to the protracted challenging steel market conditions caused by excess global overcapacity, which increased in 2015, and the difficult economic environment in Europe. After completing its assessment, the Company determined that the carrying amount exceeded its estimated fair value. The impairment condition was considered to be other than temporary and, as a result, the Company recorded a $153.0 million impairment charge against the Company’s investment in Duferdofin Nucor in the fourth quarter of 2015. Steel market conditions in Europe have continued to be challenging through the first quarter of 2016, and, therefore, it is reasonably possible that material deviation of future performance from the estimates used in our most recent valuation could result in further impairment of our investment in Duferdofin Nucor. We will continue to monitor for potential triggering events that could affect the carrying value of our investment in Duferdofin Nucor as a result of future market conditions and any changes in our business strategy.

10

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

At April 2, 2016, natural gas swaps covering approximately 11.4 million MMBTUs (extending through June 2017) were outstanding.

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

Fair Value of Derivative Instruments

11

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

Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments

Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments

12

Fair value measurements for Nucor’s cash equivalents and short-term investments are classified under Level 1 because such measurements are based on quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets. Our short-term investments are held in similar short-term investment instruments as described in Note 4 to Nucor’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015. 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 $4.60 billion at April 2, 2016 ($4.44 billion at December 31, 2015). The debt fair value estimates are classified under Level 2 because such estimates are based on readily available market prices of our debt at April 2, 2016, and December 31, 2015, or similar debt with the same maturities, ratings and interest rates.

13

Nucor has been named, along with other major steel producers, as a co-defendant in several related antitrust class-action complaints filed by Standard Iron Works and other steel purchasers in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. The majority of these complaints were filed in September and October of 2008, with two additional complaints being filed in July and December of 2010. Two of these complaints have been voluntarily dismissed and are no longer pending. The plaintiffs allege that from April 1, 2005, through December 31, 2007, eight steel manufacturers, including Nucor, engaged in anticompetitive activities with respect to the production and sale of steel. The plaintiffs seek monetary and other relief on behalf of themselves and a putative class of all purchasers of steel products from the defendants in the U.S. between April 1, 2005, and December 31, 2007. Five of the eight defendants have reached court approved settlements with the plaintiffs. On September 9, 2015, the District Court entered an order ruling on issues of class certification. The Court granted in part, and denied in part, the plaintiffs’ motion, certifying a class solely on the issue of whether defendants engaged in a conspiracy in violation of the antitrust laws, and declining to certify a class on the issues of antitrust impact and damages. We continue to believe the plaintiffs’ claims are without merit and will continue to vigorously defend against them, but we cannot at this time predict the outcome of this litigation or estimate the range of Nucor’s potential exposure and, consequently, have not recorded any reserves or contingencies related to this lawsuit.

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

14

A summary of activity under Nucor’s stock option plans for the first quarter of 2016 is as follows (in thousands, except year and per share amounts):

Stock options granted to employees who are eligible for retirement on the date of grant are expensed immediately since these awards vest upon retirement from the Company. Retirement, for purposes of vesting in these stock options, means termination of employment after satisfying age and years of service requirements. Similarly, stock options granted to employees who will become retirement-eligible prior to the end of the vesting term are expensed over the period through which the employee will become retirement-eligible. Compensation expense for stock options granted to employees who are not retirement-eligible is recognized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. Compensation expense for stock options was $0.2 million in the first quarter of 2016 ($0.1 million in the first quarter of 2015). As of April 2, 2016, unrecognized compensation expense related to options was $1.1 million, which is expected to be recognized over 2 years.

Restricted Stock Units – Nucor annually grants restricted stock units (RSUs) to key employees, officers and non-employee directors. The RSUs typically vest and are converted to common stock in three equal installments on each of the first three anniversaries of the grant date. A portion of the RSUs awarded to an officer vest 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 non-employee directors are fully vested on the grant date and are payable to the non-employee director in the form of common stock after the termination of the director’s service on the Board of Directors.

RSUs granted to employees who are eligible for retirement on the date of grant are expensed immediately, and RSUs granted to employees who will become retirement-eligible prior to the end of the vesting term are expensed over the period through which the employee will become retirement-eligible since these awards vest upon retirement from the Company. Compensation expense for RSUs granted to employees who are not retirement-eligible 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 units expected to vest are recognized as a reduction in retained earnings.

15

The fair value of an RSU is determined based on the closing stock price of Nucor’s common stock on the date of the grant. A summary of Nucor’s RSU activity for the first quarter of 2016 is as follows (shares in thousands):

Compensation expense for RSUs was $4.9 million in the first quarter of 2016 ($5.3 million in the first quarter of 2015). As of April 2, 2016, unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested RSUs was $26.3 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.9 years.

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

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

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 annual incentive 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.

16

A summary of Nucor’s restricted stock activity under the AIP and the LTIP for the first quarter of 2016 is as follows (shares in thousands):

Compensation expense for common stock and common stock units awarded under the AIP and 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 $2.2 million in the first quarter of 2016 ($1.1 million in the first quarter of 2015). As of April 2, 2016, unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested restricted stock awards was $1.3 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2 years.

Nucor has substantially concluded U.S. federal income tax matters for years through 2012. The 2013 and 2014 tax years remain open to examination by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The Canada Revenue Agency has substantially concluded its examination of the 2012 Canadian returns for Harris Steel Group Inc. and certain related affiliates and is now examining the 2013 Canadian returns. The tax years 2009 through 2014 remain open to examination by other major taxing jurisdictions to which Nucor is subject (primarily Canada and other state and local jurisdictions).

17

Non-current deferred tax liabilities included in deferred credits and other liabilities were $456.9 million at April 2, 2016 ($449.2 million at December 31, 2015).