Nucor Fell 11% In the Last 30 Days. Here’s Where the Stock Could Go in 2026

Nikko Henson4 minute read
Reviewed by: Thomas Richmond
Last updated Mar 16, 2026

Key Stats for NUE Stock

  • Last 30 Days Performance: -11%
  • 52-Week Range: $98 to $197
  • Valuation Model Target Price: $214
  • Implied Upside: 31%

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What Happened?

Nucor Corporation stock has fallen about 11% in the last 30 days, recently trading near $162 per share, as investors reassessed near-term steel pricing trends across the sector.

Steel stocks have been volatile recently as investors debate whether the industry’s earnings have peaked after the strong steel pricing environment of the past few years.

The stock declined largely because steel prices softened across several product categories, which can pressure profit margins when selling prices fall faster than production costs.

Nucor produces sheet steel used in manufacturing and plate steel used in infrastructure and energy projects, and investors have been watching whether demand tied to construction, manufacturing, and energy markets will strengthen again.

Competitors such as Steel Dynamics, Cleveland-Cliffs, and United States Steel have faced similar pricing pressure, weighing on sentiment across the broader steel industry.

Despite the recent pullback, several research firms have recently raised price targets on the stock. Jefferies increased its target price to $200 from $190, while JPMorgan lifted its target to $200 from $175 and reiterated an overweight rating.

BNP Paribas Exane raised its target to $185 from $165, Seaport Research Partners lifted its target to $185 from $170, and Morgan Stanley raised its price objective to $180 from $165, reflecting continued positive analyst sentiment toward the company’s longer-term earnings outlook.

Recent company updates also highlighted improving business momentum. Nucor reported adjusted fourth-quarter earnings of $1.73 per share on about $400 million of net income and $918 million of EBITDA, while CEO Leon Topalian said the company entered 2026 with “historically strong backlogs,” including steel mills backlog up nearly 40% year over year and steel products backlog up 15%.

Institutional filings also showed mixed positioning in recent 13F disclosures, with HUB Investment Partners increasing its stake by 172%, while firms such as Dimensional Fund Advisors and American Century Companies trimmed positions.

Nucor Corporation stock
NUE Guided Valuation Model

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Is NUE Undervalued?

Under valuation assumptions, the stock is modeled using:

  • Revenue Growth (CAGR): 5.6%
  • Operating Margins: 11.9%
  • Exit P/E Multiple: 13.4x

Nucor is the largest steel producer in the United States, supplying steel used in infrastructure projects, energy pipelines, automotive manufacturing, and increasingly in data center construction.

These end markets can support long-term demand even when short-term steel pricing cycles create volatility in earnings.

Nucor Corporation stock
NUE Revenue & Analyst Growth Estimates Over Five Years

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The company has also been investing heavily in new steel production capacity and higher-value downstream products.

Projects such as its new sheet mill in West Virginia and expanded galvanizing capacity are designed to increase exposure to higher-margin steel used in automotive and industrial manufacturing.

Infrastructure spending, energy development, and data center construction remain important drivers for steel demand in the coming years.

If these markets continue expanding, Nucor could benefit from higher shipment volumes and stronger pricing across several product categories.

Based on these assumptions, the valuation model estimates a target price of about $214, implying roughly 31% upside over the next 2 to 3 years, suggesting the stock appears undervalued at current levels if steel demand stabilizes and margins remain near historical averages.

How Much Upside Does NUE Stock Have From Here?

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All it takes is three simple inputs:

  1. Revenue Growth
  2. Operating Margins
  3. Exit P/E Multiple

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