Nucor Shares Soar 1.75% on $1B Berkshire Investment, Rebound From 5.7% Q3 Slide

Nucor Corporation (NUE) shares climbed to their highest level since September 2025, with an intraday gain of 1.75%, signaling renewed investor confidence in the U.S. steelmaker. The rally follows a series of pivotal developments, including a landmark investment and shifting analyst sentiment.

A key catalyst emerged as Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway injected over $1 billion into Nucor, marking the conglomerate’s first major industrial acquisition in years. The move underscored institutional trust in Nucor’s long-term resilience, particularly its cost-efficient electric arc furnace technology and consistent cash flow generation. Analysts highlighted that Buffett’s endorsement often catalyzes retail and institutional buying, creating a tailwind for the stock despite earlier earnings concerns.

However, Nucor’s Q3 2025 guidance cut in late September initially pressured the stock, with margins squeezed by declining steel prices and rising raw material costs. The company attributed weaker performance to soft demand in construction and automotive sectors, contrasting with peers maintaining stronger profitability. This prompted a 5.7% drop in share price, though the decline was later offset by optimism around Berkshire’s backing and strategic investments in green steel, which align with evolving ESG trends.

Analysts from Wells Fargo and Bank of America raised price targets for NUE, citing confidence in the company’s operational stability and dividend history. Nucor’s 210th consecutive year of cash dividends further reinforced its appeal to income-focused investors, while institutional activity—such as Westmount Partners and AG2R La Mondiale adjusting holdings—highlighted ongoing strategic interest. Despite near-term challenges, the steelmaker’s vertically integrated model and innovation in sustainable production position it to navigate industry headwinds, including regulatory uncertainties and global demand fluctuations.