Steel giant
Nucor Corporation
's (
NUE
) adjusted (excluding special items) earnings was 31 cents per
share in the fourth quarter of 2012, ahead of the Zacks Consensus
Estimate of 29 cents. The adjusted earnings exclude costs
associated with Skyline Steel buyout and a gain value inventories
using the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method of accounting.
Profit (as reported) came in at $136.9 million (or 43 cents a
share), almost flat compared with $137.1 million or 43 cents per
share reported a year ago. The company's earnings were within its
guidance range due to better-than-expected operating
profits, primarily at sheet, plate and beam mills, and a larger
than expected LIFO credit.
For full-year 2012, adjusted earnings came in at $1.37 per
share, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.64. Profit (as
reported) came in at $504.6 million (or $1.58 per share), down
35.2% from $778.2 million or $2.45 per share reported a year
ago.
A 4% fall in average sales price weighed on Nucor's revenues
in the fourth quarter. Revenues slid 7.8% year over year to
$4,451 million, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $4,463
million. Total tons shipped to outside customers fell 4% year
over year to 5,478,000 tons in the reported quarter and total
mill shipments decreased 3.5% to 4,762,000 tons.
For the full year, average sales price declined 3%. As a
result of this, revenues decreased 3% year over year to $19.4
billion, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $19.5
billion.
The average scrap and scrap substitute cost per ton used in
the fourth quarter was $372, down 16% from $441 a year ago.
Overall operating rates at Nucor's steel mills were 71% flat
compared with the year-ago quarter.
The company had ample liquidity on its books as of Dec 31,
2012 with $1.43 billion in cash and cash equivalents, short-term
investments and restricted cash and investments. It also has an
untapped $1.5 billion revolving credit facility that will mature
in Dec 2016.
Nucor's Board declared a cash dividend of 36.75 cents per
share in Dec 2012, which was the company's 159th quarterly cash
dividend on the trot. The dividend is payable on Feb 11, 2013, to
stockholders of record as of Dec 31, 2012.
Nucor expects first-quarter 2013 earnings to be below the
fourth quarter level due to lower level of operating performance
and a reversal of LIFO from a large credit in the fourth quarter
of 2012 to a small charge in the first quarter of 2013.
Challenging economic conditions, higher raw material costs and
high import levels can affect the company's expectations. The
company also remains cautious about the construction markets.
The steel industry is going through a difficult phase. There
is not enough demand for steel products due to weakness in
construction end markets, resulting in excess supply. Also the
gloomy conditions in the euro zone are another area of concern
for Nucor since it is the largest market for total U.S.
exports.
Steel imports have given rise to stiff competition in the
domestic market and the financial crisis in Europe might give
rise to the same conditions in the region. All these factors are
proving to be very difficult to manage for Nucor and hurting its
profitability.
However, Nucor has a diversified client base, and as such, its
business is not highly dependent on the conditions prevalent in a
particular geography. In addition, the company's cost structure
is highly variable, giving it the luxury of adjusting its costs
when the conditions call for. This enables Nucor to continue its
operations without closing down its facilities, even if the
market conditions in the steel industry are depressed.
Nucor currently retains a short-term Zacks Rank # 3 (Hold).
Other companies in the steel industry with favorable Zacks Ranks
are
Gibraltar Industries Inc.
(
ROCK
),
POSCO
(
PKX
) and
ArcelorMittal South Africa
(
AMSIY
). While both Gibraltar and POSCO hold a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong
Buy), ArcelorMittal South Africa holds a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).
(AMSIY): ETF Research Reports
NUCOR CORP (NUE): Free Stock Analysis Report
POSCO-ADR (PKX): Free Stock Analysis Report
GIBRALTAR INDUS (ROCK): Free Stock Analysis
Report
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