Item 1A. Risk Factors

Many of the factors that affect our business and operations involve risk and uncertainty. The factors described below are some of the risks that could materially negatively affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Industry Specific Risk Factors

Overcapacity in the global steel industry could increase the level of steel imports, which may negatively affect our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

Global steel production overcapacity continues to be an ongoing risk to Nucor and the entire steel industry. The OECD estimates that global steel production overcapacity currently approximately 500,000,000 tons, with additional capacity expected to come online over the next few years. China continues to be a significant contributor to excess steelmaking capacity, producing more than 1 billion tons of steel in each of the past two years. China is also investing in new steelmaking capacity in several countries in southeast Asia.

During periods of global economic weakness, this overcapacity is amplified because of weaker global demand for steel and steel products. This excess capacity often results in manufacturers in certain countries exporting significant amounts of steel and steel products at prices that are at or below their costs of production. In some countries the steel industry is subsidized or owned in whole or in part by the government, giving imported steel from those countries certain cost advantages. These imports, which are also affected by demand in the domestic market, international currency conversion rates, and domestic and international government actions, can result in downward pressure on steel prices, which could materially adversely affect our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

Our business requires substantial capital investment and maintenance expenditures, and our capital resources may not be adequate to provide for all of our cash requirements.

Our operations are capital intensive. For the three-year period ended December 31, 2021, our total capital expenditures were approximately $4.74 billion. Our business requires substantial expenditures for routine maintenance. We also recently announced substantial capital projects that we expect will increase production capacity, increase the efficiency of our operations and enhance our product offerings. Although we expect requirements for our business needs, including the funding of capital expenditures, debt service for financings and any contingencies, will be financed by internally generated funds, short-term commercial paper issuance, offerings of our debt and equity securities or from borrowings under our $1.75 billion unsecured revolving credit facility, we cannot guarantee that this will be the case. Additional acquisitions, increases in interest rates or unforeseen events could require financing from additional sources.

Changes in the availability and cost of electricity and natural gas are subject to volatile market conditions that could adversely affect our business.

Our steel mills are large consumers of electricity and natural gas. In addition, our DRI facilities are also large consumers of natural gas. We rely upon third parties for our supply of energy resources consumed in the manufacture of our products. The prices for and availability of electricity and natural gas are subject to volatile market conditions. These market conditions often are affected by weather, political, regulatory and economic factors beyond our control, and we may be unable to raise the price of our products to cover increased energy costs. Disruptions, including physical or information systems related issues, that impact the supply of our energy resources could temporarily impair our ability to manufacture our products for our customers. Increases in our energy costs resulting from market fluctuations or regulations that are not equally applicable across the entire global steel market could materially adversely affect our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

Competition from other steel producers, imports or alternative materials may adversely affect our business.

We face strong competition from other steel producers and imports that compete with our products on price, quality and service. The steel markets are highly competitive and a number of firms, domestic and foreign, participate in the steel, steel products and raw materials markets. Depending on a variety of factors, including the cost and availability of raw materials, energy, technology, labor, transportation and capital costs, currency exchange rates, government subsidies of foreign steel producers and other global political and economic factors, our business may be materially adversely affected by competitive forces.

In many applications, steel competes with other materials, such as concrete, aluminum, plastics, composites and wood. Increased use or availability of these materials in substitution for steel products could have a material adverse effect on prices and demand for our steel products.

Since 2011, automobile producers have begun taking steps towards complying with new Corporate Average Fuel Economy mileage requirements for new cars and light trucks that they produce. As automobile producers work to produce vehicles in compliance with these new standards, they may seek to reduce the amount of steel they incorporate in their vehicles, require different types or higher grades of steel products, or begin utilizing alternative materials in cars and light trucks to improve fuel economy, thereby reducing their demand for steel. Certain automakers have begun to use greater amounts of aluminum and smaller proportions of steel in some models since 2015. Additional shifts in demand for steel products by automobile producers could materially adversely affect our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

Our industry is cyclical and both recessions and prolonged periods of slow economic growth could have an adverse effect on our business.

Demand for most of our products is cyclical in nature and sensitive to general economic conditions. Our business supports cyclical industries, such as the commercial construction, energy, metals service centers, appliance and automotive industries. As a result, downturns in the U.S. economy or any of these industries could materially adversely affect our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

The U.S. economy has experienced a strong recovery from the conditions experienced at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, but new variants of COVID-19 and the continued abatement of the COVID-19 pandemic, labor shortages, supply chain disruptions, new or proposed legislation related to governmental spending, inflation and increases in interest rates have impacted, and will continue to impact, economic growth. Even with this economic recovery, challenges from global production overcapacity in the steel industry and ongoing uncertainties, both in the United States and in other regions of the world, remain.

We are unable to predict with certainty the duration of current economic conditions or the magnitude and timing of changes in economic activity. Future economic downturns, prolonged slow growth or stagnation in the economy, a sector-specific slowdown in one of our key end-use markets, such as nonresidential construction, or changes in inflation could materially adversely affect our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows, especially in light of the capital-intensive nature of our business.

The results of our operations are sensitive to volatility in steel prices and the cost and availability of raw materials, particularly scrap steel.

We rely to an extent on outside vendors to supply us with key consumables such as graphite electrodes and raw materials, including both scrap and scrap substitutes that are critical to the manufacture of our steel products. The raw material required to produce DRI is pelletized iron ore. Although we have vertically integrated our business by constructing our DRI facilities in Trinidad and Louisiana and also by acquiring DJJ in 2008, we still must purchase most of our primary raw material, steel scrap, from numerous other sources located throughout the United States and internationally. Although we believe that the supply of scrap and scrap substitutes is adequate to operate our facilities, prices of these critical raw materials are volatile and are influenced by changes in scrap exports in response to changes in the scrap, scrap substitutes and iron ore demands of our global competitors, as well as volatility in currency rates and political conditions. For example, we source a substantial amount of our scrap and scrap substitutes from countries in Europe such as Russia and Ukraine. If political conditions in those countries or their relations with the United States or each other further deteriorate, or such countries were to become subject to sanctions or other restrictions or interruptions in trade with the United States, it may materially affect the price and availability of scrap and scrap substitutes.

At any given time, we may be unable to obtain an adequate supply of these critical raw materials with price and other terms acceptable to us. The availability and prices of raw materials may also be negatively affected by new laws and regulations, allocation by suppliers, interruptions in production, accidents or natural disasters, war and other forms of armed conflict or political instability, changes in exchange rates, worldwide price fluctuations, including due to global political and economic factors, changes in governmental, business and consumer spending, inflation, increases in interest rates, labor shortages, and the availability and cost of transportation, including as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many countries that export steel into our markets restrict the export of scrap, protecting the supply chain of some foreign competitors. This trade practice creates an artificial competitive advantage for foreign producers that could limit our ability to compete in the U.S. market.

If our suppliers increase the prices of our critical raw materials, we may not have alternative sources of supply. In addition, to the extent that we have quoted prices to our customers and accepted customer orders for our products prior to purchasing necessary raw materials, we may be unable to raise the price of our products to cover all or part of the increased cost of the raw materials or pass along increased transportation costs. Also, if we are unable to obtain adequate, cost-effective and timely deliveries of our required raw materials, we may be unable to timely manufacture sufficient quantities of our products. This could cause us to lose sales, incur additional costs, experience margin compressions or suffer harm to our reputation and customer relationships.

Our steelmaking processes, our DRI processes, and the manufacturing processes of many of our suppliers, customers and competitors are energy intensive and generate carbon dioxide and other GHGs. The regulation of these GHGs could have a material adverse impact on our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

Our operations are subject to numerous federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to the protection of the environment, and, accordingly, we make provision in our financial statements for the estimated costs of compliance. There are inherent uncertainties in these estimates. Most notably, the uncertainty of policies, enforcement priorities, legislation and regulations related to climate change mitigation strategies pose the greatest risk.

As a carbon steel producer, Nucor could be increasingly affected both directly and indirectly if carbon policy decisions and mandates are not properly implemented. Carbon is an essential raw material in Nucor’s steel production processes. Furthermore, Nucor steel mills utilize EAFs for 100% of their steel melting operations and the costs associated with the decarbonization of electricity generation is a significant concern. Significant new rulemaking or legislation could have a material adverse impact on our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

Environmental regulation compliance and remediation could result in substantially increased costs and materially adversely impact our competitive position.

We incur significant costs in meeting our environmental regulation compliance and remediation obligations. The principal federal environmental laws include the CAA, which regulates air emissions; the CWA which regulates water withdrawals and discharges; the RCRA, which addresses solid and hazardous waste treatment, storage and disposal; and the CERCLA, which governs releases of hazardous substances, and remediation of contaminated sites. Our operations are also subject to state and local environmental laws and regulations. Capital expenditures at our facilities that are associated with environmental regulation compliance for 2022 and 2023 are estimated to be less than $100 million per year.

In addition to the above mentioned statutes, certain revisions to National Air Ambient Quality Standards could make it significantly more difficult for us to obtain construction permits and permits to expand existing operations. Resulting cancellations, delays or unanticipated costs to these projects could negatively impact our ability to generate expected returns on our investments. These regulations can also increase our cost of energy, primarily electricity, which we use extensively in the steelmaking process. We may in the future incur substantially increased costs complying with such regulations, particularly if federal regulatory agencies were to change their enforcement posture with respect to such regulations.

Emerging customer preferences for greater product transparency and less GHG intensive materials may put us at a competitive disadvantage or reduce demand for our products.

Numerous states, including Washington, Oregon and New York, are considering establishing requirements for Environmental Product Declarations (“EPDs”) to evaluate environmental impacts of products. California has enacted the “Buy Clean California Act” and California has established Global Warming Potential (GWP) benchmarks through EPDs for certain materials, including certain steel products. Currently, the federal government is considering similar legislation. To provide for greater product transparency, Nucor contracted an independent, third-party to evaluate and publish EPDs for many of its products. Nucor’s EPDs extend beyond what is required under the “Buy Clean California Act”, which requires EPDs for four steel products. The following Nucor products have been evaluated and issued a corresponding EPD: fabricated hot-rolled structural steel sections; fabricated steel concrete reinforcing bar and merchant bar products; steel reinforcing bar and merchant bar products; fabricated steel hollow structural sections; fabricated structural plate; fabricated open web steel joist and joist girders; and fabricated steel roof and floor deck.

EPD legislation has the potential to put domestic steel manufacturers at a disadvantage to foreign competitors unless standardized mechanisms are used to fully evaluate products produced by foreign steel producers.

General Risk Factors

The COVID-19 pandemic, as well as similar epidemics and other public health emergencies in the future, could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

Our operations expose us to risks associated with pandemics, epidemics and other public health emergencies, such as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic which spread from China to many other countries including the United States. The COVID-19 pandemic has had and may have further negative impacts on our operations, supply chain, transportation networks and customers, which may compress our margins or impact demand for our steel products, including as a result of preventative and precautionary measures that we, other businesses and governments have taken or may take in the future. The COVID-19 pandemic and governmental actions in response have adversely affected the economies of many countries and caused periodic disruption to and increased volatility in financial markets. The progression of the COVID-19 pandemic, including due to new variants of COVID-19, could also negatively impact our business or results of operations through the temporary closure of our operating facilities or those of our customers or suppliers.

In addition, the ability of our teammates and our suppliers’ and customers’ teammates to work may be significantly impacted by individuals contracting or being exposed to COVID-19. Our customers may be directly impacted by business interruptions or weak market conditions and may not be willing or able to fulfill their contractual obligations. Furthermore, the progression of and global response to the COVID-19 pandemic has caused and increased the risk of further delays in construction activities and equipment deliveries related to our capital projects, including potential delays in obtaining permits from government agencies, as well as changes in the prices and availability of labor and equipment for capital projects. The extent of such delays and other effects of COVID-19 on our capital projects, certain of which are outside of our control, is unknown, but they could impact or delay the timing of anticipated benefits on capital projects.

The extent to which COVID-19 may adversely impact our business depends on future developments, which are highly uncertain and unpredictable, including new variants of the virus,information concerning the severity of the pandemic, the adoption rate of vaccines, and the effectiveness of actions globally to contain or mitigate the effects of the pandemic. The current level of uncertainty over the economic and operational impacts of COVID-19 means the related financial impact cannot be reasonably estimated at this time.

We are subject to information technology and cyber security threats which could have an adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

We utilize various information technology systems to efficiently address business functions ranging from the operation of our production equipment to administrative computation to the storage of data such as intellectual property and proprietary business information. We also utilize third-party service providers for certain information technology services that are important to our operations. We continuously evaluate our cyber security systems and practices, assess potential threats, and improve our information technology networks, policies and procedures to address potential vulnerabilities. Despite efforts to assure secure and uninterrupted operations, threats from increasingly sophisticated cyber-attacks or system failures could result in materially adverse operational disruptions or security breaches of our systems or those of our third-party service providers. These risks could result in disclosure or destruction of key proprietary information or personal data or reputational damage, theft of assets or trade secrets, or could adversely affect our ability to physically produce or transport steel, resulting in lost revenues, as well as delays in reporting our financial results. We also could be required to spend significant financial and other resources to remedy the damage caused by a cyber security breach, including to repair or replace networks and information technology systems. We may also contend with potential liability for stolen information, increased cyber security protection costs, litigation expense and increased insurance premiums.

Our operations are subject to business interruptions and casualty losses.

The steelmaking business is subject to numerous inherent risks, particularly unplanned events such as explosions, fires, other accidents, natural disasters such as floods or earthquakes, critical equipment failures, acts of terrorism, inclement weather and transportation interruptions. While our insurance coverage could offset a portion of the losses relating to some of those types of events, our results of operations and cash flows could be adversely impacted to the extent that any such losses are not covered by our insurance, or that there are significant delays in resolving our claims with our insurance providers.

We acquire businesses and enter into joint ventures from time to time and we may encounter difficulties in integrating businesses we acquire.

We plan to continue to seek attractive opportunities to acquire businesses, enter into joint ventures and make other investments that strengthen Nucor. Realizing the anticipated benefits of acquisitions or other transactions will depend on our ability to operate these businesses and integrate them with our operations effectively identify and manage risks, and cooperate with our strategic partners. Our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows could be materially adversely affected if we are unable to successfully integrate these businesses or otherwise fail to realize the anticipated benefits of acquisitions or other transactions.

Risks associated with operating in international markets could adversely affect our business, financial position and results of operations.

Certain of our businesses and investments are located outside of the United States, in Canada, Mexico and in emerging markets. There are a number of risks inherent in doing business in or sourcing raw materials from such markets. These risks include, but are not limited to: unfavorable political or economic factors; local labor and social issues; changes in regulatory requirements; fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, interest rates and inflation; and complex foreign laws, treaties including tax laws, and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 (FCPA). These risks could restrict our ability to operate our international businesses profitably and therefore have a negative impact on our financial position and results of operations. In addition, our reported results of operations and financial position could also be negatively affected by exchange rates when the activities and balances of our foreign operations are translated into U.S. dollars for financial reporting purposes.

The accounting treatment of equity method investments, goodwill and other long-lived assets could result in future asset impairments, which would reduce our earnings.

We periodically test our equity method investments, goodwill and other long-lived assets to determine whether their estimated fair value is less than their value recorded on our balance sheet. The results of this testing for potential impairment may be adversely affected by uncertain market conditions for the global steel industry, as well as changes in interest rates, commodity prices and general economic conditions. If we determine that the fair value of any of these assets is less than the value recorded on our balance sheet, and, in the case of equity method investments the decline is other than temporary, we would likely incur a non-cash impairment loss that would negatively impact our results of operations.

Tax increases and changes in tax laws and regulations or exposure to additional tax liabilities could adversely affect our financial results.

The steel industry and our business are sensitive to changes in taxes. As a company based in the United States, Nucor is more exposed to the effects of changes in U.S. tax laws than some of our major competitors. Our provision for income taxes and cash tax liability in the future could be adversely affected by changes in U.S. tax laws.

Nucor recognizes the effect of income tax positions only if those positions are believed to be more likely than not of being sustained. We cannot predict whether taxing authorities will conduct an audit challenging any of our tax positions and there can be no assurance as to the outcome of any challenges. If we are unsuccessful in any of these matters, we may be required to pay taxes for prior periods, interest, fines or penalties.

We are subject to legal proceedings and legal compliance risks.

We spend substantial resources ensuring that we comply with domestic and foreign regulations, contractual obligations and other legal standards. Notwithstanding this, we are subject to a variety of legal proceedings and legal compliance risks in respect of various issues, including regulatory, safety, environmental, employment, transportation, intellectual property, contractual, import/export, international trade and governmental matters that arise in the course of our business and in our industry. For information regarding our current significant legal proceedings, see “Item 3. Legal Proceedings.” A negative outcome in an unusual or significant legal proceeding or compliance investigation could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations. While we believe that we have adopted appropriate risk management and compliance programs, the nature of our operations means that legal compliance risks will continue to exist and additional legal proceedings and other contingencies, the outcome of which cannot be predicted with certainty, will arise from time to time.

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments

None.

Item 2. Properties

We own most of our principal operating facilities. These facilities, by segment, are as follows:

Location Approximate square footage of facilities Principal products

Steel mills:

Blytheville, Arkansas 3,000,000 Structural steel, sheet steel

Hickman, Arkansas 2,730,000 Flat-rolled steel

Berkeley County, South Carolina 2,360,000 Flat-rolled steel, structural steel

Decatur, Alabama 2,000,000 Flat-rolled steel

Crawfordsville, Indiana 1,880,000 Flat-rolled steel

Norfolk, Nebraska 1,530,000 Steel shapes

Hertford County, North Carolina 1,350,000 Steel plate

Plymouth, Utah 1,280,000 Steel shapes

Jewett, Texas 1,170,000 Steel shapes

Ghent, Kentucky 1,000,000 Flat-rolled steel

Darlington, South Carolina 980,000 Steel shapes

Kankakee, Illinois 730,000 Steel shapes

Memphis, Tennessee 700,000 Steel shapes

Seattle, Washington 660,000 Steel shapes

Tuscaloosa, Alabama 590,000 Steel plate

Auburn, New York 510,000 Steel shapes

Longview, Texas 430,000 Steel plate

Marion, Ohio 430,000 Steel shapes

Jackson, Mississippi 420,000 Steel shapes

Kingman, Arizona 380,000 Steel shapes

Sedalia, Missouri 350,000 Steel shapes

Frostproof, Florida 340,000 Steel shapes

Birmingham, Alabama 310,000 Steel shapes

Wallingford, Connecticut 240,000 Steel shapes

Steel products:

Norfolk, Nebraska 1,150,000 Joists, deck, cold finished bar

St. Joe, Indiana 1,010,000 Joists, deck, fastener

Brigham City, Utah 1,000,000 Joists, cold finished bar, building systems

Grapeland, Texas 810,000 Joists, deck

Chemung, New York 560,000 Joists, deck

Marseilles, Illinois 550,000 Steel tube

Florence, South Carolina 540,000 Joists, deck

Birmingham, Alabama 480,000 Steel tube

Fort Payne, Alabama 470,000 Joists, deck

Decatur, Alabama 470,000 Steel tube

Louisville, Kentucky 440,000 Steel tube

Trinity, Alabama 380,000 Steel tube

Eufaula, Alabama 360,000 Building systems

Chicago, Illinois 350,000 Steel tube

Waterloo, Indiana 330,000 Building systems

In the steel products segment, we have 89 operating facilities, excluding the locations listed above, in 38 states with 29 operating facilities in Canada and two in Mexico. Our subsidiary, Harris Steel Inc., also operates multiple sales offices in Canada and certain other foreign locations. The steel products segment also includes Skyline Steel, LLC, our steel foundation distributor. Hannibal Industries, Inc., which

we acquired during 2021, has leased square footage of approximately 630,000 square feet in Los Angeles, California, and has leased square footage of approximately 420,000 square feet in Houston, Texas.

In the raw materials segment, we have 94 operating facilities in 22 states with one operating facility in Point Lisas, Trinidad. For our DRI facilities in Trinidad and Louisiana, a significant portion of the production process occurs outdoors. The Trinidad site, including leased land, is approximately 1.9 million square feet. The Louisiana site has approximately 174.2 million square feet of owned land with buildings that total approximately 72,500 square feet. DJJ has 88 operating facilities in 21 states along with multiple brokerage offices in the United States and certain other foreign locations.

The average utilization rates of all operating facilities in the steel mills, steel products and raw materials segments in 2021 were approximately 94%, 76% and 75% of production capacity, respectively.

We also own our principal executive offices in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Item 3. 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.

There were no proceedings that were pending or contemplated under federal, state or local environmental laws that the Company reasonably believes may result in monetary sanctions of at least $1.0 million (the threshold chosen by Nucor as permitted by Item 103 of Regulation S-K promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and which Nucor believes is reasonably designed to result in disclosure of any such proceeding that is material to its business or financial condition).

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.

Information About Our Executive Officers

The following is a description of the names and ages of the executive officers of the Company, indicating all positions and offices with the Company held by each such person and each person’s principal occupation or employment during the past five years. Each executive officer of Nucor is elected by the Board of Directors and holds office from the date of election until thereafter removed by the Board.

Allen C. Behr (48), Executive Vice President of Plate and Structural Products, was named EVP in May 2020. Mr. Behr began his career with Nucor in 1996 as Design Engineer at Nucor Building Systems-Indiana and joined the start-up team at Nucor Building Systems-Texas in 1999. In 2001, he became the Engineering Manager at Nucor Building Systems-South Carolina and was promoted to General Manager in 2008. Mr. Behr became the General Manager of Vulcraft-South Carolina in 2011 and was promoted to Vice President in 2012. He was promoted to President of the Vulcraft/Verco group in 2014 and he served as General Manager of Nucor Steel-Texas from 2017 to 2019.

James D. Frias (65) has served as Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Executive Vice President since 2010. Prior to that, Mr. Frias was Vice President of Finance from 2006 to 2009. Mr. Frias joined Nucor in 1991 as Controller of Nucor Building Systems-Indiana. He also served as Controller of Nucor Steel-Indiana and as Corporate Controller. Mr. Frias joined the board of directors of Carlisle Companies Incorporated in 2015. Mr. Frias has announced that he will retire effective June 11, 2022.

Douglas J. Jellison (63), Executive Vice President of Raw Materials, was named EVP in January 2021. Mr. Jellison began his Nucor career in 1990 as Materials Manager at Nucor Bearing Products and has worked in various positions and businesses in his more than 30 years with Nucor, including several controller and business development roles. Mr. Jellison was promoted to Vice President in 2004 and served as General Manager of Nucor Bearing Products, Nucor Steel Seattle, Inc. and Nucor-Yamato. He then served as President of Nucor Tubular Products and most recently as President of Nucor’s steel piling subsidiary, Skyline Steel LLC.

Gregory J. Murphy (58), Executive Vice President of Business Services and General Counsel, was named EVP in January 2021. Mr. Murphy began his Nucor career in 2015 as Vice President and General Counsel. In 2020, he assumed additional responsibilities and was named General Counsel and Vice President of Legal, Environmental and Public Affairs. Prior to joining Nucor, Mr. Murphy was a Partner with the law firm of Moore & Van Allen PLLC, where he was the team leader of the Litigation Practice Group and served for a decade on the firm’s Executive Committee.

Daniel R. Needham (56), Executive Vice President of Bar, Engineered Bar and Rebar Fabrication Products was named EVP in February 2021. Mr. Needham began his career with Nucor in 2000 as Controller at Nucor Steel Hertford County. He subsequently served as Controller of Nucor Steel Decatur, LLC and Nucor Steel Utah. In 2011, Mr. Needham became General Manager of Nucor Steel Connecticut, Inc. He later served as General Manager of Nucor Steel Utah and was elected Vice President in 2016. In 2019, Mr. Needham was promoted to Vice President and General Manager of Nucor Steel Indiana.

K. Rex Query (56), Executive Vice President of Sheet and Tubular Products, was named EVP in January 2021. Mr. Query joined Nucor in 1990 as a financial analyst in the Corporate Office and subsequently served as Controller at Vulcraft South Carolina, Nucor Steel Berkeley and Nucor Steel Hertford. After serving as General Manager and Corporate Controller, Mr. Query was elected to Vice President in 2002 and served as General Manager at Nucor Steel Auburn, Inc., Nucor Steel Decatur, LLC, Nucor Steel South Carolina and NCF as well as President of Nucor Europe. Most recently, Mr. Query served as President of Nucor’s Vulcraft/Verco group. Mr. Query is married to the sister of Mr. Topalian’s wife.

MaryEmily Slate (57), Executive Vice President of Commercial, was named EVP in May 2019, Ms. Slate began her career with Nucor in 2000 as a District Sales Manager at Nucor Steel Arkansas. She later served as Sales Manager at Nucor Steel Decatur, LLC and then as Cold Mill Manager. In 2010, Ms. Slate was promoted to General Manager of Nucor Steel Auburn, Inc. and was elected Vice President in 2012. She served as Vice President of Nucor Steel Arkansas from 2015 to 2019.

David A. Sumoski (55), was named Chief Operating Officer, in January 2021. He previously served as Executive Vice President from 2014 to 2020, most recently as EVP of Merchant and Rebar Products. He also served as General Manager of Nucor Steel Memphis, Inc. from 2012 to 2014 and as General Manager of Nucor Steel Marion, Inc. from 2008 to 2012. Mr. Sumoski was named Vice President in 2010. He began his career with Nucor as an electrical supervisor at Nucor Steel-Berkeley in 1995, later serving as Maintenance Manager.

Leon J. Topalian (53), has served as President and Chief Executive Officer since January 2020. He previously served as President and Chief Operating Officer from September 2019 to December 2019, as Executive Vice President of Beam and Plate Products from 2017 to 2019 and as Vice President of Nucor from 2013 to 2017. He began his Nucor career at Nucor Steel-Berkeley in 1996, serving as a project engineer and then as cold mill production supervisor. Mr. Topalian was promoted to Operations Manager for Nucor’s former joint venture in Australia and later served as Melting and Casting Manager at Nucor Steel-South Carolina. He then served as General Manager of Nucor Steel Kankakee, Inc. from 2011 to 2014 and as General Manager of Nucor-Yamato from 2014 to 2017. Mr. Topalian is married to the sister of Mr. Query’s wife.

D. Chad Utermark (53), Executive Vice President of Fabricated Construction Products, was named EVP in 2014. He previously served as General Manager of Nucor-Yamato from 2011 to 2014 and as General Manager of Nucor Steel-Texas from 2008 to 2011. He was named Vice President of Nucor in 2009. Mr. Utermark began his Nucor career as a utility operator at Nucor Steel-Arkansas in 1992, subsequently serving as shift supervisor and Hot Mill Manager at that division as well as Roll Mill Manager at Nucor Steel-Texas.

PART II

Our common stock is listed and traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “NUE.” As of January 31, 2022, there were approximately 13,000 stockholders of record of our common stock.

Our share repurchase program activity for each of the three months and the quarter ended December 31, 2021 was as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):

(1) Includes commissions of $0.17 per share.

Nucor has increased its base cash dividend every year since the Company began paying dividends in 1973. Nucor paid a total dividend of $1.62 per share in 2021 compared with $1.61 per share in 2020. In December 2021, the Board of Directors increased the base quarterly cash dividend on Nucor’s common stock to $0.50 per share from $0.405 per share. In February 2022, the Board of Directors declared Nucor’s 196th consecutive quarterly cash dividend of $0.50 per share payable on May 11, 2022 to stockholders of record on March 31, 2022.

See Note 16 to the Company’s consolidated financial statements for a discussion regarding securities authorized for issuance under the Company’s stock-based compensation plans.

Stock Performance

This graphic comparison assumes the investment of $100 in each of Nucor common stock, the S&P 500 Index and the S&P 1500 Steel Index, all at year-end 2016. The resulting cumulative total return assumes that cash dividends were reinvested. Nucor common stock comprised 39% of the S&P 1500 Steel Index at year-end 2021 (36% at year-end 2016).

Item 6. [Reserved]

The following Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of Nucor Corporation should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements of the Company and the accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included in this report discusses our financial condition and results of operations as of and for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020. Information concerning the year ended December 31, 2020 and a comparison of the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 may be found under “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, filed with the SEC on February 26, 2021.

Overview

The U.S. economy experienced strong growth in 2021, growing by 5.7%, the largest annual increase since 1984. This performance was a significant improvement over 2020 when the economy shrank by 3.4% in response to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic continued to have an impact on our business and operations, but the impact was significantly lessened than that experienced in 2020. Market demand in 2021 was very strong across most of the end markets we serve and selling prices for steel and steel products were at historically high levels. Operating rates at our steel mills for the full year 2021 increased to 94% as compared to 82% for the full year 2020.

Our Challenges and Risks

Global steel production overcapacity continues to be an ongoing risk to Nucor and the entire steel industry, with the OECD estimating that global steel production overcapacity is currently approximately 500 million tons, which is down slightly from previous years. However, additional capacity continues to come online and China’s steel production, the largest steel producing country, is still near record levels. In 2021, China’s steel production was 1.13 billion tons compared to the record amount of 1.16 billion tons the previous year. Circumvention of trade duties also continues to pose a risk, as countries route products through third-party countries to evade duties. Increasingly, China is seeking to evade trade duties by building new steelmaking capacity in other countries with a focus on neighboring countries in southeast Asia.

A major uncertainty we continue to face in our business is the price of our principal raw material, ferrous scrap, which is volatile and often increases or decreases rapidly in response to changes in domestic demand, unanticipated events that affect the flow of scrap into scrap yards, the availability of scrap substitutes, currency fluctuations and changes in foreign demand for scrap. In periods of rapidly increasing raw material prices in the industry, which are often also associated with periods of stronger or rapidly improving steel market conditions, being able to increase our prices for the products we sell quickly enough to offset increases in the prices we pay for ferrous scrap is challenging but critical to maintaining our profitability. We attempt to mitigate the scrap price risk by managing scrap inventory levels at the steel mills to match the anticipated demand over the next several weeks. Certain scrap substitutes, including pig iron, have longer lead times for delivery than scrap, which can make this inventory management strategy difficult to achieve. Continued successful implementation of our raw material strategy, including key investments in DRI production, coupled with the scrap brokerage and processing services performed by our team at DJJ, give us greater control over our metallic inputs and thus also helps us to mitigate this risk.

During periods of stronger or rapidly improving steel market conditions, we are more likely to be able to pass through to our customers, relatively quickly, the increased costs of ferrous scrap and scrap substitutes, protecting our gross margins from significant erosion. During periods of weaker or rapidly deteriorating steel market conditions, weak steel demand, low industry utilization rates and the impact of imports create an even more intensified competitive environment and increased pricing pressure. All of those factors, to some degree, impact pricing, which increases the likelihood that Nucor will experience lower gross margins.

Although the majority of our steel sales are to spot market customers in North America who place their orders each month based on their business needs and our pricing competitiveness compared to both domestic and global producers and trading companies, we also sell contract tons, most notably in our sheet operations. Approximately 80% of our sheet sales were to contract customers in 2021 (70% in 2020), with the balance being sold in the spot market at the prevailing prices at the time of sale. Steel contract sales outside of our sheet operations are not significant. The amount of tons sold to contract customers at any given time depends on the overall market conditions at the time, how the end-use customers see the market moving forward and the strategy that Nucor management believes is appropriate to the upcoming period.

Nucor management considerations include maintaining an appropriate balance of spot and contract tons based on market projections and appropriately supporting our diversified customer base. The percentage of tons that is placed under contract also depends on the overall market dynamics and customer negotiations. In years of strengthening demand, we typically see an increase in the percentage of sheet sales sold under contract as our customers have an expectation that transaction prices will rapidly rise, and available capacity will quickly be sold out. To mitigate this risk, customers prefer to enter into contracts in order to obtain committed volumes of supply from the mills. The vast majority of our contracts include a method of adjusting prices on a periodic basis to reflect changes in the market pricing for steel and/or scrap. Market indices for steel generally trend with scrap pricing changes, but, during periods of steel market weakness, the more intensified competitive steel market environment can cause the sales price indices to decrease resulting in reduced gross margins and profitability. Furthermore, since the selling price adjustments are not immediate, there will always be a timing difference between changes in the prices we pay for raw materials and the adjustments we make to our contract selling prices. Generally, in periods of increasing scrap prices, we typically experience a short-term margin contraction on contract tons. Conversely, in periods of decreasing scrap prices, we typically experience a short-term margin expansion on contract tons. Contract sales typically have terms ranging from six to 12 months.

Our Strengths and Opportunities

We are North America’s most diversified steel producer. As a result, our short-term performance is not tied to any one market. We have numerous, large, strategic capital projects at various stages of progress that we believe will help us further diversify our product offerings and expand the markets that we serve. We expect these investments to grow our long-term earnings power by increasing our channels to market, expanding our product portfolio into higher value-added offerings that are less vulnerable to imports, improving our cost structure and further building upon our market leadership positions.

We believe that Nucor’s raw material supply chain is another important strength. Our investment in DRI production facilities and scrap brokerage and processing businesses provides Nucor with significant flexibility in optimizing our raw materials costs. Additionally, having a significant portion of our raw materials supply under our control reduces risk associated with the global sourcing of raw materials, particularly since a considerable portion of scrap substitutes comes from regions of the world that historically have experienced greater political turmoil.

Our highly variable, low-cost structure, combined with our financial strength and liquidity, have allowed us to successfully navigate cyclical, severely depressed steel industry market conditions in the past. In such times, our incentive-based pay system reduces our payroll costs, both hourly and salary, which helps to offset lower selling prices. Our pay-for-performance system that is closely tied to our levels of production also allows us to keep our highly experienced workforce intact and to continue operating our facilities when some of our competitors with greater fixed costs are forced to shut down some of their facilities. Because we use EAFs to produce our steel, we can easily vary our production levels to match short-term changes in demand, unlike our blast furnace-based integrated competitors. We believe these strengths also provide us further opportunities to gain market share during such times.

Evaluating Our Operating Performance

We report our results of operations in three segments: steel mills, steel products and raw materials. Most of the steel we produce in our mills is sold to outside customers (79% in 2021 and 80% in 2020), but a significant percentage is used internally by many of the facilities in our steel products segment (21% in 2021 and 20% in 2020).

We begin measuring our performance by comparing our net sales, both in total and by individual segment, during a reporting period with our net sales in the corresponding period in the prior year. In doing so, we focus on changes in and the reasons for such changes in the two key variables that have the greatest influence on our net sales: average sales price per ton during the period and total tons shipped to outside customers.

We also focus on both dollar and percentage changes in gross margins, which are key drivers of our profitability, and the reasons for such changes. There are many factors from period to period that can affect our gross margins. One consistent area of focus for us is changes in “metal margins,” which is the difference between the selling price of steel and the cost of scrap and scrap substitutes. Increases or decreases in the cost of scrap and scrap substitutes that are not offset by changes in the selling price of steel can quickly compress or expand our margins and reduce or increase our profitability.

Changes in marketing, administrative and other expenses, particularly profit sharing and other variable incentive-based payment costs, can have a material effect on our results of operations for a reporting period as well. These costs vary significantly from period to period as they are based upon changes in our pre-tax earnings and other profitability metrics that are a reflection of our pay-for-performance system that is closely tied to our levels of production.

Evaluating Our Financial Condition

We evaluate our financial condition each reporting period by focusing primarily on the amounts of and reasons for changes in cash provided by operating activities, our current ratio, the turnover rate of our accounts receivable and inventories, the amounts of and reasons for changes in cash used in or provided by investing activities (including projected capital expenditures) and financing activities and our cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments position at period end. We believe that our conservative financial practices have served us well in the past and are serving us well today. As a result, our financial position remains strong.

Comparison of 2021 to 2020

Results of Operations

Nucor reported consolidated net earnings of $6.83 billion, or $23.16 per diluted share, in 2021, making it by far the most profitable year in the Company’s history. This record year more than doubled the previous record for consolidated net earnings, which was $2.36 billion set in 2018, and more than tripled the previous record for diluted earnings per share, which was $7.42 per diluted share that was also set in 2018. By comparison, Nucor reported consolidated net earnings of $721.5 million, or $2.36 per diluted share, in 2020.

All three of Nucor’s operating segments reported very strong profitable in 2021. The steel mills segment operated at a 94% average utilization rate in 2021, as end-use market demand remained very strong throughout the year. Higher volumes, combined with increases in average selling prices that outpaced increases in the average cost of scrap and scrap substitutes, resulted in robust metal margins and record profits for the steel mills segment in 2021.

The steel products segment also had its most profitable year in 2021, surpassing its previous record that was set in 2020. This record performance was due to the continued strong demand in nonresidential construction markets. Most of the businesses within the steel products segment had increased profitability in 2021 compared to 2020, with the biggest increases coming from our joist, deck and tubular products businesses.

The raw materials segment also had its most profitable year in 2021 and was significantly increased from 2020. DJJ’s scrap brokerage and processing operations benefited from higher average selling prices and volumes. Our DRI facilities had a strong year of profitability in 2021, particularly in the first half of the year due to rising raw material prices. As the year progressed, the DRI facilities’ profitability waned as the cost of consumed iron ore increased and selling prices for scrap substitutes began to decrease.

The following discussion will provide greater quantitative and qualitative analysis of Nucor’s performance in 2021 as compared to 2020.

Net Sales

Net sales to external customers by segment for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 were as follows (in thousands):

Year Ended December 31,

Net sales for 2021 increased 81% from the prior year. Average sales price per ton increased 64% from $789 in 2020 to $1,292 in 2021. Total tons shipped to outside customers increased 11% from 25,519,000 tons in 2020 to 28,247,000 tons in 2021.

In the steel mills segment, sales tons for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 were as follows (in thousands):

Year Ended December 31,

Net sales for the steel mills segment increased 99% in 2021 from the prior year due to a 78% increase in the average sales price per ton, from $671 in 2020 to $1,195 in 2021, as well as a 12% increase in tons sold to outside customers. Average selling prices for our sheet, bar, structural and plate mills increased substantially in 2021 as compared to 2020.

Outside sales tonnage for the steel products segment for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 was as follows (in thousands):

Year Ended December 31,

Net sales for the steel products segment increased 47% in 2021 from the prior year due to a 41% increase in the average sales price per ton, from $1,382 in 2020 to $1,954 in 2021, as well as a 4% increase in volumes.

Net sales for the raw materials segment increased 86% in 2021 from the prior year primarily due to increased average selling prices and volumes at DJJ’s brokerage and scrap processing operations. In 2021, approximately 90% of outside sales for the raw materials segment were from the brokerage operations of DJJ, and approximately 8% of outside sales were from the scrap processing operations of DJJ (88% and 9%, respectively, in 2020).

Gross Margins

In 2021, Nucor recorded gross margins of $11.03 billion (30%), which was a substantial increase from $2.23 billion (11%) in 2020:

Scrap prices are driven by the global supply and demand for scrap and other iron-based raw materials used to make steel. Scrap prices increased during most of 2021, but began to decline late in the year. We are seeing the trend of lower scrap prices as we begin 2022.

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, increased from 2020 to 2021 due to the increased profitability of the Company. In 2021, profit sharing costs consisted of $869.9 million of contributions, including the Company’s matching contribution, made to the Company’s Profit Sharing and Retirement Savings Plan for qualified employees ($86.6 million in 2020). Other employee bonus costs also fluctuate based on Nucor’s achievement of certain financial performance goals, including achieving record earnings, and comparisons of Nucor’s financial performance to peers in the steel industry and other companies. Stock-based compensation included in marketing, administrative and other expenses increased by 111% to $61.7 million in 2021 compared with $29.2 million in 2020 and includes costs associated with vesting of stock awards granted in prior years.

Included in marketing, administrative and other expenses in 2020 was $18.2 million of restructuring charges related to the realignment of Nucor’s metal buildings business in the steel products segment.

Equity in (Earnings) Losses of Unconsolidated Affiliates

Equity in (earnings) losses of unconsolidated affiliates was ($103.1) million in 2021 and $10.5 million in 2020. The improvement in equity method investment earnings from 2020 to 2021 was primarily due to the increased results of NuMit and Nucor-JFE.

Losses and Impairments of Assets

In 2020, Nucor recorded losses on assets of $483.5 million related to our equity method investment in Duferdofin Nucor S.r.l. (“Duferdofin Nucor”). Nucor also recorded impairment charges in 2020 of $103.2 million related to certain inventory and long-lived assets in the steel mills segment, and $27.0 million related to the write-down of our unproved natural gas well assets included in the raw materials segment.

During 2021, Nucor recorded a non-cash loss on assets of $42.0 million related to our leasehold interest in unproved oil and natural gas properties in the raw materials segment. Also included in the 2021 results were losses on assets of $20.2 million in the steel products segment.

Interest Expense (Income)

Net interest expense for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 was as follows (in thousands):

Year Ended December 31,

Interest expense decreased in 2021 compared to 2020 due to lower average interest rates on debt and an increase in capital interest. Interest income decreased in 2021 compared to 2020 due to a decrease in average interest rates on investments.

Earnings Before Income Taxes and Noncontrolling Interests

The following table presents earnings before income taxes and noncontrolling interests by segment for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 (in thousands). The changes between periods were driven by the quantitative and qualitative factors previously discussed.

Year Ended December 31,

Earnings before income taxes and noncontrolling interests $ 9,200,858 $ 835,538

Noncontrolling Interests

Noncontrolling interests represent the income attributable to the noncontrolling partners of Nucor’s joint ventures, primarily Nucor–Yamato, of which Nucor owns 51%. The 157% increase in earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests in 2021 as compared to 2020 was primarily due to the increased earnings of Nucor–Yamato. Driving the significant increase in earnings at Nucor-Yamato in 2021 was higher average selling prices, volumes and metal margins. Under the Nucor–Yamato 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. In 2020, the amount of cash distributed to noncontrolling interest holders was more than the earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests based on mutual agreement of the general partners; however, the cumulative amount of cash distributed to partners was less than the cumulative net earnings of the partnership.

Provision for Income Taxes

The Company’s effective tax rate in 2021 was 22.59% compared with -0.06% in 2020. The 2020 effective rate included a net tax benefit of $201.9 million (-24.16%) for a tax loss on our investment in Duferdofin Nucor, a net tax benefit of $45.2 million (-5.41%) for state tax credits, and a federal tax benefit of $48.2 million (-5.77%) for the carryback of a federal tax net operating loss (an “NOL”) under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”). These benefits were all recognized in 2020 and were partially offset by the rate impact (11.2%) of financial statement impairments of $445.6 million which did not affect the provision for income taxes. The CARES Act allowed for an NOL generated in 2020 to be carried back to taxable years where the federal income tax rate was 35%. The difference in the tax rate in 2020 and tax years before the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 is the main driver of the federal tax NOL benefit in 2020, but this was partially offset by the partial loss of the domestic manufacturing deduction in the carryback year.

Nucor has concluded U.S. federal income tax matters for tax years through 2014 and for tax year 2016. The tax years 2015 and 2017 through 2020 remain open to examination by the Internal Revenue Service. The 2015 Canadian income tax returns for Harris Steel Group Inc. and certain related affiliates are currently under examination by the Canada Revenue Agency. The tax years 2015 through 2020 remain open to examination by other major taxing jurisdictions to which Nucor is subject (primarily Canada and other state and local jurisdictions).

Net Earnings and Return on Equity

Nucor reported net earnings of $6.83 billion, or $23.16 per diluted share, in 2021, compared to net earnings of $721.5 million, or $2.36 per diluted share, in 2020. Net earnings attributable to Nucor stockholders as a percentage of net sales were 18.7% and 3.6% in 2021 and 2020, respectively. Return on average stockholders’ equity was 55.0% and 6.8% in 2021 and 2020, respectively.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

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 and Poor’s and a Baa1 long-term rating from Moody’s. Our credit ratings are dependent, however, on many factors, both qualitative and quantitative, and are subject to change at any time. The disclosure of our credit ratings is made to enhance investors’ understanding of our sources of liquidity and the impact of our credit ratings on our cost of funds.

Nucor’s cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments and restricted cash and cash equivalents position remained strong at $2.76 billion as of December 31, 2021, compared with $3.16 billion as of December 31, 2020. Approximately $540.3 million and $316.0 million of the cash and cash equivalents position as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, was held by our majority-owned joint ventures. Cash flows provided by operating activities provide us with a significant source of liquidity. When needed, we have external short-term financing sources available, including the issuance of commercial paper and borrowings under our bank credit facilities.

We also issue long-term debt securities from time-to-time. In August 2021, Nucor became an obligor with respect to $197.0 million in 40-year variable-rate Green Bonds to partially fund the capital costs, in particular the expenditures associated with pollution prevention and control (including waste recycling and waste reduction), of the construction of our plate mill located in Brandenburg, Kentucky. Proceeds of the Green Bonds are held on Nucor’s balance sheet as restricted cash and cash equivalents until they are utilized in connection with the construction of the Brandenburg facility.

On November 5, 2021, Nucor completed an offer to exchange its existing 2.979% Notes due 2055 (the “2055 Notes”) that were not registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) for a like principal amount of notes having terms substantially identical as the 2055 Notes and that are registered under the Securities Act.

In November 2021, Nucor amended and restated its revolving credit facility to increase the borrowing capacity from $1.50 billion to $1.75 billion and to extend its maturity date to November 5, 2026. Our revolving credit facility remains undrawn.

We expect to continue to have adequate access to the capital markets at a reasonable cost of funds for liquidity purposes when needed.

Selected Measures of Liquidity and Capital Resources

(Dollars in thousands)

December 31,

Current ratio 2.5 3.6

The current ratio, which is calculated by dividing current assets by current liabilities, was 2.5 at year-end 2021 compared with 3.6 at year-end 2020. The current ratio was impacted by higher salaries, wages and related accruals for incentive compensation during a period of record operating profits. In addition, $600.0 million aggregate principal amount of our long-term debt outstanding will become due in September 2022 and was reclassified as a current maturity as of year-end 2021.

In 2021, total accounts receivable turned approximately every four weeks and inventories turned approximately every 10 weeks. These ratios compare with accounts receivable turnover of approximately every six weeks and inventory turnover of approximately every 11 weeks for 2020.

Funds provided by operations, cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, restricted cash and cash equivalents and new borrowings under existing credit facilities are expected to be adequate to meet future capital expenditures, current debt maturities and working capital requirements for existing operations for at least the next 24 months. We also believe we have adequate access to capital markets for liquidity purposes. In September 2022, $600.0 million aggregate principal amount of our outstanding 4.125% Notes due 2022 will mature, and in August 2023, $500.0 million aggregate principal amount of our 4.000% Notes due 2023 will mature.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We have a simple capital structure with no off-balance sheet arrangements or relationships with unconsolidated special purpose entities that we believe could have a material impact on our financial condition or liquidity.

Capital Allocation Strategy

We believe that our conservative financial practices have served us well in the past and are serving us well today. Nucor’s financial strength allows for a consistent, balanced approach to capital allocation throughout the business cycle. Nucor’s highest capital allocation priority is to invest in our business for 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 return capital to our stockholders through cash dividends and share repurchases. 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. The Company repurchased approximately $3.28 billion of shares of its common stock in 2021 (approximately $39.5 million in 2020 and $298.5 million in 2019).

Operating Activities

Cash provided by operating activities was $6.23 billion in 2021 as compared to $2.70 billion in 2020. This increase of $3.53 billion was primarily driven by an increase in net earnings of $6.29 billion over the prior year, which included $62.2 million of non-cash losses and impairments of assets ($613.6 million of non-cash losses and impairments of assets in 2020). These increases were partially offset by the changes in operating assets and liabilities resulting in a net outflow of $1.86 billion in 2021 as compared to a net inflow of $204 million in 2020. The changes in working capital were primarily due to increases in inventory and accounts receivable from year-end 2020 to the end of 2021 as compared to the same prior year period, offset by increases in salaries, wages and related accruals, federal income taxes and accounts payable. Accounts receivable at the end of 2021 increased from the prior year-end resulting in a cash outflow of $1.39 billion due to a 100% increase in composite sales price (in 2020, accounts receivable increased from the prior year-end by a lesser amount for an outflow of only $129.3 million). From year-end 2020 to year-end 2021, inventories increased resulting in an outflow of $2.31 billion due to a 19% increase in inventory tons and a 47% increase in average scrap and scrap substitutes cost per ton in inventory. This compares to inventories at year-end 2020 decreasing from year-end 2019 and resulting in a $284.1 million cash inflow. Salaries, wages and related accruals increased due to higher current year profit sharing and incentive compensation accruals due to record operating profits. Federal income taxes also increased due to the increased profitability of the Company and accounts payable increased due to the increases in inventory mentioned previously.

Investing Activities

Our business is capital intensive; therefore, cash used in investing activities primarily represents capital expenditures for the construction of new facilities, the expansion and upgrading of existing facilities and the acquisition of other companies. Cash used in investing activities in 2021 was $2.87 billion as compared to $1.76 billion in 2020. The increase in cash used in investing activities was primarily due to a $1.34 billion increase in cash used to fund acquisitions, mainly the August 2021 purchases of the IMP business of Cornerstone and the steel racking solutions business from Hannibal. Cash used for capital expenditures increased by $78.8 million to $1.62 billion in 2021 as compared to $1.54 billion in 2020. The primary drivers of capital expenditures were related to the sheet mill expansion at Nucor Steel Gallatin, the flex galvanizing line at Nucor Steel Arkansas, and the new plate mill in Brandenburg, Kentucky. The increases in cash used in investing activities in 2021 was partially offset by an increase in proceeds from the sale of investments of $648.9 million in 2021 as compared to $392.2 million in 2020.

Financing Activities

Cash used in financing activities during 2021 was $3.60 billion as compared to cash provided by financing activities of $285.9 million in 2020. The largest driver of this change was the $3.28 billion of stock repurchases in 2021 as compared to $39.5 million in the prior year. This was partially offset primarily by a decrease in proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt of approximately $1.00 billion (proceeds of $197.0 million in 2021 related to the issuance of additional 40-year variable-rate Green Bonds as compared to aggregate issuances of $1.24 billion in 2020).

Our revolving credit facility is undrawn and was amended and restated in November 2021 to increase the borrowing capacity from $1.50 billion to $1.75 billion and to extend the maturity date to November 5, 2026. The revolving credit facility includes only one financial covenant, which is a limit of 60% on the ratio of funded debt to total capital. In addition, the undrawn revolving 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 December 31, 2021, Nucor’s funded debt to total capital ratio was 28%, and Nucor was in compliance with all covenants under the credit facility.

Market Risk

Nucor’s largest exposure to market risk is in our steel mills and steel products segments. Our utilization rates for the steel mills and steel products facilities for the fourth quarter of 2021 were 89% and 71%, respectively. A significant portion of our steel mills and steel products segments’ sales are into the commercial, industrial and municipal construction markets. Our largest single customer in 2021 represented just 5% of sales and consistently pays within terms. In the raw materials segment, we are exposed to price fluctuations related to the purchase of scrap steel, pig iron 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 this segment and the prices we receive for our steel and steel products tend to be correlated with the prices we pay for these materials.

Nucor’s tax-exempt industrial development revenue bonds (“IDRBs”) have variable interest rates that are adjusted weekly. These IDRBs represented 24%of Nucor’s long-term debt outstanding at December 31, 2021. The remaining 76%of Nucor’s long-term debt is at fixed rates. Future changes in interest rates are not expected to significantly impact earnings. From time to time, Nucor makes use of interest rate swaps to manage interest rate risk. As of December 31, 2021, there were no such contracts outstanding. Nucor’s investment practice is to invest in securities that are highly liquid with short maturities. As a result, we do not expect changes in interest rates to have a significant impact on the value of our investment securities recorded as short-term investments.

Nucor also uses derivative financial instruments from time to time to partially manage its exposure to price risk related to purchases of natural gas used in the production process, as well as scrap, copper and aluminum purchased for resale to its customers. In addition, Nucor uses forward foreign exchange contracts from time to time to hedge cash flows associated with certain assets and liabilities, firm commitments and anticipated transactions. Nucor generally does not enter into derivative instruments for any purpose other than hedging the cash flows associated with specific volumes of commodities that will be purchased and processed or sold in future periods and hedging the exposures related to changes in the fair value of outstanding fixed-rate debt instruments and foreign currency transactions. Nucor recognizes all derivative instruments in the consolidated balance sheets at fair value.

The Company 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.

Dividends

Nucor has increased its base cash dividend every year since it began paying dividends in 1973. Nucor paid dividends of $1.62 per share in 2021, compared with $1.61 per share in 2020. In December 2021, the Board of Directors increased the regular quarterly cash dividend on Nucor’s common stock to $0.50 per share. Nucor returned approximately $3.76 billion in capital to its stockholders in the form of base dividends and share repurchases in 2021. In February 2022, the Board of Directors declared Nucor’s 196th consecutive quarterly cash dividend of $0.50 per share payable on May 11, 2022 to stockholders of record as of March 31, 2022.

Contractual Obligations and Other Commercial Commitments

The following table sets forth our contractual obligations and other commercial commitments as of December 31, 2021 for the periods presented (in thousands):

Payments Due By Period

Note:In addition to the amounts shown in the table above, $95.1 million of unrecognized tax benefits have been recorded as liabilities, and we are uncertain as to if or when such amounts may be settled. Related to these unrecognized tax benefits, we have also recorded a liability for potential penalties and interest of $17.5 million at December 31, 2021.

Outlook

In 2022, we expect to continue to take advantage of our position of strength to grow Nucor’s long-term earnings power and stockholder value by continuing to execute on our balanced capital allocation framework and successfully focusing on profitable growth strategies. We have invested significant capital over a broad range of strategic acquisitions and investments that we believe will further enhance our ability to: grow Nucor’s long-term earnings power by increasing our channels to market, expanding our product portfolios into higher value-added offerings that are less vulnerable to imports, improving our cost structure, and further building upon our market leadership positions and further enhance our commercial excellence. We are utilizing Nucor’s financial strength to execute on investment opportunities to further grow our long-term earnings capacity.

End-use market demand remains strong for steel and steel products, and we anticipate that 2022 will be another year of strong profitability for Nucor. We expect consolidated net earnings attributable to Nucor stockholders in the first quarter of 2022 will be slightly reduced from the record results of the fourth quarter of 2021. Diluted earnings per share for first quarter of 2022 should benefit from lower weighted average shares outstanding.

Steel mill segment earnings are expected to decline in the first quarter of 2022 due to decreased profitability of our sheet mills. The steel products segment is expected to achieve further margin expansion and profitability in the first quarter of 2022 as backlog pricing has improved reflecting higher steel costs. Earnings of the raw materials segment are expected to improve slightly in the first quarter of 2022 as compared to the fourth quarter of 2021 due to the improved profitability of our DRI facilities, partially offset by the impact of lower scrap prices on our scrap brokerage and processing operations.

We are ever mindful of the threat of increases in imported steel stemming from the still significant excess foreign steel capacity. Over the past decade, the steel industry has won several important trade cases that addressed unfairly traded imports.

We are committed to executing on the opportunities we see ahead to reward Nucor stockholders with very attractive long-term returns on their valuable capital invested in our company. Our industry-leading financial strength allows us to support investments in our facilities that we believe will enable us to generate increased profitability. Capital expenditures are currently projected to be approximately $2.3 billion in 2022 and, as we have in our past, we will allocate capital to investments that we believe will build our long-term earnings power.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America. The preparation of these consolidated financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at year end and the reported amount of revenues and expenses during the year. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates, including those related to the valuation allowances for receivables, the carrying value of non-current assets and reserves for environmental obligations and income taxes. Our estimates are based on historical experience and various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Accordingly, actual costs could differ materially from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. We believe the following critical accounting policies affect our significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements.

Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. The Company records any amount required to reduce the carrying value of inventory to net realizable value as a charge to cost of products sold. Scrap and scrap substitute costs are a very significant component of the raw material, semi-finished and finished product inventory balances. The vast majority of the Company’s inventory is recorded on the first-in, first-out method. Production costs are applied to semi-finished and finished product inventory from the approximate period in which they are produced.

Long-Lived Asset Impairments

We evaluate our property, plant and equipment and finite-lived intangible assets for potential impairment on an individual asset basis or at the lowest level asset grouping for which cash flows can be independently identified. Asset impairments are assessed whenever circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts of those productive assets could exceed their projected undiscounted cash flows. In developing estimated values for assets that we currently use in our operations, we utilize judgments and assumptions of future undiscounted cash flows that the assets will produce. When it is determined that an impairment exists, the related assets are written down to estimated fair market value.Management determined that no long-lived asset impairment testing was required in 2021.

Certain long-lived asset groupings were tested for impairment during the fourth quarter of 2020. Undiscounted cash flows for each asset grouping were estimated using management’s long-range estimates of market conditions associated with each asset grouping over the estimated useful life of the principal asset within the group. Our undiscounted cash flow analysis indicated that,other than the groupings discussed below, the testedlong-lived asset groupings were recoverable as of December 31, 2020.

Steel Mills Segment Asset Impairments

In 2019, Nucor recorded a non-cash impairment charge of $20.0 million related to certain property, plant and equipment at our plate mill in Texas. This charge is included in losses and impairments of assets in the consolidated statement of earnings for the year ended December 31, 2019.

In 2020, Nucor recorded non-cash impairment charges totaling $103.2 million related to certain inventory and long-lived assets, which primarily related to our Castrip sheet mill operations. Due to the advancements in the capabilities at our new cold mill and galvanizing line we have under construction at Nucor Steel Arkansas, we believe the value of the technology and process has diminished for Nucor. As such, the existing Castrip assets are not expected to be materially utilized going forward. These charges are included in losses and impairments of assets in the consolidated statement of earnings for the year ended December 31, 2020.

Raw Materials Segment Asset Impairments

In the fourth quarter of 2019, due to the deteriorating natural gas pricing environment at our sales point in the Piceance Basin as well as the decreased performance of the natural gas well assets, Nucor determined a triggering event had occurred and performed an impairment analysis on all three fields of wells. As a result of the fourth quarter of 2019 analysis, a $35.0 million non-cash impairment charge was recorded on one field of wells. An increase in the estimated lease operating cost projections was the primary factor in causing this field of wells to be impaired. The non-cash impairment charge is included in losses and impairments of assets in the consolidated statement of earnings for the year ended December 31, 2019.

One of the primary assumptions that 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 assessments 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 estimates on the expected reserve levels and on the expected lease operating costs. The impairment assessments were performed on each of Nucor’s three fields of wells, with each field defined by common geographic location. The combined carrying value of the three fields of wells was $65.2 million at December 31, 2021 ($71.7 million at December 31, 2020).

Changes in the natural gas industry or a prolonged low-price environment beyond what had already been assumed in the assessments could cause management to revise the natural gas and natural gas liquids price assumptions, the estimated reserves or the estimated lease operating costs. Unfavorable revisions to these assumptions or estimates could possibly result in further impairment of some or all of the fields of proved well assets.

In 2020, regulatory authorities in Colorado adopted new rules that became effective January 2021. One of these rules increases drilling setback distances. In the fourth quarter of 2020, Nucor determined a triggering event had occurred, as we do not expect to be able to access the full extent of the resources in the ground, and performed an impairment analysis. As a result, Nucor recorded a $27.0 million non-cash impairment charge related to the write-down of our leasehold interest in unproved oil and gas properties. This charge is included in losses and impairments of assets in the consolidated statement of earnings for the year ended December 31, 2020.

In the second quarter of 2021, Nucor decided that it would not develop a portion of its unproved oil and natural gas properties (“Portion A”) within the contractually specified time period related to Portion A. As a result of this decision, the Company will forfeit its leasehold rights for Portion A. The Company recorded a charge of $42.0 million to write off the value of Portion A that is included in losses and impairments of assets in the consolidated statement of earnings for the year ended December 31, 2021. The decision not to develop Portion A was heavily influenced by the approaching deadline to commence development combined with Portion A’s expected near-term profitability not achieving management’s desired returns relative to the cost of development. A significant portion of the Company’s remaining leasehold interest in unproved oil and natural gas properties are held by production. Accordingly, management does not believe the value assigned to those portions needs to be evaluated at this time. The carrying value of the remaining portions of unproved oil and natural gas properties was $96.0 million at December 31, 2021.

Goodwill and Intangibles

Goodwill is tested annually for impairment and whenever events or circumstances change that would make it more likely than not that an impairment may have occurred. We perform our annual impairment analysis as of the first day of the fourth quarter each year. The evaluation of impairment involves comparing the current estimated fair value of each reporting unit to the recorded value, including goodwill.

When appropriate, Nucor performs a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. For certain reporting units, it is necessary to perform a quantitative analysis. In these instances, a discounted cash flow model is used to determine the current estimated fair value of these reporting units. Significant assumptions used to determine the fair value of each reporting unit as part of our annual testing (and any required interim testing) include: (i) expected cash flow for the five-year period following the testing date (including market share, sales volumes and prices, raw materials and other costs to produce and estimated capital needs); (ii) an estimated terminal value using a terminal year growth rate determined based on the growth prospects of the reporting unit; (iii) a discount rate based on management’s best estimate of the after-tax weighted-average cost of capital; and (iv) a probability-weighted scenario approach by which varying cash flows are assigned to certain scenarios based on the likelihood of occurrence. Management considers historical and anticipated future results, general economic and market conditions, the impact of planned business and operational strategies and all available information at the time the fair values of its reporting units are estimated. Those estimates and judgments may or may not ultimately prove appropriate.

Our fourth quarter 2021 annual goodwill impairment analysis did not result in an impairment charge. Management does not believe that future impairment of these reporting units is probable. However, the performance of certain businesses that comprise our reporting units requires continued improvement. An increase of approximately 50 basis points in the discount rate, a critical assumption in which a minor change can have a significant impact on the estimated fair value, would not result in an impairment charge. See Note 8 to the Company’s consolidated financial statements for further discussion of the results of the Company’s 2021 annual goodwill impairment analysis.

Nucor will continue to monitor operating results within all reporting units throughout 2022 in an effort to determine if events and circumstances warrant further interim impairment testing. Otherwise, all reporting units will again be subject to the required annual qualitative and/or quantitative impairment test during our fourth quarter of 2022. Changes in the judgments and estimates underlying our analysis of goodwill for possible impairment, including expected future operating cash flows and discount rate, could decrease the estimated fair value of our reporting units in the future and could result in an impairment of goodwill.

Equity Method Investments

Investments in joint ventures in which Nucor shares control over the financial and operating decisions but in which Nucor is not the primary beneficiary are accounted for under the equity method. Each of the Company’s equity method investments is subject to a review for impairment if, and when, circumstances indicate that a decline in value below its carrying amount may have occurred. Examples of such circumstances include, but are not limited to, a significant deterioration in the earnings performance or business prospects of the investee; missed financial projections; a significant adverse change in the regulatory, tax, economic or technological environment of the investee; a significant adverse change in the general market condition of either the geographic area or the industry in which the investee operates; and recurring negative cash flows from operations. When management considers the decline to be other than temporary, the Company would write down the related investment to its estimated fair market value. An other-than-temporary decline in carrying value is determined to have occurred when, in management’s judgment, a decline in fair value below carrying value is of such length of time and/or severity that it is considered long-term.

In the event that an impairment review is necessary, we calculate the estimated fair value of our equity method investments using a probability-weighted multiple-scenario income approach. Management’s analysis includes three discounted cash flow scenarios (best case, base case and recessionary case), which contain forecasted near-term cash flows under each scenario. Generally, (i) the best case scenario contains estimates of future results ranging from slightly higher than recent operating performance to levels that are consistent with historical operating and financial performance; (ii) the base case scenario contains estimates of future results ranging from generally in line with recent operating performance to levels that are more conservative than historical operating and financial performance; and (iii) the recessionary case scenario contains estimates of future results which include limited growth resulting only from operational cost improvements and limited benefits of new higher-value product offerings. Management determines the probability that each cash flow scenario will come to fruition based on the specific facts and circumstances of each of the preceding scenarios, with the base case typically receiving the majority of the weighting.

Key assumptions used to determine the fair value of our equity method investments include: (i) expected cash flow for the six-year period following the testing date (including market share, sales volumes and prices, costs to produce and estimated capital needs); (ii) an estimated terminal value using a terminal year growth rate determined based on the growth prospects of the investment; (iii) a discount rate based on management’s best estimate of the after-tax weighted-average cost of capital; and (iv) a probability-weighted scenario approach by which varying cash flows are assigned to certain scenarios based on the likelihood of occurrence. While the assumptions that most significantly affect the fair value determination include projected revenues, metal margins and discount rate, the assumptions are often interdependent, and no single factor predominates in determining the estimated fair value. Management considers historical and anticipated future results, general economic and market conditions, the impact of planned business and operational strategies and all available information at the time the fair values of its investments are estimated. Those estimates and judgments may or may not ultimately prove appropriate.

Nucor determined that a triggering event occurred in the first quarter of 2020 with respect to its equity method investment in Duferdofin Nucor due to adverse developments in the joint venture’s commercial outlook, which were exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, all of which negatively impacted the joint venture’s strategic direction. After completing its impairment assessment, Nucor determined that the carrying amount exceeded its estimated fair value and the impairment condition was considered to be other than temporary. Therefore, Nucor recorded a $250.0 million impairment charge in the first quarter of 2020. The assumptions that most significantly affected the fair value determination included projected cash flows and the discount rate. The Company-specific inputs for measuring fair value are considered “Level 3” or unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data under applicable fair value authoritative guidance, as quoted market prices are not available.

Throughout 2020, additional capital contributions were made by the Company to Duferdofin Nucor that were immediately impaired. These additional capital contributions resulted in $5.0 million, $6.6 million and $25.4 million impairment charges against our investment in Duferdofin Nucor in the second, third and fourth quarters of 2020, respectively. Also, in the fourth quarter of 2020, Nucor reclassified into earnings, $158.6 million of cumulative foreign currency translation losses on our investment in Duferdofin Nucor. In 2020, total impairment charges, including the charge associated with forgiving and outstanding note receivable, related to our investment in Duferdofin Nucor were approximately $483.5 million. These non-cash impairment charges are included in the steel mills segment and in losses and impairments of assets in the consolidated statement of earnings for the year ended December 31, 2020.

Income Taxes

We utilize the liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under the liability method, deferred taxes are determined based on the temporary differences between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities using tax rates expected to be in effect during the years in which the basis differences reverse. A valuation allowance is recorded when it is more likely than not that some of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. We recognize the effect of income tax positions only if those positions are more likely than not of being sustained. Potential accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits within operations are recognized as a component of interest expense and other expenses.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements made in this report, or in other public filings, press releases, or other written or oral communications made by Nucor, which are not historical facts are forward-looking statements subject to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties which we expect will or may occur in the future and may impact our business, financial condition and results of operations. The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “project,” “may,” “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 market 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, inflation and interest rate changes; (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, 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; (13) our safety performance; (14) the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and any variants of the virus; and (15) the risks discussed in “Item 1A. Risk Factors” of this report.

Caution should be taken not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements included in this report. We assume no obligation to update any forward-looking statements except as may be required by law. In evaluating forward-looking statements, these risks and uncertainties should be considered, together with the other risks described from time to time in our reports and other filings with the SEC.

Item 7A. 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. At December 31, 2021, approximately 24% of Nucor’s long-term debt was in industrial revenue bonds that have variable interest rates that are adjusted weekly. The remaining 76% of Nucor’s long-term debt was at fixed rates. Future changes in interest rates are not expected to significantly impact earnings. Nucor also occasionally makes use of interest rate swaps to manage net exposure to interest rate changes. As of December 31, 2021, there were no such contracts outstanding. Nucor’s investment practice is to invest in securities that are highly liquid with short maturities. As a result, we do not expect changes in interest rates to have a significant impact on the value of our investment securities recorded as short-term investments.

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 materials 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 partially 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 consolidated balance sheets and recognized in net earnings in the same period as the underlying physical transaction. At December 31, 2021, accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of income taxes included $1.1 million in unrealized net-of-tax gains for the fair value of these derivative instruments. Changes in the fair values of derivatives not designated as hedges are recognized in earnings each period. The following table presents the negative effect on pre-tax earnings of a hypothetical change in the fair value of the derivative instruments outstanding at December 31, 2021, 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

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 December 31, 2021 and 2020 were insignificant.

Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

Index to Financial Statements

Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting 51

Consolidated Balance Sheets 55

Consolidated Statements of Earnings 56

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income 57

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity 58

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows 59

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 60

MANAGEMENT’S REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING

Nucor’s management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Management assessed the effectiveness of Nucor’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021. In making this assessment, management used criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013).

Our assessment did not include the internal controls over financial reporting of the insulated metal panels (“IMP”) business of Cornerstone Building Brands, Inc. (“Cornerstone”) and Hannibal Industries, Inc. (“Hannibal”), which were acquired on August 9, 2021 and August 20, 2021, respectively. Total assets (excluding goodwill and intangible assets, which are included within the scope of our assessment) and total revenues of these combined acquisitions collectively represent 2.67% and 1.12%, respectively, of the related consolidated financial statement amounts as of and for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021.

Based on its assessment, management concluded that Nucor’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2021. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, has audited the effectiveness of Nucor’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021 as stated in their report which is included herein.

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Stockholders and Board of Directors of Nucor Corporation

Opinions on the Financial Statements and Internal Control over Financial Reporting

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Nucor Corporation and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, and the related consolidated statements of earnings, of comprehensive income, of stockholders' equity and of cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2021, including the related notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). We also have audited the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2021 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the COSO.

Basis for Opinions

The Company's management is responsible for these consolidated financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting appearing under Item 8. Our responsibility is to express opinions on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and on the Company's internal control over financial reporting based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud, and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.

Our audits of the consolidated financial statements included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

As described in Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting, management has excluded the insulated metal panels (“IMP”) business of Cornerstone Building Brands, Inc. and Hannibal Industries, Inc. (“Hannibal”) from its assessment of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021, because they were acquired by the Company in purchase business combinations during 2021. We have also excluded IMP and Hannibal from our audit of internal control over financial reporting. IMP and Hannibal are wholly-owned subsidiaries whose total assets and total revenues excluded from management’s assessment and our audit of internal control over financial reporting collectively represent approximately 2.67% and 1.12%, respectively, of the related consolidated financial statement amounts as of and for the year ended December 31, 2021.

Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Critical Audit Matters

The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that (i) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (ii) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.

Goodwill Impairment Analysis - Rebar Fabrication Reporting Unit

As described in Notes 2 and 8 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company’s consolidated goodwill balance was $2.8 billion as of December 31, 2021, and total goodwill associated with the Rebar Fabrication reporting unit was $363.0 million. Goodwill is tested annually for impairment and whenever events or circumstances change that would make it more likely than not that an impairment may have occurred. Management completed its 2021 goodwill impairment analysis as of the first day of the fourth quarter of 2021. The evaluation of impairment involves comparing the current estimated fair value of each reporting unit to the recorded value, including goodwill. For certain reporting units, it is necessary to perform a quantitative analysis. In these instances, a discounted cash flow model is used to determine the current estimated fair value of these reporting units. As disclosed by management, significant assumptions used to determine the fair value of each reporting unit as part of management’s annual testing, and any required interim testing include (i) expected cash flow for the five-year period following the testing date (including market share, sales volumes and prices, raw material costs and other costs to produce and estimated capital needs); (ii) an estimated terminal value using a terminal year growth rate determined based on the growth prospects of the reporting unit; (iii) a discount rate based on management’s best estimate of the after-tax weighted-average cost of capital; and (iv) a probability-weighted scenario approach by which varying cash flows are assigned to certain scenarios based on the likelihood of occurrence.

The principal considerations for our determination that performing procedures relating to the goodwill impairment analysis for the Rebar Fabrication reporting unit is a critical audit matter are the significant judgment by management when determining the fair value of the reporting unit, which in turn led to significant auditor judgment, subjectivity, and effort in performing procedures and evaluating management’s significant assumptions related to sales prices, raw material costs, the terminal year growth rate and the discount rate assumption.

Addressing the matter involved performing procedures and evaluating audit evidence in connection with forming our overall opinion on the consolidated financial statements. These procedures included testing the effectiveness of controls relating to management’s goodwill impairment assessment, including controls over the underlying assumptions related to the fair value of the reporting unit. These procedures also included, among others, testing management’s process for developing the fair value estimate of the Rebar Fabrication reporting unit; evaluating the appropriateness of the discounted cash flow model; testing the completeness, accuracy, and relevance of underlying data used in the model; and evaluating the significant assumptions used by management related to the sales prices, raw material costs, terminal year growth rate and discount rate. Evaluating management’s assumptions related to sales prices, raw material costs and the terminal year growth rate involved evaluating whether the assumptions used by management were reasonable considering (i) the current and past performance of the reporting unit, (ii) the consistency with external market and industry data, and (iii) whether the assumptions were consistent with evidence obtained in other areas of the audit. Professionals with specialized skill and knowledge were used to assist in the evaluation of the Company’s discounted cash flow model and the discount rate assumption.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Charlotte, North Carolina

February 28, 2022

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 1989.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands)

December 31,

ASSETS

Current assets:

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

Current liabilities:

Commitments and contingencies (Notes 13, 15 and 16)

Equity

Nucor stockholders’ equity (Notes 12, 16 and 20):

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS

(In thousands, except per share data)

Year Ended December 31,

Costs, expenses and other:

Net earnings per share (Note 21):

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(In thousands)

Year Ended December 31,

Other comprehensive income (loss):

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(In thousands, except per share data)

Nucor Stockholders

Accumulated Total

Additional Other Treasury Stock Nucor

Total Shares Amount Capital Earnings Loss Shares Amount Equity Interests

Other comprehensive income (loss) (718 ) — — — — (718 ) — — (718 ) —

Amortization of unearned compensation 2,008 — — 2,008 — — — — 2,008 —

Distributions to noncontrolling interests (76,347 ) — — — — — — — — (76,347 )

Amortization of unearned compensation 1,753 — — 1,753 — — — — 1,753 —

Distributions to noncontrolling interests (115,508 ) — — — — — — — — (115,508 )

Other comprehensive income (loss) 3,579 — — — — 3,579 — — 3,579 —

Amortization of unearned compensation 1,600 — — 1,600 — — — — 1,600 —

Distributions to noncontrolling interests (150,700 ) — — — — — — — — (150,700 )

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands)

Year Ended December 31,

Operating activities:

Adjustments:

Changes in assets and liabilities (exclusive of acquisitions and dispositions):

Investing activities:

Investment in and advances to affiliates (237 ) (44,427 ) (45,834 )

Divestiture of affiliates — — 67,591

Financing activities:

Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt, net of discount 196,990 1,237,635 —

Repayment of long-term debt — (97,150 ) —

Premium on debt exchange — (180,383 ) —

Bond issuance costs — (6,250 ) —

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash (316 ) 1,887 907

Non-cash investing activity:

Change in accrued plant and equipment purchases $ 78,375 $ (16,103 ) $ 34,777

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

NUCOR CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2021, 2020 AND 2019

1. Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation

Nature of Operations

Nucor is principally a manufacturer of steel and steel products, as well as a scrap broker and processor, with operating facilities and customers primarily located in North America.

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include Nucor and its controlled subsidiaries, including Nucor-Yamato Steel Company (Limited Partnership) (“Nucor-Yamato”), of which Nucor owns 51%. All intercompany transactions are eliminated.

Distributions are made to noncontrolling interest partners in Nucor-Yamato Steel Company (Limited Partnership) in accordance with the limited partnership agreement by mutual agreement of the general partners. At a minimum, sufficient cash is distributed so that each partner may pay its U.S. federal and state income taxes.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash equivalents are recorded at cost plus accrued interest, which approximates fair value, and have original maturities of three months or less at the date of purchase. Cash and cash equivalents are maintained primarily with a few high-credit quality financial institutions.

Short-term Investments

Short-term investments are recorded at cost plus accrued interest, which approximates fair value. Unrealized gains and losses on investments classified as available-for-sale are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Management determines the appropriate classification of its investments at the time of purchase and re-evaluates such determination at each balance sheet date.

Inventories

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment is stated at cost, except for property, plant and equipment acquired through acquisitions which is recorded at acquisition date fair value. With the exception of our natural gas wells, depreciation primarily is provided on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Depletion of all capitalized costs associated with our natural gas producing properties is expensed on a unit-of-production basis by individual field as the gas from the proved developed reserves is produced. The costs of acquiring unproved natural gas leasehold acreage are capitalized. When proved reserves are found on unproved properties, the associated leasehold cost is transferred to proved properties. Unproved leases are reviewed periodically for any impairment triggering event, and a valuation allowance is provided for any estimated decline in value. The costs of planned major maintenance activities are capitalized as part of other current assets and amortized over the period until the next scheduled major maintenance activity. All other repairs and maintenance activities are expensed when incurred.

Goodwill and Other Intangibles

Goodwill is the excess of cost over the fair value of net assets of businesses acquired. Goodwill is not amortized but is tested annually for impairment and whenever events or circumstances change that would make it more likely than not that an impairment may have occurred. We perform our annual impairment analysis as of the first day of the fourth quarter each year. The evaluation of impairment involves comparing the current estimated fair value of each reporting unit, which is a level below the reportable segment, to the recorded value, including goodwill. When appropriate, Nucor performs a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. For certain reporting units, it is necessary to perform a quantitative analysis. In these instances, a discounted cash flow model is used to determine the current estimated fair value of these reporting units. A number of significant assumptions and estimates are involved in the application of the discounted cash flow model to forecast operating cash flows, which could include market growth and market share, sales volumes and prices, raw materials and other costs to produce, discount rate and estimated capital needs. Management considers historical experience and all available information at the time the fair values of its reporting units are estimated. Assumptions in estimating future cash flows are subject to a high degree of judgment and complexity. Changes in assumptions and estimates may affect the fair value of goodwill and could result in impairment charges in future periods.

Finite-lived intangible assets are amortized over their estimated useful lives on a straight-line or accelerated basis.

Long-Lived Asset Impairments

Equity Method Investments

Investments in joint ventures in which Nucor shares control over the financial and operating decisions but in which Nucor is not the primary beneficiary are accounted for under the equity method. Each of the Company’s equity method investments is subject to a review for impairment if, and when, circumstances indicate that a decline in fair value below its carrying amount may have occurred. Examples of such circumstances include, but are not limited to, a significant deterioration in the earnings performance or business prospects of the investee; missed financial projections; a significant adverse change in the regulatory, tax, economic or technological environment of the investee; a significant adverse change in the general market condition of either the geographic area or the industry in which the investee operates; and recurring negative cash flows from operations. When management considers the decline to be other than temporary, the Company would write down the related investment to its estimated fair market value.

Revenue Recognition

Nucor recognizes revenue when obligations under the terms of contracts with our customers are satisfied and collection is reasonably assured; generally, obligations under the terms of contracts are satisfied upon shipment or when control is transferred. Revenue is measured as the amount of consideration expected to be received in exchange for transferring the goods. In addition, revenue is deferred when cash payments are received or due in advance of performance. See Note 23 for further information.

Income Taxes

Nucor utilizes the liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under the liability method, deferred taxes are determined based on the temporary differences between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities using tax rates expected to be in effect during the years in which the basis differences reverse. A valuation allowance is recorded when it is more likely than not that some of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.

Nucor recognizes the effect of income tax positions only if those positions are more likely than not of being sustained. Potential accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits are recognized as a component of interest expense and other expenses.

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company recognizes the cost of stock-based compensation as an expense using fair value measurement methods. The assumptions used to calculate the fair value of stock-based compensation granted are evaluated and revised for new grants, as necessary, to reflect market conditions and experience.

Foreign Currency Translation

For Nucor’s operations where the functional currency is other than the U.S. dollar, assets and liabilities have been translated at year-end exchange rates, and income and expenses have been translated using average exchange rates for the respective periods. Adjustments resulting from the process of translating an entity’s financial statements into the U.S. dollar have been recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and are included in net earnings only upon sale or liquidation of the underlying investments. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses are included in net earnings in the period they occur.

3. Short-term Investments

Nucor held $253.0 million of short-term investments as of December 31, 2021 ($408.0 million as of December 31, 2020). The investments held as of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 consisted mainly of several certificates of deposit (“CD’s”), commercial paper and corporate bonds, which were classified as available-for-sale. Interest income on the CD’s and corporate bonds was recorded as earned.

No realized or unrealized gains or losses were incurred in 2021, 2020 or 2019.

4. Accounts Receivable

An allowance for doubtful accounts is maintained for estimated losses resulting from the inability of our customers to make required payments. Accounts receivable are stated net of the allowance for doubtful accounts of $95.4 million at December 31, 2021 ($51.3 million at December 31, 2020 and $59.9 million at December 31, 2019).

5. Inventories

Inventories consisted of approximately 43% raw materials and supplies and 57% finished and semi-finished products at December 31, 2021 (42% and 58%, respectively, at December 31, 2020). 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.

6. 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.

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 control 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):

Year Ended December 31,

Finance lease cost:

Amortization of leased assets Cost of products sold $ 13,513 $ 9,735 $ 9,810

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

Year Ended December 31,

Cash paid for amounts included in measurement of lease liabilities:

Non-cash investing and financing activities:

Additions to right-of-use assets obtained from

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

December 31,

Assets:

Finance lease Property, plant and equipment, net 162,427 76,231

Liabilities:

Non-current operating Deferred credits and other liabilities 74,161 75,736

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

Weighted-average remaining lease term - operating leases 8.5 Years

Weighted-average remaining lease term - finance leases 14.0 Years

Weighted-average discount rate - operating leases 3.0%

Weighted-average discount rate - finance leases 14.9%

The reason for the substantial weighted-average discount rate – finance leases, of 14.9%, is due to Nucor’s past accounting for the respective finance leases under 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 year for our leases were as follows as of December 31, 2021 (in thousands):

Operating Leases Finance Leases

Maturities of lease liabilities, year ending December 31,

7. Property, Plant and Equipment

(in thousands)

Leasehold interest in unproved oil and gas properties 96,000 138,000

The estimated useful lives primarily range from five to 25 years for land improvements, four to 40 years for buildings and improvements and two to 15 years for machinery and equipment. The useful life for proved oil and gas properties is based on the unit-of-production method and varies by well.

Steel Mills Segment Asset Impairments

In 2020, Nucor recorded non-cash impairment charges totaling $103.2 million related to certain inventory and long-lived assets, which primarily related to our Castrip sheet mill operations. Due to the advancements in the capabilities at our new cold mill and galvanizing line at Nucor Steel Arkansas, we believe the value of the technology and process has diminished for Nucor. As such, the existing Castrip assets are not expected to be materially utilized going forward. These charges are included in losses and impairments of assets in the consolidated statement of earnings for the year ended December 31, 2020.

Raw Materials Segment Asset Impairments

In the fourth quarter of 2019, due to the deteriorating natural gas pricing environment at our sales point in the Piceance Basin as well as the decreased performance of its natural gas well assets, Nucor determined a triggering event had occurred and performed an impairment analysis on all three groups (“fields”) of wells. As a result of the fourth quarter of 2019 analysis, a $35.0 million non-cash impairment charge was recorded on one field of wells. An increase in the estimated lease operating cost projections was the primary factor in causing this field of wells to be impaired. The non-cash impairment charge is included in losses and impairments of assets in the consolidated statement of earnings for the year ended December 31, 2019.

In 2020, regulatory authorities in Colorado adopted new rules that became effective January 2021. One of these rules increased drilling setback distances. In the fourth quarter of 2020, Nucor determined a triggering event had occurred, as we do not expect to be able to access the full extent of the resources in the ground, and performed an impairment analysis. As a result, Nucor recorded a $27.0 million non-cash impairment charge related to the write-down of our leasehold interest in unproved oil and gas properties. This charge is included in losses and impairments of assets in the consolidated statement of earnings for the year ended December 31, 2020.

8. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

The change in the net carrying amount of goodwill for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 by segment is as follows:

(in thousands)

Steel Steel Raw

Mills Products Materials Total

The majority of goodwill is not tax deductible.

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

(in thousands)

Gross Accumulated Gross Accumulated

Amount Amortization Amount Amortization

Intangible asset amortization expense was $129.2 million in 2021 ($83.4 million in 2020 and $85.7 million in 2019). Annual amortization expense is estimated to be $154.6 million in 2022, $132.9 million in 2023, $132.1 million in 2024, $131.2 million in 2025 and $128.2 million in 2026.

The Company completed its annual goodwill impairment testing as of the first day of the fourth quarter for each of 2021, 2020 and 2019 and concluded that as of each such date there was no impairment of goodwill for any of its reporting units.

The annual assessment performed in 2021 for one of the Company’s reporting units, Rebar Fabrication, used forward-looking projections and included continued positive future cash flows. The fair value of this reporting unit exceeded its carrying value by approximately 54% in the most recent assessment. Although profitability fluctuates year-to-year, we currently expect the reporting unit to be profitable in 2022.If our assessment of the relevant facts and circumstances changes, or the actual performance of this reporting unit falls short of expected results, non-cash impairment charges may be required. Total goodwill associated with the Rebar Fabrication reporting unit as of December 31, 2021was $363.0 million. 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 as of December 31, 2021 was $45.0million.

There are no significant historical accumulated impairment charges, by segment or in the aggregate, related to goodwill.

9. Equity Investments

The carrying value of our equity investments in domestic and foreign companies was $624.6 million at December 31, 2021 ($520.0 million at December 31, 2020), and is recorded in other assets in the 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 30 sheet processing facilities located throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico. Nucor accounts for its 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 of NuMit. Nucor’s investment in NuMit was $418.7 million at December 31, 2021 ($323.6 million at December 31, 2020). Nucor received distributions of $0.2 million, $9.5 million and $36.5 million from NuMit during 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

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 (“JFE”) of Japan, to build and operate a galvanized sheet steel plant in central Mexico. After delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Nucor- JFE resumed hot commissioning in early December 2020. Nucor accounts for its 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 of Nucor-JFE. Nucor’s investment in Nucor-JFE was $147.0 million at December 31, 2021 ($147.1 million at December 31, 2020).

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 “JFE Facility”). The fair value of the guarantee is immaterial. Nucor’s guarantee expires on April 30, 2022. The maximum amount Nucor-JFE could borrow under the JFE Facility was amended on November 30, 2021 to $100.0 million. The JFE Facility is uncommitted. As of December 31, 2021, there was $90.0 million outstanding under the JFE Facility ($50.0 million as of December 31, 2020). If Nucor-JFE fails to pay when due any amounts for which it is obligated under the JFE 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.

Nucor-JFE has other credit facilities that Nucor has agreed to guarantee. The principal amount subject to guarantee by Nucor for these other credit facilities was $50.0 million as of December 31, 2021 ($25.0 million as of December 31, 2020). The fair value of the guarantees is immaterial. If Nucor-JFE fails to pay when due any amounts for which it is obligated under the other credit facilities, Nucor could be required to pay such amounts pursuant to and in accordance with the terms of its guarantees. Nucor has not recorded any liability associated with these guarantees.

Duferdofin Nucor

Nucor previously owned a 50% interest in Duferdofin Nucor S.r.l. (“Duferdofin Nucor”), an Italian steel manufacturer, and accounted for its investment (on a one-month lag basis) under the equity method, as control and risk of loss were shared equally between the members of Duferdofin Nucor. In December 2020, Nucor closed on an agreement (the “Duferdofin Agreement”) to transfer its 50% interest in Duferdofin Nucor to the owner of the remaining 50% interest, making Nucor’s investment in Duferdofin Nucor $0 at December 31, 2020.

In conjunction with the consummation of the Duferdofin Agreement, Nucor forgave the previously fully reserved, outstanding note receivable of €35.0 million ($37.8 million) from Duferdofin Nucor, and Nucor was released from the guarantee it previously provided with respect toDuferdofin Nucor’s borrowings under Facility A of the Structured Trade Finance Facilities Agreement (the “Duferdofin Agreement”). The fair value of the guarantee was immaterial, and Nucor did not have a liability recorded 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 determined that a triggering event occurred in the first quarter of 2020 with respect to its equity method investment in Duferdofin Nucor due to adverse developments in the joint venture’s commercial outlook, which were exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, all of which negatively impacted the joint venture’s strategic direction. After completing its impairment assessment, Nucor determined that the carrying amount exceeded its estimated fair value and the impairment condition was considered to be other than temporary. Therefore, Nucor recorded a $250.0 million impairment charge in the first quarter of 2020. The assumptions that most significantly affected the fair value determination included projected cash flows and the discount rate. The Company-specific inputs for measuring fair value are considered “Level 3” or unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data under applicable fair value authoritative guidance, as quoted market prices are not available.

Throughout 2020, additional capital contributions were made by the Company to Duferdofin Nucor that were immediately impaired. These additional capital contributions resulted in $5.0 million, $6.6 million and $25.4 million impairment charges against our investment in Duferdofin Nucor in the second, third and fourth quarters of 2020, respectively. Also, in the fourth quarter of 2020, Nucor reclassified into earnings, $158.6 million of cumulative foreign currency translation losses on our investment in Duferdofin Nucor. In 2020, total impairment charges, including the aforementioned note receivable, related to our investment in Duferdofin Nucor were approximately $483.5 million. These non-cash impairment charges are included in the steel mills segment and in losses and impairments of assets in the consolidated statement of earnings for the year ended December 31, 2020.

10. Current Liabilities

Book overdrafts, included in accounts payable in the consolidated balance sheets, were $143.8 million at December 31, 2021 ($210.5 million at December 31, 2020). Dividends payable, included in accrued expenses and other current liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets, were $137.6 million at December 31, 2021 ($123.9 million at December 31, 2020).

11. Debt and Other Financing Arrangements

(in thousands)

Less current maturities of long-term debt 601,000 —

Less current portion of finance lease obligations 14,678 10,885

Annual aggregate long-term debt maturities are: $601.0 million in 2022, $500.0 million in 2023, none in 2024, $500.0 million in 2025, $21.5 million in 2026 and $3.98 billion thereafter.

In May 2020, Nucor issued $500.0 million of 2.000% Notes due 2025 and $500.0 million of 2.700% Notes due 2030. Net proceeds of the issuances were $989.4 million. Costs of $8.4 million associated with the issuances have been capitalized and will be amortized over the life of the notes.

In July 2020, Nucor became an obligor with respect to $162.6 million in 40-year variable-rate Green Bonds to partially fund the capital costs, in particular the expenditures associated with pollution prevention and control (including waste recycling and waste reduction), of the construction of Nucor’s plate mill located in Brandenburg, Kentucky. In August 2021, Nucor became an obligor with respect to an additional $197.0 million in 40-year variable-rate Green Bonds. The net proceeds from the debt issuances are being held in a trust account pending disbursement for the construction of the facility and have been accounted for as restricted cash. Funds are disbursed from the trust account as qualified expenditures for the construction of the Brandenburg facility are made.

In December 2020, Nucor exchanged $439.3 million of its 2.979% Notes due 2055 (the “2055 Notes”) and a cash component of $180.3 million for $106.7 million of its 6.400% Notes due 2037, $161.9 million of its 5.200% Notes due 2043 and $170.8 million of its 4.400% Notes due 2048 with holders of such existing notes. The December 2020 exchange offer and the 2055 notes offered thereby were not registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). This exchange transaction was accounted for as a modification and, as such, the cash component of $180.3 million was capitalized as a reduction of long-term debt and is being amortized into interest expense over the life of the new notes. In November 2021, Nucor completed an offer to exchange the 2055 Notes that were not registered under the Securities Act for a like principal amount of notes having terms substantially identical as the 2055 Notes and that are registered under the Securities Act.

On November 5, 2021, Nucor amended and restated its revolving credit facility to increase the borrowing capacity from $1.50 billion to $1.75 billion and to extend its maturity date to November 5, 2026. This facility remains undrawn. Costs associated with the amendment were immaterial. The unsecured revolving credit facility provides up to $1.75 billion in revolving loans and allows up to $500.0 million in additional commitments at Nucor’s election in accordance with the terms set forth in the credit agreement. Up to $100.0 million of the credit facility is available for the issuance of letters of credit and up to $500.0 million is available for the issuance of revolving loans for Nucor subsidiaries in accordance with the terms set forth in the credit agreement. The credit facility provides for a pricing grid based upon the credit rating of Nucor’s senior unsecured long-term debt and, alternatively, interest rates quoted by lenders in connection with competitive bidding. The credit facility includes customary financial and other covenants, including a limit on the ratio of funded debt to total capital of 60%, a limit on Nucor’s ability to pledge the Company’s assets and a limit on consolidations, mergers and sales of assets. As of December 31, 2021, Nucor’s funded debt to total capital ratio was 28%, and Nucor was in compliance with all covenants under the credit facility. No borrowings were outstanding under the credit facility as of December 31, 2021 and 2020.

Harris Steel has credit facilities totaling approximately $18.4 million, with no outstanding borrowings at December 31, 2021 and 2020. In addition, the business of Nucor Trading S.A. is financed by uncommitted trade credit arrangements with a number of European banking institutions. As of December 31, 2021, Nucor Trading S.A. had outstanding borrowings of $107.7 million, which are presented in short-term debt in the consolidated balance sheet ($57.9 million as of December 31, 2020).

NUE US Equity

NUE · 10-K · period ended 2021-12-31

Item 1A. Risk Factors

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments

Item 2. Properties

Item 3. Legal Proceedings

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

Item 6. [Reserved]

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

NUE US Equity☆

NUE · 10-K · period ended 2021-12-31

Item 1A. Risk Factors

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments

Item 2. Properties

Item 3. Legal Proceedings

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

Item 6. [Reserved]

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

NUE US Equity