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NUE vs STLD
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Nucor Corporation (NUE) vs. Steel Dynamics, Inc. (STLD) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- Nucor Corporation (NUE) and Steel Dynamics, Inc. (STLD) are leading U.S. steel producers operating in a sector facing modest global demand recovery in 2026 alongside regional support from trade measures.
- Both companies have delivered strong year-to-date returns, though STLD experienced a notable pullback of approximately 15% over the past month amid broader market activity.
- NUE provided upbeat second-quarter 2026 earnings guidance of $4.70–$4.80 per share, signaling potential resilience from higher steel prices.
- STLD is scheduled to report second-quarter results on July 20, 2026, with analysts forecasting EPS of $3.62, representing substantial year-over-year growth.
- Relative positioning highlights trade-offs in scale, product mix, and earnings momentum within the steel industry.
- Sector-wide factors, including capacity utilization rates near 80% and limited near-term price recovery expectations, influence both stocks’ recent sentiment.
Introduction
Nucor Corporation (NUE) and Steel Dynamics, Inc. (STLD) represent two prominent players in the domestic steel sector, making them natural subjects for comparison among investors seeking exposure to industrial materials and cyclical manufacturing trends. Traders and portfolio managers focused on relative performance, earnings catalysts, and sector positioning often evaluate these names side by side to assess diversification within steel equities or to identify potential leadership shifts in the current environment. This analysis draws on observable market data and recent corporate developments to provide a balanced view relevant to both institutional and individual market participants.
NUE Overview and Recent Performance
Nucor Corporation (NUE) is one of the largest steel producers in North America, operating a diversified portfolio that includes carbon and alloy steel products, steel joists, and related downstream operations. In recent weeks, the company issued guidance for the second quarter of 2026 pointing to earnings per share in the range of $4.70 to $4.80, an increase from the prior quarter and year-ago levels, supported by firmer steel pricing. This outlook contributed to constructive sentiment around the stock amid broader industry dynamics. NUE’s second-quarter earnings release is scheduled for late July, providing further visibility into operational trends. Market activity in recent periods has reflected the influence of macroeconomic factors on steel demand and input costs, with the company maintaining a focus on efficiency and capacity utilization.
STLD Overview and Recent Performance
Steel Dynamics, Inc. (STLD) operates as a major minimill steel producer with a significant presence in flat-rolled and long products, alongside fabrication and metals recycling segments. Recent market activity shows the stock trading near $235 following a period of volatility, including an approximate 15% decline over the past month despite robust year-to-date gains exceeding 39%. Analysts project second-quarter 2026 earnings per share of $3.62, an increase of roughly 80% year over year, with results slated for release after market close on July 20. The company’s performance in recent weeks has been shaped by expectations surrounding earnings delivery and prevailing conditions in the steel market, where domestic production utilization has hovered near 80%.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
Nucor Corporation (NUE) and Steel Dynamics, Inc. (STLD) share core exposure to steel production and fabrication but differ in scale, geographic footprint, and product emphasis. NUE maintains a broader operational footprint with greater diversification into value-added products, potentially offering relative stability during periods of fluctuating raw material prices. STLD has emphasized growth through capacity expansions and recycling operations, which can amplify earnings sensitivity to steel spreads. Recent momentum shows both names benefiting from year-to-date advances tied to sector recovery signals, yet STLD displayed more pronounced short-term weakness amid earnings anticipation. Risk factors for each include cyclical demand swings, import competition, and energy costs, while positive catalysts center on domestic infrastructure spending and trade protections. Market sentiment remains tied to overall industrial activity, with neither company exhibiting clear dominance in recent observable positioning.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Based on observable factors such as earnings guidance consistency, relative price stability, and alignment with sector catalysts, Tickeron’s AI models currently assign a modestly higher probabilistic preference to Nucor Corporation (NUE) in this pairing. The company’s explicit second-quarter outlook and scale advantages appear to support more consistent trend characteristics compared with the nearer-term earnings event risk facing Steel Dynamics, Inc. (STLD). This assessment reflects probabilistic weighting of available data rather than a definitive ranking.
Disclaimer
The information on this webpage is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice, a recommendation to purchase or sell any security, or an offer or solicitation related to investments. It does not consider your personal financial situation, goals, or risk profile, and all investing carries inherent risks, including the possibility of losing your entire investment. For more details, please review our full disclaimer.
To compare these two companies we present long-term analysis, their fundamental ratings and make comparative short-term technical analysis which are presented below. The conclusion is NUE is a Hold and STLD is a StrongBuy.
Long-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a long-term outlook for a ticker by using Fundamental Analysis (FA) ratings. The rating of 1 to 100, where 1 is best and 100 is worst, is divided into thirds. The first third (a green rating of 1-33) indicates that the ticker is undervalued; the second third (a grey number between 34 and 66) means that the ticker is valued fairly; and the last third (red number of 67 to 100) reflects that the ticker is undervalued. We use an FA Score to show how many ratings show the ticker to be undervalued (green) or overvalued (red).
NUE’s FA Score shows that 2 FA rating(s) are green whileSTLD’s FA Score has 3 green FA rating(s).
- NUE’s FA Score: 2 green, 3 red.
- STLD’s FA Score: 3 green, 2 red.
Short-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a short-term outlook for a ticker by using Technical Analysis (TA) indicators. We use Odds of Success as the percentage of outcomes which confirm successful trade signals in the past.
If the Odds of Success (the likelihood of the continuation of a trend) for each indicator are greater than 50%, then the generated signal is confirmed. A green percentage from 90% to 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bullish trend. A red percentage from 90% - 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bearish trend. All grey percentages are below 50% and are considered not to confirm the trend signal.
NUE’s TA Score shows that 7 TA indicator(s) are bullish while STLD’s TA Score has 6 bullish TA indicator(s).
- NUE’s TA Score: 7 bullish, 3 bearish.
- STLD’s TA Score: 6 bullish, 4 bearish.
Price Growth
NUE (@Steel) experienced а +2.33% price change this week, while STLD (@Steel) price change was +2.38% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Steel industry was +3.02%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +7.99%, and the average quarterly price growth was +9.71%.
Reported Earning Dates
NUE is expected to report earnings on Jul 27, 2026.
STLD is expected to report earnings on Oct 21, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Steel (+3.02% weekly)The steel industry includes manufacturers of steel and steel-related products. Companies use iron ore and scrap steel to produce steel. The industry also includes companies involved in mining and marketing of steel products. Along with serving some of the domestic markets, U.S. steel output has, over the years, been used by international economies as well. Competition from imported steel has also increased over time. The industry could be susceptible to business cycles, since the element is an important input in industrial production. Some of the globally-renowned steel behemoths include Nucor Corporation, Vale, and ArcelorMittal SA.
| NUE | STLD | NUE / STLD | |
| Capitalization | 56.4B | 35.6B | 158% |
| EBITDA | 5.03B | 2.39B | 210% |
| Gain YTD | 48.714 | 42.719 | 114% |
| P/E Ratio | 24.56 | 22.42 | 110% |
| Revenue | 34.2B | 19B | 180% |
| Total Cash | 506M | N/A | - |
| Total Debt | 7.12B | 4.2B | 170% |
NUE | STLD | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 20 | 10 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 23 Undervalued | 25 Undervalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 31 | 11 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 68 | 57 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 41 | 41 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 54 | 31 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 85 | 50 |
Tickeron ratings are formulated such that a rating of 1 designates the most successful stocks in a given industry, while a rating of 100 points to the least successful stocks for that industry.
NUE's Valuation (23) in the Steel industry is in the same range as STLD (25). This means that NUE’s stock grew similarly to STLD’s over the last 12 months.
STLD's Profit vs Risk Rating (11) in the Steel industry is in the same range as NUE (31). This means that STLD’s stock grew similarly to NUE’s over the last 12 months.
STLD's SMR Rating (57) in the Steel industry is in the same range as NUE (68). This means that STLD’s stock grew similarly to NUE’s over the last 12 months.
STLD's Price Growth Rating (41) in the Steel industry is in the same range as NUE (41). This means that STLD’s stock grew similarly to NUE’s over the last 12 months.
STLD's P/E Growth Rating (31) in the Steel industry is in the same range as NUE (54). This means that STLD’s stock grew similarly to NUE’s over the last 12 months.
| NUE | STLD | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 80% | 2 days ago 90% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 61% | 2 days ago 57% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 71% | 2 days ago 77% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 72% | 2 days ago 85% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 75% | 2 days ago 78% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 62% | 2 days ago 63% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 76% | 2 days ago 78% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 16 days ago 62% | 16 days ago 62% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 71% | 3 days ago 78% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 63% | 2 days ago 77% |
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NUE and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, NUE has been closely correlated with STLD. These tickers have moved in lockstep 83% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if NUE jumps, then STLD could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To NUE | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NUE | 100% | +2.23% | ||
| STLD - NUE | 83% Closely correlated | +0.81% | ||
| CMC - NUE | 72% Closely correlated | -0.04% | ||
| RS - NUE | 66% Closely correlated | +2.37% | ||
| MTUS - NUE | 56% Loosely correlated | +3.25% | ||
| TX - NUE | 56% Loosely correlated | +1.92% | ||
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STLD and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, STLD has been closely correlated with NUE. These tickers have moved in lockstep 83% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if STLD jumps, then NUE could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To STLD | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| STLD | 100% | +0.81% | ||
| NUE - STLD | 83% Closely correlated | +2.23% | ||
| CMC - STLD | 74% Closely correlated | -0.04% | ||
| RS - STLD | 67% Closely correlated | +2.37% | ||
| CLF - STLD | 52% Loosely correlated | +15.98% | ||
| IIIN - STLD | 51% Loosely correlated | +1.99% | ||
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