Stock price when the opinion was issued
Jumped today by 10% after Trump announced 50% tariffs on steel; this will let US steelmakers raise prices. NUE peaked at $180 in April 2024, then has slid below $120, but is now mounting a comeback, driven by tariffs. BMO upgraded it today. But he wonders if higher tariffs will help the US steelmakers immediately, and tariffs alone aren't a reason to buy the stock. Rather, he'd buy on weakness. Look what happened during the 2018 tariffs--NUE shares actually fell, though popped occasionally. He'd like to see signals that the overall economy is thriving and that there is demand for steel.
It's the second-best performer on the S&P, up 105% YTD. Those fearing an interest rate hike will lead to steel prices cooling and NUE's business cooling, because anything using steel (ex-infrastructure) might be hurt by higher rates. Despite that, Nucor bought a Cornerstone Building Brands today, which may be good for their business. But the stock sold off today anyway over 1%. He thinks this is a great buying opportunity. NUE has a great track record when the cycle gets going like now.