Nucor Corp – Analyst Upgrade and Market Response
Nucor Corporation (NYSE: NUE), a leading U.S. steel producer, was the subject of a positive analyst upgrade by Wells Fargo on 14 November 2025. The brokerage firm cited a higher sheet‑steel price forecast as the principal reason for raising its recommendation to “overweight” and lifting the target price to $167.00 from an earlier $147.00 estimate. The upgrade was reported by both Seeking Alpha and Finwire via Avanza.
The announcement coincided with a 2.8 % intraday rise in Nucor’s share price. At 16:18 ET on 14 November, the stock traded at $147.86, up 2.7 % for the day and 26.7 % year‑to‑date. Earlier in the session, at 16:01 ET, the share was quoted at $147.24, up 1.0 % for the day and 26.2 % year‑to‑date. The price increase aligns with the market’s positive reception of the Wells Fargo upgrade and the broader expectation of improved steel margins.
Nucor’s financial fundamentals underscore its resilience in the steel market. As of 12 November 2025, the company’s market capitalization stood at $33.47 billion. Its share price was $145.81, with a 52‑week high of $158.48 (as of 2 December 2024) and a 52‑week low of $97.59 (as of 6 April 2025). The price‑earnings ratio was 16.78. The company’s product portfolio includes carbon and alloy steel, steel joints, steel deck, cold‑finished steel, steel grinding balls, steel bearing products, and metal building systems, as well as the brokerage of ferrous and nonferrous metals, pig iron, HBI, DRI, and ferro‑alloys.
The Wells Fargo upgrade is significant because it reflects a bullish outlook on sheet‑steel demand, which is a key revenue driver for Nucor. The raised target price of $167 represents a 13.5 % upside from the pre‑upgrade level of $147.00, suggesting a favorable valuation for investors who had previously held the stock on a neutral or balanced basis.
In addition to the analyst upgrade, Nucor was mentioned in broader market coverage, such as a list of dividend aristocrats by TipRanks on 14 November. While the article focused on dividend stability, it reinforced Nucor’s status as a long‑standing, reliable dividend payer within the S&P 500.
Key takeaways
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Analyst upgrade | Wells Fargo – “overweight” |
| New target price | $167.00 |
| Pre‑upgrade target | $147.00 |
| Share price at upgrade | $147.86 |
| Intraday gain | 2.8 % |
| 52‑week range | $97.59 – $158.48 |
| Market cap | $33.47 billion |
| P/E ratio | 16.78 |
The combination of a higher price forecast, a revised target, and a robust market reaction positions Nucor as a compelling candidate for investors seeking exposure to the U.S. steel sector amid improving commodity prices and favorable demand dynamics.
