Dividend Growth Stocks: 25 Aristocrats

22. Nucor Corporation (NYSE:NUE)

5-Year Average Dividend Growth Rate: 6.51%

On January 28, UBS analyst Andrew Jones cut Nucor Corporation (NYSE:NUE) to Neutral from Buy and raised the firm’s price target to $183 from $168. The move reflects what the analyst described as “full” valuation and pricing. UBS noted that Nucor shares have climbed 32% since mid-October, even after a softer fourth quarter, supported by strong pricing momentum in flat and long products and a $130/st announced increase in plate prices.

Separately, Reuters reported that Nucor’s fourth-quarter profit and revenue fell short of Wall Street expectations on January 26, as higher costs weighed on margins across its steelmaking operations. While broad US import tariffs have helped lift spot steel prices, steel producers continued to realize lower selling prices during the quarter. That is because many long-term contracts reset gradually and are still tied to older pricing, delaying the benefit from higher tariff-driven prices.

For the quarter, Nucor posted earnings of $1.73 per share, below the $1.91 per share analysts were expecting, according to LSEG data. Revenue rose 9% to $7.69 billion for the quarter ended December 31, also coming in under the $7.87 billion consensus estimate.

Nucor Corporation (NYSE:NUE) is a leading steel producer with operations across the US, Canada, and Mexico. In addition to making steel and steel products, the company produces and sources ferrous and non-ferrous materials primarily to support its own steel manufacturing operations.