✅ Key Takeaways
✅ Nucor raised its CSP HRC base price to $990/ton (and $1,040/ton at CSI) effective the week of February 23, 2026 – a $10/ton jump signaling accelerating confidence in domestic steel pricing power.
✅ Carbon steel imports have plunged to multi-year lows, with flat rolled imports down 42.1% for all of 2025 and coated sheet hitting its lowest daily import rate since December 2010 – dramatically reducing foreign competition for domestic mills.
✅ Lead times are stretching to 4-8 weeks as mills fill orders at current price levels, backed by robust backlogs, steady demand from infrastructure and data centers, and the protective umbrella of 50% Section 232 steel tariffs.
Sources
Nucor Corporation Investor Relations and Press Releases – https://investors.nucor.com/why-invest/default.aspx
American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) – Steel Import and Production Data – https://www.steel.org/2026/02/steel-imports-down-12-6-in-2025/
AISI Weekly Raw Steel Production Reports – https://www.steelorbis.com/steel-news/latest-news/us-raw-steel-production-is-up-14-percent-week-6-2026-1435507.htm​
Trading Economics – HRC Steel Price Data – https://tradingeconomics.com/commodity/hrc-steel​
Recycling Today – Nucor Q4 2025 Earnings Report – https://www.recyclingtoday.com/news/nucor-steel-recycling-2025-q4-earnings-2026-optimism/​
Green Worldwide Shipping – Section 232 Tariff Analysis – https://www.greenworldwide.com/section-232-steel-aluminum-tariffs-rise-to-50-as-u-s-expands-reciprocal-duties-to-non-metal-content-products​
Boston Consulting Group – Steel and Aluminum Tariff Impact Assessment – https://www.bcg.com/publications/2025/june-2025-update-impact-us-tariffs-50-percent-on-steel-aluminum​
Oxford Economics / Fastmarkets Circular Steel Summit 2026 – Demand Outlook – https://eurometal.net/oxford-economics-us-automotive-construction-outlook-points-to-modest-steel-demand-growth/​
SteelOrbis – US Raw Steel Production Reports – https://www.steelorbis.com/steel-news/latest-news/us-raw-steel-production-is-up-14-percent-week-6-2026-1435507.htm​
Wall Street Journal – Nucor CEO Interview, January 2026 – https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/stock-market-today-dow-sp-500-nasdaq-01-27-2026/card/steel-tariffs-not-hurting-u-s-manufacturing-nucor-chief-says-n1Z4jFv3oR5pQxTzfm0o​
U.S. Department of Commerce / Section 232 Trade Data – https://www.commerce.gov/issues/trade-enforcement/section-232-steel​
CD Recycler / AISI – Full Year 2025 Steel Import Analysis – https://www.cdrecycler.com/news/steel-imports-usa-aisi-2025-down-canada-mexico-tariffs-recycling/​
Sabresteel – US Steel Supply Forecast for 2026 – https://www.sabresteel.com/post/u-s-steel-supply-forecast-for-2026-navigating-growth-and-constraints​
ScrapMonster / AISI – Weekly Production Data – https://www.scrapmonster.com/news/steel/aisi-u.s.-steel-output-up-4.6-yoy-2026-1-27/98335​
Yahoo Finance – Nucor Q4 2025 Earnings Highlights – https://finance.yahoo.com/news/nucor-corp-nue-q4-2025-210505219.html​
IndexBox – Nucor HRC Price Analysis – https://www.indexbox.io/blog/nucor-raises-hot-rolled-coil-price-for-third-consecutive-week-in-february-2026/​
Nucor Corporation Q4 2025 Earnings Call Transcript – https://www.quiverquant.com/news/Nucor+Corporation+(NUE)+Releases+Q4+2025+Earnings:+Revenue+Up+YoY+but+EPS+Misses+Estimates[17]
Disclaimer
The content provided in this article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or professional advice. Readers should seek consultation with qualified professionals before making any financial, investment, or legal decisions. We disclaim any liability for losses, damages, or adverse outcomes resulting from decisions made based on the information presented herein.
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