The company said Tuesday that it expects earnings to be in the range of US$3 to US$3.10 per diluted share, surpassing a record set in the third quarter of 2008.

Nucor said all three of its operating segments are seeing strong results. In its steelmaking segment, each of the steel product groups are forecasting higher improved results from the fourth quarter of 2020. 

“The company is experiencing strong demand across most of its end markets, including nonresidential construction, automotive, renewable energy, heavy equipment and agriculture,” it said. 

Nucor said March is turning out to be the strongest month in the quarter, and the momentum could carry into the next three months, which have the potential to exceed this quarter. 

“Margins have expanded since the beginning of the year, a trend we expect to continue into the second quarter. We believe earnings in the second quarter of 2021 will likely set a new record for quarterly earnings.”