For the year ending 31 December 2017, Nucor recorded net sales of nearly US$20.3 billion, a 25% increase over 2016. The company said shipments to outside customers rose 9% over the prior year to 26.5 million tons. At the same time, average sales prices increased 15% per ton, it said.  

Nucor said that although imports continue to challenge U.S. steelmakers, it sees upward momentum as it moves deeper into the first quarter of this year. 

“We believe there is significant optimism in steel end-use markets and are encouraged by positive pricing momentum building throughout the quarter for all of our steel mill products,” the company said. 

However, it cautioned that higher scrap price and weather-related interruptions at some of its sheet mills are expected to mitigate earnings.