Nucor acknowledges it was interested in acquiring some of United States Steel’s assets, but dropped out of the bidding near the end over concerns about the price. “Nucor took a hard look at some of the assets within the U.S. Steel portfolio,” CEO Leon Topalian says during a conference call. “But at the end of the day, we’re not going to overpay for any assets.” A deal proxy filed by U.S. Steel last week describes an unidentified company that analysts widely believe was Nucor as being interested in U.S. Steel’s Big River mill in Arkansas; its iron ore operation in Minnesota; and a steel rolling mill in California. Nucor up 5.2% at $185.77.