Nucor (NYSE:NUE) reported fiscal Q2 net earnings late Monday of $5.81 per diluted share, down from $9.67 a year earlier.
Six of seven analysts polled by Capital IQ expected EPS of $5.54.
Net sales for the quarter ended July 1 were $9.52 billion, compared with $11.79 billion a year earlier. Analysts surveyed by Capital IQ expected $9.69 billion.
For fiscal Q3, the company said it expects earnings to decline sequentially, reflecting weakness in the steel mills and raw materials segments. One of six analysts polled by Capital IQ is looking for an EPS of $4.74.