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Linked here is a detailed quantitative analysis of Nucor Corporation (NUE). Below are some highlights from the above-linked analysis:

Company Description: Nucor Corporation is the largest minimill steelmaker in the U.S., Nucor has one of the most diverse product lines of any steelmaker in the Americas.

Fair Value: In calculating fair value, I consider the NPV MMA Differential Fair Value along with these four calculations of fair value, see page 2 of the linked PDF for a detailed description:

1. Avg. High Yield Price
2. 20-Year DCF Price
3. Avg. P/E Price
4. Graham Number

NUE is trading at a discount to 2.) and 3.) above. When also considering the NPV MMA Differential, the stock is trading at a 131.1% premium to its calculated fair value of $70.89. NUE did not earn any Stars in this section.

Dividend Analytical Data: In this section, there are three possible Stars and three key metrics, see page 2 of the linked PDF for a detailed description:

1. Free Cash Flow Payout
2. Debt To Total Capital
3. Key Metrics
4. Dividend Growth Rate
5. Years of Div. Growth
6. Rolling 4-yr Div. > 15%

NUE earned one Star in this section for 2.) above. The stock earned a Star as a result of its most recent Debt to Total Capital being less than 45% The company has paid a cash dividend to shareholders every year since 1973 and has increased its dividend payments for 50 consecutive years.

Dividend Income vs. MMA: Why would you assume the equity risk and invest in a dividend stock if you could earn a better return in a much less risky money market account (MMA) or Treasury bond? This section compares the earning ability of this stock with a high yield MMA. Two items are considered in this section, see page 2 of the linked PDF for a detailed description:

1. NPV MMA Diff.
2. Years to > MMA

The negative NPV MMA Diff. means that on an NPV basis, the dividend earnings from an investment in NUE would be less than a similar amount invested in MMA earning a 20-year average rate of 3.75%. If NUE grows its dividend at 2.0% per year, it will never equal an MMA yielding an estimated 20-year average rate of 3.75%.

Peers: The company's peer group includes: Commercial Metals Company (CMC) with a 1.2% yield, Steel Dynamics Inc. (STLD) with a 1.6% yield, and United States Steel Corp. (X) with a 1.6% yield.

Conclusion: NUE did not earn any Stars in the Fair Value section, earned one Star in the Dividend Analytical Data section, and did not earn any Stars in the Dividend Income vs. MMA section for a total of one Star. This quantitatively ranks NUE as a 1-Star Very Weak stock.

Using my D4L-PreScreen.xls model, I determined the share price would need to decrease to $44.97 before NUE's NPV MMA Differential increased to the $500 minimum that I look for in a stock with 50 years of consecutive dividend increases. At that price, the stock would yield 4.5%.

Resetting the D4L-PreScreen.xls model and solving for the dividend growth rate needed to generate the target $500 NPV MMA Differential, the calculated rate is 14.5%. This dividend growth rate is well above the 2.0% used in this analysis, thus providing no margin of safety. NUE has a risk rating of 1.5 which classifies it as a Low risk stock.

NUE is one of the largest U.S. steel producers with one of the most modern and efficient operations in the nation. The company has a diverse product mix. Minimills, such as those operated by NUE, are able to quickly adjust production levels to meet demand. Financially, NUE has a very low ratio of debt to total capital. The stock is trading at a significant premium to my calculated fair value price of $70.89, and its free cash flow payout is a low 9%. I will not consider a position until its valuation improves.

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