Nucor Corporation reported unaudited consolidated earnings and operating results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2016. For the quarter, net sales were $3,956,538,000 against $3,456,713,000 a year ago. Earnings before income taxes and no controlling interests was $255,040,000 against loss of $195,043,000 a year ago. Net earnings attributable to the company stockholders were $159,639,000 against loss of $187,481,000 a year ago. Basic and diluted net earnings per share were $0.50 against loss per share of $0.59 a year ago. Adjusted net earnings was $144.72 million or $0.46 diluted per share.

For the full year, net sales were $16,208,122,000 against $16,439,276,000 a year ago. Earnings before income taxes and no controlling interests was $1,298,659,000 against $241,866,000 a year ago. Net earnings attributable to the company stockholders were $796,271,000 against $80,724,000 a year ago. Basic and diluted net earnings per share were $2.48 against $0.25 a year ago. Cash provided by operating activities was $1,737,533,000 against $2,157,043,000 a year ago. Capital expenditures were $604,840,000 against $374,123,000 a year ago.

For the quarter, the company reported steel mills production was 4,900,000 against 4,398,000 a year ago. Steel mills total shipments were 5,151,000 against 4,459,000 a year ago. Total sales tons to outside customers were 5,815,000 against 5,107,000 a year ago.

For the year, the company reported steel mills production was 21,282,000 against 19,294,000 a year ago. Steel mills total shipments were 21,941,000 against 19,860,000 a year ago. Total sales tons to outside customers were 24,309,000 against 22,680,000 a year ago.

Earnings in the first quarter of 2017 are expected to increase compared to the fourth quarter of 2016. The company believes full year 2017 profitability could significantly exceed the level achieved for 2016. Due to purchase accounting charges that will be taken in the first quarter of 2017, the company will not begin to experience the full financial benefit of recent investments in tubular products until the second quarter of 2017. The company expects decreased profitability for steel products segment in the first quarter of 2017 as compared to the fourth quarter of 2016 due to typical seasonality.