On July 23, 2024, Nucor acquired Rytec Corporation for approximately $565 million in cash. This acquisition further executes Nucor's strategy to expand beyond its core steelmaking businesses into related downstream businesses and will be included in the steel products segment.

Capital expenditures for 2024 are estimated to be approximately $3.50 billion, compared to $2.20 billion for 2023. This increase is primarily due to investments in the sheet mill under construction in West Virginia, the sheet mill expansion in Indiana, and the rebar micro mill under construction in North Carolina.

Pre-operating and start-up costs of new facilities were approximately $137 million in the second quarter of 2024, up from approximately $90 million in the second quarter of 2023. These costs are associated with facilities like the plate mill in Kentucky and the sheet mill in West Virginia.

The average utilization rates of all operating facilities in the steel mills, steel products and raw materials segments were approximately 79%, 59% and 75%, respectively, in the first six months of 2024, compared with approximately 82%, 67% and 76%, respectively, in the first six months of 2023.

Marketing, administrative and other expenses decreased by $118.5 million in the second quarter of 2024 compared to the second quarter of 2023, and decreased by $165.4 million in the first six months of 2024 compared to the first six months of 2023. These decreases were due to Nucor's decreased profitability.

The Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company's disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the evaluation date.

There have been no material changes in Nucor's risk factors from those included in 'Item 1A. Risk Factors' in Nucor's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.

Nucor is exposed to market risk for price fluctuations of raw materials and energy, principally scrap steel, other ferrous and nonferrous metals, alloys and natural gas. The company attempts to mitigate these risks by negotiating the best prices for raw material and energy requirements.

Nucor is exposed to foreign currency risk primarily through its operations in Canada, Europe and Mexico. The company periodically use derivative contracts to mitigate the risk of currency fluctuations. Open foreign currency derivative contracts at June 29, 2024 were insignificant.

The company acknowledges competitive pressure on sales and pricing, including pressure from imports and substitute materials, as a key factor that might cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in forward-looking statements.

The company believes that it is becoming more evident that activity has softened as the year has progressed. The company has also seen an increase in imports in 2024 as compared to 2023 and a 'higher for longer' interest rate environment that the company believes may have tempered or delayed some marginal demand.

Nucor's largest single customer in the second quarter of 2024 represented approximately 5% of sales and has consistently paid within terms. This indicates a relatively diversified customer base.

The average scrap and scrap substitute cost per gross ton used in the second quarter of 2024 was $396, a 13% decrease compared to $455 in the second quarter of 2023. However, this decrease was more than offset by decreased average selling prices and lower shipments to external customers, resulting in lower total metal margins.

Our DRI facilities in Trinidad and Louisiana provide us with flexibility in managing our raw material requirements and our input costs. DRI is particularly important for operational flexibility when demand for prime scrap increases due to increased domestic steel production.

Capital expenditures are increasing, with significant investments in new facilities like the sheet mill in West Virginia and the rebar micro mill in North Carolina. These investments are intended to improve operational efficiency in the long term.

The 10-Q filing does not contain specific information regarding R&D investments or technological capabilities beyond the mention of capital expenditures for new facilities.

While not explicitly stated, capital expenditures for new facilities and expansions could incorporate advanced technologies to improve production processes and product quality.

There is no mention of digital transformation initiatives or investments in the provided 10-Q filing.

Cash used for stock repurchases increased from $876.7 million in the first six months of 2023 to $1.50 billion in the first six months of 2024, indicating a strong commitment to returning capital to shareholders.

In June 2024, Nucor's Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend on Nucor's common stock of $0.54 per share. This dividend is Nucor's 205th consecutive quarterly cash dividend.

Capital expenditures for 2024 are estimated to be approximately $3.50 billion, compared to $2.20 billion for 2023. This increase is primarily due to investments in the sheet mill under construction in West Virginia, the sheet mill expansion in Indiana, and the rebar micro mill under construction in North Carolina.

The 10-Q filing does not provide specific information on environmental commitments, social responsibility initiatives, or governance practices.

The company acknowledges that significant changes in laws or government regulations affecting environmental compliance could increase energy costs, capital expenditures and operating costs.

Our DRI facilities in Trinidad and Louisiana provide us with flexibility in managing our raw material requirements and our input costs. This can be seen as a positive environmental aspect, as DRI production can reduce reliance on scrap.

While the U.S. economy has continued to avert a more pronounced downturn, we believe that it is becoming more evident that activity has softened as the year has progressed.

The company acknowledges the cyclical nature of the steel industry and the sensitivity of its results of operations to general market conditions.

U.S. and foreign trade policies affecting steel imports or exports are a factor that might cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in forward-looking statements.