BetterThanSPY

Relative Intelligence · Steel

How Nucor (NUE) compares with the whole market and its popular alternatives

Built by QuantCommons' quantitative engine, this page is about relative opportunity, not data on NUE alone. It places NUE (Nucor Corporation) against 16 popular alternatives, its neighboring categories and the entire market of over 10,000 U.S.-listed stocks and ETFs, and surfaces what has done better on consistent outperformance, return for the risk taken, behavior in real market crashes and diversification. The result is a clearer view of where NUE stands in the market, and of the alternatives worth a closer look.

Period covered: NUE's full trading record, from October 1986 through September 2026. All returns include reinvested dividends. Data as of October 22, 2026.

Data as of October 22, 2026. Full tables and charts read best on a larger screen.

Rank the market against NUE →Chart NUE vs. 16 alternatives →

This page answers the following questions about NUE

Key findings

Not AI-generated

These key findings are generated by our proprietary relative intelligence engine, directly from the data on this page.

How much would $10,000 in NUE have grown?

This chart tracks a hypothetical $10,000 investment in NUE over the past 29 years, with dividends reinvested, alongside the same amount in the S&P 500, investments that ended ahead of NUE over the same span and NUE's popular alternatives, among those that traded for the entire period. A second view covers the past 5 years, the period the better options further down the page are judged on. It shows not only where each investment ended up but also how smooth or uneven the path was.

Choose a period

From the end of September 1997 to the end of September 2026. The scale is logarithmic, so equal steps up the chart are equal percentage gains. Hover over a fund in the key to pick out its line. 166 of the 1,042 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that traded the whole period ended ahead of NUE; the chart shows 5, closest alternatives first. The other 3 lines are popular alternatives, shown for context.

$1,000$10,000$100,000$1M199720022007201220172022$1,000$10,000$100,000$1M19972004201120182025
  • SCCO$3M+26,680% total · +21.3% a year
  • RS$621,583+6,116% total · +15.3% a year
  • CAT$615,591+6,056% total · +15.3% a year
  • STLD$598,980+5,890% total · +15.2% a year
  • BHP$430,670+4,207% total · +13.9% a year
  • NUE$361,333+3,513% total · +13.2% a year
  • CRS$297,321+2,873% total · +12.4% a year
  • SPY (S&P 500)$132,907+1,229% total · +9.3% a year
  • CLF$29,999+200% total · +3.9% a year
  • MT$10,522+5.2% total · +0.2% a year
Change the dates or add tickers to this chart in EasyCompare

From the end of September 2021 to the end of September 2026. The scale is logarithmic, so equal steps up the chart are equal percentage gains. Hover over a fund in the key to pick out its line. 481 of the 3,630 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that traded the whole period ended ahead of NUE; the chart shows 5, closest alternatives first. The other 3 lines are popular alternatives, shown for context.

$10,000$20,000$50,000$100,000202120222023202420252026$10,000$20,000$50,000$100,000202120222023202420252026
  • CRS$125,806+1,158% total · +65.9% a year
  • CAT$46,130+361% total · +35.8% a year
  • STLD$40,782+308% total · +32.5% a year
  • TFPM$35,993+260% total · +29.2% a year
  • URI$29,622+196% total · +24.3% a year
  • RS$29,255+193% total · +23.9% a year
  • NUE$25,527+155% total · +20.6% a year
  • MT$23,760+138% total · +18.9% a year
  • SPY (S&P 500)$19,000+90.0% total · +13.7% a year
  • TX$18,420+84.2% total · +13.0% a year
Change the dates or add tickers to this chart in EasyCompare

NUE at a glance

This section summarizes the key facts about the stock, its returns over periods from one to ten years and the risk it has carried, with dividends reinvested throughout. These figures serve as the baseline for every comparison that follows.

The company

Market value
$59B
Industry
Steel
Price history from
October 1986

Returns

Past 1 year
+91.1%total return
Past 3 years
+91.6%+24.2% a year
Past 5 years
+171%+22.1% a year
Past 10 years
+569%+20.9% a year
Best calendar year
+118%2021
Worst calendar year
−32.0%2024
Losing years
12 of 29full calendar years

Risk

Volatility
37.4%typical yearly swing, 5 years
Sharpe ratio
0.72return per unit of risk, 5 years
Worst decline ever
−68.3%May 2008 to Nov 2008
From its all-time high
−5.9%below the peak

NUE against the whole market

Where NUE ranks among every stock and fund, and what across the market has done better.

How does NUE rank among all stocks?

This section ranks NUE on return, volatility, risk-adjusted return and worst decline against every stock worth at least $300 million with enough history. Where the comparisons with its popular alternatives show how NUE stacks up against its peers, these rankings show where it stands in the market as a whole.

Ranked against U.S.-listed stocks worth at least $300M that have enough history for each measure, so the count changes from row to row; smaller stocks are left out. Lower volatility and smaller declines rank higher.

MeasureNUERankStanding
1-year return+91.1%211 of 3,282top 6%
3-year return+91.6%1,015 of 3,016top 34%
5-year return+171%375 of 2,897top 13%
10-year return+569%251 of 2,201top 11%
Volatility, 5 years37.4%1,297 of 2,897top 45%
Sharpe ratio, 5 years0.72414 of 2,897top 14%
Worst decline, past 10 years−57.2%765 of 2,184top 35%

What has beaten NUE on both return and risk?

Each dot is an investment, placed by how much it earned a year over the past 5 years (higher is better) and how much its price swung, its volatility (further left is calmer). NUE sits where the dashed lines cross. Anything in the green box above and to the left earned more than NUE with smaller swings, a better trade-off over this period on both counts. Past results are no promise, but a name in the box is worth a closer look.

Annual return is the annualized total return with dividends reinvested, and volatility the annualized swing in daily prices, both over 5 years. Labeled dots are the strongest picks from the table below and the names called out above, colored by how close they sit to NUE; faint dots are 72 more of the 81 in the green region (the strongest, one per fund family). 3,641 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million were screened. Hover over a dot for its figures.

10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%50.0%60.0%10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%50.0%60.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsMore return, less volatility than NUEMCK: +37.8% a year, volatility 25.1%VCTR: +27.7% a year, volatility 35.0%NHC: +31.2% a year, volatility 28.6%ESLT: +39.7% a year, volatility 34.6%CASY: +30.8% a year, volatility 29.4%MUSA: +25.3% a year, volatility 31.2%PSX: +32.7% a year, volatility 32.9%SU: +33.1% a year, volatility 32.5%MFG: +33.9% a year, volatility 30.6%CIB: +33.5% a year, volatility 32.9%SMFG: +34.0% a year, volatility 29.4%VRTX: +23.9% a year, volatility 29.1%GWW: +26.7% a year, volatility 24.9%COR: +23.6% a year, volatility 22.8%EME: +40.8% a year, volatility 35.4%IRM: +23.8% a year, volatility 30.3%CW: +29.5% a year, volatility 28.8%DTM: +25.0% a year, volatility 25.2%ALSN: +27.8% a year, volatility 29.9%WELL: +27.0% a year, volatility 23.8%HWM: +45.1% a year, volatility 32.7%TRGP: +41.8% a year, volatility 31.7%MPLX: +24.0% a year, volatility 18.8%XOM: +27.5% a year, volatility 26.5%IGIC: +30.6% a year, volatility 30.9%HSBC: +32.8% a year, volatility 25.9%GE: +36.0% a year, volatility 31.0%FBIZ: +23.2% a year, volatility 29.4%MUFG: +33.5% a year, volatility 29.4%SAN: +31.7% a year, volatility 33.9%BBVA: +39.0% a year, volatility 33.3%IBKR: +35.3% a year, volatility 35.5%UBS: +24.9% a year, volatility 30.4%PH: +26.0% a year, volatility 28.9%WMB: +25.2% a year, volatility 24.1%CNQ: +26.4% a year, volatility 32.5%ITUB: +27.7% a year, volatility 33.7%E: +23.7% a year, volatility 25.6%MFC: +23.3% a year, volatility 24.0%ING: +24.3% a year, volatility 31.2%IMO: +33.7% a year, volatility 32.0%LNG: +23.4% a year, volatility 30.2%WAB: +25.2% a year, volatility 26.3%BAP: +29.7% a year, volatility 30.3%KB: +24.2% a year, volatility 34.4%NWG: +27.6% a year, volatility 34.1%TS: +24.0% a year, volatility 33.4%PAA: +28.4% a year, volatility 25.6%UTHR: +25.1% a year, volatility 35.2%USFD: +23.3% a year, volatility 29.8%UNM: +31.4% a year, volatility 29.3%BCH: +24.2% a year, volatility 28.2%WES: +24.4% a year, volatility 27.6%MLI: +36.5% a year, volatility 33.4%WF: +25.4% a year, volatility 31.6%MOG-A: +35.1% a year, volatility 32.1%AIT: +27.2% a year, volatility 30.4%TKO: +26.1% a year, volatility 32.7%R: +27.5% a year, volatility 32.9%LAUR: +36.9% a year, volatility 32.8%PAGP: +27.8% a year, volatility 26.0%FSS: +23.2% a year, volatility 31.7%ACA: +23.4% a year, volatility 34.0%GVA: +23.3% a year, volatility 30.6%ARLP: +30.0% a year, volatility 31.5%WT: +30.8% a year, volatility 32.9%BLX: +31.0% a year, volatility 25.9%DCO: +27.2% a year, volatility 34.6%NRP: +35.8% a year, volatility 33.7%ESQ: +32.1% a year, volatility 31.8%AMAL: +25.4% a year, volatility 33.4%NBN: +29.7% a year, volatility 33.3%NUE: +22.1% a year, volatility 37.4%SPY (S&P 500): +12.5% a year, volatility 17.2%RS: +24.8% a year, volatility 28.1%CAT: +30.7% a year, volatility 32.0%STLD: +32.4% a year, volatility 38.0%URI: +25.7% a year, volatility 39.1%TFPM: +27.9% a year, volatility 37.8%SCCO: +30.1% a year, volatility 40.8%FRD: +24.8% a year, volatility 54.6%AEM: +28.2% a year, volatility 38.5%WPM: +25.8% a year, volatility 37.0%LLY: +41.2% a year, volatility 32.8%CAH: +41.7% a year, volatility 24.7%ABBV: +25.5% a year, volatility 23.4%APH: +31.3% a year, volatility 32.4%DXJ: +26.6% a year, volatility 19.1%PBR-A: +53.5% a year, volatility 37.4%PGR: +21.8% a year, volatility 25.7%EPU: +28.1% a year, volatility 24.9%MPC: +50.0% a year, volatility 33.4%NUESPY (S&P 500)RSCATSTLDURITFPMSCCOFRDAEMWPMLLYCAHABBVAPHDXJPBR-APGREPUMPC10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%50.0%60.0%10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%50.0%60.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsMore return, less volatility than NUEMCK: +37.8% a year, volatility 25.1%VCTR: +27.7% a year, volatility 35.0%NHC: +31.2% a year, volatility 28.6%ESLT: +39.7% a year, volatility 34.6%CASY: +30.8% a year, volatility 29.4%MUSA: +25.3% a year, volatility 31.2%PSX: +32.7% a year, volatility 32.9%SU: +33.1% a year, volatility 32.5%MFG: +33.9% a year, volatility 30.6%CIB: +33.5% a year, volatility 32.9%SMFG: +34.0% a year, volatility 29.4%VRTX: +23.9% a year, volatility 29.1%GWW: +26.7% a year, volatility 24.9%COR: +23.6% a year, volatility 22.8%EME: +40.8% a year, volatility 35.4%IRM: +23.8% a year, volatility 30.3%CW: +29.5% a year, volatility 28.8%DTM: +25.0% a year, volatility 25.2%ALSN: +27.8% a year, volatility 29.9%WELL: +27.0% a year, volatility 23.8%HWM: +45.1% a year, volatility 32.7%TRGP: +41.8% a year, volatility 31.7%MPLX: +24.0% a year, volatility 18.8%XOM: +27.5% a year, volatility 26.5%IGIC: +30.6% a year, volatility 30.9%HSBC: +32.8% a year, volatility 25.9%GE: +36.0% a year, volatility 31.0%FBIZ: +23.2% a year, volatility 29.4%MUFG: +33.5% a year, volatility 29.4%SAN: +31.7% a year, volatility 33.9%BBVA: +39.0% a year, volatility 33.3%IBKR: +35.3% a year, volatility 35.5%UBS: +24.9% a year, volatility 30.4%PH: +26.0% a year, volatility 28.9%WMB: +25.2% a year, volatility 24.1%CNQ: +26.4% a year, volatility 32.5%ITUB: +27.7% a year, volatility 33.7%E: +23.7% a year, volatility 25.6%MFC: +23.3% a year, volatility 24.0%ING: +24.3% a year, volatility 31.2%IMO: +33.7% a year, volatility 32.0%LNG: +23.4% a year, volatility 30.2%WAB: +25.2% a year, volatility 26.3%BAP: +29.7% a year, volatility 30.3%KB: +24.2% a year, volatility 34.4%NWG: +27.6% a year, volatility 34.1%TS: +24.0% a year, volatility 33.4%PAA: +28.4% a year, volatility 25.6%UTHR: +25.1% a year, volatility 35.2%USFD: +23.3% a year, volatility 29.8%UNM: +31.4% a year, volatility 29.3%BCH: +24.2% a year, volatility 28.2%WES: +24.4% a year, volatility 27.6%MLI: +36.5% a year, volatility 33.4%WF: +25.4% a year, volatility 31.6%MOG-A: +35.1% a year, volatility 32.1%AIT: +27.2% a year, volatility 30.4%TKO: +26.1% a year, volatility 32.7%R: +27.5% a year, volatility 32.9%LAUR: +36.9% a year, volatility 32.8%PAGP: +27.8% a year, volatility 26.0%FSS: +23.2% a year, volatility 31.7%ACA: +23.4% a year, volatility 34.0%GVA: +23.3% a year, volatility 30.6%ARLP: +30.0% a year, volatility 31.5%WT: +30.8% a year, volatility 32.9%BLX: +31.0% a year, volatility 25.9%DCO: +27.2% a year, volatility 34.6%NRP: +35.8% a year, volatility 33.7%ESQ: +32.1% a year, volatility 31.8%AMAL: +25.4% a year, volatility 33.4%NBN: +29.7% a year, volatility 33.3%NUE: +22.1% a year, volatility 37.4%SPY (S&P 500): +12.5% a year, volatility 17.2%RS: +24.8% a year, volatility 28.1%CAT: +30.7% a year, volatility 32.0%STLD: +32.4% a year, volatility 38.0%URI: +25.7% a year, volatility 39.1%TFPM: +27.9% a year, volatility 37.8%SCCO: +30.1% a year, volatility 40.8%FRD: +24.8% a year, volatility 54.6%AEM: +28.2% a year, volatility 38.5%WPM: +25.8% a year, volatility 37.0%LLY: +41.2% a year, volatility 32.8%CAH: +41.7% a year, volatility 24.7%ABBV: +25.5% a year, volatility 23.4%APH: +31.3% a year, volatility 32.4%DXJ: +26.6% a year, volatility 19.1%PBR-A: +53.5% a year, volatility 37.4%PGR: +21.8% a year, volatility 25.7%EPU: +28.1% a year, volatility 24.9%MPC: +50.0% a year, volatility 33.4%NUESPY (S&P 500)RSCATSTLDURITFPMFRDAEMLLYCAHABBVAPHPBR-APGREPUMPC
  • Popular alternatives
  • Same and neighboring categories, and shared themes
  • The whole market
  • Others in the green region

Is there a better investment than NUE?

Investments that beat NUE over the past 5 years on return, volatility, drawdowns, consistency, crash losses or fees, from its popular alternatives out to the whole market.

How this works

The table below lists investments that beat NUE over the past 5 years on at least one of these measures: a higher annual return with lower volatility, a higher annual return at similar volatility, a similar return with lower volatility, a higher Sharpe ratio with a smaller worst decline, a higher total return in most periods from 3 months to 10 years, or smaller losses in recent market crashes. It checks NUE's popular alternatives first, then the rest of its own and neighboring categories, then every stock and fund worth at least $500 million, and shows the strongest few in each group. The full list of those with a higher return and lower volatility than NUE follows the table.

Annual return is the annualized total return with dividends reinvested. Annual return, volatility and the Sharpe ratio cover 5 years; the worst decline covers the past 10 years. Green marks a better figure than NUE's. "On the frontier" means no other option shown or tested earned more with less volatility. Funds that hold the same thing are shown once. Beyond the popular alternatives, nothing with more than 1.5× NUE's volatility counts as better.

These figures cover the past 5 years. Green marks a better figure than NUE's.

Screen the whole market against NUE for any period in BetterThanSPYOpen these 18 in EasyCompare
InvestmentWhy it is betterPast 5 yearsDownsideLong runFit
Annual return?higher is betterVolatility?lower is calmerSharpe?return per unit of riskWorst decline?past 10 years10Y returntotalCorr. with NUE?lower diversifies moreExpenseper year
NUENucor Corporation · this page
+22.1%37.4%0.72−57.2%+569%1.00—
SPYState Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF · S&P 500
+12.5%17.2%0.78−33.7%+316%0.650.09%
Popular alternativesbest 4 shownThe investments people most often weigh against NUE. 4 of 15 passed at least one test.
RSReliance Steel & Aluminum Co. · Metals & Mining
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineSmaller losses in recent crashes+24.8%28.1%0.94−40.8%+639%0.81—
CATCaterpillar Inc. · Industrial Machinery
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst decline+30.7%32.0%1.00−43.4%+913%0.48—
STLDSteel Dynamics, Inc. · Steel
Higher return, similar volatility+32.4%38.0%0.93−68.5%+1,019%0.89—
URIUnited Rentals, Inc. · Equipment Rental
Higher return, similar volatility+25.7%39.1%0.78−63.3%+1,407%0.67—
Same and neighboring categories, and shared themesbest 5 shownEverything else in Steel and Metals & Mining and the categories next to it (Copper Mining, Gold Mining, Uranium), plus NUE's specific themes. 5 of 115 passed at least one test.
TFPMTriple Flag Precious Metals Corp. · Metals & Mining
Higher return, similar volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst decline+27.9%37.8%0.84−36.2%—-0.09—
SCCOSouthern Copper Corporation · Copper Mining
Higher return, similar volatility+30.1%40.8%0.85−55.3%+915%0.34—
FRDFriedman Industries, Incorporated · Steel
Higher return in most periods+24.8%54.6%0.68−65.1%+759%0.37—
AEMAgnico Eagle Mines Limited · Gold Mining
Higher return, similar volatility+28.2%38.5%0.84−54.2%+335%0.14—
WPMWheaton Precious Metals Corp. · Precious Metals
Higher return, similar volatility+25.8%37.0%0.81−46.7%+488%0.17—
The whole marketbest 8 shownEvery other stock and fund worth at least $500 million. 214 of 3,535 passed at least one test.
LLYEli Lilly and Company · Pharmaceuticals
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+41.2%32.8%1.22−34.5%+1,870%0.15—
CAHCardinal Health, Inc. · Health Care Distribution
On the frontierHigher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+41.7%24.7%1.54−46.1%+345%0.29—
ABBVAbbVie Inc. · Specialty Pharmaceuticals
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+25.5%23.4%1.09−45.1%+600%0.08—
APHAmphenol Corporation · Electronic Components
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineSmaller losses in recent crashes+31.3%32.4%1.01−37.5%+887%0.39—
DXJWisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund · Japan Equity
On the frontierHigher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst decline+26.6%19.1%1.34−39.1%+415%0.370.48%
PBR-APetróleo Brasileiro S.A. - Petrobras · Integrated Oil & Gas
On the frontierHigher return, similar volatilityHigher return in most periods+53.5%37.4%1.34−71.7%+733%0.31—
PGRThe Progressive Corporation · Property & Casualty Insurance
Similar return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineSmaller losses in recent crashes+21.8%25.7%0.90−30.3%+849%0.07—
EPUiShares MSCI Peru and Global Exposure ETF · International Equity
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst decline+28.1%24.9%1.12−51.0%+258%0.340.59%
What these numbers mean for NUE
Annual return
NUE returned 22.1% a year over the past 5 years with dividends reinvested, against 12.5% a year for the S&P 500. At that pace, $10,000 became about $27,100. Annual return is the steady yearly rate that would produce the same total result, so investments held over the same span compare fairly. Guide: What is performance and return? →
Volatility
NUE's volatility over the past 5 years was 37.4%, 2.2 times the S&P 500's 17.2%. Volatility measures how widely returns swing around their average: in roughly two years out of three, NUE's return lands within 37.4% of its average, either way. The higher it is, the rougher the ride and the harder it is to hold through a slump. Guide: Understanding and measuring risk (volatility) →
Sharpe ratio
NUE's Sharpe ratio over the past 5 years was 0.72, against 0.78 for the S&P 500, so NUE earned less for each unit of risk than an index fund did. The Sharpe ratio is the return earned above cash for each unit of volatility: two investments with the same return are not equal if one got there with far bigger swings. Guide: Balancing reward with risk (Sharpe ratio) →
Worst decline
NUE's worst fall from a peak to a low over the past 10 years was 57.2%, against 33.7% for the S&P 500. Losses and gains are not symmetric: climbing back from a 57.2% fall takes a 134% gain. Guide: Market crash risk and tail risk →
Correlation
Over the past 5 years, NUE's monthly returns had a correlation of 0.65 with the S&P 500. Correlation runs from 1 (moving in lockstep) through 0 (unrelated) to −1 (moving in opposite directions). They often move together: some diversification next to an index fund, but not a cushion. In the table, the correlation column measures each option against NUE instead: the lower it is, the more that option would diversify a NUE holding. Guide: Correlation and diversification →
Show all 81 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that earned more than NUE with less volatility

Out of 3,641 tested over 5 years. Best first; funds that hold the same thing are listed once.

#InvestmentFound inAnnual returnVolatilitySharpeWorst decline10Y returnCorr. with NUEExpense
1
LLYEli Lilly and Company · Pharmaceuticals
Whole market+41.2%32.8%1.22−34.5%+1,870%0.15—
2
CAHCardinal Health, Inc. · Health Care Distribution
Whole market+41.7%24.7%1.54−46.1%+345%0.29—
3
ABBVAbbVie Inc. · Specialty Pharmaceuticals
Whole market+25.5%23.4%1.09−45.1%+600%0.08—
4
MCKMcKesson Corporation · Health Care Distribution
Whole market+37.8%25.1%1.41−38.1%+582%0.23—
5
MPCMarathon Petroleum Corporation · Oil Refining
Whole market+50.0%33.4%1.39−79.7%+1,314%0.36—
6
APHAmphenol Corporation · Electronic Components
Whole market+31.3%32.4%1.01−37.5%+887%0.39—
7
VCTRVictory Capital Holdings, Inc. · Asset Management
Whole market+27.7%35.0%0.88−45.2%—0.49—
8
NHCNational HealthCare Corporation · Health Care Facilities
Whole market+31.2%28.6%1.10−35.3%+385%0.16—
9
ESLTElbit Systems Ltd. · Aerospace & Defense
Whole market+39.7%34.6%1.14−35.4%+763%0.19—
10
CASYCasey's General Stores, Inc. · Convenience Stores
Whole market+30.8%29.4%1.06−36.1%+560%0.38—
11
MUSAMurphy USA Inc. · Convenience Stores
Whole market+25.3%31.2%0.88−35.5%+688%0.25—
12
PSXPhillips 66 · Oil Refining
Whole market+32.7%32.9%1.03−64.2%+413%0.38—
13
SUSuncor Energy Inc. · Integrated Oil & Gas
Whole market+33.1%32.5%1.05−73.5%+289%0.41—
14
DXJWisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund · Japan Equity
Whole market+26.6%19.1%1.34−39.1%+415%0.370.48%
15
RSReliance Steel & Aluminum Co. · Metals & Mining
Popular alternative+24.8%28.1%0.94−40.8%+639%0.81—
16
MFGMizuho Financial Group, Inc. · Banks
Whole market+33.9%30.6%1.11−45.7%+343%0.28—
17
CIBGrupo Cibest S.A. · Banks
Whole market+33.5%32.9%1.04−70.4%+351%0.26—
18
SMFGSumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc. · Banks
Whole market+34.0%29.4%1.15−47.6%+470%0.23—
19
VRTXVertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated · Rare Disease Therapeutics
Whole market+23.9%29.1%0.89−41.6%+580%0.19—
20
GWWW.W. Grainger, Inc. · Industrial Distribution
Whole market+26.7%24.9%1.08−41.6%+670%0.58—
21
CORCencora, Inc. · Health Care Distribution
Whole market+23.6%22.8%1.05−32.4%+403%0.40—
22
EMEEMCOR Group, Inc. · Engineering & Construction
Whole market+40.8%35.4%1.15−48.0%+1,116%0.40—
23
IRMIron Mountain Incorporated · Specialty REITs
Whole market+23.8%30.3%0.86−39.0%+456%0.46—
24
CWCurtiss-Wright Corporation · Aerospace & Defense
Whole market+29.5%28.8%1.05−48.7%+486%0.39—
25
DTMDT Midstream, Inc. · Oil & Gas Midstream
Whole market+25.0%25.2%1.02−23.6%—0.33—
26
ALSNAllison Transmission Holdings, Inc. · Auto Parts
Whole market+27.8%29.9%0.98−48.7%+363%0.38—
27
CATCaterpillar Inc. · Industrial Machinery
Popular alternative+30.7%32.0%1.00−43.4%+913%0.48—
28
WELLWelltower Inc. · Healthcare REITs
Whole market+27.0%23.8%1.13−63.3%+378%0.39—
29
HWMHowmet Aerospace Inc. · Aerospace Components
Whole market+45.1%32.7%1.31−68.9%+928%0.45—
30
TRGPTarga Resources Corp. · Oil & Gas Midstream
Whole market+41.8%31.7%1.27−90.8%+829%0.49—
31
MPLXMPLX Lp · Oil & Gas Midstream
Whole market+24.0%18.8%1.25−75.2%+337%0.46—
32
XOMExxonmobil Holdings Corporation · Integrated Oil & Gas
Whole market+27.5%26.5%1.05−61.0%+216%0.31—
33
IGICInternational General Insurance Holdings Ltd. · Insurance
Whole market+30.6%30.9%1.02−50.6%—0.04—
34
EPUiShares MSCI Peru and Global Exposure ETF · International Equity
Whole market+28.1%24.9%1.12−51.0%+258%0.340.59%
35
HSBCHSBC Holdings plc · Banks
Whole market+32.8%25.9%1.23−62.3%+314%0.26—
36
GEGE Aerospace · Aerospace & Defense
Whole market+36.0%31.0%1.15−80.9%+135%0.38—
37
FBIZFirst Business Financial Services, Inc. · Regional Banks
Whole market+23.2%29.4%0.86−50.2%+315%0.40—
38
MUFGMitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc. · Banks
Whole market+33.5%29.4%1.14−54.9%+485%0.25—
39
SANBanco Santander, S.A. · Banks
Whole market+31.7%33.9%0.99−73.8%+307%0.28—
40
BBVABanco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A. · Banks
Whole market+39.0%33.3%1.16−69.6%+515%0.40—
41
IBKRInteractive Brokers Group, Inc. · Investment Banking & Brokerage
Whole market+35.3%35.5%1.03−55.1%+929%0.41—
42
UBSUBS Group AG · Banks
Whole market+24.9%30.4%0.89−59.8%+363%0.48—
43
PHParker-Hannifin Corporation · Industrial Machinery
Whole market+26.0%28.9%0.95−54.7%+755%0.51—
44
WMBThe Williams Companies, Inc. · Oil & Gas Midstream
Whole market+25.2%24.1%1.06−68.1%+291%0.34—
45
CNQCanadian Natural Resources Limited · Oil & Gas
Whole market+26.4%32.5%0.89−77.5%+431%0.40—
46
ITUBItaú Unibanco Holding S.A. · Banks
Whole market+27.7%33.7%0.90−62.1%+187%0.18—
47
EEni S.p.A. · Integrated Oil & Gas
Whole market+23.7%25.6%0.96−61.4%+283%0.35—
48
MFCManulife Financial Corporation · Life Insurance
Whole market+23.3%24.0%1.00−57.5%+386%0.48—
49
INGING Groep N.V. · Banks
Whole market+24.3%31.2%0.86−74.4%+330%0.20—
50
IMOImperial Oil Limited · Integrated Oil & Gas
Whole market+33.7%32.0%1.07−77.1%+411%0.47—
51
LNGCheniere Energy, Inc. · Oil & Gas
Whole market+23.4%30.2%0.85−57.5%+635%0.24—
52
WABWestinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation · Industrial Machinery
Whole market+25.2%26.3%0.99−64.1%+258%0.51—
53
BAPCredicorp Ltd. · Banks
Whole market+29.7%30.3%1.01−59.2%+281%0.29—
54
KBKB Financial Group Inc. · Banks
Whole market+24.2%34.4%0.80−64.1%+364%0.39—
55
NWGNatWest Group plc · Banks
Whole market+27.6%34.1%0.89−67.4%+488%0.30—
56
TSTenaris S.A. · Oilfield Services
Whole market+24.0%33.4%0.81−75.1%+173%0.50—
57
PAAPlains All American Pipeline, L.P. · Oil & Gas Midstream
Whole market+28.4%25.6%1.11−87.9%+66.5%0.49—
58
UTHRUnited Therapeutics Corporation · Rare Disease Therapeutics
Whole market+25.1%35.2%0.81−55.6%+423%-0.14—
59
USFDUS Foods Holding Corp. · Food Distribution
Whole market+23.3%29.8%0.85−77.3%+353%0.36—
60
UNMUnum Group · Life Insurance
Whole market+31.4%29.3%1.08−81.0%+263%0.16—
61
BCHBanco de Chile · Banks
Whole market+24.2%28.2%0.91−58.4%+168%0.13—
62
WESWestern Midstream Partners, LP · Oil & Gas Midstream
Whole market+24.4%27.6%0.93−91.9%+122%0.47—
63
MLIMueller Industries, Inc. · Metal Fabrication
Whole market+36.5%33.4%1.10−53.0%+760%0.56—
64
WFWoori Financial Group Inc. · Banks
Whole market+25.4%31.6%0.88−67.2%+268%0.41—
65
MOG-AMoog Inc. · Aerospace Components
Whole market+35.1%32.1%1.10−63.7%+540%0.35—
66
AITApplied Industrial Technologies, Inc. · Industrial Distribution
Whole market+27.2%30.4%0.95−59.3%+717%0.64—
67
TKOTKO Group Holdings, Inc. · Entertainment
Whole market+26.1%32.7%0.88−69.1%+917%0.27—
68
RRyder System, Inc. · Freight & Logistics
Whole market+27.5%32.9%0.90−72.3%+447%0.50—
69
LAURLaureate Education, Inc. · Education Services
Whole market+36.9%32.8%1.13−64.5%—-0.01—
70
PAGPPlains GP Holdings LP · Oil & Gas Midstream
Whole market+27.8%26.0%1.08−88.0%+60.3%0.47—
71
FSSFederal Signal Corporation · Industrial Machinery
Whole market+23.2%31.7%0.82−33.0%+899%0.42—
72
ACAArcosa, Inc. · Construction Materials
Whole market+23.4%34.0%0.79−36.8%—0.57—
73
GVAGranite Construction Incorporated · Engineering & Construction
Whole market+23.3%30.6%0.84−84.7%+174%0.31—
74
ARLPAlliance Resource Partners, L.P. · Coal
Whole market+30.0%31.5%1.00−85.3%+179%0.27—
75
WTWisdomTree, Inc. · Asset Management
Whole market+30.8%32.9%0.98−84.0%+156%0.42—
76
BLXBladex, Inc. · Banks
Whole market+31.0%25.9%1.18−68.5%+278%0.31—
77
DCODucommun Incorporated · Aerospace Components
Whole market+27.2%34.6%0.87−70.8%+688%0.48—
78
NRPNatural Resource Partners L.P. · Coal
Whole market+35.8%33.7%1.08−78.8%+665%0.16—
79
ESQEsquire Financial Holdings, Inc. · Regional Banks
Whole market+32.1%31.8%1.04−56.5%—0.21—
80
AMALAmalgamated Financial Corp. · Regional Banks
Whole market+25.4%33.4%0.85−62.9%—0.33—
81
NBNNortheast Bank · Regional Banks
Whole market+29.7%33.3%0.95−70.2%+1,084%0.39—

NUE against its popular alternatives

The investments people most often weigh against NUE, compared period by period and year by year.

How do NUE's risk and return compare with its alternatives?

This map plots each investment's annual return over the past 5 years against its volatility, the size of its typical price swings. Investments toward the upper left earned more for a smoother ride, and those toward the lower right earned less for a rougher one. The dashed lines cross at NUE, which divides the map into what did better or worse on each measure.

Green points earned more than NUE with less volatility; red points earned less with more. Hover over a point for its figures. Total returns with dividends reinvested, annualized.

10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%50.0%60.0%70.0%−20.0%−10.0%0.0%10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%50.0%60.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsHigher return, lower volatilityLower return, higher volatilityNUE: 22.1% a year, volatility 37.4%SPY (S&P 500): 12.5% a year, volatility 17.2%CAT: 30.7% a year, volatility 32.0%RS: 24.8% a year, volatility 28.1%MT: 15.2% a year, volatility 39.7%CLF: −11.4% a year, volatility 60.0%GGB: 14.4% a year, volatility 38.6%PKX: −1.2% a year, volatility 41.1%SID: −19.0% a year, volatility 54.6%URI: 25.7% a year, volatility 39.1%STLD: 32.4% a year, volatility 38.0%CRS: 57.4% a year, volatility 47.4%TX: 12.4% a year, volatility 34.8%VMC: 8.6% a year, volatility 26.6%BHP: 15.8% a year, volatility 31.4%CMC: 16.7% a year, volatility 35.8%VALE: 6.5% a year, volatility 35.0%NUESPY (S&P 500)CATRSMTCLFGGBPKXSIDURISTLDCRSTXVMCBHPVALE10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%50.0%60.0%70.0%−20.0%0.0%20.0%40.0%60.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsHigher return, lower volatilityLower return, higher volatilityNUE: 22.1% a year, volatility 37.4%SPY (S&P 500): 12.5% a year, volatility 17.2%CAT: 30.7% a year, volatility 32.0%RS: 24.8% a year, volatility 28.1%MT: 15.2% a year, volatility 39.7%CLF: −11.4% a year, volatility 60.0%GGB: 14.4% a year, volatility 38.6%PKX: −1.2% a year, volatility 41.1%SID: −19.0% a year, volatility 54.6%URI: 25.7% a year, volatility 39.1%STLD: 32.4% a year, volatility 38.0%CRS: 57.4% a year, volatility 47.4%TX: 12.4% a year, volatility 34.8%VMC: 8.6% a year, volatility 26.6%BHP: 15.8% a year, volatility 31.4%CMC: 16.7% a year, volatility 35.8%VALE: 6.5% a year, volatility 35.0%NUESPY (S&P 500)CATRSMTCLFPKXSIDURISTLDCRSTXVMCCMCVALE
All figures
InvestmentAnnual returnVolatility
CRS Carpenter Technology Corporation+57.4%47.4%
STLD Steel Dynamics, Inc.+32.4%38.0%
CAT Caterpillar Inc.+30.7%32.0%
URI United Rentals, Inc.+25.7%39.1%
RS Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co.+24.8%28.1%
NUE This pageNucor Corporation+22.1%37.4%
CMC Commercial Metals Company+16.7%35.8%
BHP BHP Group Limited+15.8%31.4%
MT ArcelorMittal S.A.+15.2%39.7%
GGB Gerdau S.A.+14.4%38.6%
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF+12.5%17.2%
TX Ternium S.A.+12.4%34.8%
VMC Vulcan Materials Company+8.6%26.6%
VALE Vale S.A.+6.5%35.0%
PKX POSCO Holdings Inc.−1.2%41.1%
CLF Cleveland-Cliffs Inc.−11.4%60.0%
SID Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional−19.0%54.6%
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Has NUE consistently beaten its popular alternatives?

This section compares NUE with the investments people most often weigh against it, checking each one over eight periods from one month to ten years. Counting how often an alternative earned more than NUE helps separate lasting outperformance from a single strong stretch.

A green cell means the alternative earned more than NUE over that period. "Qualified" marks those that did so in at least 3 of 5 short-term periods and 2 of 3 long-term periods.

InvestmentPeriods outperformed Short termLong termRisk · 5 yearsFund
1M3M6MYTD1Y3Y5Y10YVolatilitylower is calmerSharpehigher is betterWorst declinepast 10 yearsExpenseAssetsOverlapsame sectors
NUE Nucor Corporation (this page)—+5.3%+9.7%+21.0%+53.6%+91.1%+91.6%+171%+569%37.4%0.72−57.2%—$59B—
URI Rental & Leasing ServicesUnited Rentals, Inc.2/5 short3/3 long+6.5%+7.5%+38.9%+32.3%+13.0%+179%+213%+1,407%39.1%0.78−63.3%—$69B—
STLD SteelSteel Dynamics, Inc.0/5 short3/3 long+2.8%+0.8%+6.0%+37.3%+63.2%+153%+307%+1,019%38.0%0.93−68.5%—$34B—
CAT Agricultural - MachineryCaterpillar Inc.0/5 short3/3 long−12.9%−20.7%−12.6%+18.6%+38.1%+196%+281%+913%32.0%1.00−43.4%—$324B—
CRS SteelCarpenter Technology Corporation0/5 short3/3 long−26.9%−50.2%−31.0%−13.4%+19.6%+389%+867%+775%47.4%1.20−74.7%—$14B—
RS SteelReliance Steel & Aluminum Co.1/5 short2/3 long+8.0%+8.5%+19.9%+42.8%+54.6%+78.8%+203%+639%28.1%0.94−40.8%—$21B—
MT SteelArcelorMittal S.A.0/5 short1/3 long−18.4%−9.3%−1.0%+28.4%+57.1%+191%+102%+226%39.7%0.55−81.1%—$45B—
TX SteelTernium S.A.2/5 short0/3 long−1.9%+19.7%+31.9%+45.6%+64.1%+86.4%+79.5%+350%34.8%0.51−74.9%—$11B—
CLF SteelCleveland-Cliffs Inc.2/5 short0/3 long+4.2%+38.1%+37.4%−4.0%+0.4%−9.2%−45.3%+123%60.0%0.10−82.4%—$7.4B—
WS SteelWorthington Steel, Inc.2/5 short0/3 long+16.0%+14.5%+14.0%+16.7%+36.7%—————−51.0%—$2.0B—
VMC Construction MaterialsVulcan Materials Company1/5 short0/3 long+8.4%−3.1%−7.0%−7.6%−7.8%+35.7%+51.0%+160%26.6%0.45−49.2%—$35B—
BHP Industrial MaterialsBHP Group Limited0/5 short0/3 long−11.7%−6.2%−1.6%+30.9%+44.9%+62.0%+109%+373%31.4%0.63−44.3%—$197B—
CMC SteelCommercial Metals Company0/5 short0/3 long−1.9%−6.3%−8.0%−10.4%+8.1%+65.7%+117%+363%35.8%0.61−53.8%—$7.0B—
VALE Industrial MaterialsVale S.A.0/5 short0/3 long−14.0%−15.9%−28.3%−5.4%+14.7%+28.8%+36.8%+278%35.0%0.35−57.6%—$52B—
GGB SteelGerdau S.A.0/5 short0/3 long+1.0%+7.2%+19.0%+37.0%+57.9%+57.0%+95.8%+204%38.6%0.54−67.4%—$10.0B—
PKX SteelPOSCO Holdings Inc.0/5 short0/3 long−11.3%+1.6%−25.2%−0.5%+1.0%−33.2%−5.9%+37.8%41.1%0.17−69.6%—$16B—
SID SteelCompanhia Siderúrgica Nacional0/5 short0/3 long−11.9%−4.6%−22.4%−35.4%−35.8%−44.4%−65.1%−43.5%54.6%-0.12−86.5%—$1.4B—
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How did NUE do year by year?

This table shows each investment's total return in every full calendar year since 1997, along with where NUE ranked among its popular alternatives each year. Annual results reveal how consistently each one kept pace with NUE and how far its good and bad years diverged, detail that multiyear averages tend to smooth over.

Newest year first. Green marks a year in which the fund came out ahead of NUE; gray means the two finished within a fraction of a point. The rank row places NUE among the alternatives that traded the full year; dark green is the top quarter and red the bottom quarter.

InvestmentYears ahead of NUE20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015201420132012201120102009200820072006200520042003200220012000199919981997
NUE This pageNucor Corporation—+42.0%−31.9%+33.8%+17.4%+118%−1.8%+11.9%−16.4%+9.6%+52.2%−14.9%−5.4%+27.6%+13.1%−6.3%−2.8%+4.2%−19.4%+12.8%+70.5%+30.9%+89.1%+37.7%−20.6%+35.7%−26.6%+28.2%−9.4%−4.5%
Rank among alternativesTop quarter in 5 of 297 of 1713 of 177 of 169 of 161 of 1613 of 1612 of 168 of 1612 of 1610 of 165 of 165 of 165 of 167 of 165 of 1612 of 1615 of 162 of 1614 of 162 of 157 of 154 of 1514 of 1512 of 144 of 149 of 147 of 138 of 138 of 11
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF15 of 29+17.7%+24.9%+26.2%−18.2%+28.7%+18.3%+31.2%−4.6%+21.7%+12.0%+1.2%+13.5%+32.3%+16.0%+1.9%+15.1%+26.4%−36.8%+5.1%+15.9%+4.8%+10.7%+28.2%−21.6%−11.7%−9.8%+20.4%+28.7%+33.5%
URI United Rentals, Inc.15 of 28+15.9%+24.0%+63.6%+7.0%+43.3%+39.1%+62.6%−40.4%+62.8%+45.6%−28.9%+30.9%+71.3%+54.0%+29.9%+132%+7.5%−50.3%−27.8%+8.7%+23.8%−1.9%+79.0%−52.6%+68.9%−21.5%−48.3%+71.5%—
STLD Steel Dynamics, Inc.17 of 29+50.7%−2.0%+22.8%+60.1%+71.4%+12.4%+16.8%−29.0%+23.3%+103%−6.8%+3.5%+46.2%+7.8%−26.1%+5.2%+62.4%−61.8%+86.0%+86.0%−5.2%+66.0%+90.5%+3.8%+5.8%−31.1%+35.7%−26.6%−16.3%
CAT Caterpillar Inc.16 of 29+60.3%+24.7%+25.9%+18.6%+16.0%+27.0%+19.5%−17.6%+75.0%+42.1%−23.0%+3.5%+3.4%+1.6%−1.5%+68.5%+33.2%−36.8%+20.5%+7.8%+20.7%+19.7%+86.1%−9.8%+13.7%+4.1%+4.7%−3.0%+31.2%
CRS Carpenter Technology Corporation14 of 29+86.2%+142%+94.5%+29.5%+2.7%−39.4%+42.1%−29.2%+43.4%+22.0%−37.4%−19.8%+22.1%+1.7%+30.0%+52.6%+35.9%−72.1%+48.0%+46.5%+21.7%+99.5%+142%−50.7%−18.9%+34.3%−15.0%−27.2%+35.3%
RS Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co.19 of 29+9.1%−2.3%+40.3%+27.1%+37.8%+2.4%+72.2%−15.1%+10.5%+40.5%−2.9%−17.5%+24.3%+29.5%−3.7%+19.3%+119%−62.8%+38.6%+29.6%+58.1%+18.1%+61.4%−19.9%+6.9%+6.6%+28.6%−6.7%+28.2%
MT ArcelorMittal S.A.11 of 28+100%−16.9%+10.2%−16.6%+40.3%+30.6%−14.2%−35.8%+47.5%+73.1%−61.2%−37.6%+3.8%−0.5%−51.2%−15.3%+89.3%−67.5%+85.7%+62.0%−31.3%+336%+303%+25.8%−22.2%−85.9%+108%−63.9%—
TX Ternium S.A.12 of 19+43.5%−25.9%+49.9%−24.8%+61.0%+44.4%−14.8%−11.8%+36.4%+104%−26.4%−42.2%+36.7%+32.2%−55.5%+21.5%+314%−78.4%+38.2%——————————
CLF Cleveland-Cliffs Inc.12 of 29+41.3%−54.0%+26.8%−26.0%+49.5%+77.3%+12.8%+6.6%−14.2%+431%−77.8%−71.7%−30.4%−35.3%−19.2%+70.8%+81.5%−48.8%+110%+10.7%+71.9%+104%+157%+8.8%−13.3%−26.3%−19.3%−9.3%+4.3%
WS Worthington Steel, Inc.1 of 2+11.2%+15.4%———————————————————————————
VMC Vulcan Materials Company11 of 29+11.7%+14.1%+30.8%−14.9%+41.1%+4.1%+47.1%−22.3%+3.2%+32.7%+45.1%+11.0%+14.2%+32.5%−9.5%−13.7%−21.7%−9.1%−10.3%+35.1%+26.4%+17.4%+30.2%−20.0%+2.1%+22.2%−7.3%+31.2%+71.8%
BHP BHP Group Limited15 of 29+28.9%−24.6%+16.4%+29.4%+2.0%+25.3%+24.6%+10.5%+33.8%+41.9%−38.1%−27.9%−9.8%+14.9%−22.0%+24.5%+85.2%−37.4%+79.4%+21.2%+42.0%+34.3%+62.6%+50.4%+8.7%−16.6%+91.5%−18.9%−32.0%
CMC Commercial Metals Company14 of 29+41.5%+0.4%+5.0%+35.1%+79.8%−5.4%+42.8%−23.2%−0.9%+64.0%−13.2%−17.8%+41.0%+11.3%−14.5%+10.3%+36.5%−59.0%+15.5%+38.6%+50.0%+67.7%+89.9%−5.0%+65.2%−33.1%+24.9%−10.4%+6.6%
VALE Vale S.A.11 of 23+66.3%−38.8%+1.6%+32.5%−1.7%+32.0%+2.7%+12.3%+62.2%+134%−57.8%−44.1%−23.2%+3.3%−34.0%+21.2%+145%−61.8%+123%+47.5%+46.9%+50.6%+108%——————
GGB Gerdau S.A.12 of 26+32.7%−25.9%−2.1%+28.4%+18.2%−3.1%+32.8%+3.2%+18.5%+164%−65.2%−53.8%−11.7%+17.0%−43.0%−15.8%+160%−52.6%+86.5%+54.8%+47.9%+83.5%+213%−3.0%+17.4%−31.3%———
PKX POSCO Holdings Inc.11 of 29+27.3%−53.3%+77.9%−2.2%−1.4%+27.8%−4.1%−28.6%+54.2%+53.8%−42.1%−16.4%−2.6%+2.3%−21.8%−16.1%+76.1%−48.9%+85.4%+68.4%+16.0%+37.3%+43.1%+10.4%+54.0%−54.2%+110%−1.7%−13.1%
SID Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional14 of 29+11.1%−59.6%+70.3%−29.4%−22.3%+72.4%+68.7%−3.0%−24.2%+231%−49.2%−65.5%+18.1%−24.0%−48.3%+7.8%+168%−55.9%+211%+57.6%+27.7%+53.8%+344%+182%−5.4%−10.1%+70.7%+6.6%+3,142%
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Risk and diversification

How NUE has fallen, how it held up in crashes beside the S&P 500 and its popular alternatives, and what moves independently of it.

What were NUE's worst declines?

A drawdown is the decline from a peak to the lowest point before a new high. This section presents NUE's five deepest drawdowns since it began trading in 1986, alongside the S&P 500's return over the same dates, and how long each took to recover. Together, these figures show how much an investor could have lost and how long it took to get back to even.

Green means NUE fell less than the S&P 500 over the same dates. Based on daily closing prices with dividends reinvested.

DuringNUE fellS&P 500, same datesPeakLowTime to the lowBack at the peakTime to recover
2008 financial crisis−68.3%−46.5%May 2008Nov 20086 monthsNov 20168 years
Late-2018 sell-off−57.2%−15.7%Jan 2018Mar 20202.2 yearsMar 202112 months
Dot-com bust−56.0%+247%Jun 1994Sep 20006.3 yearsMay 200220 months
No named crash−47.8%−1.3%Apr 2024Apr 202512 monthsApr 202612 months
Dot-com bust−47.3%−16.9%Jun 2002Feb 20038 monthsMay 200415 months

How did NUE do in stock market crashes?

This section measures how far NUE, the S&P 500 and each alternative fell from peak to trough during every major market crash since 2000. A smaller decline means an investment held up better, and comparing results across crashes shows whether that resilience was consistent or a one-off.

Newest crash first. Each figure is the fund's deepest fall within the crash window; green means a smaller fall than NUE.

InvestmentHeld up better2023 regional bank crisisMar 20232022 bear marketJan 2022Covid crashFeb 2020Late-2018 sell-offSep 2018February 2018 volatility shockFeb 20182015 China and oil sell-offAug 20152011 euro debt crisisJul 20112010 flash crashMay 20102008 financial crisisOct 2007Dot-com bustMar 2000
NUE This pageNucor Corporation—−10.3%−40.8%−41.5%−23.5%−6.0%−24.3%−23.9%0.0%−68.3%−44.8%
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF7 of 10−3.4%−24.5%−33.7%−19.3%−6.5%−12.8%−17.9%−1.5%−55.2%−47.5%
URI United Rentals, Inc.1 of 10−14.5%−35.4%−55.3%−43.3%−6.7%−45.7%−50.5%−3.6%−91.2%−77.3%
STLD Steel Dynamics, Inc.3 of 10−11.7%−30.6%−47.8%−37.1%−3.6%−25.6%−43.0%−0.7%−87.1%−41.6%
CAT Caterpillar Inc.4 of 10−9.7%−30.1%−33.1%−28.5%−7.3%−26.0%−33.2%−2.2%−73.3%−42.5%
CRS Carpenter Technology Corporation2 of 10−8.7%−41.9%−66.2%−43.6%−3.8%−36.5%−28.1%0.0%−84.7%−70.2%
RS Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co.7 of 10−3.8%−22.3%−38.7%−19.3%−4.8%−16.3%−36.3%−2.4%−83.8%−42.0%
MT ArcelorMittal S.A.1 of 10−8.8%−46.1%−58.7%−38.4%−7.1%−68.8%−53.8%−2.0%−85.1%−94.9%
TX Ternium S.A.3 of 9−7.6%−43.9%−52.2%−17.4%−2.7%−35.7%−34.2%0.0%−89.7%—
CLF Cleveland-Cliffs Inc.1 of 10−10.0%−60.5%−59.6%−41.3%−2.6%−71.3%−51.4%0.0%−89.8%−46.5%
VMC Vulcan Materials Company5 of 10−7.2%−32.5%−43.4%−27.1%−7.3%−22.8%−26.4%−1.3%−61.0%−39.7%
BHP BHP Group Limited5 of 10−2.2%−31.8%−38.1%−12.8%−6.4%−49.4%−30.7%0.0%−73.7%−32.6%
CMC Commercial Metals Company4 of 10−11.4%−28.7%−45.2%−26.2%−4.7%−22.6%−41.0%0.0%−83.8%−29.5%
VALE Vale S.A.3 of 9−3.1%−41.4%−45.5%−20.9%−5.3%−61.1%−33.4%−0.8%−79.5%—
GGB Gerdau S.A.3 of 10−9.3%−36.4%−63.4%−20.3%−6.8%−55.0%−29.2%−2.2%−83.3%−66.6%
PKX POSCO Holdings Inc.3 of 10−3.7%−41.3%−41.4%−21.7%−9.0%−21.2%−35.5%0.0%−77.2%−51.5%
SID Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional1 of 10−13.3%−58.7%−65.1%−21.7%−7.4%−53.8%−33.9%−1.0%−84.4%−60.9%
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How closely does NUE move with the S&P 500?

Upside capture measures how much of the S&P 500's gains an investment kept in the months the market rose, and downside capture how much of its losses it took in the months the market fell. An investment that captures more of the gains than the losses has compounded ahead of the market over time. This section compares NUE with its popular alternatives on both measures, and on beta (how strongly each has moved with the market), over the past 10 years.

Monthly total returns over the past 10 years, measured against SPY. 100% capture or a beta of 1.00 means moving in line with the S&P 500. Green marks a better figure than NUE's: more upside, less downside or a higher capture ratio. Sorted by capture ratio.

InvestmentUpside captureDownside captureCapture ratioBeta
NUE This pageNucor Corporation154%176%0.871.65
RS Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co.107%83%1.291.00
CAT Caterpillar Inc.148%122%1.211.27
STLD Steel Dynamics, Inc.150%129%1.161.48
CRS Carpenter Technology Corporation155%137%1.131.68
VALE Vale S.A.100%88%1.130.74
BHP BHP Group Limited106%97%1.100.87
URI United Rentals, Inc.177%165%1.071.90
TX Ternium S.A.134%150%0.901.36
VMC Vulcan Materials Company75%91%0.830.83
CMC Commercial Metals Company151%188%0.811.44
MT ArcelorMittal S.A.159%209%0.761.77
GGB Gerdau S.A.138%182%0.761.54
CLF Cleveland-Cliffs Inc.172%276%0.622.19
PKX POSCO Holdings Inc.112%186%0.601.39
SID Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional113%238%0.471.73
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What diversifies NUE?

Correlation measures how closely two investments move together, on a scale from 1 (in lockstep) through 0 (unrelated) to -1 (in opposite directions). This section lists large ETFs and stocks whose returns have had a low correlation with NUE's. Because such investments tend not to fall at the same time, pairing NUE with them can reduce a portfolio's overall swings.

Only ETFs with at least $1.0B in assets and stocks worth at least $10B, with a correlation below 0.5 over the past 5 years and a positive return, are included, ranked by Sharpe ratio; funds that hold the same thing are shown once. The year columns are the years in which NUE lost money. The last two columns show a portfolio that is 80% NUE and 20% the other investment, rebalanced monthly.

ETFs

InvestmentCorrelation5Y returnSharpe20242020201820152014201120102008200220001998199780/20 mix volatility80/20 mix annual return
NUE Nucor Corporation (this page)1.00+171%0.72−31.9%−1.8%−16.4%−14.9%−5.4%−6.3%−2.8%−19.4%−20.6%−26.6%−9.4%−4.5%44.6%+20.6%
LVHI InternationalFranklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF0.46+119%1.48+15.9%−9.0%−5.2%—————————36.5%+21.3%
DXJ InternationalWisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund0.37+225%1.34+29.8%+3.9%−19.8%+7.7%+8.1%−16.1%−1.8%−20.8%————36.7%+23.4%
SMH TechnologyVanEck Semiconductor ETF0.42+304%0.94+39.1%+55.5%−9.1%−0.3%+30.2%+6.8%+19.0%−44.7%−47.0%———39.1%+25.6%
XLE EnergyState Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF0.41+178%0.94+5.6%−32.7%−18.2%−21.5%−8.7%+2.8%+21.9%−39.0%−14.8%+24.4%——38.1%+22.6%
GLD CommoditiesSPDR Gold Shares0.11+120%0.93+26.7%+24.8%−1.9%−10.7%−2.2%+9.6%+29.3%+4.9%————36.2%+22.0%
SPMO Broad MarketInvesco S&P 500 Momentum ETF0.46+130%0.91+45.8%+28.2%−0.9%—————————37.7%+22.2%
EUFN InternationaliShares MSCI Europe Financials ETF0.41+130%0.88+17.2%−8.5%−23.1%−4.7%−9.7%−26.6%——————37.5%+22.1%
EWT TechnologyiShares MSCI Taiwan ETF0.36+147%0.87+16.1%+31.5%−9.9%−12.9%+7.0%−21.8%+22.8%−45.3%−24.4%———37.8%+22.5%

Stocks

InvestmentCorrelation5Y returnSharpe20242020201820152014201120102008200220001998199780/20 mix volatility80/20 mix annual return
NUE Nucor Corporation (this page)1.00+171%0.72−31.9%−1.8%−16.4%−14.9%−5.4%−6.3%−2.8%−19.4%−20.6%−26.6%−9.4%−4.5%44.6%+20.6%
CAH Medical - DistributionCardinal Health, Inc.0.29+471%1.54+19.0%+10.1%−24.5%+12.6%+23.0%+8.1%+21.4%−39.6%−8.3%+108%+51.7%+29.1%37.5%+25.7%
CLS Hardware, Equipment & PartsCelestica Inc.0.34+2,780%1.43+215%−2.4%−16.3%−6.0%+12.9%−24.4%+2.8%−20.5%−65.1%−2.3%——41.1%+38.5%
MCK Medical - DistributionMcKesson Corporation0.23+397%1.41+23.7%+27.1%−28.4%−4.5%+29.3%+11.8%+13.8%−40.4%−27.2%+61.2%+46.9%+96.3%37.1%+25.2%
FIX Engineering & ConstructionComfort Systems USA, Inc.0.41+1,452%1.41+107%+6.7%+0.8%+67.7%−10.4%−17.0%+8.7%−15.2%−9.4%−71.1%−9.5%—40.2%+34.2%
MPC Oil & Gas Refining & MarketingMarathon Petroleum Corporation0.36+660%1.39−4.0%−27.4%−8.2%+17.4%+0.4%———————38.5%+27.6%
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Common questions

What was NUE's worst drawdown?

NUE's deepest decline since it began trading in 1986 was 68.3%, from May to November 2008. It took about eight years from the low to climb back to its old high.

What were NUE's best and worst years?

Over 29 full calendar years, NUE's best year was 2021, when it returned 118%. Its worst was 2024, with a return of -32.0%.

Is there a better investment than NUE?

Among NUE's popular alternatives, RS and CAT earned more than NUE with less volatility over the past 5 years. RS returned 24.8% a year at 28.1% volatility, against 22.1% a year at 37.4%. Looking beyond its popular alternatives, TFPM (metals & mining) earned more for the risk it took than NUE over the past 5 years, and its worst fall in 10 years was 36.2%, against 57.2% for NUE.

Is NUE more volatile than the S&P 500?

Yes. NUE's volatility over the past 5 years was 37.4%, 2.2 times the S&P 500's 17.2%. Volatility measures how widely returns swing around their average: in roughly two years out of three, NUE's return lands within 37.4% of its average, either way. The higher it is, the rougher the ride and the harder it is to hold through a slump.

What is NUE's Sharpe ratio?

NUE's Sharpe ratio over the past 5 years was 0.72, against 0.78 for the S&P 500, so NUE earned less for each unit of risk than an index fund did. The Sharpe ratio is the return earned above cash for each unit of volatility: two investments with the same return are not equal if one got there with far bigger swings.

How correlated is NUE with the S&P 500?

Over the past 5 years, NUE's monthly returns had a correlation of 0.65 with the S&P 500. Correlation runs from 1 (moving in lockstep) through 0 (unrelated) to −1 (moving in opposite directions). They often move together: some diversification next to an index fund, but not a cushion. In the table, the correlation column measures each option against NUE instead: the lower it is, the more that option would diversify a NUE holding.

What are the best alternatives to NUE?

None of the 16 popular alternatives we compared outperformed NUE in at least 3 of 5 short-term and 2 of 3 long-term timeframes, which says more about NUE's strength than about its alternatives.

Did NUE outperform the S&P 500?

NUE finished ahead of the S&P 500 (SPY) in 14 of 29 full calendar years. In 2025, it returned +42.0%, against +17.7% for the index.

How did NUE do in stock market crashes?

NUE fell less than the S&P 500 (SPY) in two of the ten major crashes it has traded through, and further in seven. The clearest case was the 2022 bear market, when NUE fell 40.8% and the S&P 500 fell 24.5%.

What diversifies NUE?

These had a low correlation with NUE over the past 5 years and still earned a positive 5-year return: among large ETFs, LVHI (correlation 0.46), DXJ (correlation 0.37) and SMH (correlation 0.42); among large stocks, CAH (correlation 0.29), CLS (correlation 0.34) and MCK (correlation 0.23). A correlation near zero means the two have moved largely independently.

How we measure

More research

Popular alternatives to NUE

Other stocks and ETFs