Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. operates as a flat-rolled steel producer in North America. The company offers hot-rolled, cold-rolled, electrogalvanized, hot-dip galvanized, hot-dip galvannealed, aluminized, galvalume, enameling, and advanced high-strength steel products; austenitic, martensitic, duplex, precipitation hardening, and ferritic stainless steel products; plates; and grain oriented and non-oriented electrical steel products, as well as slab, scrap, iron ore, coal, and coke. It also provides tubular components, including carbon steel, stainless steel, and electric resistance welded tubing. In addition, the company offers tinplate products, such as electrolytic tin coated and chrome coated sheet, and tin mill products; tooling and sampling; ingots, rolled blooms, and cast blooms; and hot-briquetted iron products. Further, it owns five iron ore mines in Minnesota and Michigan. The company serves automotive, infrastructure and manufacturing, distributors and converters, and steel producers. The company was formerly known as Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. and changed its name to Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. in August 2017. Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. was founded in 1847 and is headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio.

Cleveland-Cliffs’ valuation looks cheap on a multiples basis, but it is a cheap valuation against the backdrop of weak profitability, rather than a clear undervaluation of business quality. The P/S ratio at 0.26 and P/B at around 0.90 are noticeably below the industry median, which would normally support upside; however, P/E and P/FCF are effectively uninformative because of zero/negative earnings and free cash flow. At the same time, profitability remains very weak: ROE, ROA, ROI, operating and net margins, as well as gross margin, are all at zero, which sharply limits the case for a higher valuation. EPS momentum is also unfavorable: after positive readings in 2025, the metric moved into negative territory, and the EPS forecast remains weak, indicating pressure on profitability. Revenue looks large and relatively stable, but this is not translating into sustainable operating profit, so the scale of the business does not yet support a premium valuation. EBITDA in the latest period is low, and gross profit is absent in several periods, pointing to a very thin margin cushion in a cyclical steel business. Leverage is notable: debt/equity is above the industry median, debt is high relative to capital, and the quick ratio is below a comfortable level, although the current ratio of around 2.0 partially mitigates liquidity risk. Equity remains positive and substantial, but its quality for shareholders is limited by weak returns on capital. There is dividend yield, but based on the historical series it does not appear to be a factor driving a sustained rerating; rather, it is an additional but not decisive argument. Overall, the fundamentals present a mixed picture: the balance sheet and revenue support the company, but profitability, margins, and leverage do not allow for an aggressive upward revision of the target valuation. For an investor, this is more a story of potential cyclical recovery than of stable quality deserving a high market premium. Therefore, the target forecast should be adjusted only moderately downward, while maintaining a conservative approach to cyclical risk.

Cleveland-Cliffs Inc.

Средний индекс, без изменений. Быки в растерянности.

Medium index, flat. The bulls are confused.

Слабый индекс, без изменений

Сильный индекс, незначительно упал. Нейтральный рынок.

Strong index, slightly down. Neutral market.

Слабый индекс, значительно вырос. Нейтральный рынок.

Weak index, significantly up. Neutral market.

Слабый индекс, незначительно упал

Слабый индекс, без изменений. Отток средств из шортов остается значительным.

Weak index, flat. The outflow of funds from shorts remains significant.

The stock looks cheap on P/S and P/B, but weak profitability, a high debt burden, and negative EPS momentum limit revaluation potential.

In trading on Tuesday, shares of Cleveland-Cliffs Inc (Symbol: CLF) crossed above their 200 day moving average of $16.75, changing hands as high as $16.83 per share. Cleveland-Cliffs Inc shares are currently trading up about 2.1% on the day. The chart below shows the one year performance of CLF shares, versus its 200 day moving average:
Looking at the chart above, CLF's low point in its 52 week range is $11.825 per share, with $22.83 as the 52 week high point — that compares with a last trade of $16.76.
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The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Cleveland-Cliffs (CLF) Shares Cross Above 200 DMA

Nucor Corporation NUE is slated to come up with second-quarter 2026 results after the closing bell on July 27. NUE is expected to have benefited from favorable steel prices and higher earnings across its segments in the second quarter.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for second-quarter earnings has been stable in the past 60 days. The consensus estimate for earnings is pegged at $4.57 per share, suggesting a 75.8% year-over-year increase.
NUE surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in two of the trailing four quarters and missed twice. It has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of roughly 8.1%, on average.
Q2 Earnings Whispers for NUE Stock
Our proven model predicts an earnings beat for Nucor this time around. The combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) increases the chances of an earnings beat. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.
NUE has an Earnings ESP of +0.27% and a Zacks Rank #3. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Factors Shaping NUE’s Q2 Results
Higher segment earnings are likely to have aided NUE’s performance in the second quarter. Nucor is expected to have benefited from higher selling prices and strong demand from non-residential construction & infrastructure, military & defense and energy end markets.
Nucor, last month, said that it expects earnings to increase across all three operating segments compared to the previous quarter. The largest increase is expected to be witnessed in the steel mills segment due to higher average selling prices and stable volumes.
Approximately $130 million in cash refunds tied to prior raw materials procurement costs will also benefit the costs in the segment. The steel products segment is expected to benefit from higher volumes and slightly improved pricing, while the raw materials segment should see gains from stronger realized prices.
U.S. steel prices recovered in the fourth quarter of 2025, following the lows seen in the third quarter, and the momentum continued in the first half of 2026. Overall demand weakness and abundant steel mill output dragged benchmark hot-rolled coil (“HRC”) prices below $800 per short ton in late August, continuing through early September.
HRC prices have rebounded on major steel mills' price increases, extending lead times and tightening supply, partly due to plant outages and reduced imports driven by tariffs. The recovery has led to HRC prices surging to near $1,200 per short ton.
Higher selling prices are expected to have supported Nucor’s performance in the quarter to be reported. Our estimate for second-quarter average sales price per ton for the company’s steel mills unit stands at $1,308, indicating a 25.6% year-over-year increase.
Nucor is expected to have witnessed continued demand weakness in certain markets such as heavy equipment, rail cars, truck and trailer and agriculture. Residential construction, a key end market for Nucor, remains another area of weakness. The construction sector has experienced a slowdown in the United States due to high interest rates, dampening steel demand in this market. Elevated borrowing costs and inflation have taken a bite out of the residential construction industry. The softness in this market is expected to have continued in the June quarter.
NUE Stock’s Price Performance and Valuation
Nucor’s shares have gained 65.4% in the past year, topping the Zacks Steel Producers industry’s rise of 60.9% and the S&P 500’s increase of 20%. Among its major U.S. steel-making peers, Steel Dynamics, Inc. STLD has rallied 83.9% while Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. CLF has lost 4.2%.
NUE’s One-year Price Performance
From a valuation standpoint, Nucor is currently trading at a forward 12-month earnings multiple of 13.25, a roughly 14.2% premium to the peer group average of 11.6X. It is trading at a discount to Cleveland-Cliffs and at a modest premium to Steel Dynamics. NUE currently has a Value Score of B, while Steel Dynamics and Cleveland-Cliffs have a Value Score of C and F, respectively.
NUE’s P/E F12M Vs. Industry, STLD and CLF
Investment Thesis for NUE Stock
Nucor is well positioned for long-term growth through capacity expansion, strategic acquisitions and a disciplined capital allocation strategy. Its new mills and downstream investments should strengthen its low-cost position, while solid liquidity and consistent shareholder returns reinforce financial resilience. Higher U.S. steel prices also provide a supportive backdrop for margins.
However, the company continues to face headwinds from weak demand in residential construction and cyclical industrial markets, including heavy equipment and transportation. While these challenges may weigh on near-term performance, Nucor’s diversified end-market exposure, growth pipeline and strong balance sheet support its long-term investment appeal.
How Should Investors Play the NUE Stock?
Nucor benefits from its actions to expand its production capabilities and grow its business through strategic acquisitions. Its efforts to boost production capacity through several growth projects should drive profitability. Higher steel prices are also expected to support Nucor’s margins. Despite these positives, NUE remains exposed to demand weakness in certain areas such as residential construction, heavy equipment and agriculture, exerting some volume headwinds. Holding onto the NUE stock will be prudent for investors who already own it, awaiting more clarity on the company’s prospects following its forthcoming earnings release.
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The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Should You Buy, Sell or Hold NUE Stock Ahead of Q2 Earnings?

Cleveland-Cliffs (NYSE:CLF), an integrated flat-rolled steel and iron ore producer, closed at $10.96, up 15.98%. Quarterly results and upbeat guidance drove the gain; investors are watching second-half earnings and third-quarter adjusted EBITDA.
Trading volume reached 64.1 million shares, coming in about 223% above its three-month average of 19.8 million shares.
How the markets moved today
The S&P 500 (SNPINDEX:^GSPC) fell 1.21% to 7,408, and the Nasdaq Composite (NASDAQINDEX:^IXIC) fell 2.15% to 25,138. Among other domestic flat-rolled steel manufacturing names, Nucor (NYSE:NUE) closed at $241.15, up 2.23%, while Steel Dynamics (NASDAQ:STLD) closed at $240.57, up 0.81%, highlighting firmer trading in domestic steel peers.
What this means for investors
Cleveland-Cliffs confirmed today that the domestic steel market is thriving. Revenue improved both sequentially and year over year as steel pricing and demand remain strong.
Cliffs saw free cash flow turn positive with adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) jumping from $95 million in Q1 to $286 million in Q2. Management expects it to approximately double to $575 million in the third quarter.
The company isn’t alone in seeing strength in the sector. Last week, Steel Dynamics posted strong Q2 profit and record shipments, reinforcing domestic pricing strength. Sector leader Nucor will announce its second-quarter results next week. Investors can likely expect more of the same.
Should you buy stock in Cleveland-Cliffs right now?
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Howard Smith has positions in Nucor and has the following options: short August 2026 $230 calls on Nucor, short September 2026 $195 calls on Nucor, and short September 2026 $200 calls on Nucor. The Motley Fool recommends Steel Dynamics. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Stock Market Today, July 23: Cleveland-Cliffs Stock Soars on Robust Steel Demand and Pricing

Among the underlying components of the Russell 3000 index, we saw noteworthy options trading volume today in Palantir Technologies Inc (Symbol: PLTR), where a total of 324,741 contracts have traded so far, representing approximately 32.5 million underlying shares. That amounts to about 77.5% of PLTR's average daily trading volume over the past month of 41.9 million shares. Particularly high volume was seen for the $130 strike call option expiring July 24, 2026, with 19,477 contracts trading so far today, representing approximately 1.9 million underlying shares of PLTR. Below is a chart showing PLTR's trailing twelve month trading history, with the $130 strike highlighted in orange:
Cleveland-Cliffs Inc (Symbol: CLF) options are showing a volume of 145,827 contracts thus far today. That number of contracts represents approximately 14.6 million underlying shares, working out to a sizeable 74.1% of CLF's average daily trading volume over the past month, of 19.7 million shares. Especially high volume was seen for the $12 strike call option expiring July 24, 2026, with 21,986 contracts trading so far today, representing approximately 2.2 million underlying shares of CLF. Below is a chart showing CLF's trailing twelve month trading history, with the $12 strike highlighted in orange:
And Herc Holdings Inc (Symbol: HRI) options are showing a volume of 3,833 contracts thus far today. That number of contracts represents approximately 383,300 underlying shares, working out to a sizeable 70.2% of HRI's average daily trading volume over the past month, of 546,200 shares. Particularly high volume was seen for the $150 strike call option expiring August 21, 2026, with 1,881 contracts trading so far today, representing approximately 188,100 underlying shares of HRI. Below is a chart showing HRI's trailing twelve month trading history, with the $150 strike highlighted in orange:
For the various different available expirations for PLTR options, CLF options, or HRI options, visit StockOptionsChannel.com.
Further PLTR Research:
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Notable Thursday Option Activity: PLTR, CLF, HRI

The NASDAQ 100 Pre-Market Indicator is down -384.89 to 28,613.21. The total Pre-Market volume is currently 117,331,589 shares traded.
The following are the most active stocks for the pre-market session:
Nokia Corporation (NOK) is -0.08 at $10.20, with 21,485,967 shares traded. Smarter Analyst Reports: Nokia Bags Deal to Deploy 4G & 5G Network in Indonesia
Direxion Daily TSLA Bull 2X ETF (TSLL) is -1.6615 at $9.30, with 13,035,044 shares traded. This represents a -6.17% decrease from its 52 Week Low.
Domo, Inc. (DOMO) is +1.0305 at $4.18, with 8,578,728 shares traded. DOMO's current last sale is 98.36% of the target price of $4.25.
Direxion Daily MU Bull 2X ETF (MUU) is +0.58 at $34.87, with 5,593,586 shares traded. This represents a 4,068.56% increase from its 52 Week Low.
ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ (SQQQ) is +1.2598 at $42.20, with 5,065,729 shares traded. This represents a 17.88% increase from its 52 Week Low.
GraniteShares 2x Short SK Hynix Daily ETF (SKDD) is -0.81 at $12.53, with 4,879,757 shares traded. This represents a 11.68% increase from its 52 Week Low.
Neuphoria Therapeutics Inc. (NEUP) is +0.42 at $3.75, with 4,655,444 shares traded. NEUP's current last sale is 163.04% of the target price of $2.3.
ServiceNow, Inc. (NOW) is +4.53 at $99.99, with 1,784,861 shares traded. As reported by Zacks, the current mean recommendation for NOW is in the "buy range".
Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. (CLF) is +1.26 at $10.71, with 1,186,262 shares traded. Over the last four weeks they have had 3 up revisions for the earnings forecast, for the fiscal quarter ending Dec 2026. The consensus EPS forecast is $0.23. Smarter Analyst Reports: Cleveland-Cliffs Posts Strong Q3 Results; Shares Pop 4%
STMicroelectronics N.V. (STM) is -10.4059 at $55.36, with 1,113,988 shares traded. As reported by Zacks, the current mean recommendation for STM is in the "buy range".
Infosys Limited (INFY) is -0.64 at $10.29, with 816,065 shares traded. INFY's current last sale is 85.04% of the target price of $12.1.
NIO Inc. (NIO) is +0.0198 at $4.69, with 659,109 shares traded. NIO's current last sale is 67% of the target price of $7.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Pre-Market Most Active for Jul 23, 2026 : NOK, TSLL, DOMO, MUU, SQQQ, SKDD, NEUP, NOW, CLF, STM, INFY, NIO

Nucor (NUE) is expected to deliver a year-over-year increase in earnings on higher revenues when it reports results for the quarter ended June 2026. This widely-known consensus outlook gives a good sense of the company's earnings picture, but how the actual results compare to these estimates is a powerful factor that could impact its near-term stock price.
The stock might move higher if these key numbers top expectations in the upcoming earnings report, which is expected to be released on July 27. On the other hand, if they miss, the stock may move lower.
While management's discussion of business conditions on theearnings callwill mostly determine the sustainability of the immediate price change and future earnings expectations, it's worth having a handicapping insight into the odds of a positive EPS surprise.
Zacks Consensus Estimate
This steel company is expected to post quarterly earnings of $4.63 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +78.1%.
Revenues are expected to be $9.87 billion, up 16.7% from the year-ago quarter.
Estimate Revisions Trend
The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 6.92% higher over the last 30 days to the current level. This is essentially a reflection of how the covering analysts have collectively reassessed their initial estimates over this period.
Investors should keep in mind that an aggregate change may not always reflect the direction of estimate revisions by each of the covering analysts.
Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Earnings Whisper
Estimate revisions ahead of a company's earnings release offer clues to the business conditions for the period whose results are coming out. Our proprietary surprise prediction model -- the Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction) -- has this insight at its core.
The Zacks Earnings ESP compares the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter; the Most Accurate Estimate is a more recent version of the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate. The idea here is that analysts revising their estimates right before an earnings release have the latest information, which could potentially be more accurate than what they and others contributing to the consensus had predicted earlier.
Thus, a positive or negative Earnings ESP reading theoretically indicates the likely deviation of the actual earnings from the consensus estimate. However, the model's predictive power is significant for positive ESP readings only.
A positive Earnings ESP is a strong predictor of an earnings beat, particularly when combined with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold). Our research shows that stocks with this combination produce a positive surprise nearly 70% of the time, and a solid Zacks Rank actually increases the predictive power of Earnings ESP.
Please note that a negative Earnings ESP reading is not indicative of an earnings miss. Our research shows that it is difficult to predict an earnings beat with any degree of confidence for stocks with negative Earnings ESP readings and/or Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell) or 5 (Strong Sell).
How Have the Numbers Shaped Up for Nucor?
For Nucor, the Most Accurate Estimate is the same as the Zacks Consensus Estimate, suggesting that there are no recent analyst views which differ from what have been considered to derive the consensus estimate. This has resulted in an Earnings ESP of 0%.
On the other hand, the stock currently carries a Zacks Rank of #2.
So, this combination makes it difficult to conclusively predict that Nucor will beat the consensus EPS estimate.
Does Earnings Surprise History Hold Any Clue?
While calculating estimates for a company's future earnings, analysts often consider to what extent it has been able to match past consensus estimates. So, it's worth taking a look at the surprise history for gauging its influence on the upcoming number.
For the last reported quarter, it was expected that Nucor would post earnings of $2.79 per share when it actually produced earnings of $3.23, delivering a surprise of +15.77%.
Over the last four quarters, the company has beaten consensus EPS estimates two times.
Bottom Line
An earnings beat or miss may not be the sole basis for a stock moving higher or lower. Many stocks end up losing ground despite an earnings beat due to other factors that disappoint investors. Similarly, unforeseen catalysts help a number of stocks gain despite an earnings miss.
That said, betting on stocks that are expected to beat earnings expectations does increase the odds of success. This is why it's worth checking a company's Earnings ESP and Zacks Rank ahead of its quarterly release. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported.
Nucor doesn't appear a compelling earnings-beat candidate. However, investors should pay attention to other factors too for betting on this stock or staying away from it ahead of its earnings release.
Expected Results of an Industry Player
Another stock from the Zacks Steel - Producers industry, Cleveland-Cliffs (CLF), is soon expected to post loss of $0.18 per share for the quarter ended June 2026. This estimate indicates a year-over-year change of +64%. Revenues for the quarter are expected to be $5.15 billion, up 4.4% from the year-ago quarter.
The consensus EPS estimate for Cleveland-Cliffs has been revised 45.3% higher over the last 30 days to the current level. However, a lower Most Accurate Estimate has resulted in an Earnings ESP of -17.81%.
When combined with a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy), this Earnings ESP makes it difficult to conclusively predict that Cleveland-Cliffs will beat the consensus EPS estimate. The company beat consensus EPS estimates in each of the trailing four quarters.
Stay on top of upcoming earnings announcements with the Zacks Earnings Calendar.
Should You Invest in Nucor Corporation (NUE)?
Before you invest in Nucor Corporation (NUE), want to know the best stocks to buy for the next 30 days? Check out Zacks Investment Research for our free report on the 7 best stocks to buy.
Zacks Investment Research has been committed to providing investors with tools and independent research since 1978. For more than a quarter century, the Zacks Rank stock-rating system has more than doubled the S&P 500 with an average gain of +24.08% per year. (These returns cover a period from January 1, 1988 through May 6, 2024.)
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The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Nucor (NUE) Reports Next Week: Wall Street Expects Earnings Growth

With the United States and Iran once again exchanging fire, the already fragile ceasefire is under renewed strain. Moreover, the increase in hostilities in the Ukraine-Russia conflict has accentuated the uncertain global scenario.
The resulting market volatility makes it very difficult for individual investors to design a winning stock portfolio. Choice of improper stocks can adversely impact returns, thereby ruining the very objective of investing one’s hard-earned money in a highly unpredictable stock market.
So, what's the way forward? One way is to trust broker advice and have broker-favorite stocks like Par Pacific PARR, Bassett Furniture Industries BSET, ChargePoint Holdings CHPT, Cleveland-Cliffs CLF and Alaska Air Group ALK in one’s portfolio.
Since brokers meticulously follow the stocks in their coverage, they revise their earnings estimates after carefully examining the pros and cons of an event for the concerned company. Naturally, their estimate revisions serve as an important pointer regarding the price of a stock. Given this extensive know-how, brokers are deemed to be experts, equipped with thorough knowledge and a clear insight into the nitty-gritty of the investment world. Paying heed to such well-researched information is, therefore, advisable for investors.
Screening Parameters
# (Up- Down Rating)/ Total (4 weeks) =Top #75 (This gives the list of top 75 companies that have witnessed net upgrades over the last 4 weeks).
% change in Q (1) est. (4 weeks) = Top #10 (This gives the top 10 stocks that have witnessed earnings estimate revisions over the past 4 weeks for the upcoming quarter).
Price-to-Sales = Bot%10 (The lower the ratio, the better. Companies meeting this criterion are in the bottom 10% of our universe of over 7,700 stocks concerning this ratio).
Current Price greater than 5 (as a stock trading below $5 will not likely create significant interest for most of the investors).
Average Daily Volume greater than 100,000 shares over the last 20 trading days (Volume has to be significant to ensure that these are easily traded).
Market value ($ mil) = Top #3000 (This gives us stocks that are the top 3000 in terms of market capitalization).
Com/ADR/Canadian= Com (This eliminates the ADR and Canadian stocks).
Here are five of the 10 stocks that made it through the screen:
Par Pacific is benefiting from a refining business that remains well-positioned in the current crude-price environment. Although geopolitical tensions have been supporting crude prices, oil remains well below the highs seen earlier this year. The current price scenario continues to provide refiners like Par Pacific with relatively attractive feedstock costs.
Instead of relying on a single source of crude, PARR has been depending on crude from a variety of sources, comprising U.S. inland oil fields, imported oil delivered by ship and Canadian heavy crude. By having exposure to Canadian heavy oil, which is cheaper than lighter crude, Par Pacific is likely enjoying a cost advantage.
Par Pacific, currently sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings in two of the last four quarters and missed the mark twice, the average beat being 69.9%.
Bassett Furniture Industries is enhancing its business model even as the housing market remains weak. The company operates multiple company-owned and licensed home furnishing stores that offer free in-home design consultations along with custom furniture design and manufacturing services.
Beyond its retail presence, Bassett maintains a strong wholesale business, supplying products to more than 1,000 open-market accounts. Bassett Furniture, currently sporting a Zacks Rank #1, has seen the Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-quarter earnings being revised 8.3% upward over the past 60 days.
ChargePoint is benefiting from increased revenues and a notable reduction in debt. Efforts to strengthen its balance sheet and improve financial flexibility bode well for the company’s growth. It is well-positioned to benefit from the rapid adoption of electric vehicles (“EVs”). ChargePoint continues to strengthen its competitive position through innovation and strategic partnerships.
Beyond expanding its footprint, ChargePoint is increasingly focused on improving the economics of its business. Rising platform engagement is helping drive monetization opportunities, while stronger cost controls and better supply-chain execution are improving network reliability and deployment efficiency.
ChargePoint, currently carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), has an impressive earnings surprise history. CHPT surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings in three of the last four quarters and missed the mark once, the average beat being 15.7%.
Cleveland-Cliffs should gain from its merger with AK Steel and the buyouts of ArcelorMittal USA and Stelco. It will also benefit from higher steel prices and its vertically integrated profile. The Stelco acquisition is also expected to significantly drive its shipment volumes in the current year.
Cleveland-Cliffs, currently carrying a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), has an impressive earnings surprise history. CLF surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings in each of the last four quarters, the average beat being 18.1%.
Alaska Air is benefiting from impressive air travel demand, which has remained resilient across the carrier’s network. Apart from demand trends remaining supportive, fleet investments to upgrade the fleet and buybacks enhance per share value over time.
Alaska Air, currently carrying a Zacks Rank #3, has a decent earnings surprise history. ALK surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings in two of the last four quarters, missing the mark on the other occasions. The average beat is 73.8%.
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The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

5 Broker-Liked Stocks to Watch Amid the Middle East's Uneasy Calm

Nucor Corporation NUE shares have gained 22.9% in the past three months, topping the Zacks Steel Producers industry’s rise of 11.1% and the S&P 500’s increase of 10.6%. The gains partly reflect Nucor’s strong earnings in the first quarter, driven by higher profits across its segments, and an upbeat outlook for the second quarter.
NUE is benefiting from healthy demand in key markets, actions to expand its production capabilities and higher steel prices. Increased shipment volumes and higher average selling prices drove first-quarter earnings in its steel mill segment. Higher volumes contributed to a roughly 21% rise in the top line.
Nucor expects sequential earnings growth across all three of its operating segments in the second quarter. The largest increase is expected to be witnessed in the steel mills segment due to higher average selling prices and stable volumes.
Among its major U.S. steel-making peers, Steel Dynamics, Inc. STLD and Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. CLF have gained 21.1% and 8.1%, respectively, in the past three months.
Nucor’s 3-month Price Performance
Technical indicators show that NUE stock slipped below its 50-day simple moving average (SMA) on June 29, 2026. The stock is currently trading above its 200-day SMA, suggesting a long-term uptrend. Following a golden crossover on July 30, 2025, the 50-day SMA is reading higher than the 200-day SMA, indicating a bullish trend.
NUE Stock Trades Below 50-Day SMA
Let’s take a look at NUE’s fundamentals to better analyze how to play the stock.
Expansion Actions & Acquisitions Aid Nucor Stock
Nucor remains committed to boosting production capacity, which should drive profitable growth and strengthen its position as a low-cost producer. It is executing a series of growth projects to tap significant end-market demand. Nucor is seeing strong demand from non-residential construction & infrastructure, military & defense, and energy end markets and has a healthy order backlog. The company has already commissioned some of its growth projects with Gallatin and Brandenburg mills, showing strong production and shipment performance.
The construction of the 3 million tons per annum (tpa) sheet mill with a low-cost profile in West Virginia is in the final phases and commissioning of operations is expected through 2026, with production expected in 2027. The new 500,000 tpa galvanizing line at the Berkeley County sheet mill in South Carolina is on track. Its greenfield project in Utah is also on course for production commencement by mid-2027.
The company has been focusing on growth through strategic acquisitions over the past several years. The recent acquisition of Southwest Data Products expanded its growing portfolio of solutions for data center customers. The buyout of Rytec Corporation will also allow Nucor to further expand beyond its core steelmaking businesses into related downstream businesses. Adding high-performance doors is expected to create cross-selling opportunities with other Nucor businesses and significantly expand its product portfolio for the commercial space.
NUE’s Capital Allocation Backed by Robust Financial Health
Nucor is maximizing its returns to shareholders by leveraging its strong balance sheet and cash flows. It ended first-quarter 2026 with strong liquidity of roughly $3.2 billion, including cash and cash equivalents of around $2.2 billion. It also generated cash from operations of $886 million in first-quarter 2026.
The company returned around $1.2 billion to shareholders in 2025 through dividends and share repurchases, representing nearly 70% of net earnings. Returns to its shareholders were $254 million in the first quarter. It remains committed to its policy of returning at least 40% of earnings to shareholders. Nucor has returned roughly $630 million through share buybacks and dividends year to date till June 17, 2026.
NUE offers a dividend yield of 1% at the current stock price. Its payout ratio is 22% (a ratio below 60% is a good indicator that the dividend will be sustainable), with a five-year annualized dividend growth rate of 4.2%. Backed by strong financial health, the company's dividend is perceived to be safe and reliable.
Higher Steel Prices Drive NUE’s Margins
Higher U.S. steel prices have created a favorable landscape for American steel producers. U.S. steel prices recovered in the fourth quarter of 2025, following the lows seen in the third quarter, and the momentum continued in the first quarter of 2026. Overall demand weakness and abundant steel mill output dragged benchmark hot-rolled coil (HRC) prices below $800 per short ton in late August and continuing through early September.
HRC prices rebounded in the fourth quarter on major steel mills' price increase, extending lead times and tightening supply, partly due to plant outages and reduced imports driven by tariffs. The recovery, which has been more pronounced since November, has led to HRC prices surging to above $1,100 per short ton. With end-market demand improving, steel prices will likely continue to climb, benefiting U.S. steelmakers, including NUE, with higher profit margins.
Demand Softness in Certain Markets Ails NUE
Nucor is exposed to demand weakness in certain markets such as heavy equipment, rail cars, truck and trailer and agriculture. Heavy equipment, transportation and logistics and other accounted for around 24% of its total external shipments for 2025. The company is seeing softness in heavy equipment where it serves with plate steel products. High interest rates are adversely impacting demand for earth-moving machinery, tractors and rail cars.
Residential construction, a key end market for Nucor, remains another area of weakness. The construction sector has experienced a slowdown in the United States due to high interest rates, dampening steel demand in this market. Elevated borrowing costs and inflation have taken a bite out of the residential construction industry. The company has not seen any notable improvement in this market and softness is expected to continue over the near term.
NUE’s Rising Earnings Estimates Reflect Positive Sentiment
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 for NUE has been revised upward over the past 60 days. The consensus estimate for second-quarter 2026 has also been revised up over the same time frame.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for NUE’s 2026 earnings is pegged at $17.68, suggesting a 129.3% increase from the previous year’s tally. Earnings are projected to increase 78.1% in second-quarter 2026.
A Look at Nucor Stock’s Valuation
Nucor is currently trading at a forward 12-month earnings multiple of 12.34, a roughly 12.7% premium to the peer group average of 10.95X. It is trading at a discount to Cleveland-Cliffs and Steel Dynamics. Both NUE and Steel Dynamics currently have a Value Score of B, while Cleveland-Cliffs has a Value Score of D.
NUE’s P/E F12M Vs. Industry, STLD and CLF
Final Thoughts: Hold NUE Stock for Now
Nucor benefits from its actions to expand its production capabilities and grow its business through strategic acquisitions. Its efforts to boost production capacity through several growth projects should drive profitability. Higher steel prices are also expected to support Nucor’s margins. Despite these positives, NUE remains exposed to demand weakness in certain areas such as residential construction, heavy equipment and agriculture, exerting some volume headwinds. As such, holding onto this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) stock will be prudent for investors who already own it.
You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
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The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

NUE Shares Pop 23% in 3 Months: Buy, Sell or Hold the Stock?

In trading on Tuesday, shares of Cleveland-Cliffs Inc (Symbol: CLF) crossed below their 200 day moving average of $17.17, changing hands as low as $17.07 per share. Cleveland-Cliffs Inc shares are currently trading down about 0.7% on the day. The chart below shows the one year performance of CLF shares, versus its 200 day moving average:
Looking at the chart above, CLF's low point in its 52 week range is $11.825 per share, with $32.72 as the 52 week high point — that compares with a last trade of $17.19.
Click here to find out which 9 other metals stocks recently crossed below their 200 day moving average »
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The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

CLF Makes Notable Cross Below Critical Moving Average

Key Points
Cleveland-Cliffs has inroads to the data center boom.
Air Products and Chemicals has its own leverage to AI.
Linde is an important leader in the industrial gas space.
The materials sector accounts for just 1.9% of the S&P 500, barely nudging out real estate for 10th place among the 11 sectors represented in that index. Despite that diminutive status, the materials sector is delivering for investors this year. As represented by a bellwether exchange-traded fund (ETF), the materials stocks residing in the S&P 500 are beating the parent index by 700 basis points so far in 2026.
Imagine what that gap would look like if an industrial boom were to come to fruition.
Will AI create the world's first trillionaire? Our team just released a report on the one little-known company, called an "Indispensable Monopoly" providing the critical technology Nvidia and Intel both need. Continue »
Some experts believe that scenario is playing out right now, proclaiming that artificial intelligence (AI) is the linchpin of the "fourth industrial revolution." And if prognostications are correct that this revolution is still in its infancy, the following stocks could have more upside in store for smart investors.
Forged in steel, remaking itself with AI help
In a bygone era of AI investing -- say, maybe, just two years ago -- few investors would have flocked to steel stocks as AI plays, but today, that notion is to be embraced, not scoffed at. Up nearly 50% over the past year, Cleveland-Cliffs (NYSE: CLF), the largest producer of flat-rolled steel in the U.S., has AI legitimacy, and not just because it's looking to sell idled mills to data center companies to reduce debt.
Obviously, any new data center being constructed needs steel, potentially representing another end market for Cleveland-Cliffs, but the company's AI ties run even deeper than that. All the talk about energy as a "bottleneck" or "chokepoint" for hyperscalers is relevant to investors considering this steel stock, because upgrading or building new transmission cores requires grain-oriented electrical steel (GOES).
Guess who has the U.S. monopoly on GOES? Cleveland-Cliffs. From 2025 through 2030, the GOES market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.6%, but in North America, where Cleveland-Cliffs does business, that CAGR is estimated to be 6.1%.
And for good measure, the steelmaker recently inked a deal with Palantir Technologies to use AI in its logistics and manufacturing processes. That could result in operational efficiencies over time.
Not a chip stock, but...
Air Products and Chemicals (NYSE: APD) definitely isn't a semiconductor stock, but what's good for the chip industry can benefit this materials name because it's a major supplier of the industrial gases needed to manufacture electronic components, and that's a big reason the company is sitting on a $9 billion order backlog.
As just one example of Air Products' enviable positioning on the picks-and-shovels side of the AI trade, the materials company recently notched a deal to construct and operate a specialty gas facility for Samsung Electronics. Yes, that Samsung. The South Korean company, a giant in dynamic random-access memory, is working to address a key AI bottleneck.
Air Products isn't just an AI story. It's an execution story. The shares are up 23.5% year to date, in part because management is navigating a tough environment with aplomb, and Wall Street is taking note. There's a belief that Air Products is out of its "show me" phase and can engineer earnings growth, aided by pricing power.
Gassing up, Part 2
Linde (NASDAQ: LIN) is another producer of industrial gas, and in the helium realm, it forms an oligopoly with Air Products. These companies' podium positions in the global helium market are worth noting because supplies of that industrial gas are currently constrained by the war in Iran, as a significant share of helium flows through the Strait of Hormuz. The other issue confounding the helium market is that Russia is a major producer of the gas, and, because of Western sanctions, companies like Linde can't source it there.
That's rough on chipmakers because helium is essential for wafer cooling and contamination prevention. In a telling anecdote, the word "helium" was mentioned roughly a dozen times on Linde's first-quarterearnings conference callwith sell-side analysts.
Linde notes it's well-positioned to meet current helium demand, supported by long-term commitments it's working to secure. Linde's ability to keep helium customers satisfied in a challenging environment is commendable and could pave the way for long-term share appreciation, as helium is irreplaceable in chip manufacturing.
So, without helium, there is no fourth industrial revolution, which supports the case for Linde and rival Air Products.
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Todd Shriber has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Palantir Technologies. The Motley Fool recommends Linde. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.