Nucor Corporation announced guidance for its fourth quarter ending December 31st 2012.Nucor expects fourth quarter results to be in the range of USD 0.25 to USD 0.30 per diluted share.This represents a decrease from the third quarter of 2012 earnings of USD 0.35 per diluted share and from the fourth quarter of 2011 earnings of USD 0.43 per diluted share.Projected fourth quarter results include an estimated LIFO credit of USD 29 million(USD 0.06 per diluted share)compared to a credit of USD 84 million in the third quarter of 2012(USD 0.16 per diluted share)and a charge of USD 52 million in the fourth quarter of 2011(USD 0.11 per diluted share).

Third quarter of 2012 results include non cash inventory related purchase accounting charges of approximately USD 28.2 million(USD 0.06 per diluted share)associated with our acquisition of Skyline Steel LLC,and a loss on the sale of the assets of Nucor Wire Products Pennsylvania,Inc of USD 17.6 million(USD 0.04 per diluted share).Fourth quarter of 2011 results were impacted by a non cash gain of USD 29.0 million(USD 0.06 per diluted share)for the correction of an actuarial calculation related to the medical plan covering certain eligible early retirees.

It said"As we expected,our profitability has decreased in the fourth quarter compared to the third quarter of 2012.This decrease is mainly due to a smaller LIFO credit in the fourth quarter and lower margins in the steel business.Lower steel mill margins are primarily impacting our bar and plate steel mills reflecting the cumulative impact of high import levels and general economic uncertainty.Sheet mill margins are improved in the fourth quarter after bottoming in the third quarter of 2012."