Alliant Energy Corporation vs Nucor Corporation — how do they compare? Alliant Energy Corporation trades at $72.81 (market cap $19.10B), while Nucor Corporation trades at $234.33 (market cap $52.55B). The key difference: Nucor Corporation is far larger — about 2.8× Alliant Energy Corporation's market cap, and Alliant Energy Corporation pays the higher dividend (2.89%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| LNT | NUE | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $19.10B | $52.55B |
Sector | Utilities | Basic Materials |
52-Week High | $78.03 | $266.35 |
52-Week Low | $63.62 | $131.78 |
Enterprise Value | $30.83B | $57.19B |
Dividend Yield | 2.89% | 0.97% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
LNT trades at $73.96, down 1.16% on the day, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages and a consensus analyst price target of $78.50. The company reported Q1 2026 EPS of $0.82, beating expectations, and maintains a net income margin of 18.58%. Recent news highlights its $13.4 billion clean energy investment plan aimed at capitalizing on data center demand growth.
The outlook for LNT is positive, supported by steady earnings growth, a strong dividend yield, and strategic investments in renewable energy. Key risks include rising debt levels and exposure to regulatory changes in the utilities sector. Analyst sentiment is bullish with no sell ratings, indicating confidence in the company's long-term growth trajectory.
Nucor (NUE) trades at $231.86, down 2.01% today, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages and a consensus analyst price target of $263.11. Recent earnings beat expectations in Q1 2026 with EPS of $3.23 versus $2.82 forecast, though Q4 2025 missed. Revenue trends show recovery from $30.7B in 2024 to $32.5B in 2025, with net income margin improving to 6.82% in 2026 projections. The company maintains a strong balance sheet with a debt-to-asset ratio of 20.23% in 2025 and recently announced a joint venture to support AI power infrastructure.
Outlook remains positive driven by higher steel prices and strategic expansions, but risks include cyclical demand weakness and volatile cash flows. Analyst sentiment is bullish with 62.5% buy ratings, supporting potential upside from current levels, though investors should monitor execution on Q2 2026 earnings expected at $4.45 EPS.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Alliant Energy is the parent of two regulated utilities, Interstate Power and Light and Wisconsin Power and Light, serving nearly 1 million electricity and natural gas customers and approximately 420,000 natural gas-only customers. Both subsidiaries engage in the generation and distribution of electricity and the distribution and transportation of natural gas. Alliant also owns a 16% interest in American Transmission Co.
Read more on LNT →Nucor Corp manufactures steel and steel products. The company also produces direct reduced iron for use in its steel mills. The operations include international trading and sales companies that buy and sell steel and steel products manufactured by the company and others. The operating business segments are: steel mills, steel products and raw materials, the steel mills segment derives maximum revenue.
Read more on NUE →