Nucor (NUE) and Steel Dynamics (STLD) should consider re-visiting their aggressive capital return programs from the 2006-2008 peak, Citi analyst Alexander Hacking tells investors in a research note. The company's current cash flows are elevated and expected to remain so for the next three years, the analyst adds. Further, he believes their growth opportunities "are more limited given more inflated asset values." If each company committed to paying out 50% of discretionary operating cash flow over the next three years, Hacking estimates cash returns would total $3.1B or $9.88 per share for Nucor and $1.7B or $7.23 per share for Steel Dynamics without increasing leverage. This would still leave 45% of operating cash flow available for growth capex or acquisitions, more than sufficient to show that Section 232 profits are being reinvested, the analyst contends.

Unusual total active option classes on open include: Steel Dynamics (STLD), Gildan Activewear (GIL), Danaher (DHR), Altimeter Growth (GRAB), Childrens Place (PLCE), ASML (ASML), US Bancorp (USB), iShares Barclays 7 to 10 Year Treasury Bond Fund (IEF), AMC Entertainment (AMC), and Abbott (ABT).