Whirlpool Corporation (WHR) and Cooper Tire & Rubber Company (CTB) are two companies that have made positive moves thus far in 2014. Investors who got in on both companies earlier this year have experienced solid gains. However, those gains don’t mean it’s too late to get on board.

Let’s start out by examining the latest and greatest with Cooper Tire, including a recent upgrade from SunTrust’s Robinson Humphrey from “neutral” to “buy.” Analysts increased the price target from $34 to $37, showing that there is still room for growth as 2014 comes to a close.

For the year, CTB has been a solid performer, gaining nearly 10% over the last 52-weeks — outpacing the S&P 500 by about three percentage points. That’s impressive performance for CTB stock in spite of a slight dip at the end of last week.

Now let’s move onto Whirlpool Corporation, a company that many people only think about when they are washing dishes or getting a cold drink out of their refrigerator.

Longbow Research has upgraded WHR from “neutral” to “buy,” adjusting its price target to $185. That target represents a 32% increase over where Whirlpool is currently trading (around $140).

Longbow Research sees a lot of value in the company, despite the fact that its most recent quarterly results, posted on July 23, were lackluster, missing estimates by 29 cents per share.

Whirlpool and Cooper Tire & Rubber Company should continue to garner the attention of investors during the final quarter of 2014, with both companies upgraded by key analysts.

CTB, in particular, is a company worth watching, with third-quarter results expected to be announced before the market opens on November 7. If the results are positive, don’t be surprised if CTB surges higher.

As of this writing, Chris Bibey did not hold a position in any of the aforementioned securities.