Why 2014 will be a turnaround year for Caterpillar Shares of Caterpillar underperformed in 2013 and are down 6% over the past year. However, things should turn around for the company in 2014 on the back of a strengthening global recovery, cost reductions and share buybacks. All of which should propel shares of Caterpillar higher over the next 12-18 months.