Sharkey, Howes & Javer

This week on Inside the Economy, we break down housing affordability, Wall Street’s equity outlook for 2026, the state of Venezuela’s oil industry, and the regional destinations driving China’s exports. Rent growth has moderated since the post-pandemic surge, while housing affordability has shown some signs of improvement. Where do current real house prices rank relative to the last five decades? We also take a closer look at recent commentary from Wall Street strategists on equities as we enter 2026. Many are striking an optimistic tone—do you agree with their perspective, or do you see reasons for caution? In 2014, Venezuela had more than 60 drilling rigs in operation. How does that compare to today’s reality? Meanwhile, China’s export mix by destination has evolved meaningfully over time. Where does the U.S. currently stand, particularly in light of the ongoing tariff discussions? Tune in to learn more. Key Takeaways: • Crude Oil at $57.62 a barrel • Unemployment at 4.6% • PCE Core at 2.9% year over ye