The approximately 50 percent jump in the price of oil this year has weighed on both businesses and consumers and posed a challenge to Federal Reserve policymakers who are trying to keep the economy out of a prolonged downturn.

Low interest rates have weakened the dollar, which has in turn made oil more expensive. Now, with consumers forced to pay more at the gas pump, Wall Street is worried about a broad slowdown in spending — a serious blow to the economy as consumer spending accounts for more than two-thirds of U.S. economic activity.

Investors will be looking to a light flow of economic data next week for insights into how surging energy costs are affecting the economy.

On Tuesday, the National Association of Realtors reports on pending sales of existing homes. The May index is expected to come in at 87.0, according to the median estimate of economists surveyed last Wednesday by Thomson Financial/IFR. That would be down from a reading of 88.2 in April.

On Thursday, the Labor Department releases its weekly reading on unemployment claims. Economists anticipate a slight rise of 1,000 to 385,000.

On Friday, the University of Michigan releases its preliminary reading on July consumer sentiment. Economists expect the index to slide to 56.0 from 56.4 in June.

Also Friday, the Commerce Department reports on the U.S. trade deficit. After increasing to $60.9 billion in April, the trade gap is expected to have widened again in May to $62.3 billion.

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AP Business Writers Tim Paradis and Madlen Read contributed to this report.