By CNNMoney staffFebruary 22, 2011: 6:31 AM ET
NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- U.S. stocks were set for an early sell off Tuesday, as oil prices continued to skyrocket and overseas markets plunged on the escalating political crisis in Libya.
Dow Jones industrial average (INDU), S&P 500 (SPX) and Nasdaq (COMP) futures were pointing to sharp losses ahead of the opening bell. Futures measure current index values against perceived future performance.
Print U.S. markets were closed on Monday for the President's Day holiday. But oil prices surged more than 6%, as antigovernment protests in the Middle East and Africa intensified -- raising worries about possible supply disruptions.
