NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - Disappointing earnings outlook from chipmaker Texas Instruments stirred fears about profit problems ahead and could hit stocks in early trading Tuesday.

U.S. stock futures were down, indicating a lower opening for stocks.

TI (Research) reported strong third-quarter results after the close Monday that beat forecasts. But its shares fell after it said fourth-quarter earnings would fall short of consensus forecasts.

The report follows similar disappointing outlooks from Intel (Research), eBay (Research) and Pfizer (Research) recently, and followed a rally in U.S. markets Monday following the appointment Monday afternoon of Ben Bernanke to be the next chairman of the Federal Reserve.

"I think part of the problem may be Texas Instruments, but I also think we're seeing a normal pullback after yesterday's surge," said Peter Cardillo, chief market strategist at SW Bach. "I also think investors are being cautious ahead of the consumer confidence report."

Economic reports due at 10 a.m. ET include the latest reading on consumer confidence from the Conference Board and a reading on existing home sales from the National Association of Realtors.

Economists surveyed by Briefing.com forecast that the Conference Board's consumer confidence index will come in at 88, up from the 86.6 level it fell to in September, its lowest level in nearly two years.

"If it comes a little higher, that will help stabilize the market. If it comes in lower than expected, that will indicate that consumer spending could falter in the coming months," said Cardillo.

Existing home sales are forecast to slip to an annual rate of 7.2 million in September from the 7.3 million reading in August that was second strongest month on record.

Oil prices were down slightly in early trading Tuesday, a day ahead of the weekly fuel inventory report.

The December light crude futures contract for NYMEX lost 20 cents to $60.12 a barrel in electronic trading, while the December contract for Brent crude fell 26 cents to $57.98.

Major markets in Asia closed higher Monday, building on the rally in U.S. stocks. Major European markets were flat in early trading.

Treasury prices were little changed, leaving the yield on the 10-year note at the 4.45 percent level reached late Monday after Bernanke's appointment. The dollar lost ground against on the euro and the yen.

For a more detailed look at the markets before the open, click here.