By Alan Fein

(AXcess News) New York - Crude oil prices have risen 18% over the last month, but early Tuesday morning in New York, April futures dropped to nearly $80 per barrel as investors stepped back from the market, unsure over the speed at which the US economy was recovering.

April futures where down $1.48, or 1.8%, at $80.39 per barrel early Tuesday morning on the NYMEX exchange after dropping overnight in Asia.

In London, Brent crude oil fell $1.52, or 1.89%, to close at $78.95.

In other NYMEX contracts, heating oil dropped 3.46 cents, or 1.64%, to $2.07 per gallon.  Gasoline futures fell 4.43 cents, or 1.94%, to $2.2449 per gallon.