New York ? Wall Street’s malaise deepened Tuesday, with stocks falling on a confluence of factors that included disappointing earnings news and a criminal investigation into Xerox’s accounting practices. The Dow Jones industrials dropped nearly 190 points to hit a four-year low.

Growing concerns about a possible war with Iraq exacerbated the selling. There was little reaction to the Federal Reserve’s decision to leave rates unchanged.

The Dow fell 189.02, or 2.4 percent, to close at 7,683.13. The blue chips registered their fourth triple-digit loss in six sessions, falling to their lowest close since Oct. 1, 1998, when they stood at 7,632.50.

The Dow also broke through its July 23 low of 7,702.34.

The broader market also finished lower.