NEW YORK — New York financial markets closed mixed on Monday, with heightened caution dominating ahead of the upcoming U.S. midterm elections despite a sharp plunge in global crude oil prices.

In the fixed-income market, U.S. Treasury prices ended mixed with short-term yields inching up and long-term yields moving lower, leading to a flattening of the yield curve. Analysts noted that demand for safe-haven government debt remained relatively muted considering the magnitude of the oil price selloff.

Meanwhile, the U.S. dollar index declined for the fourth straight day, pressured alongside energy markets by the prospect of renewed U.S.-Iran talks and a stronger euro. The currency's downward movement, however, remained contained as investors weighed solid domestic economic indicators, including an Institute for Supply Management (ISM) manufacturing index that topped market forecasts, alongside persistent election-related caution.