Markets brace for another rate hike - a pattern set to persist

US STOCKS ticked down last week as trepidation about political risks and rising interest rates grew.

This week, stocks could be in for another drop if the Federal Reserve raises the benchmark borrowing rate.

While a series of rate hikes this year were long telegraphed, there was always the chance that the central bank would relent, as chairman Janet Yellen's board has done repeatedly over her term.