Consumer prices will rise 4.5% to 5%...

Consumer prices will rise 4.5% to 5% next year, just ahead of 1987’s 4.5% rise, Standard & Poor’s predicted. S&P;’s analysts predicted modest price increases for natural gas, air fares, health care, leisure-time goods and food. They predicted auto prices would remain steady and electric bills would drop. However, they predicted clothing prices would rise 7% to 10% because of higher raw materials costs and more expensive imports. Personal insurance rates are expected to climb at a 10% annual rate.