Inside Report (6)

Look for the prime interest rate to peak in January or February. More and more economists say the rocketing prime -- now at 18 1/2 percent -- is near its apogee. Already, demand for short-term credit is fading fast. After the prime peaks, economists see a decline through early summer.

Some experts think the Federal Reserve is finally getting tough with its monetary policies, so America's inflationary bent will crack -- and bring interest rates down with it.m