Economists see only a slim chance of an interest rate increase by the Reserve Bank of Australia next week after lower-than-expected rises in both consumer and producer prices in recent months. Friday's survey of 17 economists gave a 20 percent chance of a May rate hike, down from 55 percent in a similar poll taken on April 8. Forecasts ranged from 10 to 50 percent. Ten of those polled expected higher rates by year-end while seven expected the current rate of 5.50 percent to persist. The central bank last raised rates in March -- by 25 basis points