The question is about the relationship between required and expected returns on conventional government bonds and equity at the start of a recession. The solution says: "On the other hand the risk-free real rate of return may fall because investors prefer risk-free investments in uncertain times – this will be different in every economic recession and is not a generality!" Under this scenario, demand for risk-free will go up, reducing the price, and increasing the investment return. How will the real rate of return fall then?
