Deflation causes declines in [[gold]] prices and interest rates, but increases in the value of long-term [[bond]]s and potentially the [[stock market]] as investors seek higher rates of return than bank deposits offer. However, rates of default on bonds can increase due to deflation as borrowers have difficult paying back the principal. | Deflation causes declines in [[gold]] prices and interest rates, but increases in the value of long-term [[bond]]s and potentially the [[stock market]] as investors seek higher rates of return than bank deposits offer. However, rates of default on bonds can increase due to deflation as borrowers have difficult paying back the principal. |