What happens to inflation during contraction?

CFA curriculum mentions inflation decelerates during initial recovery, does this imply inflation still increases during contraction? then under what circumstance will there be deflation?

No, its important to remember that inflation LAGS the business cycle.

Therefore in a:

  1. slowdown - inflation levels off
  2. recession - inflation decreases
  3. initial recovery (few months in the deep trough of business cycle) - inflation decreases
  4. early expansion - inflation is rising