8. Macroeconomic factors that influence interest rate levels Apart from risk components, several macroeconomic factors-such as Federal Reserve (the Fed) policy, federal budget deficit or surplus, international factors, and levels of business activity-influence interest rates. Based on your understanding of the impact of macroeconomic factors, identify which of the following statements are true or false: Statements Countries with strong balance sheets and declining budget deficits tend to have lower interest rates. Actions that lower short-term interest rates will always lower long-term interest rates. Long-term interest rates are not as sensitive to booms and recessions as are short-term interest rates. The Federal Reserve Board has a significant influence over the level of economic activity, inflation, interest rates in the United States. True False O