Final answer:
The accrual of interest on short-term marketable securities results in increased assets, as this interest is recorded as revenue. In financial markets, variations in interest rates and loan quantities can be attributed to changes in supply and demand.
Step-by-step explanation:
The accrual of interest on short-term marketable securities typically results in an increase in assets on a company's balance sheet. This is because the interest earned is considered to be revenue that the company has a right to receive, even if it has not been received in cash yet. Therefore, the correct answer to this question is d) Increased assets.
As for the changes in the financial market that will lead to an increase or decrease in interest rates or the quantity of loans made and received, these dynamics depend on demand and supply. Generally, a rise in supply or a fall in demand can lead to a decline in interest rates, while a rise in demand or supply can lead to an increase in the quantity of loans made and received, as they suggest a greater availability of funds or a higher desire for borrowing in the market.