What characteristics define fixed or tangible assets?

Fixed or tangible assets are defined primarily by their physical presence, meaning they possess a physical substance that can be interacted with or measured. This category of assets includes property, plant, and equipment—such as buildings, machinery, and vehicles—that are utilized in a company's operations to generate revenue. The tangible nature of these assets allows businesses to value them based on their cost and depreciation over time.

The focus on physical touchability is crucial in distinguishing fixed assets from intangible assets, which do not have a physical form. This is why the other choices do not fit the definition: assets with intangible benefits are associated with intangible assets; those that lack physical substance refer to intangible assets as well; and financial investments do not relate to physical assets, being more aligned with securities or monetary investments. Therefore, the characteristic that best describes fixed or tangible assets is their physical substance.