Which of the following best represents a fixed cost?

The correct response identifies a fixed cost as one that remains constant regardless of the level of production or sales activity within a business. Fixed costs do not change with the output; for example, expenses such as rent, salaries of permanent staff, or depreciation on equipment will stay the same even if the business produces more or less of its product. This characteristic is essential for business managers to understand when budgeting, as fixed costs influence the total cost structure and help in decision-making regarding pricing and production levels.

In contrast, the other responses depict characteristics of costs that do not fit the definition of a fixed cost. A cost that varies with production output would be classified as a variable cost, while seasonal and random costs indicate fluctuations and unpredictability, which are not characteristics of fixed costs. Lastly, variable expenses are defined by their dependence on activity levels and do not represent the stability of fixed costs. Understanding these distinctions is critical for effective financial planning and analysis in a business context.