UPSC Prelims 2023·GS1·economy·basic concepts

Consider the investments in the following assets: 1. Brand recognition 2. Inventory 3. Intellectual property 4. Mailing list of clients How many of the above are considered intangible investments?

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Last updated 23 May 2026, 3:31 pm IST
  1. AOnly one
  2. BOnly two
  3. COnly threeCorrect
  4. DAll four

Explanation

Intangible investments are non-physical assets that derive value from intellectual or legal rights rather than physical substance. 1. Brand recognition: Intangible. It represents the value a company derives from consumer familiarity, trust, and positive associations with its brand. It cannot be physically touched or measured directly. 2. Inventory: NOT intangible. Inventory consists of physical goods — raw materials, work-in-progress, and finished goods held for sale. It is a tangible current asset that can be seen, touched, and measured. 3. Intellectual property: Intangible. This encompasses patents, copyrights, trademarks, and trade secrets — legal rights that provide exclusive control over creations of the mind. 4. Mailing list of clients: Intangible. It represents customer relationships, customer data, and market reach. It holds significant value for marketing and sales but has no physical form. Three out of four (brand recognition, intellectual property, and mailing list of clients) are intangible investments. Inventory is a tangible asset.
economy: Consider the investments in the following assets: 1. Brand recognition 2. Inventory 3. Intellectual property 4. Mailing

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