Which of the following characteristics does NOT belong to marginal costing?

Marginal costing is a cost accounting method that focuses on variable costs, particularly in decision-making processes related to pricing and profitability. The method emphasizes the impact of variable costs on overall profitability while treating fixed costs as period costs that are not included in the product cost.

The characteristic of including fixed costs in product cost does not align with the principles of marginal costing. Instead, fixed costs are not allocated to individual units produced under this method, as marginal costing aims to assess how variable costs affect contribution margins and overall profitability. This approach is particularly useful when evaluating the contribution of products towards fixed costs, guiding decisions on pricing strategies and production levels.

In contrast, focusing on variable costs, aiding decision-making in pricing, and being useful for assessing contributions to fixed costs are all fundamental aspects of marginal costing, making them appropriate characteristics of the method.