A subsidiary is a company that is owned by a larger parent company. They provide supporting services to other companies within the same group. These services can include administrative, financial, or operational assistance. Essentially, a subsidiary is a business entity that is controlled by another company, known as the parent company. This allows for the parent company to have a stake in the subsidiary's profits and operations, while still maintaining a level of independence. It's important to understand the relationship between a parent company and its subsidiary when analyzing financial statements and making investment decisions.