Downstream

Downstream

The transfer of corporate activity from the larger parent to the smaller subsidiary.

---

downstream

Of or relating to earnings or operations at a firm that are near or at the final stage of consumption. For example, marketing and transportation are downstream operations for a large, integrated oil company. Compare upstream.

---

Downstream

In energy companies, relating to operations after production up to the point of sale. For example, an oil company's operations related to refining oil and selling gasoline to certain distributors are considered downstream. Some companies provide downstream operations exclusively, but most are integrated, providing both upstream and downstream operations.