With the exception of transactions prohibited by the Federal Act of 16 December 1983 on the Acquisition of Real Estate by Persons Abroad (BewG), the company's purpose is to acquire, manage and exploit, broker and utilize, as well as trade in, participations of all kinds in other companies in Switzerland and abroad; to acquire, manage and sell real estate, establish branches and subsidiaries in Switzerland and abroad, participate in other companies in Switzerland and abroad, take over their management and administration, acquire and utilize industrial property rights, intellectual property rights and know-how, and carry out all commercial, financial and other activities that are connected with the company's purpose. The company may also provide financing for its own account or for the account of third parties, grant guarantees and sureties for subsidiaries and third parties, and enter into all transactions and conclude contracts that are suitable to promote the company's purpose or are directly or indirectly related to it.